Seward daily gateway., 1932-10-21
FISHERMEN IF
 SOUTHWEST ALASKA
 FORM ORGANIZATION

Steps are under way in Seward and to the Westward to perfect an organiza ton of fishermen for the purpose of presenting their cause to Washington thru the Delegate to Congress, and to assist in work ing out a plan which will effect a change in trap regulations without crippling the fishing industry as it applies to the big cannerS.
 It is proposed to enlist every man engaged in fishing either as boatman. net man or cannery em- ployee
 It is hoped by such an Organiza- ton to evolve q plan whereby it's membership becomes self-discip- linary. and will add it's force to that of fish wardens in seeing that whatever rules are promulgated will be strictly observed, and give better police service for the fishing industry where it is necessary.
 Tn this they see an opportunity for reducing the cost of admins tratiOn of the fisheries, while at the same time giving demOnstra- tion of Alaska's ability to assume the responsibility for conserving fish while at the same time util- izing the product for the benefit of the greatest number.
 Already a movement has been set afoot to the Westward seeking to disclose that fish Wardens are not at all times capable of enforc- ing the strict letter of the law. It is claimed that there have been glaring instances of wanton des- truction of salmon, especially pinks and dogs.
 In one instance, it is asserted, four matches were opened in the floor of a big cannery, during the last season, and all but reds were thrown away, whereby thousands of fish were wasted
 It is announced that as soon as the fishermen to the Westward can threSh out some of the details of the organization, meeting will be held, after which the local organ lzation will name delegates to a general meeting at which full plans for organization and procedure will be formulated
 Primarily the movement has for it's purpose the elimination of large traps. In this regard it is said a survey will be made to determine the feasibility of supplying fish by net and hand trap, after which the finding committee will present a report to the local or ganization of each district, which in turn pass it on to what may be termed the parent organization This organization will be the agen- cy thru which all matters will be transmitted to the Delegate to Congress and members of the Leg Elature to be acted upon by these officials.
 It is expected that the Seward local will be organized and be pre- pared to function before the win ter is over.
 It is hoped by general discussion and exchange of ideas and data to work out a groundwork covering such questions as size and nature of gear, period of it's employment and rules by which the organize ton, thru it's locals, my impose re- gulations governing the conduct of it's members.
 The sponsors of the movement claim that it will have more poten- cy than any police system which now prevails or may be introduced 1n future. It will compel members to strictly observe each and every regulation or suffer penalties to be imposed according to the nature of the offenSe, invoking volitional observance plus the prospect of undoing the work accomplished for a greater freedom of resident fish ermen.