The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-09-21
STATEMENT ON
 ,,AAL|BUT MADE ! BY THOMPSON
Heavier the Fishing the t Less the Total Catch
 Says Investigator
Continued from Page One)

to expect that now the total catch can be increased by exactly the same method of more fishing that has made it jess i'll Sthe past. E.
 True enough, while the damage is being done, a somewhat greater catch is possible as the banks are being stripped of what spawners are left, but even during that time the building up of the fleet and
 the increase in the gear it has run has always left less poundage for each vessel and each man than be- fore.
 Matter of History
 i These facts are a simple matter of history, not complicated science. But every step in the process of everlasting the banks has been
 checked by most careful scientific work and by the collection of all available staticstics. The scientific findings are clear and convincing. They are as true of Area as they are of Area 2. l5
 {! Tn the face of these facts no Commission, nor any other body, could deliberately adopt policy counter to experience and scientific research. It is too plain that such a policy will lead to a reduction in the production from the banks, a reduction to a point where the present fleet could not exist Else~ where in the world whole fleets have been driven out of their busi- ness and replaced by larger, more modern and efficient boats which can go further distances to newer banks. The duty of Commission charged with preventing the de- Struction of the local fishery and fleet is clear. as
 Tn accomplishing this duty the Commission has demonstrated that the total catch from Area can be maintained and decline prevented by proper restriction of the fish, cry. This has meant a shorter sea- son to the fleet but not a reduction in the total poundage allowed For Short Season
 Common sense indicates that it is better to preserve the fishery even though the season is somewhat shorter. as
 "The Commission has had the fishery and the stock of halibut under close and continued observa- tion It finds that although there was some spawning and the pro- duction of young before 1880. neith- CT the decline in total catch nor in production of spawn was stopped by the closed season. The changes which have occurred have been en- tirely different from those which should have taken place in the close season had been effective alone. Since 1930 the stock sof fish on the banks have increased the decline in total catch has been stopped, a larger number of the halihut on the banks grow to breeding size, and the production of more spawn has apparently already begun The banks are once more in a healthy condition, and although this is as yet due entirely to more rational treatment of what young have been produced by the depleted banks, vet as soon as these. young commence to increase, the total catch can also be increased. 49
 "The shorter season was foreseen by the Commission and the fleet warned that same means of curtail- i, ment to spread the catch would be advisable. Three years ago. at the request of the fleets themselves, the Commission prepared an amend ment to the treaty which would al- low it to take the responsibility for legally supporting curtailment so 1 that the curtailment. would apply to 1 all boats. This amendment was re- | fused by the Seattle, vessel own CTS, and the responsibility for the shortened season and the fail-, ire of curtailment to apply to all 1 boats is entirely with this fleet. To the best knowledge of the Commis- sion, this amendment still reposes in Washington and Ottawa, await ing action at any time the fleet may desire.
 Tn other words the total pound- age permitted the Area 2 fleet has been maintained and not reduced, | and in addition they have been given time to engage in other fish cries which have been shown to be productive by actual figures as to the shAfes. reeeived. -sa K
 ..U,,,o heav avier the fishfuO the Ioss