The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-08-24

tnelf program mas amplp redSOn on which to base his hopes for success.
 Working with the International Fisheries Commission during the sos, he was instrumental in re- building the North Pacific halibut run. He was first in Alaska as student in connection with hali- but studies in 1916 and the terrific weather of that winter he still recalls.
 Rebuilds Halibut Banks
 His later work with the Inter- national Fisheries Commission brought the halibut banks back to their abundance of twenty years ago, Rebuilding of the halibut banks was accomplished by regulat- ing the season and placing a catch limit on the banks.
 With the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission. re- cent research under pr. Thompson disclosed the cause for depletion of the Fraser River salmon run to be an obstruction l25 miles up the River at Hells Gate. caused by railroad construction. Building of the Hells Gate fishways by thei Canadian and U s. governmental in l945 allowed the escapement tol the depleted spawning grounds to increase five fold and next years pack should begin to show the ef- feet of the increased escapement. Dr. Thompson said.
 The Fisheries Research Institute, which operates separately from the School of Fisheries, was established by action of the Board of Regents of the University of Washington in May, l947
 Members of the Alaska Salmon Industry ieqiiested pr. Thompson to undertake research to develop the fisheries resources in Bristol Bay, the red salmon area, and later to undertake study of the Southeast Alaska salmon run. To the Institute the Alaska Salmon industry contributes sl75.000 a year.
 The Bristol Bay Investigation be- gan in l945, SEE Alaska in 1046 and a similar investigation was started in Kodiak Island this year.
 Student Investigators
 Research is actually done by the University students according to the Universitys high standard of scientific investigation. We have been given completely free hand. We consider only the actual facts, let the chips fall where they may" Dr. Thompson said.
 Though there is an advisory com nittee of prominent members of the fishing industry, the program is written by the University.
 There are 28 men in the field this summer. mostly University of Washington students, though Dr. Thompson is anxious to have AL aska students join ill the research.
 We are making every attempt to get the most competent help we can, especially young men who O ra ont b,,cio ctic ,uhn uitl tripo a fresh viewpoint to the work Dr. Thompson said.
 Sven Scmme, inspector in charge of Norwegian Fresh Water Fisher les, has been with Dr. Thomp- sons field projects at the Westward for the last month
 The Southeast Alaska project is directed by Leon verhooven, who has charge of tagging operations in Icy Straits, upper Chatham and upper Behm Canal.
 Tagging Operations
 Tagging operations through which the fundamental laws of salmon migration will be worked out, begin when the schools of fish first come in, and through tagging the fish are followed from the beginning of their run to the spawning grounds. Through the percentage of returns of the celluloid discs with which the fish are tagged. is worked out the science. of vital statistics of fisheries.
 Like scientific work in general, Dr. Thompsons projects and their results are based on facts "Scien- tists are conservative, but as soon as we have something to say we will publish report to be issued by the University
 Rebuilding the salmon run is our object and we have had mo- thing but cooperation from the memEers of the salmon industry the Fisheries institute director said
 Dr Thompson left for Seattle by plane Monday. but will return later to conclude summer field work The summer projects will