The Wrangell sentinel. (Wrangell, Alaska) 1909-current, 1927-12-22
General Effect on Operations

Z
strietions will be approximately 10,
or 81 per cent Of the 544 actually
operated in 1927. the number that
would have been eliminated by the
original proposal of the packers
being about 20, or % per cent.
The number was materially in
creased by extending the closed
areas to prominent points where
fish destined for adjacent bays were
known to pass. The opening dates
for the various localities were not
announced up to the time of Mr.
O'Malley's departure. but it was
stated that the closing dates would
not be changed for the present; al
though a statistical study is being
made Of catches prior to 1914 to de-
termine whether the present sea-
sons in the various localities are
equitable
Il is obviously impossible under
the existing conditions that the
burden of any regulations can be
equally distributed among the vari-
Gus interests operating, but it Is be
lieYed that there will be less in
equality than might be anticipated
The traps eliminated include many
that have been highly productive,
and all of the packers will be more
or less seriously affected. In some
quarters a desire was expressed
that the plan of arbitrarily spacing
traps be carried out. but the prae-
teal difficulties and confusion that
would result were held serious OBJ
jections.
Trap Jumping Impractical
Very little room is left for new
traps in Southeast Alaska. and it
may be assumed that any locations
that may have possibilities will be
Immediately occupied, most likely
by small operators; the larger in
terests generally declaring their in
tention to make no effort toward
replacing the traps eliminated. The
taking up of such possible locations
will, for the near future at least,
mark the limit of trap fishing in the
district Mr.. O'Malley's remarks
made it quite evident that any eff
fort to Jump traps will result dis
astrously to all concerned. and the
packers have agreed among them
selves to respect each others exist
ing trap locations.
Areas open to purse seiners re-
main about as before. but the local
seiners will no doubt be able to
take more fish because of the re-
striction of traps. On the. other
hand, probably fewer seiners will
go up from Puget Sound than be-
fore. as the limits on size of nets are
considered practically prohibitiYe
for this class of boats. The size
limits also will make 1t very diff
cult to take fish out of such closed
vigorous measures will be taken to
enforce the regulations in this con-
nection. AS for the possibility of
Increasing the number and efficiency
of the local seiners. it may be ex-
peeted that some of them will show
greater activity than before in view
of their better oportunity. but it is
very doubtful whether the number
will be increased or the type and
efficiency of boats improved. for the
present at least. The packers, at
any rate, are needing the warning
given. and are not encouraging any
expansion of purse seine opera
tions.
The packers also have adopted an
agreement that no cannery shall
send fishing gear into a neighbor-
ing zone which is open. after its
own zone is closed. This will also
apply to fishing at the beginning of
the season. In the case of canneries
located on border lines. which Gus
tomarily fish in two adjacent zones,
this does not mean that they shall
be shut out of both zones as soon a
one of them closes. but that they
shall not send gear to points out
side their regular zones which may
remain open.
Effect on Production
Elimination of 81 per cent of the
traps does not, of course, mean that
the pack will be normally reduced