The Wrangell sentinel., 1949-02-25
HERE'S HOW YOU'LLFISH
 THIS YEAR

The changes in the fishery reg ulations, as issued for 1949 by the Department of the Interior, will bring scant joy to Wrangell's tseiners The expectation of an- other very poor pink salmon cycle has resulted in the establishment of a much shorter and later sea- son for this year in the hope that an increased escapement will com mence the rehabilitation of the runs. The seine and trap season in Sumner Strait and southward will be from August 15 to September 8, while the three northern dis tricts will be open only from Aug ust 22 to September 8. Very close watch will be kept on all areas however, by Fish and Wildlife Ser vice officials and extensions both before and after the regular. sea- son will be granted if and where runs develop in excess of spawning requirements. For example, if Anan has a heavy run before the season opens, it will be possible to open the season earlier in ad- jacent waters. Incidentally, Zim- ovia Strait is no longer insluded with the special Anan and Ernest Sound section but is now part of the general Sumner Strait district.
 As an alternative to the short 1 fishing seasons, it was proposed that certain extensive trap and seine areas be closed in 1949, and that other areas be set aside as preserves This proposal was dis cussed widely with fishermen and packers, both in Alaska and in Seattle, and was finally rejected because it appeared that disapprOv- al was almost universal.
 Instead of there being a general fall season throughout Southeast ern Alaska, special seasons have been set from October 5 to 15, in the following bays only: Excur- sion Inlet, Hood Bay, Chiak Bay,
 
 Cholmondeley Sound. This gives the fisherman chance to get more and better fish in these six recognized fall chum areas, yet protects the other bays where late pinks are still gathered The reg ulations require all boats fishing special open areas to register and report their deliveries to the Fish cries patrol boat stationed in the vicinity.
 Trap abolition is not a function of these regulations, inasmuch as that matter has been introduced for consideration by the higher authority of Congress Nine traps are included, however, in the clos ure of the eastern shore of Steph- ems Passage and Frederick Sound to all fishing except trolling. Traps are now also required to LIFT section of the heart walls to per nit the free escape of salmon dur ing closed periods instead of being permitted to drop them as pre- viously.
 Inasmuch as there will be little possibility of legitimate "bay'' gillnetting this year under the present seine seasons, all gillnet- ting is prohibited in Southeastern Alaska except in the Yakutat dis trict, north end of Lynn Canal, Taku Inlet, Port snettisham and Stikine district The closed area at the mouth of the Taku River has been increased and is the same during the spring, summer and fall seasons Gillnetters will not be re- quired to commence daily report ing to the Fisheries Agent until June 25, this year.
 The closure of Duncan Canal to shrimp fishing is revoked. so that area will open, along with the rest when shrimping is resumed May 1.
 The upper end of Behm Canal, from Rudyard Bay to Bell Island is permanently closed to all sal mon fishing.