The Cordova daily times., 1922-11-28
YEARLY CLOSED
 SEASON FOR
 FISH FAVORED

the Territoriai Fish Commissioner which met for three days in the office of Gov Scott c. Bone. chairman of the Commission. The Commission has pre- pared budget and outlined definite policy for submission to the Territor- ial Legislature next Spring.
 Those attending the meeting were Governor Bone, B. A. Roselle, Secfa- tary; J. R. Heckman, c. c. Hazelet and Supt. Edwin Wentworth, of Terri torial Hatcheries. MT. Hechman was elected vice-chairman of the Commis- sion E. M. Ball, Bureau of Fisher ies Agent for Southeastern Alaska, al so attended one of the sessions of the Commission devoted to discussion of the fishing problems in general "The Territorial Commission and the Bur- eau of Fisheries are working in close cooperation in attempting to safeguard Alaskan fisheries and to promote the industry said Governor Bone.
 Plan New HatcherIes
 While the complete program of the Commission was not made public 1t is understood that it calls for some extension of the hatchery system. At present there are two hatcheries in existence, one at Eyak near Cordova and the other here. At least one ad- ditional is planned for next season to be erected on Ketchikan Creek to take care of the needs of streams in the southern end of this district.
 To make the operations of these more economical by insuring plenti- full supply of spawning fish from which eggs may be taken, resolutions were adopted asking the Bureau of Fisheries to close certain areas to fishing. To supply the Eyak hatchery it is suggested that fishing be prohib- ited between the mouth of Eyak River and Moutain Slough. And to provide fishing grounds for the proposed sta tion at Ketchikan Creek, the closing of an area in Tongass Narrows be- tween Mountain Point and Point IIig- gins is requested.
 Suggest Closed Periods
 The Commission went on record as favoring yearly closed seasons rather than what it terms "inopera- tive regulations" at present requiring weekly closing. Its attitude is out lined in the following resolution which was unanimously adopted:
 Whereas experience has demon strated that the supply of salmon in Alaskan waters can be maintained only by suspension of fishing be- fore the spawning season, and that the present regulation establishing a weekly closed period serves no useful purpose and is impossible of enforce ment unless a force of 200 fish ward ems be provided and equipped to keep supervision, therefore,:
 Resolved, by the Alaska Terri torial Fish Commission, that it strongly recommends to the Federal Bureau of Fisheries that, instead of the imperative regulation now in ef- feet, but unenforced, yearly closed period be ordered and established in the waters of Alaska at the latter end of the fishing season, the same to extend from August 20 to Septem- CT 5, in the Ketchikan district, and for a like or necessary period in the Icy Straits and other districts, thus permitting 25 per cent of the pink salmon, our principal fish, to escape and reach the spawning grounds; and that similar yearly closed periods be established in the waters of South western Alaska of duration neces- sary to insure maintenance of the salmon supply.
 "In recommending and urging this system of protection of Alaskan fish cries the Territorial Commission be- lieves 1t to be simple and practic- able and relatively inexpensive, in- volving only the examination by the Federal Bureau of the cannery fish ing books in the various districts to determine the time the closed period should begin and end. After Sep tember fishing may safely be re- sumed in Southeastern Alaska for all varieties other than pink salmon as the rainy season then swells the streams and gives opportunity for fish to escape. Dogs and silver sal mont, being hardy fish, do not require the protection which must be accord ed the pink and red salmon.
 "The Territorial Fish Commission earnestly recommends that the closed period be ordered and established by law or regulation before the opening of the fishing season of 1923 and pledges its cooperation and support