The Alaskan., 1931-10-23
FISHING ON YUKON

| E1SIl0I16S, OLl G1lG p1OkJOoOQ ACS IatiOn that would permit limited commercial fishing in waters outside of the Yukon River. The Delegate submitted many letters and petitions that he had receiv- led on the subject from residents of Alaska in the area affected. ! At the conclusion of the discus sion the Commissioner expressed the opinion that he would re- commend to the Secretary of Commerce that the regulation be made effective January l., 1882, and if it should develop Lafter the first season that it was proving harmful to the re- sidents of the Yukon River, the regulation would be revoked. Later ether petitions were re- 1eceiVed which did not tend to 1 change the Commissioners view point, and which brought forth Q ! letter under date of October 5, in which, among other things Com missioner O'NGalley said:
 T feel that the many petitions I addressed to you indicate clear Iy a preponderance of sentiment among residents of the Yukon Fregion favorable to limited com Tnaercial fishing in waters outside
 the Yukon. The petition from Ruby advocates that the Yukon River be opened to commercial ' fishing from it's mouth to the T Canadian boundary and that Q limit be placed on the exportable pack of any person, corporation
 or association. In this connec- ticn, let me say, the White Law of June 6, 1924, does not give the | Secretary of Commerce author ity to open the Yukon River to Commercial fihing for export | purposes. It is only waters 500 yards outside each mouth of the Yukon that can be opened for such commercial activities.
 Tn the petitions on the letter , heads marked 'Nenana' it is ask ed that the Government prohibit :, the establishment of a cannery
 or canneries at or within the
 mouth of the Yukon. It is ob- I vious that those responsible foI
 the signing of these petitions
 have been laboring under mis-
 apprehension that a salmon
 canneIy or canneries would be ' established in the Yukon delta , region. In this connection
 want to say that nothing of the
 sort has been contemplated or is
 likely to occur by reason of the proposed new regulation.
 "The exceedingly limited
 amount of commercial fishing ii waters outside the Yukon, whicl would be allowed, would not jus
 tify the establishment of any salmon cannery. The cost o1 7 bringing a cannery into this re- zion would be prohibitive. The total catch of 50,OO0 king salm- on would be divided among al
 persons engaged in commercial fishing in these waters.
 "The only thing contemplated by the proposed new regulation | is that mild-curing or saltins ! operations will be conducted bl local residents of the lower Yu- l kon region. The work would 5e l done by the local residents, Wht : are in an impoverished condition : and need economic relief. There : would be no influx of outsider t from the states in connection < with any such activities.
 : May I reaff1rm my statement to you to the effect that if after one seasn's trial the new regula- : tion proves detrimental, it vii : be rescinded. Under no circum- stances do we want to work {
 hardship on any of the people o1
 Alaska; it is our earnest purpose
 to be of assistance whenever pos Sible. I feel that real benefits : can be made available to the re-