704 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
the number of canneries was not more than 3. In 1912, the number of canneries 
had increased to 5, the number of traps to 34, and the largest catch of salmon con- 
sidering all species, was recorded although the catch of reds was about 70,000 less 
than in 1911. From then until 1918, there was a gradual increase in the number 
of traps, and the number of canneries fluctuated from five to six while the catch 
reached higher levels than ever before attained and was consistently well above the 
average of earlier years. 
After 1918 there was considerable fluctuation in the number of canneries and 
traps operated as well as in the catch of salmon, the lowest level in years being 
reached in 1921, due to economic depression which affected the fisheries industry 
generally throughout Alaska. Recovery from this depression was rapid, however, as 
both canneries and traps multiplied twofold, and the highest level of production ever 
known in the Cook Inlet district was reached in 1926. In 1927, the number of 
canneries and traps was materially increased, but the catch was appreciably lower 
although not far below the average of the last 12 years. All of the new canneries 
in this district were small and their combined capacity and output would scarcely 
equal that of any one of the long-established plants such as are found at Port Graham, 
12 
O 
4 or 
Figure 10.— Number of canneries and traps operated on Cook Inlet 
Kasilof, and Kenai. Similarly the increase in traps was due in large measure to the 
operation of many so-called mosquito traps which were hand driven on the mud 
beaches of the west shore north of West Foreland. These traps are equipped with 
plank floors about 3 feet above the ground and are entirely out of the water at low 
tide. For that reason they are not continuously fishing like the deep-water traps 
and their catches are relatively smaller. If all traps were of the same size and 
effectiveness, it would be obvious that with increase in number fishing had become 
more intensive; but it is apparent that in Cook Inlet the intensity of fishing has 
not changed proportionately with the addition of more canneries and traps. 
The increase in canneries and traps is shown graphically in Figure 10. 
The purpose of this brief description of the development of the salmon fisheries 
of Cook Inlet is to make possible a correct understanding of present conditions and 
the analysis of catches by species which follows. With such incomplete data to 
deal with it is obviously impossible to make satisfactory analysis of the catches in 
minor localities. It has been necessary, therefore, to consider only the larger sections 
and Cook Inlet as a whole. 
RED SALMON 
From the inception of the industry in 1882 to the present time the red salmon 
have constituted the main dependence of the fisheries. Beginning in 1893, when 
catch statistics were first available, the general trend of production has been steadily 
