425 CHUM SALMON RESOURCES OF ALASKA FROM BRISTOL BAY TO POINT HOPE SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC REPORT- FISHERIES No. 425 rine Biological Laboratoiy LIBRARY WOODS HOLE, MASS. \ UNITED STATES DE^AjmrtEjaj)M^^ FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Stewart L. Udall, Secretary FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, Clarence F. Pautzke, Commissioner Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Donald L. McKernan, Director CHUM SALMON RESOURCES OF ALASKA FROM BRISTOL BAY TO POINT HOPE by Chester R. Mattson United States Fish and Wildlife Service Special Scientific Report—Fisheries No. 425 Washington, D. C. May 1962 CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 Bristol Bay region ^ Ugashik River Egegik River -> Naknek River -> Kvichak River 6 Nushagak River 6 Togiak River 6 Cape Newenham to the Kuskokwim River 6 Kuskokwim River 6 Coastal area from Kuskokwim to Yukon River 13 Yukon River 15 Yukon River to Seward Peninsula 19 Seward Peninsula from Koyuk to Buckland 19 Buckland to Point Hope 20 Offshore Islands 21 Summary 21 Literature cited 21 in CHUM SALMON RESOURCES OF ALASKA FROM BRISTOL BAY TO POINT HOPE by Chester R. Mattson Fishery Research Biologist Bureau of Commercial Fisheries U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Auke Bay, Alaska ABSTRACT A literature survey was conducted to determine the importance and utilization of chum salmon, Oncorkynchus keta, from Bristol Bay to Point Hope, Alaska. This species is the most abundant and economically important to the welfare of the local residents within this vast area, except for the Bristol Bay area where sockeye sal- mon, Oncorkynchus nerka, far outnumber chum salmon. The Yukon River system pro- duces the greatest number of chum salmon of all the areas covered here, with catches ranging from 500,000 to nearly 1,000,000 fish annually. The Kuskokwim River system follows, with annual catches averaging over 500,000. Ranking third in production is the Bristol Bay area where commercial catches range as high as 400,000. The rivers and streams entering Kotzebue Sound from the base of Seward Peninsula northwest to Point Hope rank fourth in importance, annual catches being estimated in excess of 264,000. INTRODUCTION Although chum salmon (Oncorkynchus keta) are the most abundant species in the rivers and streams ranging north from Bristol Bay and extending as far east as the Mackenzie River in Canada (fig. 1), very few data are available on their abundance in this vast region. Abun- dance of chum salmon in the Bristol Bay region, where they follow sockeye salmon (O. nerka) in importance, can be determined quite accurately for the past several decades from commercial catch records. Considerable interest in this valuable but biologically unexplored resource has been aroused within the past few years as a result of the intensive Japanese high-seas salmon fishery. Information of a general nature, in- cluding distribution in the region and impor- tance in the native economy, has been available for the two major river systems, the Yukon and Kuskokwim. The need for more specific information prompted the Bureau of Com- mercial Fisheries in Alaska to conduct a reconnaissance survey in 1957 (Raleigh, 1958). Brief surveys were made of many of the sal- mon rivers and streams between Cape Newen- ham and Point Hope, but the Yukon River was excluded. A survey of the salmon fisheries of the Yukon River was made, however, during the summer of 1958 (Knapp, 1958). Figure 1. --Alaska and northwestern Canada. 2 Earlier information on salmon resources of the Yukon River was reported by Gilbert and O'Malley (1921), by the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries in the reports, Alaska fishery and fur-seal industries from 1919 through 1943; and by the Branch of River Basin Studies, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Juneau, Alaska. The River Basin Studies group has prepared several reports in the past few years on the fish and wildlife resources of both the upper and lower Yukon River basins. The surveys of recent years have been limited in scope, and few biological or sta- tistical data have been collected. The major objectives have been to estimate the numbers of salmon taken by local fishermen for sub- sistence, and to determine the types and units of fishing gear used in the various areas. Data have been gathered during visits to the many small Eskimo and Indian villages, where local residents were interviewed personally. Identification of the species has often been doubtful. Chum salmon taken on the same day in fish wheels on the Yukon River have ranged from silvery bright to a highly colored calico. To residents with limited knowledge of salmon coloration, salmon with such varying markings were often identified incorrectly as to species. Data from the several sources mentioned will be discussed in this report in geographical sequence from Bristol Bay to the offshore islands of the Bering Sea. BRISTOL BAY REGION Chum salmon rank next to sockeye salmon in the commercial pack of the Bristol Bay region, but are much less abundant. From 1951 to 1959, commercial catches of chum salmon in Bristol Bay rivers ranged from 156,750 to 400,644 fish; the annual average catch was 313,424 (table 1). The Nushagak is the largest producer of chum salmon, followed by the Naknek-Kvichak system (fig. 2). The remainder of the areas produce considerably smaller catches. The total annual Bristol Bay case pack of chum salmon from 1933 through 1959 is shown in figure 3. The data were obtained from the Pacific Fisherman Yearbook (1959, p. 871) and the files of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Alaska. In recent years production has been low, reducing the average pack for the last 10 years to below the preceding 10. Since escapement data are not available, it is not known whether the case pack is an indi- cator of annual abundance. Spawning ground surveys in past years were concentrated on areas utilized by sockeye salmon, and data on chum salmon have been gathered only incidentally. Lack of chum sal- mon adults in areas of the various weirs and counting tower sites, which were generally located considerable distances up the major salmon rivers, indicates that most chum sal- mon spawn in the lower reaches of the rivers or in tributary streams entering below these installations. Chum salmon for personal use of local resi- dents are taken mainly in the Nushagak, Togiak, and Ugashik Rivers. No data are available to indicate how many thousands are taken each year. Brief comments from personnel of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries familiar with the Bristol Bay rivers (fig. 2) are presented in the discussion that follows. Ugashik River The Ugashik is the southernmost of the Bristol Bay rivers. It is located on the Alaska Peninsula and is of minor importance in chum salmon production. Counts of salmon were made at a weir located immediately below the outlet of the lower Ugashik Lake from 1926 through 1932. Chum salmon counts ranged from 89 in 1927 to a maximum of 1,210 in 1932. Heaviest spawning of this species occurs in Dog Salmon River, although some are found in King Salmon River. Egegik River The Egegik is the river outlet to Becharof Lake and is another minor producer of chum 1 1958 a year of surprise in Pacific salmon canning. (January) p. 81-127. 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Figure 3.--Annual case pack of chum salmon, Bristol Bay. 1933-59. Data from Pacific Fisherman Yearbook. 1959.) salmon. Most chum salmon spawn in King Salmon River, the only large tributary of the Egegik. A few chum salmon ascend the stream as far as the former site of a salmon weir, which was located just below Becharof Lake. In 1932 only 210 chum salmon were counted through the weir. Naknek River Chum salmon production in the Naknek River is somewhat greater than in theUgashik and Egegik Rivers. Most chum salmon spawn in Big Creek, although small numbers use the minor tributaries, King Salmon, Smelt, and Pauls Creeks. The numbers that passed the weirs or counting towers on the main stem have been small; a maximum count of 1,044 was recorded in 1929. A few chum salmon have been observed at the Brooks Lake weir. Kvichak River Chum salmon runs in the Kvichak River are similar in magnitude to those of the Naknek River. In spite of significant numbers taken in the commercial fishery, few chum salmon ap- pear at the outlet of Iliamna Lake. According to Bureau personnel, chum salmon are most abundant in the Alagnak River, a major tribu- tary that enters the main river from the east, well within the influence of tides. Small numbers of chum salmon are known to spawn in the minor tributaries that enter the main river from the north. Nushagak River The Nushagak River is the most important chum salmon stream in Bristol Bay. The annual average commercial catch has been more than twice that of the combined Naknek and Kvichak River catches, the next most im- portant streams. Most chum salmon utilize the main river for spawning, and very few have been observed at the counting station, which is located far upstream. They have been ob- served in considerable numbers up the major tributary, Mulchatna River, which enters the main stem below the counting site. Togiak River Although the Togiak is a minor chum salmon river, it has runs of nearly as many salmon of this species as of sockeye salmon. In recent years, its commercial production has been more than 20,000 chum salmon. Spawning occurs principally in the main river, but the small tributaries are also utilized by chum salmon spawners. Escapements up to 200,000 have been reported by personnel of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. CAPE NEWENHAM TO THE KUSKOKWIM RIVER sockeye salmon have been reported from eight. Sockeye salmon distribution, however, was not the same in all cases as chum. Aerial surveys by Raleigh in 1957 disclosed chum salmon in four streams, but the survey timing did not coincide with spawning. Their presence in the streams was verified by local residents. Small streams of doubtful value to salmon have not been included in the listing. The importance of salmon in the food supply of the different native villages from Cape Newenham to the Kuskokwim River (fig. 5) is rated in table 3. The total estimated annual catch of chum salmon in the area was approxi- mately 37,000. The village of Eek rated high in dependency on salmon, while Platinum and Goodnews Bay rated low. Villages inhabited only by native residents invariably depend more on the fish and wildlife resources for their livelihood than those with white residents. Also, the coastal natives depend less on salmon and more on other sources of food, such as seals, beluga, waterfowl, and ocean species of fish, than do the inland natives who live adjacent to salmon streams. The 1960 fishing regulations, which were established by the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game, allowed a quota of 25,000 sockeye salmon and a total of 3,000 salmon of all other species to be taken commercially within the mouth of the Kanektok River (fig. 4). Other than this, all salmon fishing is for the subsistence of local residents. KUSKOKWIM RIVER The Kuskokwim River, with 22,237 square miles of drainage, is the second largest river in Alaska, being exceeded in size only by the Yukon. From its source in the central section of interior Alaska, it flows in a generally southwesterly direction and discharges into the head of Kuskokwim Bay (fig. 4). The coastal area lying between Cape Newen- ham and the mouth of the Kuskokwim River contains a number of small rivers and streams (fig. 4). Two of the streams, Kanektok and Eek Rivers, have estimated chum salmon catches in excess of 20,000 (table 2). Chum salmon are known to enter nine of these streams, and Although there have been commercial fish- eries in this river, they were limited to king (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and sockeye sal- mon, chum salmon being used in the extensive native personal-use fisheries. The more de- sirable species were salted, pickled, or dried by small commercial enterprises, but since RIVER NUMBER AND NAME l Slug R 2 Unoluk R 3 Solmon R 4 Goodnewt R. 5 Indian Cr. 6 Cripple Cr 7 Jack Smith Cr B No Nomt Cr. 9 Arohk R 10 Konektok R II Elk R 12 Kuskokwim R IS Kugohk R 14 Kugukllk R 15 Tookiook R 16 Monoptknok R 17 Azun R 18 Aphrtwn R. 19 Scpmmon R Yukon R. 20 Postoiik R 21 Pikmiklolik R. 22 Kogok R 23 Golsovio R 24 Unoloklott R 25 Egovik Cr. 26 Shoktolik R. 27 Ungahk R 26 Inglutohk R 29 Koyuk R 30 Kwmiuk R 3i Niukluk R. 32 Flomciou R 33 Noma R 34 Sinuk R 35 Kuzitrm R 36 Nuluk R 37 Arctic R 36 Serpontin* R 39 Immoctiouk R 40 Kugrgk R 41 K.xolik R 42 Bucklond R 43 Kouk R. 44 Sklo.ik R 45 Kobuk R. 46 Nootok R 47 Willi k R 48 Kukpgk R \io- ICA* 10,0' I5&' 152' Figure 4. --Locations of productive salmon streams between Cape Newenham and Point Hope, Alaska. many residents felt that the export of salmon products was working a hardship on the local inhabitants, commercial fishing on the Kusko- kwim River was closed in 1925. It was again allowed in 1930 with certain restrictions. In 1931 a quota of 250,000 fish, including sockeye and king salmon, was established for com- mercial use. Generally this rather lenient quota was not filled by the salteries, but because of the effects of the commercial fishery, local residents again requested a closure of the river. In 1952, the export of salmon from Table 2. Species of fish reported by natives from streams between Cape Newenham and Point Hope, Alaska, and estimates of annual salmon catches Square miles drain- age area Species of fish utilized Area A CO •H Cm CO -P •H .cj CO •H =M CD CD CO a M cd > r-l r-1 O a -p O M -p o <2 ■H cd oi 3 o M +^> cu cd M? H -P o M m cu •H Ph H CD M CO CO ■H Cm Ai o cd m 2 •H r-i cd M o o cd .Q 1) r-l o ■p CO Salmon Recent and stream 43 o o si o o cu >> o o CO A4 M ■H Ph annual salmon catches Cape Newenham to Kuskokwim Paver: 57 X Unaluk River. . . . X Salmon River. . . . 13 X X Goodnews River.. 1,018 X X X X X X 3,800 Indian Creek. . . . 60 X X Cripple Creek. . . 23 X Jack Smith Creek 23 X X 173 X X Aralik River. . . . 250 X 200 Kanektok River.. 752 X X X X X X 22,600 1,102 X X X X X X X 39,300 Kuskokwim River. 22,237 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 698,700 Kuskokwim River to Yukon River: Kugalik River... 258 X X X Kuguklik River.. 381 X X Tooksook River. . 113 X X Manopiknak River 290 X 315 X Aphrewn River . . . 755 X Scammon River... 315 X X X X X X 5,100 330,000 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 1,000,000 Yukon River to Seward Peninsula: Pastolik River. . i.;< X X X X X 300 Pikmiktalik 70 X X X X 82 X Golsovia River.. 220 X X X Unalakleet River 1,511 X X X X X X X X X X X X 105,600 Egavik Creek 164 X Shaktolik Creek. 888 X X X X X X X 39,600 Ungalik River. . . 756 X Inglutalik River 724 X 2,500 Seward Peninsula from Koyuk to Buckland: 1,634 X X X X X X X X 55,600 Kwiniuk River... 189 X X X X X X 16,600 Niukluk River... 957 X X X X X X X 35,700 See footnotes at end of table. Table 2. — Species of fish reported by natives from streams between Cape Newenham and Point Hope, Alaska, and estimates of annual salmon catches — Continued Square miles drain- age area Species of fish utilized Area si to •H. Cm CD -p •H si CO •H Cm CD CD Si CD •a M CO > >> rH rH o Q -p p 0 M -p o •H cd -p p o M -p CD ^i cd kH H -p o Si % CD M •H Ph H CD M a P to si m •H Cm O cd > cd M O H V cd .o CD rH O ■H ■P CO Salmon Recent annual salmon catches and stream 9 o o fi o o CD >> CD M o o CO ■H 0-, Seward Peninsula from Koyuk to Buckland--Con. Flambeau River.. 252 X X X X 390 X X X X X X X 293 X Kuzitrin River.. 2,291 X X X X X X X X X X 17,100 220 X X Arctic River. . . . 290 X X X X X X 900 Serpentine River 692 X X X X X X Immacheuk River. 233 X 24,800 Kugruk River. . . . 635 X X X Kiwalik River. . . 195 X 3,500 Buckland River.. 1,500 X X X X 11,500 Buckland to Point. Hope: x Kauk River 150 Selawik River... 2,500 X X X X X X Kobuk River 11,767 X X X X X X X X X X X X 125,000 Noatak River. . . . 19,215 X X X X X X 14,400 Kukpuk River. . . . 450 X X X X X X 500 Wulick River. . . . 1,200 X X X X X 600 Total 2 2, 224, 200 1 Burbot reported as "lingcod" by natives; stickleback, as "needlefish." 2 The total catch figure by river includes the estimated catch for the Yukon River, but does not include salmon caught in salt water. Therefore, the total catch figure given in table 3 does not correspond to the one in table 1 or to the total catch figure for the area. Source: Raleigh, 1958. the Kuskokwim was eliminated by a complete closure, but in 1954 restrictions were relaxed to the extent that 3,000 king salmon could be taken commercially below Aniak (fig. 5) and the same number above this village. In 1960 the Alaska Department of Fish and Game established commercial fishing quotas of 3,000 king and 1,500 cohofO. kisutch) sal- mon below the town of Akiachak (fig. 5) and 1,500 each of king and coho salmon between Akiachak and the mouth of the Aniak River. Changes, which will be effective in 1961, limit catches of king salmon only before August 1. Taking salmon from Akiachak up- stream to the middle mouth of Aniak Slough is limited to 1,500 each of king and coho sal- mon, and similar quotas for the two species 68* / \ -^ VILLAGES SALMON UTILIZATION 0 Undar 5,000 ^^vczl 7 ~P~?-\ ^ 1 2 Platinum Goodnaw* Bay • S.000-9,999 IF/ 3 4 Kwmhogak Etk Q 10,000-19,999 / ^ST7>JL/ J J / S Nopoitkok 66' ■ Our 20,000 6 7 6 9 K«ithluk Akiak Tuiuktak Ogolvlk / V ' 10 II 12 13 Aniak Wilioni Mc Grain Nikolai 14 Mtdl-o - V^l IS Starling Landing IE Stony Rivar r~J -- ° Ts> \ r TNJnl jdrfr v< 17 Slaattnuta \°/ ^ /Sifc. \K^^^\~A 18 Parkl 19 Crook** Crtak a)/ ^'' ./ <2k °5«l ji ^ l ^j" 20 Nopamuta >'' * v^^xr]^ -^ n 21 Bucklond 64* ^7^ ^/' Isf/T ^ V, r. 22 Akiachqk 23 Bathal 24 23 Otcarvilla Napakiak /A*. ^^^-^ / ^^?^^«&20>»-^vW"^ /- 26 Tuntaluliog /^n r-^^^^^C^H^ 27 Kwlgillir-gok 26 Kipnuk ^ r\ 29 30 31 Chafornok Nigntmutk Tununok ^f u 32 Nunapilchuk / 33 Nunochuk c /€T~ 34 36 Kosiglook Chavak 62' ~^\ / /^frt l^y j£ V) / 37 38 Hoopar Boy Scommon Bay _M J ' X \ \s>- / lC^2<£Z*\ jjjNj y YV^\ I %j37m s /^ — -» »H-' 60' h / '5- [ 27 t^L^- 5P J 4 39 SIlDbint 50 Solomon 61 Kotiabua 40 St Micnoeli 51 Port Softly 62 Noorvik 41 Unoloklaot 52 Fort Davit 63 Klano ■-»/ / Wei"^ 42 Egovik 53 Nomt 64 Shungnak 58 --UL L, CaPeJ)L*** 43 Shomolik 54 Ttlltr 63 Kobuk 44 Koyuk 55 Salmon Lokt 66 Nootok 45 Elim 46 Golovin 56 Igloo 57 Prince of Woio» 67 Kivalina 68 P( Hopt 47 While Mountoin 48 Council 58 Srnshmartff 59 Oeenng /^~-~— --__ 49 Bluff 60 Condl« jX 1* I < 1 10' /64" /60° ,5> • 32 cd 13 rH -rl -p p c cu >> CU > P U • >>43 T3 CO • CU ■d OSfi ft u o •H CU T-J tn 13 cu co • 43 cu p, • A CU CU •H ho • • CU "O CJ -P T3 t) o tH 43 -a cd CO co t< cu -p tn S3 0 Fh CO 0 CO rH tH cu h-> cd o o P a) -p rH .h -p cu t-t cd > rH Cd O P, S3 bo G cd Cu O c cu 0 a > o cu •h cd a cu x) a •HP, >5 +J O -H -p • u cu •3 •h • ho (3 0 -P CO cd o -p cu -p co p 5 >lO) 2 CJ rH tn 3 fi ai . cd -p a r-i CO >5 C3 CO cd CO co a cu cu cu X> 0 • CU O 0 > cu p CU >i >-> - co 43 O A5 Ci (3 p cd B >5 O 43 XI CO +J cu o cd cd CO tH CO tH -H fl oj cu cu a tn -P -P 73 "TJ 43 cd p cd cd p A • tH •> -rH -P -P 3 H cd >j tw a) • >o co t3 -a 0 0 0 73 O T3 T3 u H h fflfl ((-P cu G • S cp flp coPTHcdPf3>i43 • 0ocdo4=i0i>o 5 Pm430P;3tHCO HP HP -H 43 a r30ed>OcocdtH M CO • CJ 0 11 Orlrl B -H O O OP 0>OP cdhocd-p P K ho ftiH tH T3 Cm Ch ft rH tH CO ho-rHtH43 - cd0cd OP P.O >>>i 43o m cd tn tn O cd cd cd co cu O T) > (3 -M o tH cu cd cu M 43 CU 4^ CJ >>ScdOM-J-pO 43 cd cd t3 cj Cu CO >5 0f3co0cd0f3 •** •* • +J -H -. > 0) fip > p p p P cd t3 9 cu cu co ch C ^ cd>»-H0c3 -CC fl 13 CUCJ-PCUCUmCh-O CU ft o 43rH^0T3CO00 0 0 t3 P cd S3 m Cj O xi -a -p ^ p, a 0 Q co co CO CO CO m T3 O O CU O cu -p cd Ocop(cohppP00 0 0 a -H O tH in j3 f «hh a g hi 0) ho 0 p -H T3 P O CO u cu 043co43mO P.P. ft ft Q T3 43 -p P ho C 43 O O Cm Pi m p 0 P 0 O p P * +2 +2 -P -H rH CO O -M H T3 m cm -h > O C CO i> O p tn CJ 0 d Cd Cm O rH rH 0CJCdOP P.00 tH 0 0 >5 rH t> Cm m CU 43 P1 m co hfl ho cd ho ho p o 0 o ft 3 u 0 co cO cd rH d CJ r-a CO CU G tip O rH 0 cu cd p x COQT3Q0430OO oc_5<;c5o3o>2:2 O O P3 33 tf W S 3 Cm CO O p 0 o o o o o m O O OOOmooo O O I c t>c--\t0CMir\OOO O O ocMmm rH o m -J- vO moo o> o^ o o ITl 1 O rH •» •* »\ as •> 1 Xi r-t f\ VO m St sf cm a\ c^ f-ovo-j-stcnen en to P -H H rH rH rH H (0 h0 fe to Cm rH O 0 (U tH X! t> m \o cm O m to rH tc !> 1 43 s -^ P to 1T\ C\J rH CM cm m en m cnsfT\>l-NfrvtNt->tNt- St 1 Z -H Cm H 43 CO o o o o o o o o o o ooooooooo o o o cj fn o o o o o o o o o o ooooooooo o o o -p CO o 0) 43 O 1 O O en O f- t> cm [> rn OI>00[>0000 o O rH O tlO O vO \0 St rH tO O CO CM O ovoinmrHmmtoto O^l-rHOtOOCMCMCM m en m 3 O CM ITl OS rH r-t en en vD ■a 0 p cd 2 en cm cm t> en m \D ITv >t to stiOvOminNtHsfsf en en St a •H CO CO en (MOO -^ r-f m m cMtoor^ocnmc^D- r-l o W G en MOH t-4 st H en vom into totovoinsf-stc^mm o o o tH en en cm >t CMenencnmcM cmcm CM CM 0 8P tH 0 cd cu ^ CM en >J IT* vD t> tO O O rH CM en~4-mM3t^-tooNOrH CM en CM CM CM CM CM CM CM cm en m en enenenencnencn^i'Nt St Nf Q\ CJS CJS OS OS OS OS O 0\ o o OnOO^OOOCJ^C^cT* O ON rH rH rH rH rH rH rH rH rH rH rH r-tr-lr-^r^f-tf-tr-tr-tr-l rH rH T3 0 tH Cm O CO T3 o ft Cm O tH O P O CO Cm a o •H CO tH 0 > o r^ OS 42 CO 14 River in table 2, a considerable chum produc- tion is indicated by the number utilized at Chevak (table 3), which is located on this stream. Reliable information on the streams was very limited, and many could not be rated for presence of salmon. Raleigh rated only two of the seven villages as medium or high in dependency upon salmon (table 3). The two villages, Kipnuk and Chefornak, take most of the salmon for their use from the Kuskokwim River. Note that these villages are listed twice in table 3 since they derive a considerable amount of salmon from the Kuskokwim River. The estimated annual chum salmon catch for the region was approxi- mately 47,500. YUKON RIVER The Yukon River district is the most im- portant economically for chum salmon of the areas under investigation. The Yukon is one of the largest rivers on the North American continent and has a drainage area of approxi- mately 330,000 square miles. The sources of the system lie in a series of lakes located in southwestern Yukon Territory and northwest- ern British Columbia in Canada. The river flows in a northwesterly direction from these lakes to Fort Yukon in Alaska and then in a generally southwesterly direction to its mouth, which is on the Bering Sea south of Norton Sound (fig. 1). In this river system are found all five North American species of Pacific salmon. Chum salmon are the most abundant, followed by king and coho. Sockeye and pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuschaj salmon are limited in numbers and are found only in the lower reaches of the river. A limited commercial fishery is allowed principally on king salmon, but all species are used in an extensive subsistence fishery. The native subsistence fishery extends from the mouth of the Yukon River well up into the Yukon Territory of Canada. Chum salmon are known to ascend the main river as far as the mouth of the Teslin River and then up this tributary to Teslin Crossing (fig. 1). Chum salmon are extensively utilized for dog food, perhaps even more than for human consumption. The term "dog salmon" may include coho and sockeye salmon, as any salmon (except king and pink) fed to dogs is called by this term. First commercial utilization of salmon of the Yukon River was reported in 1918 by Bower (1919) as follows: "The development of the Yukon salmon fisheries bagan in 1918 with the establishment of a floating cannery at Andreafski. The season's operations resulted in a pack of 13,463 cases of salmon, divided as follows: Cohos 2,661, chums 6,471, hump- backs [pinkl 107, and kings 4,224 cases. In addition to this, 10,400 pounds of cohos and chums were dry-salted. The total catch of salmon for the cannery was 115,531, of which 26,144 were cohos, 73,921 chums, 3, 227 hump- backs, and 12,239 kings. Fishing was carried on from the mouth of the Yukon to a point above the junction of Clear River, chiefly in that part of the Yukon delta known as Kwikluak Pass. The fishing seasons were as follows: Kings, June 26 to August 17; chums, June 28 to September 8; humpbacks, July 7 to July 29; and cohos, August 3 to September 8." The Carlisle Packing Co. of Seattle conducted these operations. In 1919 and 1920 the same company operated a cannery in the Kwiguk Slough. The 1919 op- erations were quite successful, 101,107 king and 357,081 salmon of smaller species, mainly chum, being processed. However, this was a year in which the salmon runs were well below normal, and fishing conditions, except near the mouth of the river, were extremely poor. As a result, the native subsistence fisheries suffered severely from lack of ade- quate supplies of salmon. Gilbert and O'Malley (1921) reported the following: "In 1919 the company reported capture of 101,107 king sal- mon and 357,081 small salmon, largely chums. If these had been captured upriver and dried, the king salmon would then have averaged about five pounds each and the chums 1 1/4 to 11/3 pounds. Adopting the lower figure, the cannery pack, dried, would have amounted to 252 tons of king salmon and 223 tons of the smaller varieties, or 475 tons altogether. This is held to be more than twice any possible estimate of the amount of dried salmon actually put up during that season on the entire river." 15 Fortunately, the 1920 salmon runs were greater than those of 1919, and the cannery operations affected the escapements far less than in the previous year. Gilbert and O'Malley (1921) commented on the conditions as follows: In 1920 there was at least a fair average run of the better class, and not improbably it was one of the best runs that can be expected in the Yukon; but the cannery was unsuccessful, owing to adverse fishing conditions. It obtained a little more than half as many kings as in 1919 and less than half as many chums. Had the 58,000 kings and 155,000 chums been permitted to enter the river more salmon undoubtedly would have reached the spawning grounds, but the amount of dried salmon would not have been greatly increased. In the first place the number released would bear a small ratio to the total number running in so good a year; and, furthermore, along that section of the river which put up by far the larger amount of dried salmon, wheels, if operated more than a few hours each day during the height of the run, caught more fish than could be cleaned and prepared for drying. It does not then ap- pear that with a large run of salmon and a relatively small cannery pack the latter has any recognizable effect in lessening the dried salmon supply of the Yukon. We are not prepared, however, to venture the assertion that such would have been the case had the cannery pack in 1920 reached as large proportions as it attained in 1919. But even had the cannery put up the full 60,000 cases in 1920, for which it made prepara- tions, it would not have reproduced the severe condi- tions which existed on the river in 1919. These, as had been shown, were the result of a phenomenally poor season, made much worse by a large cannery pack. A public hearing was held in Seattle, Novem- ber 23, 1920, to consider the advisability of closing all commercial fishing on the Yukon River system. The report of this hearing (Bower, 1921) stated: Satisfactory information was presented at that hear- ing in support of the opinion generally expressed that commercial fishing for export could not be continued without seriously depleting the runs of salmon and jeopardizing the lives of the native inhabitants of the region and their indispensable dogs. Accordingly the Secretary of Commerce issued an order on December 18, 1920, prohibiting the taking of salmon for other than local use from the Yukon River, its tributaries, and the waters within 500 yards of the mouth thereof after August 31, 1921. Although the Yukon River has been opened for a limited commercial fishery upon king salmon for many years, chum salmon have been protected. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game liberalized the regulations in 1961 to allow for a greater number of salmon to be taken. Prior to August 1, only king salmon can be taken, but after that date chum salmon may be taken legally, as well as king and coho salmon. The latter two have quotas of 5,000 fish each in the area above Owl Slough. By August 1, most chum salmon have migrated through the fishing area and will not be avail- able to the fishery. The first estimate of the importance of chum salmon in the economy of the Yukon River region was recorded in 1918 (Bower, 1919) as follows: "Statistics compiled at the close of the season of 1918 indicated that exclusive of gear operated by the cannery and salteries near the mouth of the river, the whites and natives on the Yukon and tributary waters used 393 fish wheels, valued at $19,650, and 130 gill nets aggregating 3,250 fathoms, valued at $6,500. The estimated catch for local require- ments was 1,400,000 salmon, which when dried represented approximately 700 tons of fish, valued at $140,000." Chum salmon may have made up 90 percent of the total. Gilbert and O'Malley (1921) evaluated the 1920 Yukon River fishery as follows: "Alto- gether, on the Yukon and the Tanana, 301 fish wheels were operated in 1920 and resulted in a take of 622 tons. Of this amount 8 percent were king salmon and 92 percent were chums. If an allowance of 100 tons is made for the tributaries not visited and for the later runs on the Yukon which were not seen — and this allowance is almost certainly inadequate — there would be a total provision of dried sal- mon for the Yukon and its tributaries in 1920 amounting to 722 tons." Based on their esti- mates stores of dried chum salmon amounted to 650 tons, which would equal 1,083,300 fish, using a conversion factor of 1.2 pounds dried salmon per fish. Yukon River catches have been compiled from data in the annual reports on Alaska fishery and fur-seal industries for the period 1922-43 (table 5). The annual catches were listed as tons of dried salmon, but these were converted into numbers of fish. The average catch in numbers of chum salmon for this period was 558,800. 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