The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-11-21
CATCH OF FISH IN 1881 VALUED
 AT S125,0OO,00o
Com missioner Henry O'Malley Rep orts Im-
 provement Conditions

WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov 21- Comprehensive Government acti- ties in the promotion of American commercial fisheries and the cul- tivation and protection of game fish are outlined by Commissioner of Fisheries Henry OMalley in his annual report just made public.
 The economic importance of this country's commercial fisheries is indicated by the fact that in 1929 they gave employment to 19l ,0C0 persons, of whom 123,OOO were fish, ermen. The catch in that year amounted to 3,567 100000 pounds, yielding to fishermen more than s123 ,000, ,000 Angling as recrea- tional pasttime is steadily increas- ing in popularity in the United States, the report states. It is es- timated that the number of anglers who fish for recreation in this country exceeds 8,500,000 and that the value of fishing tackle manu- factured is approximately $25,O00,- 900.
 Fish Propagation
 One of the most important phases of the work of the Bureau of Fisheries is in connection with fish propagation which is carried on in 53 States, Alaska and the District of Columbia. During the fiscal year which ended June last, it is estimated that the total out put of fish and eggs from Govern- ment stations amounted to 7,122,- 100000 including marine anadro- nous, and fresh water species of commercial importance, as well as the highly prized gamefishes. The Bureau supplied l19 cooperative nurseries with over 100000 young fish, increased it's own output of lingering fish by 28 per cent, and salvaged more than 182,500,000 fish in the Mississippi River section. Dependence on the Bureau for fish stocking, the report points out, was greatly increased as result of the ruinous draught of last year in which many streams competely dried up.
 Biological Research
 The Bureaus program of biologl- cal research included studies of 30 important food and game fishes, expansion of it's program of re- search in the fields of experimental fish culture and oyster farming It also included direct aids to the fish ermen in forecasting the abundance of certain species, in affecting means for lessening the destruction of immature and undersized fish, and in determining what restric- tions were needed to conserve the supply.
 In the field of animal nutrition the bureau, in cooperation with other agencies, has been enabled to make noteworthy and timely contributions which have demon- strated the richness of domestic fish oils in essential vitamins, thus extending their use in animal feed ing. The relative feeding value of fish meals produced by the differ ent processes of manufacture has been indicated, and the trade shown means for improving their manu- featuring methods and eliminating waste. The assistance given has been especially timely, it is pointed out, because of the depressed fats, oils and feeds markets and has re- suited both to the advantage of the industry in increas- ing the demand for domestic prod ucts and to agriculture in making these products rich in certain fac tors available at lower cost.
 Laws Are Enforced
 Alaska fishery laws and regula- tions for the conservation of it's fisheries have been executed vigor- ouSly in an effort to assure the of this great resource. the report declares. The seal herd breeding on the Pribilof Islands has been built up until it now considerably in excess of 100000 animals, and the current seasons killing of surplus males Is expected to approximate 50,O00.
 Referring to the most important branch of the commercial fisheries canning-the report shows that in 1880 more than 575,- DOC, ,oC0 pounds of fish, valued at s82 100000 were packed. In excess of 80,000,000 pounds of fresh fish, valued at $12,50O,00O was prepared for the market by the packaged fresh fish trade, and 139, ,297 900 pounds of fish were frozen. Sec ondary fish products to the value
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