The Cordova daily times., 1921-01-13

taDllShment Of new restrictions of more or less importance governing the salmon fisheries in various sections most important, was held November IS by the bureau of fisheies, Ward T. Bower presiding, assisted by Henry l OMalley and H. J. ChristOffers, the question at issue being the advisabil- | ity of closing the Copper river to fish. ing. Testimony on the same subject had previously been taken at Cordova, Alaska, where a number of people had expressed the opinion that fishing in Abercrombie canyon and lake should be stopped. The advisability of further restricting fishing on the | Copper river flats was also discussed | The Abercrombie Packing Company | the only concern that would be ad- versely affected by closing the can yon to fishing, was represented by E. s. McCord,
 Letters were read from a number or residents of the district, protesting against further fishing in the river, and a detailed statement was made by P. w. Lee, of the Canoe Pass Pack | ing Company, who said that most of the fish were caught outside the river, and very few in the sloughs of the delta. The past season, he said, had brought a decrease of gear in the sloughs, and an increase outside. He expressed the opinion that the present restrictions of fishing on the flats were sufficient, as the set nets and drifters there could fish only at cer- tain stages of the tide. He mentioned an increase of fishing outside the breakers within last few years. He be- lieved that very few fish escaped the gear in the river and lake, describing the lake as a natural spiller; but that plenty of fish would reach the spawn ing grounds if the river were closed.
 E. A. Graham, of the Hayes-Graham Packing Company, agreed with the latter conclusion, holding that the fish were adequately protected in the delta by swift currents, etc. He said that stake nets in this section were very much larger, stronger and more ex- tensive than formerly, but were fail ure owing to the swift currents. Nels Hawkinson, formerly of the Carlisle 1 Packing Company, confirmed the lat ter statement.
 A number of affidavits and petions from up-river residents were sub mitted, asserting that no fish had gone up to the spawning grounds; that the Indians had no salmon, and were asking for help. Against this MT McCord put a number of letters stating that the Indians were not destl- ute, but had plenty of salmon, though less than last year. Statements were also made showing the limited num- Der of points at which fishing can now be done in the canyon, and the reduc- tion in the amount of gear in the lake. A feature of the hearing was the testimony of Paul Schwartz, repre- senting the U. S. bureau of education in working with the Indians of the up- river district. He presented consider able evidence to show the destitution of the natives and the unusual scare ity of salmon this year. c. D. Gar field of Juneau and A. J. Adams Of Cordova, members of the Alaska fish commission, also spoke. MT. Gar field said he believed the Copper river run was being depleted, as there are now nine canneries dependent on it, where a few years ago there were but two, and they found the supply in adeuuate. MT. Adams read from the report of the recent grand jury at Val dez, calling attention to the deple- tion of the Copper river run, condemn ing everlasting in both the river and the delta, and recommending that all fishing in both sections be strictly prohibited. Other witnesses at this hearing were G. P. Halferty, of the Pioneer Packing Company; J. E. Most, superintendent of the Abercrombie plant; B. M. Ball, representing the bureau of fisheries, and w. R. Hillery, of the Hillery-Scott Company.
 HEARING ON FLOATING TRAPS
 A hearing relative to the restric- tion of floaing salmon traps in Alas kan waters was held November 19 by Col. Edward Schultz, of the U. s. en- gineers office. A keen interest was shown in the question, which is of great importance to most operators in Southeast Alaska, and a large number were present.
 Those who favored the use of float ing traps held that the leads of driven