The Wrangell sentinel., 1931-05-01
FISHERIES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WILL STARTSOON
U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES WILL CONTINUE C0NSTRUC- TIVE WORK AT SPAWNING GROUNDS. SIXTEEN STREAM WATCHMEN WILL BE EM- PLOYED.


 The seasons work of the U. s. Bureau of Fisheries will commence in this district about May 5th with some new construction work at Anan Creek, according to Shirley A. Baker, assistant agent of the U. S. Bureau, with headquarters at Wrangell.
 A new walk for the trail from the head of the lagoon at Anan Creek to the weir site above the falls will be laid. The dam which was put in last year in Anan Creek will be improved to raise the water level below the falls, thus breaking the swift current and forming a deeper pool of sluggish water, which will afford a more favorable resting place for the ascending fish. This will also lessen the first climb in the falls.
 If found practicable, a small dam will also be fixed in midsection of the falls, in order to facilitate the ascent of the fish over the upper Ol lnE AdAAS NO NhO grounds.
 A new weir will be installed at a favorable location above the main falls, the natural barriers in this section. which will help materially in handling the situation and make the count accurate as to the actual escapement.
 Weirs will also be installed again this season at Olive Cove, sometimes called Snake Greek, Eagle Creek, and Whale Passage stream. Minor improvements will also be under taken at these three places.
 Patrol Boats
 The U. S. F. s. "Auklet," Capt. L. J. Collins, is again assigned to the Wrangell District as general patrol and service boat. Mir. Baker thinks that a smaller patrol boat will probably be chartered during July and August, and there will be in addition ten or twelve small gas boats owned and operated by the various stream watchmen. The tentative schedule for the work of the district includes the employment of sixteen stream watchmen.
 Canneries Will Operate
 Nakat Packing Corporation, Pe- tersburg Packing Company, and Diamond K Packing Company are making preparations to operate. However, no definite information has as yet been given out as to which of the other canneries will operate. This will probably be gov erned largely by the market and other conditions.
 Scientific Investigations
 Dr. Frederick A. Davidson, of Stanford, who is conducting some scientific investigations in this dis trict, is making a very special study of the characteristics of the early fish and the manner in which they change structure during the process of maturing. Dr. Davidson and his assistant have just completed a rather tedious work at Olive Cove, requiring expert skill and knowl- edge.-the marking of 5O,OOO mi grating young salmon.
 Market Improving
 MT. Baker points out that the salmon market is looking up daily and is showing a marked improve ment over ten days ago. Taking into consideration the general de- pression which has prevailed in all lines of industry throughout the country and the overproduction in practically all commodities, which naturally figured very strongly in the lowering of prices, necessitating a ,curtailment in certain fisheries operations for this year, the market situation for Alaska salmon espe- cially is encouraging at the present time. It would appear that pink and chum salmon have about reached the bottom for best quality pro duct and if the present demand con tinues, which now seems highly probable, greater quantities will go into consumption. thereby maintain ing a more stable market. Even though general operations in salmon and other fisheries activities may be somewhat curtailed, the general sit- nation looks promising for independ- ent fishermen and operators of AL askak.