The Alaska daily empire., 1922-08-16


ence Monitor commenting upon the efforts to r.
e salmon fishing in Alaska in a manner that
serve the industry, says:
The Bureau of FISHERIES, said Mr.. OMal-
ley has done everything possible under the
1906 act, working with insufficient appro-
prations. Until legislation is passed extend
ing the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Com
merce beyond the 500yard limit and eX-
tending his powers the industry, con-
ditions must go from bad to worse he ad-
mitted.
In an effort to stop wholesale destruction
of fish in Alaskan waters. every stream ex-
cept two has been closed to fishing, the pro-
hibition extending, however only 500 yards
beyond the mouth of the stream. Most of
the destructive trap fishing is done beyond
this limit. and it is for this reason that it is
considered necessary to extend the jurisdic
ton of the bureau to the three-mle terri
torial limit, provided for in the pending
White bill.
In discussing legislation which he be-
Heves necessary to get control of the situa-
ton, Mr. O'Malley declared that he did not
believe in a provision specifically prohibiting
trap fishing. but that it should be left to
the discretion OF the Secretary of Commerce
to take any measures necessary to prevent
depletion. Trap fishing, according to Com
missioner OMalley, is much easier to regu-
late than seine fishing, for the that
the traps are permanent and stationery,
while seine fishing is carried on less system
atically and in more diverse places He call
ed attention to the fact that statistics for
the past ten years dsprove contentious that
traps are more destructive than seines since
they show that in any year the combined
catch OF gill nets and seines has more than
eqnaled the trap catch.
The provision of the White bill, reported
favorably by the House Merchant Marine
and Fisheries Committee which prohibits
trap fishing, has aroused much opposition
among the Gamers, and is not looked upon
favorably by the Department of Commerce
officials c. H. Huston, Assistant Secretary
of Commerce. in recent letter commenting
on the White bill said:
In view of the fact that all forms of
fishing gear have contributed to the over
fishing in different parts of Alaska, the con-
ditons cannot be met justly and effectively
by any drastic prohibitve restrictions on
any type or types of fishing gear, but proper
relief can come by giving powers to this De-
partment permitting such adequate regula-
tory measures to be enforced as may be nee
essary TO meet the varying conditions in the
different streams and sections"
1t is a significant fact, however that
AidshoH WITNESSES appearing De1Ofe the COM
mittee in support of the bill were practically
unanimous in declaring that intensive fishing
with traps had proved destructive. Dan A.
Sutherland Delegate from Alaska speaking
on this point. declared that prohibition of
trap hshing is an essential feature of such
bill. and that without ii the Gamers will
remain in control of the situation
If the White bill is defeated because of
the strength of the opposition to this feature
declared to be essential" by Mr.. Sutherland
the expectation is that during the next ses-
sion OF Congress there will be revived and
presented the bill drawn up by the Gamers
in October. 1921, and approved with modif-
cations. by Secretary of Commerce Hoover.
This bill was referred to the House Com
mittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries,
but was sheved in favor of the White bill
ii provides for the lodging of broad powers
in the Secretary of Commerce, and extends
his jurisdiction to the three-mile territorial
limit. He is given power to define and pre-
scribe the gear 70 be used in the taking of
fish.
Mr.. OMalley's fears have been justified by eve
Sutherlands absurd amendment to the fshe
which would practically eliminate the tr,
accomplished another years delay, and II
ierland should be reelected and again atteI
orce his Quixotic ideas upon Congress there "
III probability, be two more years of delay
The significance" OF the testimony that was
need by Mr.. Sutherland before the House C,
ee is easily understood when one considers t
one yolumincus witness that he introduced
attorney for seine fishermen who want the tr
shed so that the cannerymen would have to
heir fish from them. One other witness appro
Sutherland's amendment. The other witness
ly cannerymen and their representatives.
the abolition of traps.
great, majority Of the informed people OF Ala
are not directly interested in either side to