The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-12-22
PROPOSED FISHERY LAW
 AMENDMENT.

By an amendment to the Alaska Fishery Laws, proposed in a bill now before the lower House of Congress, the United States Bureau of Fisheries seeks to acquire authority that will add to the effectiveness of its regulations for protecting the salmon resources of Alaska. Reports from Washing ton indicate that the amendment would require packers of salmon in Alaskan waters to notify the Bureau of Fisheries in advance of the season the number of plants they expect to operate, and also it would limit the operation of any floating plant by prohibiting it from canning at more than one site during single season.
 One of the practices of the bureau in this field that has led to serious inconvenience and financial loss is the frequent change of fishing regulations after the working seasons have opened Tn nearly every instance such changes have involved additions to weekly closed periods shortening of the open season and closing of new areas. The natural result Of this policy has been to put the packers to greater eXpease than was to have been expected under the initial regulations and to lessen the employment that fishermen assured of by the same rules.
 Commissionel oN1alleys explanation has been reasonable eu0uan on such occasions. The regula- tons for each year are issued before January l. Prior to their issuance, hearings are held at which data to show the extent of the next years operations are laid before the Commissioner. With 2 knowledge of the quantity of gea ta be operated at hand he has based the ieel at ons on that as a major factor. In other words is estimated how large a take Of fish this seaI produce without endangering the supply ol almon, and restrictions are imposed to keep within that quantity
 Il can therefore be seen how increase in gear in any locality will materially upset the pro- teetion program. Increases by fixed plants are nfrequent In fact operators of these plants know the penalty for additional gear will be in the form Of reduced open seasons and more limited fishing areas and careful to keep to their schedules But the floating canner moving from one area to another as the runs wax and wane faces such retribution. He moves from point to point with his entire outfit, supplies, labor and everything else If fishing is closed in area, he pulls anchor and moves into an open one Each time he moves. if the balance between gear and supply is maintained the Bureau of Fisheries is forced to add restricIous to protect the resource This practice $ very common in Alaska's salmon industry. Even last season when the Bristol Bay run of rcd sh the smallest on record, two large foa ng canneres moved into the district and added losses to an already disastrous year
 The floating cannery adds very little to Terri torial revenue and stimulates not at all either local business 8g loeof It furnishes it's trans vartation brings ts own labor and buys its mater i-ls and supplies in tue cities of the lower coast.
 Thus from the standpont of the administration of the fisheries of the packers, the Territorial Gov ernment and local bus ness and labor, curtailment Of it's activities is desirable
 It is regrettable that Delegate Sutherland sought to confuse the issue by renewing his own fight against Commissioner OMaley who in this in- stance was working for the best interests of every one concerned. However, MT. Sutherlands tenure soon expires and as his successor, Judge James wickersaIn, has pledged himself to work in harmony with the Hoover Administration, Alaska look forward to the time when such attacks will be Yelegated to the limbo of outworn issues.