The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1942-02-23

its annual production of between four and five bill
lion pounds of fish food and other related products
Our research staff is working on the de-
velopnnent of management policies that will increase
this annual yield somewhat"
SO, from one agency we hear that the effects
of the war will mean a curtailment of Alaska fish
ing and from another official source, we hear that
because of war needs for food more fish than ever
will and must be taken from the waters of the
Northern Empire. u li. ~ 7.s
Which are we to believe?
There is no, question but what this season
brings new difficulties. The Maritime Commission
apparently is earnest in its fears for sufficient
transportation of men and supplies The question
of adequate protection of the fishing fleet also Is
one that should be considered. An adequate supply
of tin cans and high rates of war risk insurance for
fishing boat are problems that cannot be over
looked sn -te.Va efe r
But apparently Uncle Sam is interested in
maintaining steady flow of Alaska's vital sea
foods to fill in gaps made by the in the nations
food supply. The huge salmon pack from these
waters can't be passed and any difficulties
should be taken care of without too much trouble.
But in addition to the question of supplying
more food the nation whole we still believe
that the Government is interested enough IN the
many thousands of permanent residents who must
earn their Hvelihoods from the sea- not to deprive
them OF their means of subsistence without doing
everything in its power to keep the industry going
full blast again this year.
Even in 1940 poor season, a total of approxi-
mately $l,8OO,954 paid out in wages alone to
fishermen cannery workers and transporters in this
disputed area. More than % canneres depend on
these waters and fishermen for their pack each
year as
,1opk nf
6s7640 cases of salmon taken from Bristol Bay,
Port Moer, the south side of the Alaska Peninsula
and Chisnik This is si2eable chunk Of the aver
age for the same period for the entire Territory
100000 cases And the 1897 $40 cases contained
red salmon the cream of the pack
1t is estimated that each would bring SIG
at the very least To close these waters. then,
would mean loss OF more than s27,00o,oo0 IN
canned salmon At time when the nation Needs
every penny's worth of food it get, this would
be disaster
1t would be worse than that for the persons who
live in this northern region and who depend upon
the fishing industry for food, clothing and housing,
and for the merchants and business men who have
invested their money and faith in what the can
produce
If these waters closed this year the effects
will be felt by the entire Territory Why2 Because
an average of 1901 900 annually in taxes has been
collected from the fishing industry in Bristol Bay
both sides of the Alaska Peninsula and all west of
Kodiak for the last five years.
1t would also mean that all Of the many COM
munities in this that have grown up around
the fishing industry would not be able to collect
the annual levies which go to the support of the
schools It is estimated that failure to fish these
waters this year would cut school revenues by SO
percent This would necesstate the closing of many
schools
The terrible consequences that shutdown OF
fishing these waters would bring endless But
probably the most serious of all would be the shat
terng of faith of the thousands of persons who are
devoting their lives and energy in developing this
part Of the, Territory for the United States
1t would mean setback that would take years
to regain But most important of all right now ii
would take away the Jobs of five thousand courage
GUS ard loyal Americans who want to prove to
Uncle Sam this year that they can send him more
food for his pantry than he has dreamed Of
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