The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-10-03
EASIER 1851 RULES
EXPECTED AFTER
FISHERY HEARINGS
May Lengfhen Season and
Crack Down on Per
sonaI Use Fishing

Returning from a weekend TRIP
to Ketchikan, Clarence j. Rhode
reports that the meeting there or
proposed 1851 commercial fishing
regulations was the most successful
one to date. Rhode is Alaska
directors of the U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, which will CON-
pile the 1851 rules after the series
of meetings in Alaska and Seattle
1t was the unanimous suggestion
of representatives of the public that
the fall season on chum fishing
now limited to six designated areas
be general. This would avoid the
present concentration of gear anC
give everyone a chance at the fall
chum run.
1--WE are inclined to think this
is one of the best suggestions made
SO far" Rhode commented today.
Most of the proposals, both by
the Service and the interested pub
lie represent more lenient rgula-
tions and relaxation of restrictions,
Rhode said. This is because we
expect improvement in the 1851
runs.
One proposed change is that the
general season for traps and purse
seines be made approximately one
week longer than the 1850 season
the. dates to be August 8 through
September /. This, according tc
Rhode, would be allowable because
of good escapement in most areas
in the cycle year, 1919. With this
is the possibility of earlier opening
of a few days for areas known fol
early pinks.
OF special interest to trollers was
the FWS suggestion to remove re-
striction on trolling from Icy
Point to Lituya Bay.
BY the new proposals, seiners
would have a chance for greater
utilization of the Anan Creek run
as the recommendation is to move
Anan and Bradfield closed-area
markers one nautical mile east
closer to the creek mouth.
Proposed regulations affecting the
fast-growing crab fishery woulo
make the crab closure now effective
for Sumner Strait and Stikine area
apply to all Southeast Alaska; tc
open the fall season September ]
instead of September 2, to avoic
confusion, and to limit each crat
fish boat to a maximum of 10(
traps.
Besides the series of hearings
with fishermen, packers and the
general public, interested persons
may submit written briefs to the
FWS Director, Washington, D. C.
before December l.
According to Rhode the basic
problem is that there simply are
not enough fish to go around anc
support everyone who wishes tt
make living from the industry
This means some curtailment fol
all persons as individuals, and fol
all forms of gear.
The Service proposes strict con-
troll of personal use" fishing
which, Rhode says, is rapidly be-
coming a cloak for illegal oper-
ations.
1t is proposed that personal-ust
fishing be prohibited with COM
mercial type gear within 48 hours
of an open season unless the fish
erman has cleared with local FWs
representatives showing where
how many to be taken, and use tx
be made.
A number of other suggestions
were made by conservationists ane
commercial representatives, chiefly
about salmon, shrimp, crab ane
herring, and minor changes in geal
restrictions.
Attending the Ketchikan hearing
with Rhode were these other FWs
officials-C. Howard Baltic, assist
ant regional director; R. F. Shu
man, supervisor; Dan Ralston, Law
enforcement supervisor, and Doug
las Swanson, assistant; Enforce
ment Agent John Wendler, AM
Management Biologist Fred HeadleS