The Cordova daily times., 1919-12-06
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1919
ALASKA FISHERIES MUST BI
 PRESERVED

The hearings which have been con ducted in Seattle under the auspices of the United States bureau of fisher ies, for the purpose of getting all pos sible light and information on the tion and preservation of the salmon fisheries of Alaska, have tended to establish one thing, namely, the ne eessity for some governmental action with this end in view Upon this inn portant question federal officials, ter ritorial officials, packers and cannery- men, as well as the general public of Alaska, are in agreement. Officials and cannerymen may differ as to the best methods to be employed in con serving the great fishing areas of Alaska, but the need of conservation of the salmon fisheries meets no seri. ous opposition from any source.
 It has been well understood in Alaska that the federal governments past efforts to protect and conserve the fishing industry has not been as effective as it might have been. This is not to imply that the government agents were remiss in their duties; it is rather to suggest that they were
 oJ~ ,,r,th to impose restrictions on fishing in certain prescribed areas so as to al- escape to spawning grounds.
 Yearly it may be said, there has been a gradual falling off in the salmon catch, indicating very clearly that too many fish were being caught each season, and hence not enough escaped to the spawning grounds. The logical result of this condition Is the nresent threatened depletion of the fisheries. Unless precautionary meas ures are taken by the federal govern ment. it is only a question of time un- til the Alaska salmon fisheries will be but memory
 We have arrived at the point where all concerned are agreed that some thing shall be done to conserve the Alaska salmon industry. This is big step in the right direction, and is the first time that there has been unanimity in this matter. How to go about it is another and more difficult question.
 We observe that a federal grand iury. sitting at Valdez favors the abo- lition of the fish trap as means or catching salmon for the cannerles, thus making it more difficult to eaten the fish, hence permitting a much ,areer number to escape to the spawning grounds. In opposition to this view is the expressed opinion or the territorial fish hatchery superln- tendent and many others, who 'thlnk trans are more desirable than selnes ar nets as means of catching salmon, and would eliminate these fishing de- vices.
 About the first thing to do, it would seem is to limit the number Of hsh canneries in Alaska to the number Ill active operation now. Tn other words hermit no more canneries to enter the Alaska fisheries. In addition to this, if might be advisable to place restric- lions mon the number of cases the re- snective canneries can pack in sea- son thus permitting more salmon to escane to the spawning grounds.
 Rut men familiar with the fish busi- ness intent upon finding a solution of this nroblem. will have no difficulty ,n arriving at an amicable adjustment without seriously disturbing the vest od interests of the cannery people ord of the same time conserving the great fisheries of Alaska.
 One thing to be guarded against ID ouer.conservation It is easy to oVer' sten in Alaska matters. The lochins