Seward daily gateway., 1925-12-05


 l year where a greatly reduced catch of red salmon was made. But a spec ial investigation of the spawning grounds of the Copper River, altho' not as comprehensive as would have been desirable. indicated clearly that the number of spawners in many cases was utterly inadequate to main- tain the run. The catch of salmon in the natives wheels along the riv- CT, while possibly sufficient for ac- tual needs was, in most instances, smaller than usual. Thus 1t seems clear that not only were the limita- tions upon fishing fully warranted, but that even more stringent regula- tions may be necessary to restore and maintain the runs of red salmon in these waters.
 Another place where there was bit
 ter complaint this past season is the Hey Strait-Lynn Canal region of south eastern Alaska. Commercial fishing for salmon was entirely prohibited in the waters of Lynn Canal north of the south end of the first island below Seduction Point, and the dis tance interval between traps in all waters north of 58 degrees north lat itude was increased from 1900 feet to 1R miles. It was urged that the Chilkat and Chilkoot natives would be destitute if prevented from fish, ing in the headwaters of Lynn Canal, but it developed that they found am- pie employment along other lines, and supplementary order opened these waters to fishing during the late fall run, which would enable the taking of an ample winter SUD- ply of salmon. An inspection of the spawning grounds of the Chilkat and Chilkoot regions showed an escape ment of spawning salmon justifying the restrictions imposed.
 The key to the problem of conserv- ing Alaska's salmon fisheries is the securing of sufficient escapement of salmon to the spawning grounds The new law contains the statement Congress that there shall be an es- exponent of not less than 50 per cne1 of the runs of salmon. At Chignik Karluk, and in two streams tribu- tary to Alitak Bay waters, weirs are maintained for the counting oi red salmon ascending to their spawn ing grounds. As a result of these counts, whenever the commercial catch in adjoining waters equals ol exceeds the escapement the Depal l. ment can order the total or partial suspension of commercial fishing fol such period as it deems desirable tC allow a greater escapement. Suspen. sions were imposed for brief periods at all three of these localities in the season of 1925. Sometimes the reg
 ulations imposed may seem severe
 to those who are directly involved
 but the immediate output of fishery
 products becomes matter of secon
 dary importance when at variance ol in conflict with conservation needs.
 Under the law of 1924 the whole ! matter of conserving the fisheries o c Alaska is placed upon new ant comprehensive basis, and the policies :, and plans put into effect will meal :, the upbuilding and perpetual main z tenance of the salmon runs at thei c highest level of production. This vii ' redound to the benefit of the trade
 the residents of Alaska, and thos
 who eat salmon and other fisher,
 products coming from that Territory An interesting line of investigation ' which is being carried on by the Blu :, reau of Fisheries is a study of tn
 migration routes of salmon, througl