The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-05-26
Continued From Page One.)

| and representing the Territory al
hearings and investigations held for
| the purpose of framing new reglIla
| tionS.
A Losing Struggle
| The salmon, 1t is held, is unable
to hold it's own in the struggle
| against fishermen and its natural en-
| emies. SAYS the report: "A review
of past operations and careful sur
vey of the present situation brings
Gle conviction that the wonderful
struggle of the species for mainten-
ence has failed here as it has else
where when exploited beyond the
limit of endurance.
"This condition brings squarely be-
fore MS the necessity for drastic ac-
ron stopping everlasting and con-
filming operations to the limit of the
visible supply. From an economic
standpoint. it is desirable that as
many salmon be taken from the wa
ter,s of Alaska annually which the
normal runs will allow, but no great
cr quantity should be caught than
the demands for natural reproduction
would permit with a proper margin
9or safety.
I "Just what proportion of the runs
have been taken in the past for COM
ncrc,al purposes is impossible to de-
termine. but it has certainly been
ar beyond the proper limit as is
readily seen by the constant dimin-
ton of supply.
Must Curtail Fishing
.If the industry is to be main
tanned fishing must be curtailed
20 an extent which will provide
sufficient escapement for natural
propagation, taking into consideration
this important factor: during the
last three years 1t has been noticed
hat there is a great preponderance
Of males over females in the runs.
IN the humpback variety. it has
reached a ratio of 10 to l and is
considerably o,it of balance among
he others. Probably one-third of the
fish in each run would be suffi-
ctcnt for escapement, anyway 1t is
deemed advisable to adopt protective
measures based upon this percentage
scaling up or down, in succeeding
wears. in accordance with observa-
ton and Judgment gained from a
careful survey Of the spawn
ing areas made each preceding
wear"
Importance Is Emphasized
Tables showing the revenues de-
lived from the industry and the in
vestment as well as the proceeds to
he operators are given in the re-
port 1t again urges the Importance
VI the industry to the Territory,
waving: at will READILY be observed
that a big business is involved, COW
,ring not only the greatest industry
If the Territory but one that enters
more vitality into our economic well
fare than any other.
while mining rs very. important
md has contributed largely toward
he development of the country and
the maintenance OF Its people, 1t Is
relatively a temporary industry. for
when an ounce of gold is taken from
the, placers, lit is gone forever; when
\ ton of metaliferous ore or ton
Of coal lis extracted, a void remains,
the exhausted resources terminating
the business. More mining capital
has been lost than any other. But
the fish from the sea, like the crops
from the land. may be CLEANED in
definitely if only attention be given
To their culture and protection. we
should therefore have a care lest
chr natural resources of the waters
be overexploited and neglected.
"Nearly everyone agrees that some
thing should be done. Many ways
are proposed for protecting the runs
and providing for the necessary es-
capement. Bach has it's advocate
with supporting theories. The more
important and generally discussed
methods will be briefly considered"
Comments on Gear
The Commission, while affirming
is intention of not entering the
Controversy as to any particular
gear used i'm the industry, makes
some pointed remarks relative to
limiting gear. In this connection it
said
eve have no part in the contro-
vcrsy relating to any particular kind
If gear In all fishing operations
the character and extent OF the APP
pliance to be employed has largely
been determined by local conditions,
the object being to catch the most
fish at the least expense. II any one
device is abolished and unrestricted
use and latitude allowed all others
nothing will be accomplished but fits
abolition. Likewise II It should be
removed from certain bays and estu
, aries and free use accorded all the
Il others in those waters and all chan
: nels leading thereto, the object will
be defeated.
'sFaxed gear can only be economic
, ally and effectively used in certain
! waters. while movable gear. with the
: exception of gill nets, may be EN-
ployed anywhere in style and pro
portion to suit the various condi
, xion. Tv,av an rnar-afa most slc