PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA EEPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31BT, 1933 WITH APPENDICES PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. VICTORIA, B.C.: Printed by Chahles F. Banfield., Printer to tbe King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1934. To His Honour John AVilliam Fordham Johnson, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia: May it please Your Honour : I beg to submit herewith the Report of the Provincial Fisheries Department for the year ended December 31st, 1933, with Appendices. GEORGE SHARRATT PEARSON, Commissioner of Fisheries. Provincial Fisheries Department, Commissioner of Fisheries' Office, Victoria, British Columbia, December 31st, 1933. TABLE OF CONTENTS. FISHERIES COMMISSIONER'S REPORT FOR 1933. Page. Value of Fisheries and Standing of Province 5 Persons engaged and Capital invested 5 Species and Value of Fish caught in British Columbia 5 Salmon-pack in British Columbia in 1933 6 Salmon-pack by Districts in 1933 7 Halibut Production 7 Fish Oil and Meal Production 8 Pilchard and Herring Investigation 8 Contribution to the Life-history of the Sockeye Salmon (Digest) 8 The Halibut Investigation 10 APPENDICES. Contributions to the Life-history of the Sockeye Salmon. (No. 19.) By Drs. AV. A. and Lucy S. Clemens 12 Reports from Salmon-spawning Areas and Eog-collections 48 Catch Statistics of the British Columbia Pilchard. By Dr. John Lawson Hart 54 A Report on the Investigation of the Life-history of the British Columbia Pilchard. By Dr. John Lawson Hart 60 The Age and Growth of Herring in British Columbia. By Albert L. Tester 71 Salmon-pack of 1933 in Detail 74 Salmon-pack of Province, by Districts and Species, 191S to 1933, inclusive 74 Sockeye-salmon Pack of Entire Fraser River System, 1894 to 1933, inclusive 77 sockeye-salmon pack of province, by districts, 1918 to 1933, inclusive 78 Statement showing the Pilchard Industry of the Province, 1920 to 1933, inclusive 78 Production of Fish Oil and Meal (other than Pilchard), 1920 to 1933, inclusive 79 FISHERIES COMMISSIONER'S REPORT FOR 1933. VALUE OF CANADIAN FISHERIES AND THE STANDING OF PROATNCES, 1932. The value of the fishery products of Canada for the year 1932 totalled $25,957,109. During that year British Columbia produced fishery products of a value of $9,909,116, or 38 per cent, of Canada's total. In 1932 British Columbia again led all the Provinces in the Dominion, as has been the case for over twenty years, in the value of her fishery products. Her output exceeded that of Nova Scotia, the second in rank, by $3,351,173. The market value of the fishery products of British Columbia in 1932 was $1,199,757 less than in the previous year, 1931. This is the lowest value recorded since 1910. While there was an increase in the salmon-fishery, there was a marked decline in halibut, herring, pilchard, and cod marketed values in comparison with 1931. The capital invested in the fisheries of British Columbia in 1932 was $18,814,322, or 44% per cent, of the total capital employed in Canada. Of the $18,814,322 invested in the fisheries of British Columbia in 1932, $7,628,039 was employed in catching and handling the catches, and $11,186,283 invested in canneries, fish-packing establishments, and fish-reduction plants. The number of persons engaged in British Columbia fisheries in 1932 was 14,822, or 18% per cent, of Canada's total of 78,229. Of the 14,822 engaged in British Columbia, 10,116 were employed in catching and handling the catches and 4,706 in packing, curing, and fish-reduction. The total number engaged in the fisheries in 1932 was 822 more than in the preceding year. The following statement gives in order of their rank the value of the fishery products of the Provinces of Canada for the years 1928 to 1932, inclusive:—• Province. 1928. 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. $26,562,727 11,681,995 5,001,641 4,030,753 2,996,614 2,240,314 1,196,681 725,050 563,533 51,665 $23,930,692 11,427,491 5,935,635 3,919,144 2,933,339 2,745,205 1,297,125 732,214 572,871 24,805 $23,103,302 10,411,202 4,853,575 3,294,629 2,502,998 1,811,962 1,141,279 421,258 234,501 29,510 $11,108,873 7,986,711 4,169,811 2,477,131 1,952,894 1,241,575 1,078,901 153,897 317,963 29,550 $9,909,116 6,557,943 2,972,682 2,147,990 1,815,544 1,204,892 988,919 Alberta 153,789 186,174 20,060 Totals $55,050,973 $53,518,521 $47,804,216 $30,517,306 $25,957,109 THE SPECIES AND VALUE OF FISH CAUGHT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. The total value of each of the principal species of fish taken in British Columbia for the year ended December 31st, 1932, is given in the following statement:— Salmon : $7,586,479 Halibut 960,166 Herring, oil, meal, etc 536,491 Pilchard, oil, meal, etc 383,920 Ling cod, cod 172,029 Clams, quahaugs 89,848 Black cod 38,754 Crabs 16,832 Soles 25,936 Shrimps 19,988 Oysters 28,800 Trout 544 Carried forward $9,859,787 H 6 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. The Species and Value of Fish caught in British Columbia—Continued. Brought forward $9,859,787 Flounders, brill 3,923 Rock cod, red cod 9,333 Perch 4,607 Smelt 7,084 Sturgeon 3,161 Octopus 1,336 Skate 2,748 Oolachans 470 Whiting, shad 135 Grayfish, oil, meal 11,647 Fur-seals 4,885 Total $9,909,116 The above statement shows an increase of $391,166 in the value of the salmon-fishery in comparison with the preceding year, 1931. A sharp decline is recorded in halibut, herring, pilchard, cod, and most other species. Total halibut landings were marketed for $960,166, a decrease in production of 1,315,800 lb. and a decrease in value of $413,513 in comparison with 1931. Herring-catches produced $536,491, a decrease in value of $521,648. Pilchard-catches produced $383,920, a decrease in production of 585,121 cwt. and in value of $423,922. The foregoing data are derived from the " Fisheries Statistics of Canada " for 1932. The following figures are taken from the Advance Report on the Fisheries of British Columbia by the Department of Trade and Commerce, Bureau of Statistics:— Large Increase in Value of Output of British, Columbia Fisheries in 1933.—The value of output of the British Columbia fisheries in 1933 was $12,001,471, compared with $9,909,116 in the preceding year. These figures refer to the value of the fish as marketed, whether sold for consumption fresh, or canned, cured, or otherwise prepared. The increase in total value is due almost entirely to the salmon-fishery, wlinse value of output rose to $9,184,090 from $7,586,479 in 1932. The pack of salmon shows an increase of 184,061 cases, or 17 per cent., and the quantity of salmon marketed for consumption fresh an increase of 30.525 cwt.. or 17 per cent. A considerable increase is recorded also in the production of salmon-oil—63.830 gallons in 1933, compared with 10,370 gallons in 1932. The value of output of the salmon-fishery represents 76% per cent, of the total fishery production of the Province for the year. The halibut and herring fisheries show increases in catch and marketed value compared with 1932, but the pilchard-fishery was a failure, the catch dropping to 65,353 cwt. from 886.964 cwt. in 1932, and the marketed value (chiefly of oil and meal) to $77,464 from $383,920. AVhaling operations were resumed in 1933 and a catch of 209 whales is recorded. Oil, bone-meal, and fertilizer are the products, and the value of these in 1933 amounted to $110,030. The total quantity of fish of all kinds caught during the year was 2,902,345 cwt., and the amount received by the fishermen $6,452,855, compared with a catch of 3,474,946 cwt. and a value to the fishermen of $4,731,805 in 1932. The increase in value, while the quantity of the catch shows a,decrease, is due to the larger proportions of the more valuable grades of salmon taken during the season and to the higher prices paid for halibut and herring. The value of the vessels, boats, and gear used in the primary operations of catching and landing the fish was $8,495,195, and the capital invested in fish canning and curing establishments $11,057,567, a total capital for the fisheries of the Province of $19,552,762. compared with a total of $18,814,322 in 1932. The establishments in operation numbered 94 compared with 89. There were 10,951 fishermen employed during the season, and 5,734 persons in the establishments, a total of 16,685, compared with 14,822 in 1932. THE SALMON-PACK OF THE PROVINCE IN 1933. The catches of salmon in the Province in 1933 produced a pack of 1,265,049 cases. It consisted of 258,107 cases of sockeye, 532,535 cases of pinks, 293,630 cases of chums, 159,052 cases of cohoe and bluebacks, and 20,266 cases of springs. This shows an increase of 184,018 cases BRITISH COLUMBIA. H 7 in comparison with 1932. There was a decrease in sockeye of 26,228 cases and an increase in pinks of 308,750 cases. The Skeena River sockeye-pack of 30,506 cases was the smallest on record since 1885. - THE SALMON-PACK BY DISTRICTS. The Fraser River System.—The catches of salmon in the Provincial waters of the Fraser River system produced a pack of 199,082 cases. A total of 323,541 cases were packed in the Fraser District; of this number, the contents of 124,459 cases were caught in other districts. Salmon transported from other districts to the Fraser comprised 6,531 cases of sockeye from Rivers Inlet; 300 cases of sockeye from Smith Inlet; also 2,905 cases of sockeye, 1,527 cases of springs, 22,042 cases of cohoe and bluebacks, 38,814 cases of pinks, and 30,951 cases of chums from Vancouver Island District. They have been credited to their proper districts in the detailed pack report. Bluebacks have been classified as cohoe in this report. The catch of sockeye in Provincial waters of the Fraser River system, including the catches made by the traps at the southern end of Vancouver Island, produced a pack of 52,465 cases. The catch of sockeye in the State of AVashingtoii waters of the Fraser River system produced a pack of 126,604 cases. Combined they give a total pack for the entire Fraser River system of 179,069 cases, of which 71 per cent, were packed, in the State of Washington and 29 per cent, in British Columbia. The combined sockeye-pack of 179,069 cases was 5,605 cases greater than that of the brood-year of 1929. Of the 52,465 cases of sockeye caught in Provincial waters of the Fraser River system, 22,035 cases were packed in July, 22,597 in August, and 7,834 in September and October. The largest catches were made early in the season, the run being practically over early in September. The pack of 179,069 compared favourably with that of the brood-year of 1929, when 173,464 cases were packed. In 1925, the preceding cycle to 1929, the pack was 147,408 cases. Hopes were entertained that this cycle was on the increase; however, considering the large size of the commercial pack in comparison with its brood-year, and an unfavourable escapement of fish to the spawning-beds, it will not ensure an approximate return in 1937. The Skeena River.—The catches of salmon made in the Skeena District produced a pack of 185,463 cases. AA7ith the exception of the year 1931, this is the smallest pack recorded since 1913. It comprised 30,506 cases of sockeye, 95,783 cases of pinks, 39,896 cases of cohoe, 15,714 cases of chums, and 3,297 cases of springs. The sockeye-catch of 30,506 cases was a failure; at the same time it was not unexpected, as conditions were clearly pointed out by Dr. AA'. A. Clemens in his forecast for 1933, when he foretold a mediocre run. The pack produced was the smallest for over forty years. Rivers Inlet.—The catches of salmon in the Rivers Inlet District produced a pack of 93,220 cases, consisting of 83,507 cases of sockeye, 5,059 cases of pinks, 3,446 cases of cohoe, and 1,208 cases of other species. It is to be noted that 6,531 cases of sockeye packed on the Fraser River are included here. Smith Inlet.—The pack of canned salmon produced in this district was 71,714 cases. It consisted of 37,369 cases of sockeye, 19,995 cases of pinks, 8,841 cases of chums, and 5,068 cases of cohoe. Included in the above are 300 cases of sockeye that were packed on the Fraser River. Vancouver Island District.—Salmon caught in the Vancouver Island District, with the exception of sockeye taken in the traps at the southern end of the Island and credited to the Fraser River, produced a pack of 353,025 cases. They comprised 18,397 cases of sockeye, 172,945 cases of pinks, 96,642 cases, of chums, 60,019 cases of cohoe and bluebacks, and 5,022 cases of springs and steelheads. Of this number, 96,239 cases were packed in canneries on the Fraser River. Outlying Districts.—The catch of salmon in the outlying districts produced a pack of 291,548 cases, consisting of 26,106 cases of sockeye, 128,602 cases of chums, 101,701 cases of pinks, 33,471 cases of cohoe, and 1,668 cases of springs and steelheads. HALIBUT PRODUCTION. Halibut landings in Provincial ports for the year 1933 totalled 17,037,200 lb., as against 16,884,700 lb. in 1932. The total landings on the North-west Pacific Coast totalled 46,761,709 lb., as against 44,503,925 lb. in 1932, showing an increase of 2.257,784 lb. over that year. Of the total catches in 1933, the American fleet is credited with 82 per cent, and the Canadian fleet with 18 per cent. Seattle was again the most attractive halibut port in 1933, landings totalling 22,263,992 lb. being made, an increase of 263,696 lb. over 1932. The landings at Prince H 8 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Rupert in 1933 totalled 14,406,500 lb., as against 14,861,500 lb. in 1932. Prices paid to fishermen were higher than they received in 1932, the average price for the whole of the 1933 season being about 6.50 cents per pound. Halibut livers were again in demand for pharmaceutical purposes and greater effort was made to take advantage of this valuable by-product. The price paid for livers in 1932 was 12 cents per pound; this was increased to 15 cents per pound in 1933. FISH OIL AND MEAL PRODUCTION. Fish-oil production in British Columbia in 1933 was 1,156,662 gallons, as against 1,547,554 gallons in 1932. Pilchards produced 269,100 gallons; herring, 326,662 gallons; and 560,900 gallons were derived from whales. The small production of pilchard-oil was due to the fact that the fish did not appear in their customary abundance in the waters immediately off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Small catches were made off the coast of the State of AVashington, too remote from Canadian plants to permit of extended operation. The failure of pilchards to again frequent the waters off the west coast of Vancouver Island is not clearly understood. In view of the failure in the production of pilchard oil and meal, greater activity was exercised in herring, which were again permitted to be used in reduction. From this source 326,662 gallons of oil and 4,594 tons of meal were produced. The Consolidated AVhaling Corporation, whose plants had been idle since 1930, resumed operations at Rose Harbour, Queen Charlotte Islands, in 1933. Their returns for the season were most satisfactory, producing 560,900 gallons of oil and 778 tons of meal and fertilizer from 208 whales killed. A most remarkable return from these operations was the large number of sperm-whales taken, this species providing over 90 per cent, of the catch. PILCHARD AND HERRING INVESTIGATION. In the Appendix of this report will be found two articles on the pilchard-fishery by Dr. John Lawson Hart, who is in charge of this branch of biological work. The investigation of pilchard, along with that of herring, was undertaken in 1929 under a joint arrangement between the Biological Board of Canada and the Fisheries Department of the Province of British Columbia. The agreement was continued for three years. The work is now being continued under the Biological Board alone. Dr. Hart in his report reviews at some length the methods adopted in the investigation of pilchards, and, in view of the failure of the pilchard run in 1933, Dr. Hart's remarks in the concluding paragraphs of his report are particularly interesting. Also in the Appendix of this report will be found an article dealing with the age and growth of herring in British Columbia, by Mr. Albert L. Tester, of the Pacific Biological Station. This article by Mr. Tester is very pertinent at this time, as the age at which herring become mature and enter into the commercial fishery is very important. The article by Mr. Tester has been reprinted from Pacific Biological Station Report No. 18. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON (DIGEST). The nineteenth annual contribution to the series of papers on the life-history of the sockeye salmon, issued by the Department, and contained in the Appendix of this report, is again contributed by Drs. AV. A. and Lucy S. Clemens. The analyses of the runs of the year are preceded by graphs showing the pack records from the early beginnings of the fishery to date and the calculated trends. The pronounced downward trends on the Fraser, Skeena, and Nass Rivers are noteworthy. A digest of the report on the runs of 1933 is given in the following paragraphs. The Fraser River Sockeye Run.—The total pack of Fraser River sockeye in the season of 1933 amounted to 179,069 cases, of which 52,465 cases were packed in the Province of British Columbia and 126,604 cases in the State of AVashington. The percentages for the two areas are 29 and 71 respectively. The total pack was the highest for the cycle in recent years, but the reports from the spawning areas indicate meagre escapements except in two localities—namely, the Francois-Fraser Lake area and the Chilko Lake system. BRITISH COLUMBIA. H 9 The run consisted of 84 per cent, of four-year-old fish, 11 per cent, of five-year-olds, and 3 per cent, of grilse. The fish were small, having the second lowest average length and weight on record. In a discussion of the seasonal changes in the run the authors show that the dominant group, 42, appears throughout the run; the 52 class begins the season with fair numbers, decreases early in July and increases again; representatives of the 53 group are present early in the run, but become more abundant in August; the sea-types and the grilse are confined to the latter half of July and August. The earliest-running fish are extraordinarily small and are suddenly replaced by a much larger type which increases progressively with the season until toward the end of the run they are followed by fish of slightly but unmistakably smaller size. Furthermore, the scale patterns show a succession of distinct groups of fish. Undoubtedly these changes in the characteristics of the fish during the season indicate the appearance of various racial strains proceeding to the various spawning areas. The results confirm the findings of Dr. Gilbert of many years previously. The year 1934 is the cycle-year of the large run to Adams River, tributary to Shuswap Lake. In 1930, sockeye reached this river in numbers estimated to exceed 400,000 and the commercial catch was 455,886 cases. The fish appeared late in the season as they had in 1926. Drs. Clemens state that, while it is impossible to predict accurately the extent of the run in 1934, there would seem to be every reason to expect a large return, and if the fish remain true to form they should appear late as did their progenitors in 1926 and 1930. The occurrence of large numbers of grilse in the run of 1933 may be taken as additional reason for the expectation of a large run in 1934. The Rivers Inlet Sockeye Run of ip33.—In dealing with the run of 1933, Drs. Clemens state that apparently the excellent return was largely due to the successful spawning of 5, fish in 1928. The pack consisted of 83,507 cases and the reports from the spawning-beds indicated a large escapement. The 52 age-group formed 55 per cent, of the run and consisted of fish of the usual average size. The 49 fish, on the other hand, were small, being approximately half an inch less in length than the general averages covering a period of twenty years. These fish maintained the racial characteristics in being the smallest of the four populations under study and in having almost identical lengths for the males and females. The authors point out that one of the most interesting features of recent Rivers Inlet runs has been the change in the distribution of the sexes. In the 42 age-group the males have always outnumbered the females and in the 52 class the females have always exceeded the males. However, in recent years there has been a definite shifting of relative proportions within each of these two age-groups. In both groups there have been decided increases in the percentages of females and correspondingly decreases in the percentages of males. As a result the percentage of total females in the run has greatly exceeded that of the males, in 1933 the percentages being 58 and 42 respectively. Drs. Clemens are of the opinion that this increase is a most encouraging feature because it promises to augment the potentialities of future runs. The year 1934 falls into what the authors have designated series 3 of the Rivers Inlet cycles. This series is characterized by (1) a slight preponderance of 52's and (2) packs ranging from 85.000 to 95,000 cases. The run will be the descendants of the runs of 1929 and 1930, which produced commercial yields of 70,260 and 119,170 cases respectively and provided good escapements. Drs. Clemens state that there seems to be no reason to anticipate a run less than normal for the series, and if the advantageous trend in the sex ratio of more females than males continues, a pack even greater than 95,000, the upper range in this series, may even be looked for. The Skeena River Sockeye Run in 1933.—The pack of Skeena River sockeye amounted to 30,506 cases and is the lowest on record. The escapement was relatively low but fair in relation to the amount of catch. Drs. Clemens point out that the Skeena River system has been in a period of low production during recent years and provision should be made to provide for adequate escapements four and five years hence if the cycles are to be re-established at reasonable levels. The 42 fish constituted the largest age-group, forming 57 per cent, of the sample. The 52 group formed 36 per cent, and the 53 and 63 fish were sparsely represented. The average lengths and weights of the two sexes of the 42 age-group were very low, but of the 52 age-group notably high. H 10 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. The authors, in briefly reviewing some of the characteristics of the Skeena sockeyes, point out that the 42 and 52 groups seem to play roles of equal importance in the Skeena, and that the scales indicate a vigorous race with extensive growth particularly during the first two years. The run of 1934 will be derived from the brood-years of 1929 and 1930, and on the basis of the packs and escapements of those years the authors are of the opinion that a pack of 75,000 to 80,000 cases would be a reasonable amount. The Sockeye Salmon Run to the Nass in 1933.—Drs. Clemens point out that the pack of 9,757 cases more than met the expectations for the year, since the pack in 1928 was only 5,540 cases. Unfortunately the escapement was small. The authors state in the introductory part of the report that it would seem from the pack statistics for South-eastern Alaska the catch in that area cannot greatly affect the Nass run because of its relatively small size, and, furthermore, the packs in the two areas tend to fluctuate in unison. They are of the opinion that with the information at hand at the present time it would seem that the only effective measure for the restoration of the Nass River runs lies in a strict limitation of catch. In their review of the analyses of the sample of 1,638 fish, Drs. Clemens note that the run of 1933 was the poorest in age-group representation. Of the usual eight age-classes, the 64 group was entirely absent and the 3X, 4/, and 74 groups together contained but eleven fish. Furthermore, there was a shifting in relative proportions among the dominant age-groups, with the 53 and 52 age-classes less abundantly represented than usual and the 42 age-class more strongly. The authors further point out that the run of 1933 was unusual in another respect—namely, in the exceptionally large size of the fish. This is particularly noteworthy, since the sockeye in the other three systems were unusually small. The data show that, except for the length of both sexes and the weight of the female in group 53, every average measurement exceeds the general averages over twenty-one years for lengths and nineteen years for weight. The 52 and 63 fish set new records, surpassing general averages for males by approximately an inch and a pound and for females by slightly less amounts. The seasonal changes during the run are stated by the authors to have been somewhat unusual in the very early appearance of the 42 fish possibly associated with their increased abundance. With respect to the run in 1934, Drs. Clemens are of the opinion that the prospect is not bright for a large run. The year 1934 belongs to what was once considered a good cycle, but in 1929 the pack dropped to 16.077 cases, which was only about half the average for the years of this cycle. However, in 1930 the spawning-beds were exceptionally well seeded and the 4Q age- group, which was abundantly represented, should contribute very materially to the run of 1934. HALIBUT INVESTIGATION. (Created by the Halibut Treaty between Canada and the United States.) The International Fisheries Commission, under authority of the halibut treaty of May 9th, 1930, completed another year of successful regulation of the fishery and continued its scientific investigations of the condition of the banks and of those phases of the life-history that are indispensable as a guide to intelligent regulation. Several reports were completed and will be published at as ear^ a date as possible. The scientific studies of the Commission have now been carried to the point where it is able to reconstruct the past history of the fishery and to understand clearly the present course of events. It is apparent that, in addition to the decline in production of spawn, the fishery has been so intense, particularly on southern grounds, as to catch the halibut before they have grown to the most profitable size. It is clearly shown from these studies that a less intense fishery will, as it has in the past, for this reason produce the same and ultimately a greater total poundage with less effort and higher returns per unit, and that this effect will be felt almost immediately, as distinguished from the more delayed results of replacing the spawning stock. The regulations of the Commission have been framed accordingly, and the resultant 50 per cent, increase since 1930 has thoroughly justified this policy. This increase is the first major improvement in the grounds since fishing began. That it is not due to chance variations is abundantly proven by the fact that it is entirely consistent with the history of the fishery. Changes of this nature, but previously in the reverse direction, have characterized each intensification of the fishery from the beginning, as has been demonstrated by the statistics gathered by the Commission. The result of the regulations has been not merely capture at a more profitable size, but an increase in the numbers of fish reaching the spawning stage. This should set at rest fears as to the ability of regulation to ensure the future of the halibut banks. The regulations, somewhat modified from those of 1932, were approved by the proper authorities and became effective on January 9th. The opening date of the season was changed from January 15th to February 1st. The closing date was set as that on which the quota allowed each area was reached, except for the spawning-grounds between Ocean Cape and Cape St. Elias, which were to close November 1st. The boundary-line between Areas 2 and 3 was changed at the request of the fishing fleet and the catch-limit of each altered to compensate. The limit for Area 2 became 21,700,000 lb.; that for Area 3 became 24,300,000 lb. The prohibition of dory gear in Area 2 was provided for but left to the discretion of the Commission. On June 14th the regulations were amended to make it possible for the Commission to close all areas, still open to fishing, at any date subsequent to November 15th. Early in the fishing season it became apparent that the catch-limits in both Areas 2 and 3 would be reached earlier even than in the preceding year, in spite of the voluntary curtailment of production by part of the fleet. The Commission issued a warning to this effect, but fishing was continued with unabated vigour. Closure of Area 2 took place at midnight of August 25th and that of Area 3 at midnight of October 26th. The catch in Area 2 exceeded the limit by 900,000 lb., due to the abandonment of curtailment when the date was announced; that in Area 3 was 800,000 below the limit because of unusually stormy weather during the last two weeks of the season. The increase in abundance or weight of halibut on the banks, which the Commission has shown to have occurred in 1931 and in 1932, as a result of the regulation of fishing, continued in 1933, and is expected to rise again in 1934. The catch per unit of fishing effort increased in both Areas 2 and 3, but the increase was less than in each of the two preceding years. In Area 2, where spawners are scarce, there is reason to believe that the slowing-up of the increase is a temporary one, and that the increase will be renewed when a sufficient time has elapsed to permit a greater number of fish to reach maturity and to increase the production of spawn and young fish. The increase in abundance of halibut, which in Area 2 in 1933 amounted to about 50 per cent, over that of 1930, enabled the fishing fleet to land its fish proportionately faster and to shorten its fishing season. Efforts were made by part of the fleet during the past two years to distribute the catch throughout a greater portion of the year, so that the fishermen might enjoy the maximum economic benefit from the fish marketed. Aroluntary curtailment of the rate of landings was tried, but was unsuccessful, due to failure of the whole fleet to co-operate. Toward the end of the year all branches of the industry united in urging the Commission to ask authority to regulate the rate of landings so as to distribute the catch over a longer season. The present abundance of spawning halibut on the banks off British Columbia and Southeastern Alaska is inadequate for the preservation of the fishery there, but gradual improvement of conditions is expected as a result of regulation. With the object of improving the method of measuring the expected changes in the amount of spawn, the Commission operated a halibut- vessel for two and one-half months during the winter, making experimental net-hauls near the great spawning-banks in the Gulf of Alaska. The improvements in equipment and method of handling which resulted should add materially to the success of the investigation into the production of spawn on the southern grounds. A new marking experiment was started during March, when 430 fish were marked with metal tags at Cape St. James, a spawning-ground for a considerable number of the mature fish remaining on the southern grounds. Early returns indicate that the fish spawning on this bank move freely from place to place on the adjacent banks during the remainder of the year. The investigations of the Commission prove that the supply of halibut has been increased by regulation on both western and southern grounds. An increase in the abundance of spawners is confidently expected to follow on the southern grounds. However, until a very considerable increase in the production of spawn has been demonstrated, the future of the halibut-fishery on the southern grounds must still be considered insecure. H 12 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. APPENDICES. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. (No. 19.) By Wilbert A. Clemens, Ph.D., Director, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, and Lucy S. Clemens, Ph.D. INTRODUCTION. In reviewing the runs of sockeye salmon of 1933 to the four main river systems of the Province, it is interesting to note that those to the two southern systems were up to expectancy, while those to the two northern rivers were relative failures. The pack on the Fraser River was the highest for the cycle in recent years, but evidently too high, in that the reports from the spawning areas indicate meagre escapements except in two localities. The run to Rivers Inlet exceeded prediction and the available reports show an apparently satisfactory escapement. As pointed out in the report for 1932, the Skeena River is in a period of low production and the pack of 1933 is the lowest on record. The spawning-bed reports show a relatively poor escapement, so that care should be taken four and five years hence to see that the catch is limited if the cycles are to be re-established at reasonable levels. The run to the Nass River was again low and the situation with respect to this system requires definite action if the fishery is to be improved. In view of the fact that there are now available pack records for thirty-nine years for the Fraser River and for thirty-two years for each of the other systems, it has seemed desirable to review these records. For each system the annual packs have been plotted and shown in Figs. 1 to 4 by the continuous heavy line. In each case the trend has been calculated by running averages of seven twice and the result shown by the broken line. The four points at each end of each line of trend are not strictly comparable with the main portions, in that averages of five and three are involved, but they have been included in order to indicate the probable trends. The history of the sockeye-fishery on the Fraser River is illustrated in Fig. 1. The enormous packs of the years 1897, 1901, 1905, 1909, and 1913 are conspicuous. AVhile the calamitous rock-slide in the canyon at and above Hell's Gate in 1913 was a factor in the elimination of this extraordinary cyclic run, it is evident that there has been a steady decline in the runs of the other three cycle-years, and there is no reason to doubt that overfishing has been a most important factor in the decline of the Fraser as a sockeye-producing area in all the cycle-years. The trend reaches its highest point in 1901, then is slightly downward until 1913, after which it is sharply downward to the lowest point in 1923. During the past ten years the trend has been slightly upward, due largely to the large pack in 1930 from the run of fish proceeding to Adams River. The picture of conditions on Rivers Inlet is quite different from that on the Fraser River. The years 1910, 1915, 1920, 1925, and 1930 show a definite five-year cycle of large packs, while the remaining cycle-years are very irregular. The trend shows two peaks—namely, in 1910 and in 1925, with a very marked depression from 1916 to 1922. Although there is evidence of a downward trend in recent years, the prospect of good runs in 1934 and 1935 provides grounds for believing that the trend will definitely turn upward again and the low point will not approach that of 1918. In general, it may be said that the situation in Rivers Inlet is more satisfactory than in any of the other areas under consideration. The condition on the Skeena River was depicted and discussed in the report for 1932, but is repeated here in part in order lhat comparisons may be more readily made. Following the early exploitation, the trend has been steadily downward. It is interesting to note the succession of lower and lower packs in the years 1913, 1916. 1921, 1928, and 1933, as well as the declining series of high packs in the years 1919, 1924, and 1930. Fluctuations in runs probably cannot be eliminated because certain years are much more propitious for spawning, incubation, and development of fish than are others, and, furthermore, there appears to be a tendency for runs LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 13 of certain cycle-years to be particularly productive. Outstanding examples of the latter are the 1910-1915-1920-1925-1930 cycle-years of Rivers Inlet and the once enormous series of runs of the cycle-years 1897-1901-1905-1909-1913 on the Fraser River. The cyclic nature of the runs on the Skeena is not so clear because of the occurrence of two age-groups, 42 and 52, of about equal importance but of varying influence from year to year. AVhile certain restrictive fishing measures have been applied and might be considered as possibly reducing the catches, it is not believed that the restrictions have been an appreciable factor in accounting for the downward trend of the commercial pack, because the reports from the spawning-beds do not indicate definite and adequate increases in escapements. It would seem that in certain years at least a definite limitation would need to be set on the catch if production is to be increased. 2250 2000 1750. 1500 1250 1000 750 500 250 98 1900 02 04 06 Fig. 1. Packs of sockeye salmon on the Fraser River from 1895 to 1933, in thousands of cases. The continuous line represents the actual packs and the broken line the trend. H 14 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Of the four sockeye-producing areas dealt with in this series of reports, the Nass River has been the most puzzling. Fig. 4 shows graphically the history of its production. The packs have been extremely erratic in extent and no clear-cut cycles are evident. The trend indicates a rapid rise from 1904 to 1914, representing the early development of the fishery. Following the record catch of 1915, the trend has been steadily and rapidly downward. It has been thought that the catch of sockeye in South-eastern Alaska has been a factor in the Nass situation, and opportunity has been taken to examine the catch records of the two near-by Alaskan districts as presented in " Statistical Review of the Alaska Salmon Fisheries, Part IV.: South-eastern Alaska," by Willis H. Rich and Edward M. Ball, 1933. The catches of two areas only have been considered—namely, the Nakat Bay District (Cape Fox and south-east of this point) and Revillagigedo Channel, from which the catch of Boca de Quadra, Carroll, and George Inlets have been deducted because it is considered that these areas have no connection with the Nass River system. The catches as given in the report are in terms of actual fish, and in order 24 26 28 30 32 TKAC6P BYj.L.McH- 2. Packs of sockeye salmon on Rivers Inlet from 1902 to 1933, in thousands of cases. The continuous line represents the actual packs and the broken line the trend. LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 15 to make them comparable with the Nass River records they have been translated into packs by assuming that thirteen fish constitute a case. Another point has had to be taken into consideration—namely, that not all the fish captured in the Nakat and Revillagigedo Districts could be considered as bound for the Nass River. Tagging experiments conducted at Cape Fox in 1926 showed 26 per cent, of the returns were from Canadian areas, chiefly in the Nass River. In view 180. 02 04 06 08 IO 12 14 16 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 TteACED BV J.L.McH. Fig. 3. Packs of sockeye salmon on the Skeena River from 1902 to 1933, in thousands of eases. The continuous line represents the actual packs and the broken line the trend. H 16 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. of the fact that tagging was carried out over a very short period of time and in one season only, this percentage may not give a very accurate indication of conditions. However, even if a third of the fish taken in the two Alaskan districts consisted of fish bound for the Nass, the conclusions would not be materially altered. In Fig. 5 one-third of the catches of sockeye in the Nakat and Revillagigedo areas converted into cases are plotted along with the packs on the Nass River, in cases also. In the first place, the relatively small amount of the Alaskan pack is evident. In the second place, it will be noted that, in general, the Alaskan and Canadian packs tend to fluctuate in unison. Both show peaks or rises in 1919, 1922, and 1924, and depressions in 1921, 1925, and 1927. If Alaskan catches were affecting the Nass catches, it would be expected that the latter would be down when the former was up. It is true that the catch in South-eastern Alaska has increased in recent years, while that in the Nass area has 24 26 28 30 32 TeACEO BV J.L.McH- Fig. 4. Packs of sockeye salmon on the Nass River from 1902 to 1933, in thousands of cases. The continuous line represents the actual packs and the broken line the trend. LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 17 40 06 08 10' 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 TEACED BY J.L.McH. Fig. 5. Packs of sockeye salmon on Nass River and in adjacent Alaskan waters from 1906 to 1927, in thousands of cases. H 18 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. decreased. However, the catches in these two Alaskan areas are not of a size that they can be considered as the important factor in the depletion of the Nass runs. Whether the Nass fish are intercepted in other areas is unknown. Rich and Ball in the above-mentioned report express the opinion that the sockeye salmon proceeding to the Nass and to the lower portion of Southeastern Alaska come in from the outer feeding-grounds through Dixon Entrance, approach the mainland and then separate, some proceeding to the Nass and some going northward to Alaskan streams. Tagging experiments conducted by the Biological Board of Canada in 1925 at Haystack Island, off Portland Canal, would seem to substantiate this belief, in that 20 per cent, of the returns were from Alaskan waters. With the information at hand at the present time, it would seem that the only effective measure for the restoration of the Nass River runs lies in a strict limitation of catch. DESIGNATION OF AGE-GROUPS. Two outstanding features in the life-history of the fish have been selected in designating the age-groups—namely, the age at maturity and the year of its life in which the fish migrates from fresh water. These are expressed symbolically by two numbers, one in large type, which indicates the age of maturity, and the other in small type, placed to the right and below, which signifies the year of life in which the fish left the fresh water. The age-groups which are met most commonly in these river systems are:— 3j, 4j—the " sea-types " or fish which migrate in their first year and mature at the ages of three and four years respectively. 32—" the grilse," usually males, which migrate in their second year and mature at the age of three. 42, 52—fish which migrate in their second year and mature at the ages of four and five respectively. 53, 63—fish which migrate in their third year and mature at the ages of five and six respectively. 64, 74—fish which migrate in their fourth year and mature at the ages of six and seven respectively. 1. THE FRASER RIVER SOCKEYE RUN OF 1933. (1.) General Characteristics. The total pack of Fraser River sockeye in the season 1933 amounted to 179,069 cases, of which 52,465 cases were packed in the Province of British Columbia and 126,604 cases in the State of AVashington (Table I.). The percentages for the two areas are 29 and 71 respectively. No inspection of the spawning areas was made by officers of the Provincial Fisheries Department, but reports are available through the courtesy of the Dominion Department of Fisheries. In general, the escapements to the extensive spawning sections of the Fraser were poor. In the region above Hell's Gate considerable numbers of sockeye were reported in the Francois-Fraser Lake area and in the Chilko Lake system. In the latter district the Fishery Officer states that at least 100,000 fish reached the spawning-grounds. The runs to the Stuart and Quesnel Lake areas were negligible, while that to the Shuswap area was small. In the fall of 1930 the Biological Board of Canada released in Eagle River at Taft 271,632 marked flngerlings resulting from eggs collected in Adams River in the fall of 1929 and reared in ponds at Taft. Two marked and thirteen unmarked adult fish were taken at the counting-fence below Malakwa and 155 marked individuals were taken in the fishing areas. On the Lower Fraser the returns were relatively small. At the Pemberton Hatchery on the Birkenhead River only 10,674,000 eggs were taken, and if, as in the previous year, this represents 95 per cent, of the fish appearing in the river there was a run of less than 6,000 fish. High-water conditions at Pitt Lake interfered with egg-taking and made impossible an estimate of the escapement. The number of fish arriving at Cultus Lake was 3,471 by actual count. It is evident, therefore, that, except for the Chilko and Francois-Fraser Districts, the escapement in the Fraser River system was inadequate for the building-up of a really successful sockeye- salmon fishery. AVhile there were increased escapements to the two above-mentioned systems, to other areas the runs were considerably smaller than in 1929. At best it can be said that no improvement in the general situation is evident. LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 19 Once more perhaps it may be pointed out that, had the catch been limited to approximately 100,000 cases, over 2,000,000,000 additional eggs would have been deposited on the spawning-beds and from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 additional fish might have been added to the run in 1937. The year 1934 brings around again the cycle-year of the large run to Adams River, tributary to Shuswap Lake,. It will be recalled that in 1930 sockeye reached this river in numbers estimated to exceed 400,000 and the commercial catch in that year was 455,886 cases. The fish appeared late in the season as they had in 1926. AVhile it is impossible to predict accurately the extent of the run in 1934, there would seem every reason to expect a large return. Additional data for this belief are provided by the occurrence of large numbers of three-year-old fish, grilse, in 1933, just as there was a similar and large group of early-jnaturing fish preceding the run of 1930. If the fish remain true to form they should appear rather late as they did in 1926 and 1930, although it is possible that their movements may be influenced by the oceano- graphical conditions. (2.) Age-groups. The material for this year's study consists of data and scales from 2,345 sockeye salmon selected at random May 4th to September 30th in forty-seven samplings of fish taken in the traps at the south end of Vancouver Island. Included in the total sample are thirty-one fish selected from the marked Cultus Lake fish which were segregated from the general catch and could not be included in the general random samplings. This number was determined by calculating the relation of the number of marked fish to the number in the random samplings and to the total catch of each week. In addition there were two fish of the 63 age-group which have not been included in the tables (Tables II. and III.). The 42 age-group was represented by 1,964 individuals or 84 per cent, of the total sample. The 52 group consisted of 213 fish or 9 per cent. These two groups thus constituted 93 per cent, of the run. The remaining groups occurred as follows: 5?, 45 individuals, 2 per cent.; 3V 32 individuals, 1 per cent.; 4-p 13 individuals, 1 per cent.; 32, 78 individuals, 3 per cent.; 63, 2 individuals. The percentages of the year-classes from 1920 to 1933 are shown in Table IV. (3.) Lengths and Weights. The average lengths of the males and females in the 42 age-group are 23.1 and 22.7 inches respectively, which are slightly below those of their progenitors and the second lowest averages of the past thirteen years. The average lengths of the two sexes of the 52 age-groups are 24.9 and 24 inches respectively and are somewhat below those of 1928 and the average of the past thirteen years. In the other groups the average lengths show little deviation from past averages (Table V.). The average weights in the 42 age-groups are 5.4 and 5 lb. respectively and, like the lengths, are below those of 1929 and the second smallest on record. The average weights of the two sexes in the 59 age-group are 7 and 6.3 lb. respectively and slightly below those of 1929 and the average of the past ten years (Table VI.). The 63 individuals were both males, both 27*4 inches in length, one 8]/4 and the other 9% lb. in weight. (4.) Distribution of the Sexes. The total number of males in the samplings is 1,199 and of females 1,146, percentages of 51 and 49 respectively. In the 42 age-group the number of females slightly exceeds that of the males, while in the 3., and 32 groups the males greatly exceed the females in number. (5.) Changes during the Run and their Probable Significance. In 1916 Dr. Gilbert said of the Fraser River runs: " Changes of great magnitude may occur suddenly from one week to another, changes which include more than one factor and in which several characteristics are correlated. Suddenly, the average size of individuals may change in both males and females, the relative sizes of the age-groups may shift extensively, and the characteristics of the nuclear area (which records the growth of the fingerling in fresh water before seeking the sea) may present a sudden transformation. AAThile examining such a series, the impression is strong of a succession of strains or sub-races, at one period of the run appearing pure or relatively so, and later on, perhaps, inextricably mingled with one or more other strains." These striking changes became evident to Dr. Gilbert through his studies of II 20 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. various characteristics plotted on series of dates. The conclusions which he reached at that time in regard to the seasonal succession of the age-groups and the changes in average size of individuals were entirely supported by his investigations of later runs. This year the present authors have made similar tabulations and find that the run of 1933 is no exception in these respects. Table ArII. presents the various age-groups arranged according to numbers on each day a sampling was taken. Although the size of the sample varies widely during the course of the run, it is believed that each one is sufficient to be representative of the total catch of the day. The seasonal succession of 1933 is typical of Fraser River. The dominant group, 42, appears throughout the run; the 52 class begins the season with fair numbers, decreases rapidly early in July, artd increases again ; representatives of the 53 group are present early in the run, but become most abundant in August; the sea-types and the grilse are confined to the latter half of July and August. The relative percentages of four- and five-year-old fish for each two-week interval during the run are as follows:— 42. 52. May 4-15 , 55 45 „ 22-29 74 26 June 1-12 : 64 36 „ 15-22 83 17 July 1-13 99 1 „ 17-31 93 7 Aug. 2-15 85 15 „ 16-30 78 22 Sept. 2-11 99 1 „ 18-30 93 7 Since the total number of 52's is unusually small in 1933, these percentages are neither comparable with those of former years nor significant beyond showing the general behaviour of these year-groups. Dr. Gilbert believed that the changes in the composition of the run, which are not gradual and continuous but sudden, were indicative " of a succession of migration waves, differing in relative proportions of their age-group, the vanguard of one mingling more or less with the rear-guard of the preceding one." A second characteristic, that of length, has also been plotted on dates in the run of 1933 (Tables VIII. and IX.). In order to facilitate publication of this data the total forty-seven samplings have been divided into ten two-week periods. The changes in average size of both males and females in both year-classes are similar to those which Dr. Gilbert found in runs extending over the same period. The extraordinarily small, earliest-running fish are suddenly replaced by a much larger type which increases progressively with the season until toward the end of the run they are followed by fish of slightly, but unmistakably, smaller size. Uninterrupted progressive increase in size might be attributed to successively longer periods of feeding, but such an explanation accounts neither for the sudden marked increase nor the final decrease. It seems probable that the size of the fish taken in the Vancouver Island traps represents the ultimate size, since feeding ceased before the fish were captured. Dr. Gilbert believed that these average size changes within each age-class were due to the appearance of various racial strains, some being of larger size and others smaller. He called attention to the earliest-running group as a conspicuous unit. That the scales of the fish afforded the most delicate test for racial differences was the opinion of Dr. Gilbert. Since the salmon are subjected to diverse external conditions during their fresh-water life, if they respond to these conditions, then the nuclei of the scales should record the responses. On the other hand, as far as is known, growth in the ocean is less dissimilar for all sockeye, so that the extra-nuclear areas of the scales registering life in the sea would not be as distinctive. But the climatic conditions under which the young fish are reared in fresh water are so very different that the differences recorded on the nuclei should be distinguishing. These nuclei become the centres of the adult scales and retain unchanged the markings indicative of their early history. The most obvious character of the nuclear area is its size, together with the number and character of its rings. With the hope of throwing additional light on the theory of racial differences. Dr. Gilbert made a special study of the scales of the fish in the runs of 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1919. Just as he had plotted size variations LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 21 on series of dates, so he plotted the number of nuclear rings and found a succession of types, sometimes separate and sometimes mixed. He also studied yearling migrants from a few localities and found differences in their scales. As a final test of racial scale characteristics he examined populations on distinct spawning-beds. Because of the absorption of the margins of the scales he was unable to separate the majority of the fish into year-classes. But he tabulated them according to length and made estimates of the probable relative abundance of the two chief year-groups, the 42 and 52. Having thus studied the racial problem from these several view-points, he felt there was no doubt that different colonies were distinct. Of the spawning-beds below the canyon, he said: " We affirm without qualification that they are as distinctly populated as though they were located in separate streams independently entering the sea. We have then the picture of a number of self-perpetuating sub-races, each of which has acquired certain minor habits of growth, of migration, of age at maturity, of length of life in fresh water, of colour and quality of flesh—the same characters, in short, which in various combinations characterize the races of the separate river-basins of the simpler sort." He cites the Harrison watershed as a striking example of racial differentiation and he discusses at considerable length the several races inhabiting it. The following paragraphs contain a brief statement of the chief characteristics of a few of the most distinctive of these races:— Harrison Rapids.—This colony is the most interesting of all because of its spawning habit. It spawns late in the season on the gravel-bars in the shallow, slack water below the rapids. When the fry become free-swimming, having no lake into which they may drop back, they seek the salt water. This unusual history is recorded in the sea-type scale. There is no nucleus in this scale; its centre is made up of a series of lines of growth gradually becoming more widely spaced from the centre outwards and passing by imperceptible degrees into the growth of the second year. All individuals examined at Harrison Rapids were of this type and not a single specimen of this kind was ever found by Dr. Gilbert on any other spawning-bed in the Fraser River basin. The yearly analyses of the Fraser runs have shown that the sea-types are confined to the latter part of the run, thus confirming Dr. Gilbert's statement that the Harrison Rapids' colony spawns late in the season. Birkenhead River.—The scales of the typical fish in this race show a small nucleus made up of a few slender, irregular, densely crowded rings and a relatively small first year of sea- growth. In this group an estimation of 30 per cent, five-year-old fish was made. Pitt Lake.—This is another very homogenous race. The nuclear regions of the scales indicate good fresh-water growth. Dr. Gilbert describes the nuclear rings as " bold, firm, well- spaced, closely parallel and regular." Their number varies between thirteen and twenty-one, with the mode at seventeen. The first year's growth in the sea is extensive. Dr. Gilbert believed that practically all the fish in this colony were five years of age. Chilcotin.—The only race of sockeyes above the Fraser Canyon of which Dr. Gilbert obtained satisfactory material was that of the Chilcotin. Here he roughly distinguished two forms of scales, one with a small nucleus and the other with a large. Both are " characteristically marked by slender rings, not greatly crowded nor widely spaced. The rings are fairly regular and in general parallel, but the individual rings are sometimes broken and interrupted." The scales also indicate poor growth during the first year in the sea. A considerable number of the fish had spent two years in the lake. Among these also there were the two forms of nuclei, one small and the other large. No specimens belonging to the 52 or 63 age-groups were encountered. Cultus Lake.—This race is another which Dr. Gilbert considered was easily recognizable. Its outstanding characteristics are diminutive size of fish, poor quality of flesh, and scales with small nuclei averaging slightly fewer rings than those of the Morris and Pitt colonies. The race usually consists of a large majority of four-year-old fish, with a small percentage of the two- years-in-the-lake class. Although the present writers have seen these various types of scales year by year, they have not made an analytical study of them. In the report for 1934 they hope to give the results of an extended study of this nature. H 22 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table I.—Fraser River Packs, 1895-1933, arranged B.C 1895— 395,984 1896- Wash 65,143 Total 461,127 B.C 1899— 480,485 1900- Wash 499,646 Total 980,131 B.C 1903— 204,809 1904- Wash 167,211 Total 372,020 B.C 1907— 59,815 1908- Wash 90,974 Total 156,789 B.C 1911— 58,487 1912- Wash 127,761 Total 186,248 B.C 1915— 91,130 1916- Wash 64,584 Total 155,714 B.C 1919— 38,854 1920- Wash ; 64,346 Total 103,200 B.C 1923— 31,655 1924- Wash 47,402 Total 79,057 B.C 1927— 61,393 1928- AVash 97,594 Total 158,987 B.C 1931— 40,947 1932- Wash 87,211 Total 128,158 in accordance with the Four-year Cycle. 356,984 72,979 1897- - 860,459 312,048 1898— 256,101 252,000 429,963 1,172,507 508,101 229,800 228,704 1901- - 928,669 1,105,096 1902— 293,477 339,556 458,504 2,033,765 633,033 72,688 123,419 1905- - 837,489 837,122 1906— 183,007 182,241 196,107 1,674,611 365,248 74,574 170,951 1909- - 585,435 1,097,904 1910— 150,432 248,014 245,525 1,683,339 398,446 123,879 184,680 1913- - 719,796 1,673,099 1914— 198,183 335,230 308,559 2,392,895 533,413 32,146 84,637 1917- - 148.164 411,538 1918— 19,697 50,723 116,783 559,702 70,420 48,399 62,654 1921 - 39,631 102,967 1922— 51,832 48,566 111,053 142,598 100,398 39,743 69,369 1925- - 35,385 112,023 1926— 85,689 44,673 109,112 147,408 130,362 29,299 61,044 1929- - 61,569 111,898 173,467 1930— 103,692 352,194 90,343 455,886 65,769 81,188 1933- - 52,465 126,604 146,957 179,069 LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 23 Table II.—Fraser River Sockeycs, 1933, Vancouver Island Traps, grouped by Age, Sex, and Length, and by their Early History. Number of Individuals. Length in Inches. 4 2 52 h h *1 32 Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 16 1 1 16% 1 1 2 17 1 • 1 15 12 16 17.% 13 18 3 2 5 13 1 1 1 24 12 1 34 18% 29 19 5 5 1 6 17 19% 5 10 2 1 18 20 14 11 2 27 20% 4 16 1 4 2 1 1 29 21 9 22 25 33 4 3 4 3 1 3 1 1 1 46 21% 64 22 92 131 5 1 1 1 3 234 22% 123 217 3 2 2 5 9 1 362 23 198 268 3 8 3 5 2 1 488 23% 185 133 1 9 3 6 3 1 4 345 24 166 84 42 88 26 10 5 9 13 20 21 21 7 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 291 24% 147 25 90 25% 6 3 16 11 2 2 40 26 6 16 4 1 27 26% 1 8 9 27 12 2 12 27% 2 28 1 1 28% 1 1 Totals 968 996 105 | 108 21 | 24 24 | 8 5 8 76 | 2 | 2,345 Average lengths 23.1 22.7 24.9 24.0 24.0 22.9 22.5 22.3 24.3 23.8 18.0 18.8 . H 24 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table III.- -Fraser River Sockeyes, 1933, Vancouver Island Traps, grouped by Age, Sex, and Weight, and by their Early History. Number of Individuals. Weight in Pounds. 4 2 5 2 53 h 4 1 32 Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1% 1 1 2 1 3 4 2% 5 6 30 41 3 11 11 20 33 2 1 1 1 1 37 4 2 74 3% 50 4 43 109 74 202 2 9 8 2 2 2 4 2 2 1 3 1 2 137 4% 331 5 251 356 6 7 3 7 3 1 1 635 5% 219 184 7 10 3 7 11 2 3 446 6 192 80 5 23 5 2 3 1 1 312 6% 70 20 6 16 4 2 1 1 1 121 7 37 13 19 1 16 11 22 5 2 1 2 1 1 99 7% 32 8 6 11 8 1 1 27 8% 12 5 17 9 10 1 11 9% 3 3 10 2 1 2 10% 1 11 1 1 Totals 968 996 105 108 21 | 24 24 | 8 5 8 76 | 2 | 2,345 Average weights 5.4 5.0 7.0 6.3 6.0 5.2 5.1 4.9 6.5 6.1 2.8 3.0 Table IV.—Fraser River Sockeyes, Vancouver Island Traps, Percentages of the Year-classes from 1920 to 1933. Year. *2 52 53 63 3i 41 32 1920 69.6 78.1 70.5 67.1 68.2 67.9 66.1 84.6 71.4 77.3 75.7 79.0 80.7 83.6 21.2 14.6 9.3 10.8 18.7 24.9 20.3 7.5 18.8 11.9 19.6 13.1 13.5 9.2 6.2 4.1 4.5 3.9 9.2 3.4 5.2 3.0 5.3 7.8 2.8 1.3 2.8 1.9 0.2 0.7 2.0 1.2 0.5 0.2 1.6 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.9 0.5 6.3 6.7 0.5 2.2 2.0 1.9 2.0 0.1 0.2 2.0 0.8 1.4 0.9 2.0 5.6 9.9 2.0 0.0 2.5 2.2 0.7 0.1 0.7 2.0 0.8 0.5 1921 1922 0 9 1923 0 4 1924 0 8 1925 0 6 1926 2 1 1927 1928 1 0 1929 2 5 1930 0.5 2.6 1.4 3.4 1931 1932 1933 LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 25 Table V.—Fraser River Sockeyes, Vancouver Island Traps, Average Lengths in Inches of Principal Classes from 1920 to 1933. Year. 42 52 53 63 31 41 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1920 24.1 23.7 24.0 24.3 23.8 23.5 22.6 24.1 23.4 23.7 24.4 23.4 23.6 23.2 23.0 23.0 23.3 22.8 22.9 22.3 23.1 23.0 22.9 23.6 22.8 22.8 25.7 25.9 25.8 25.8 24.9 25.8 24.6 26.1 25.5 25.5 26.2 25.6 25.3 24.6 24.6 24.1 24.S 23.9 24.6 24.0 24.6 24.7 24.3 24.6 24.6 24.2 24.3 23.5 24.2 23.7 24.0 23.2 21.7 24.2 24.8 24.4 24.3 24.6 23.2 22.7 22.9 22.7 22.0 22.4 22.0 23.4 23.7 23.5 24.1 23.2 25.7 25.4 26.3 24.3 25.5 25.3 27.1 26.2 26.7 24.3 24.9 23.7 24.6 26.0 24.8 26.0 23.3 23.0 23.3 21.9 22.5 23.4 23.4 19.1 22.5 21.5 21.9 21.8 22.6 22.7 20.4 21.7 22.5 22.2 18.7 23.0 20.7 21.6 21.5 25.5 25.5 25.2 25.2 25.4 25.1 19.8 25.0 24.7 25.3 23.0 24.3 1921 1922 24.2 1923 24.1 1924.... 24.4 1925 1926 24.6 1927 24.5 1928 '..... 1929 24.0 1930 23.2 1931 22.5 1932 23.4 23.7 23.0 25.6 24.* 23.9 "2470_ 23.0 25.8 24.9 22.3 21.6 24.5 23.9 1933 23.1 22.7 24.9 1 24.0 22.9 27.0 22.5 22.3 24.3 23.8 Table VI.—Fraser River Sockeyes, Vancouver Island Traps, Average Weights in Pounds of Principal Classes from 1922 to 1933. Year. 4 2 5 2 5 3 6 3 3 1 4 1 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1922 6.4 6.6 5.7 5.8 5.2 4.9 5.5 5.5 5.3 6.1 52 | 5.4 7.0 7.8 7.6 6.2 7.3 • 7.4 7.2 7.7 7.3 7.3 6.1 6.9 6.6 5.7 6.8 6.9 6.3 6.7 6.5 6.7 6.1 6.0 6.1 5.4 4.5 6.5 6.7 6.6 6.1 6.6 5.4 5.2 5.3 4.8 4.8 5.7 5.9 6.0 6.3 5.4 7.2 7.3 7.4 6.5 8.6 7.5 7.7 5.5 6.5 5.7 5.5 8.0 6.5 6.0 5.9 6.2 5.3 6.1 5.9 6.4 5.5 4.5 4.9 5.2 5.3 4.6 5.4 5.2 5.4 5.0 4.2 4.6 4.4 7.9 7.3 7.3 7.2 8.0 6.5 6.3 7.3 5.7 6.9 1923 6.5 1924 1925 a 5.8 5.2 6.1 6.0 6.0 6.9 5.8 6.1 1926 6.6 1927 6.8 1928 6.6 1929 6.0 1930 5.8 1931 6.0 1932 5.9 Average weights 6.1 5.5 7.3 6.5 6.1 5.5 7.5 6.2 5.6 4.9 7.1 6.3 1933 5.4 5.0 7.0 6.3 6.0 5.2 .8.8 5.1 4.9 6.5 6.1 H 26 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table VII.—Fraser River Sockeyes, 1933, Vancouver Island Traps Age-groups and Dates of Capture. distributed by Number op Individuals Dates. 42 52 h 63 h 41 h Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. | M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 6 4 1 1 4 5 2 4 3 4 4 143 32 36 52 18 30 38 41 26 34 42 32 55 31 17 36 17 15 18 22 45 18 7 8 10 6 21 6 13 13 29 10 3 5 1 5 3 1 2 4 13 6 6 4 8 5 8 137 47 66 36 20 35 40 29 23 27 32 23 57 51 16 33 25 16 16 22 45 15 11 10 14 12 16 6 15 11 18 4 1 2 3 1 1 4 1 2 5 1 2 1 2 4 1 1 3 2 3 3 1 4 1 8 1 3 9 4 5 4 10 2 1 5 1 2 2 1 1 3 3 2 1 2 1 4 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 5 7 5 4 5 7 4 10 8 7 4 6 4 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 o 1 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 o 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 6 3 1 4 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 3 2 10 7 10 16 2 3 9 3 2 1 1 18 11 10 15 5 „ 22 „ 25 „ 29 4 14 21 11 , 5 20 „ 12 „ 15 6 15 19 10 „ 22 14 July 1 286 „ 3 79 102 „ 7 90 „ 10 39 „ 13 68 „ 17 83 „ 20 77 „ 24 53 „ 26 69 „ 29 79 31 69 Aug. 2 125 3 112 „ 4 39 „ 7 87 9 65 ,, 11 58 „ 14 50 „ 16 70 „ 17 131 18 50 „ 19 28 „ 21 42 „ 23 36 „ 28 25 „ 30 43 Sept. 2 13 „ 5 28 8 24 „ 11 47 „ 18 „ 20 „ 25 „ 30 15 6 7 1 Totals 968 996 105 108 21 24 | 2 [ 1 24 8 5 8 76 1 2 2,347 LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 27 e O e S 8 S >8 a, s e v. ft* 8 &H M a -1 W H Cl H H H M 13 b n Cl t- rt 00 ^ H Cl CC c w n to io ^ ci : ci ia> co -^ ci Thrtc-t-i<HciML'; CI Tjl IO Cl rH CI rH r)i UO Cl CO CO 1 rH CO LO Cl I tH It* : CO ,H -HH 1 rH rH CO OI .* CO Cl Cl ' Cl rHrHrHOlrHrHOlrH 1 rH I CO Cl rH rH rH 1 CI O > i rS i r? i rf! i rS ONt.cOODCjoOOrtdClClCOCC^^WLO©(D IrHrHrHrHrHrHCldCIClClClClCICICICICIlMCI . H 28 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. 8 8 G) >8 S 8 CO IO 00 CO rH Cl CI Ht-^10«C1CICIH 8-, : ci w t- o ^ © ci r= H n © Cl CO !D IS SI rH rH CO rH CO CI LO to 8 &H 38 S 8 £ 8 CI rH CO I rH O 03 H 8 N 8 El B < iS ■ 3* !rf! ir? ir? irS iS XOOClOiOOrHrHCIOlCOCOTH^l.OlOCOCOt-t-0000 rHrHrHrHCIOlOlCICIOIOIOlOlCIOlOIClOlOlCIOlCI LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 29 2. THE RIVERS INLET SOCKEYE RUN OF 1933. (1.) General Characteristics. In 1928 an attempt was made to bring the data of Rivers Inlet packs and runs into orderly sequence. By adopting Dr. Gilbert's theory that the primary cycle was a five-year one, and by tabulating the packs (Table A) and relative percentages of the.four- and five-year-old fish (Table B) in five-year cycles, or series, a more or less satisfactory interpretation of the data was made. In the meantime the data of five additional years have been added, year by year, and although these recent years have somewhat proved exceptions to the generalizations, the tables are still retained because they serve as a useful basis for discussion. Table A. Sr.l. 1907, 87,874; 1912,112,884; 1917, 61,195; 1922, 53,584; 1927, 64,461; 1932, 69,732. Sr. 2. 1908, 64,652; 1913, 61,745; 1918, 53,401; 1923,107,174; 1928, 60,044; 1933, 83,507. Sr. 3. 1909, 89,027; 1914, 89,890; 1919, 56,258; 1924, 94,891; 1929, 70,260. Sr. 4. 1910, 126,921; 1915,130,350 ; 1920,125,338 ; 1925,159,554 ; 1930,119,170. Sr. 5. 1911, 88,763; 1916, 44,936; 1921, 48,615; 1926, 65,581; 1931, 76,428. Table B. Sr.l. 1912 (5 years)..79% 1917 67% 1922 18% 1927 17% 1932 29% (4 years)..21% 33% 82% 83% 71% Sr. 2. 1913 20% 1918 43% 1923 24% 1928 42% 1933 55% 80% 57% 76% 58% 45% Sr. 3. 1914 65% 1919 54% 1924 56% 1929 19% 35% 46% 44% 81% Sr. 4. 1915 87% 1920 95% 1925 77% 1930 50% 13% 5% 23% 50% Sr. 5. 1916 76% 1921 51% 1926 40% 1931 54% 24% 49% 60% 46% Series 2, 3, and 4 showed the greatest uniformity in size of pack and composition of run, and it was for these three series that the following generalizations were made. When a run is largely composed of four-year-old fish the pack is small, amounting to from 50,000 to 65,000 cases (series 2). When the five-year-olds slightly outnumber the fours the packs amount to 85,000 to 95,000 cases (series 3). When the fives are greatly in excess, packs of at least 120,000 cases are produced (series 4). The year 1933 falls into series 2, which in the past has been characterized without exception by runs in which the four-year-old fish have exceeded the fives, and by packs of small extent. In the report for 1932 it was stated that the only hope for a pack greater than that of the mediocre brood-years was Inspector Stone's opinion that the larger fish predominated on the spawning-grounds in 1928. The statement was made that, this being the case, if the 52's spawned successfully there was a possibility that they would outnumber the 42's in 1933 and that the pack would be greater than the brood-years. Such has been the case. The larger fish form 55 per cent, of the run and the pack of 83,507 cases is a substantial one. Furthermore, the following excerpt from the report of the spawning-beds, made available by Major Motherwell's department, is encouraging: " It is gratifying to find the spawning-grounds in this area so well seeded, particularly in view of the excellent commercial yield." For three successive years, 1931-32-33, the packs have bettered their brood-years by at least 10,000 cases. It is interesting to note that in each of these years the total number of females has exceeded that of the males, a condition which previously existed only in the runs of series 4, 1915-20-25-30, the premier cycle of this river system. In the past the better packs have been correlated with large percentages of five-year-old fish. Yet the run of 1932 was composed of only 29 per cent. 50's. This would seem like a contradiction. However, in the exact analysis it is the excess of females in this age-group which has made it the more important element of Rivers Inlet runs. In 1932, although there were only 29 per cent. 52's, 72 per cent, of them were females and in addition there were 46 per cent.—the largest percentage yet recorded— of 4,'s. The total percentage of females in the run was 54. Thus it would seem that improved packs are associated with large numbers of females, either all of the older age-group, if it com- H 30 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. prises a very considerable part of the run, or with a combination of 52 and 42 females sufficient to make their total number greater than that of the males. Hence in 1933 it seems likely that the good pack of 83,507 cases is to be associated primarily with the large total per cent.—58— of females, rather than with the slight excess of the five-year-old fish. The year 1934 belongs to series 3, which, as was stated above, has as a rule been distinguished by (1) a slight preponderance of 52's and (2) packs ranging from 85,000 to 95,000 cases. The run will be the descendants of the runs of 1929 and 1930 which produced commercial yields of 70,260 and 119,170 cases respectively. In both years Inspector Stone reported the spawning-beds sufficiently seeded to expect, if climatic conditions were favourable, returns similar in magnitude to the present runs. There seems to be, then, no reason to anticipate in 1934 a run less than normal for this series, and if the recent advantageous trend in the sex ratio, of more females than males, continues, it is not unreasonable to look for a pack even greater in extent than 95,000, the upper range of packs in this series. (2.) Age-groups. This study of 1933 is based on ten samples collected over a period of three weeks, from July 7th to August 1st, and totalling 1,427 individuals. These are divided among the four age-classes of which Rivers Inlet runs are composed—namely, the 42 and 52 groups, which are the principal ones, and the 53 and 63 groups, which, although always present, are almost a negligible factor because of their smaller numbers. In 1933 these two groups together numbered only ten individuals. For all practical purposes, then, the run consists of the two age-groups which are alike in residing one year in fresh water, but differ in the number of years spent in the sea. The 42's mature after three years of salt-water life and the 52's after four years. The relative proportion of these two age-groups varies widely in different years. This year the .five-year-olds are slightly in excess of the fours (Table X.). (3.) Lengths and Weights. The two racial size characteristics peculiar to the Rivers Inlet sockeyes are again manifest in the run of 1933. First, the average measurements of the 4, group are less than those of the sockeyes in the other major streams. The following figures bear this out:— Male Length. Weight. Female Length. Weight. Inches. 22.1 23.1 24.3 24.6 Lb. 4.8 5.4 5.5 6.2 Inches. 22.0 22.7 23.4 23.7 Lb. 4 6 5 0 5 0 5 4 Secondly, as the above figures also indicate, the Rivers Inlet males and females of this same age-group are nearly identical in size, whereas there is considerable difference between the sexes in the other streams. Tables XL and XII. contain the complete enumeration of the size variations of the individuals in all the various age-classes of the Rivers Inlet sockeyes of 1933, and Tables XIII. and XIV. give the average measurements of the principal groups over a period of years. The 1933 42 average length in both sexes is half an inch less than the general averages covering twenty years. The length of the female is 22.1 inches, a measurement which is only 0.2 greater than the lowest on record. The male measures 22 inches, which is identical with the lowest average yet recorded. The weights are also low, but not to such a marked degree. On the other hand, the average length of. the 52 males, 25.2 inches, is greater by 0.2 inch than the general average, and that of the females, 24.7 inches, is the same as the general average. In this group the weights surpass the general averages by 0.3 lb. for males and 0.1 for females. It is difficult to understand what condition would bring about size, less than normal in one group, and greater in the other. LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 31 Table X.—Rivers Inlet Sockeyes, Percentages of 4% o,nd 52 Age-groups in Runs of Successive Years. Eun of the Year. Percentage Four and Five Years old. Brood-year from which derived. 1912 (112,884 cases) 1913 (61,745 cases).. 1914 (89,890 cases).. 1915 (130,350 cases). 1916 (44,936 cases). 1917 (61,195 cases). 1918 (53,401 cases). 1919 (56,258 cases). 1920 (121,254 cases) 1921 (46,300 cases). 1922 (60,700 cases). 1923 (107,174 cases). I 1924 (94,891 cases) J I 1925 (159,554 cases)..... f 1 1926 (65,581 cases).. 1927 (64,461 cases). 1928 (60,044 cases).... 1929 (70,260 cases)... 1930 (119,170 cases). 1931 (76,428 cases)... 1932 (69,732 cases)... 1933 (83,507 cases)... 5 yrs. 79% 4 yrs. 21% 5 yrs. 20% 4 yrs. 80% 5 yrs. 65% 4 yrs. 35% 5 yrs. 87% 4 yrs. 13% 5 yrs. 76% 4 yrs. 24% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 67% 33% 43% 57% 54% 46% 95% 5% 51% 49% 18% 82% 24% 76% 56% 44% 77% 23% 40% 60% 17% 83% 42% 58% 19% 81% 50% 50% 54% 46% 29% 71% 55% 45% 1907 (87,874 cases). 1908 (64,652 cases). 1909 (89,027 cases). 1910 (126,921 cases). 1911 (88,763 cases). 1912 (112,884 cases). 1913 (61,745 cases). 1914 (89,890 cases). 1915 (130,350 cases). 1916 (44,936 cases). 1917 (61,195 cases). 1918 (53,401 cases). 1919 (56,258 cases). 1920 (121,254 cases). 1921 (46,300 cases). 1922 (60,700 cases). 1923 (107,174 cases). 1924 (94,891 cases). 1925 (159,554 cases). 1926 (65,581 cases). 1927 (64,461 cases). 1928 (60,044 cases.) 1929 (70,260 cases). H 32 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. (4.) Distribution of Sexes. One of the most interesting features of recent Rivers Inlet runs has been the change in the distribution of the sexes. In the 42 age-group the males have always outnumbered the females and in the 52 class the females have always exceeded the males. In 1929 it was first- pointed out that quite apart from the yearly fluctuations a definite shifting of relative proportions was taking place within each of these two age-groups. At that time it was suggested that a tendency toward equalization in numbers of the sexes was discernible in the 42 class and an increase in the females in the 52 group. The approach toward equal numbers of 42 males and females was likewise due to greater numbers of females. In 1929 they reached a new high level of 43 per cent, and each year since the proportion has remained high. During the first five years for which there are records they formed only 25 per cent, of the runs, during the succeeding eight years they increased to 33 per cent., and for the last five years they have constituted 56 per cent, of the runs. The percentages for the 52 females for the same periods are as follows: 55, 66, and 67. In the case of the 42 group, increases took place in both the second and third periods, whereas in the 52's a sudden increase, which has maintained itself to the present time, occurred at the beginning of the second period. In comparison with the early shears, then, the 42 females are now more numerous by 19 per cent, and the 5, females by 12 per cent. A short discussion of possible explanations for the increased number of females may be found in the report for 1932. The distribution of sexes in these two principal classes for the year 1933 is in close accord with the general averages for the last five years (Table XV.). As for the total number of males and females in each run up to the year 1931, the females outnumbered the males only in the cycle of 1915, 1920, 1925, and 1930, in which the 52 age-group is greatly in excess. But each year since, and including 1931, the increased number of 42 females has brought the total number of females above that of the males. The greatest percentage of females recorded in the history of Rivers Inlet is 59 in one of the years of the big cycle. This year of 1933 approaches that closely with a figure of 58 per cent. As has been stated in several previous reports, this increase in the number of females in Rivers Inlet is a most encouraging feature because it augments the potentialities of future runs. Table XI.—Rivers Inlet Sockeyes, Run of 1.933, grouped by Age, Sex, and Length, and by their Early History. Number of Individuals. Length in Inches. 4 2 52 5 3 63 Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 10 1 2 16 17 52 SI 50 35 25 30 18 14 7 1 1 1 3 13 44 59 57 51 34 10 4 3 1 1 3 4 8 8 22 19 30 34 41 33 28 10 4 1 1 9 13 24 45 89 91 114 76 47 12 9 4 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 19% 3 20 20 20% 31 21 97 21% 143 22 121 22% 104 23 91 23% 95 24 134 24% 127 25 152 25% 112 26 89 26% 48 27 40 27% 14 28 4 28% 29 1 Totals 350 279 247 534 6 4 2 5 1,427 Ave. lengths.... 22.1 22.0 25.5 24.7 23.2 21.9 27.0 26.1 LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 33 Table XII.—Rivers Inlet Sockeyes, Run of 1933, grouped by Age, Sex, and Weight, and by their Early History. Weight in Pounds. Number of Individuals. M. F. F. M. Total. 3% 4 4% 5 5% 6 6% 7 7% 8 8% 9 9% 10 10% Totals Ave. weight 14 9 89 62 116 108 47 59 36 31 27 9 7 1 11 2 350 4.8 1 2 7 18 9 24 11 49 17 86 28 118 40 99 48 65 32 44 21 23 22 4 10 1 1 279 247 534 4.6 7.3 4.5 9.5 7.6 23 157 250 140 130 140 155 152 115 78 46 26 13 1 1 1,427 Table XIII.—Rivers Inlet Sockeyes, Average Length in Inches of the 4<i and 52 Groups, 1912 to 1933. Year. Four-year Males. Four-year Females. Five-year Males. Five-year Females. 1912 23.2 22.9 23.0 22.9 22.9 22.5 22.3 22.4 22.9 22.5 22.4 22.3 22.2 22.8 22.1 22.3 22.6 22.7 21.9 22.4 22.8 23.0 22.8 22.8 22.8 22.3 22.5 22.3 22.6 22.4 22.3 22.3 22.2 22.9 22.4 22.8 22.2 22.6 22.0 22.4 25.8 25.9 25.9 26.0 25.8 25.0 24.9 24.8 26.0 25.2 24.6 24.6 24.9 25.5 25.1 24.6 26.1 25.2 26.0 25.2 25.2 24.6 1913 25.2 1914 . 25.2 1915 25.1 1916 25.0 1917 ; 24.4 1918 24.5 1919 24.4 1920 25.0 1921 24.2 1922 24.2 1923 - 24.1 1924 24.3 1925 24.8 1926 24.6 1927 24.2 1928 25.2 1929 25.3 1930 25.2 1931 24.8 1932 24.6 22.6 22.5 25.3 24.7 1933 22.1 22.0 25.5 24.7 H 34 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table XIV.—Rivers Inlet Sockeyes, Average Weight in Pounds of the 4% ind 52 Groups, 1914 to 1933. Year. Four-year Males. Four-year Females. Five-year Males. Five-year Females. 1914 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.1 7.3 7.3 6.8 6.6 1915 1916.... 5.5 5.0 4.9 4.9 5.2 6.0 5.0 4.9 4.6 5.2 5.3 4.8 5.0 4.9 4.5 4.7 5.0 4.9 5.1 4.8 4.9 5.9 4.8 4.8 4.4 5.2 5.8 5.0 4.8 4.8 4.6 4-7 . 7.6 6.6 6.7 6.3 6.9 7.4 6.5 6.6 6.9 6.9 7.3 7.5 6.6 7.5 6.7 6.5 6.7 6.2 6.7 5.9 6.0 7.0 5.9 6.1 6.2 6.3 7.6 6.7 6.7 6.9 6.4 6.5 1917 1918 1919 1921 1922 . 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 5.1 5.0 7.0 6.5 1933 4.8 4.6 7.3 6.6 Table XV.—Rivers Inlet Sockeyes, Relative Numbers of Males and Females of the 42 and 52 Groups, 1915 to 1933. Year. Average Percentages. Per Cent. Total Males. Per Cent. Total Females. Four-year Males. Four-year Females. Five-year Males. Five-year Females. 1915 74 26 40 60 45 52 55 48 1916 1917 75 25 42 58 53 47 1918 74 26 49 51 66 34 1919 79 21 45 55 58 42 1920 74 65 26 35 48 38 55 49 51 49 1921 62 1 51 1922 66 34 38 62 61 39 1923 71 29 33 67 62 38 1924 74 26 31 69 50 50 1925 66 34 34 66 41 59 1926 63 37 32 68 51 49 1927 68 32 36 64 62 38 1928 63 37 30 70 51 49 1929 57 43 36 64 53 47 1930 56 44 37 63 47 53 1931 59 41 33 67 47 53 1932 54 46 28 72 46 54 1933 56 44 32 68 42 58 3. THE SKEENA RIVER SOCKEYE RUN OF 1933. (1.) General Characteristics. The pack in the Skeena River amounted to 30,506 cases and constitutes the lowest on record. No inspection of the spawning-beds was made by a departmental officer, but a report is available through the courtesy of the Dominion Department of Fisheries. It is evident that the escape ment was relatively poor and that undoubtedly the year 1933 marked the lowest ebb to date in the Skeena runs. ', LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. . H 35 The run of 1934 will be derived from the brood-years of 1929 and 1930. In 1929 the pack was 78,017 cases and the five-year-old fish constituted 33 per cent, of the run. In 1930 the pack was 132,372 cases and the four-year-old fish formed 43 per cent, of the run (Table XVI.). In the former year the run to the Lakelse area was poor, but that to the Babine area good. In the latter year the escapements to both the Lakelse and Babine Districts were reported as being exceptionally good. It would seem that a pack of 75,000 to 80,000 cases would be a reasonable amount for the year 1934. (2.) Age-groups. Scales and length, weight and sex data were obtained from 1,684 fish from June 27th to August 14th in seventeen random samplings. The 42 age-group is again the largest, with 961 individuals or 57 per cent. The 52 age-group consists of 610 individuals or 36 per cent. The remaining two groups are sparsely represented, with 83 in the 53 group (5 per cent.) and 30 in the 63 (2 per cent.) (Table XVII.). (3.) Lengths and Weights. The average lengths and weights of the two sexes in the 42 age-group are very low. In this respect they resemble their progenitors. In the 52 age-group, on the other hand, the average lengths and weights of both sexes are notably high (Tables XVIII. to XXL). The data for the year are as follows:— 42 males, 23.2 inches, 4.9 lb.; females, 22.8 inches, 4.7 lb. 52 males, 26.1 inches, 7.1 lb.; females, 25.2 inches, 6.3 lb. 53 males, 24.3 inches, 5.7 lb.; females, 23.4 inches, 5.0 lb. 63 males, 26.4 inches, 7.1 lb.; females, 25.3 inches, 6.3 lb. (4.) Proportions of the Sexes. The total number of males in the samplings is 760, 45 per cent., and of females 924, 55 per cent. In the 42 age-group the females slightly exceed the males in number. A similar excess of females has obtained in this age-group for several years. The females also exceed the males in the 52 age-group. This excess of females has prevailed over a period of twenty- two years of record, except in two years, when the males of this group exceeded the females in number (Table XXII.). (5.) Characteristics of Skeena Sockeyes. Of the runs to the four river systems under consideration, that of the Skeena stands alone in not possessing a single, definite, racial habit or peculiarity. In general composition the run resembles Rivers Inlet run. Both are made up of the same four year-classes (42, 52, 53, and 63), with the same two (42 and 52) predominating. While both of these classes are important components of Rivers Inlet, the primary cycle is the five-year one. On the other hand, the 42 and 52 groups seem to play roles of equal importance in the Skeena; in some years the former class is the more important element, and in other years the latter. In the matter of sex-distribution not one of the four age-groups has had one sex consistently outnumbering the other. The 52 class is the closest approach, there being but two years in which the males have been in excess of the females. A few times the females have exceeded the males in all classes, and for the years for which the records are complete (1918-1933) there are only three instances in which the total number of males has been greater than that of the females. During the early years of this study Dr. Gilbert plotted the runs on series of dates hoping to find some traits peculiar to the Skeena fish, but he was forced to conclude that there were no consistent, obvious, changes in the constitution of the runs either in respect to year-class or sex. Although it is impossible to point out any racial habit of the Skeena River sockeyes, the character of the scales indicates that these fish are a vigorous race. In the typical scale the lines of growth are strong and widely spaced, particularly during the first two years. The rings indicating the lake-growth are widely spaced towards the centre and narrow gradually, while the position of the first winter sea check, from % to % the distance from the margin of the scale, indicates equally extensive growth during the first year in salt water. The succeeding winter-bands are heavy, signifying appreciable growth even during the less favourable winter season. H 36 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table XVI.—Skeena River Sockeyes, Percentages of b2-a,nd 52 Age-groups in Runs of Successive Years. Run of the Year. Percentage Four and Five Years old. 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 43% 57% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 50% 50% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 75% 25% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 64% 36% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 60% 40% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 62% 38% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 59% 41% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 69% 31% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 82% 18% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 24% 76% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 19% 81% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 34% 66% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 75% 25% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 47% 53% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 30% 70% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 31% 69% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 43% 57% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 33% 67% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 57% 43% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 57% 43% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 49% 51% 5 yrs. 4 yrs. 39% 61% Brood-ye*ir from which derived. 1912 (92,498 cases). 1913 (59,927 cases). 1914 1915 (130,166 cases). (116,553 eases). 1916 (60,923 cases)- 1917 (65,760 cases)... 1918 (123,322 eases). 1919 (184,945 cases). 1920 (90,869 cases)... 1921 (41,018 cases)... 1922 (96,277 cases) — 1923 (131,731 cases). 1924 (144,747 cases).. 1925 (81,146 cases)... 1926 (82,360 cases)... 1927 (83,996 cases).... 1928 (34,559 cases) 1929 (78,017 cases).... 1930 (132,372 cases). 1931 (93,023 cases). 1932 (59,916 cases). 1933 (30,506 cases).. 1907 (108,413 cases). 1908 (139,846 cases). 1909 (87,901 cases). 1910 (181,246 cases). I 1911 (131,066 cases). 1912 (92,498 cases). 1913 (52,927 cases) 1914 (130,166 cases). 1915 (116,553 cases). J J. 1916 (60,923 cases). I 1917 (65,760 cases). J 1918 (123,322 cases). [ 1919 (184,945 cases). J I 1920 (90,869 cases). 1921 (41,018 cases). 1922 (96,277 cases). ] j. 1923 (131,731 cases). J 1924 (144,747 cases). 1925 (77,784 cases). 1926 (82,360 cases). t 1927 (83,996 eases). 1928 (34,559 cases). 1929 (78,017 cases). LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 37 Table XVII.—Skeena River Sockeyes, Percentages of the Principal Year-classes from 1916 to 1933. One Year in Lake. Two Years in Lake. Year. Four Years old. Five Years old. Five Years old. Six Years old. 1916 34 57 51 27 15 69 70 56 23 51 62 62 51 62 39 40 44 57 38 29 34 60 71 22 16 29 69 45 26 28 39 30 52 30 37 36 13 9 9 9 6 6 12 8 7 3 9 9 7 6 8 28 7 5 18 1917 5 1918 6 1919 4 1920 8 1921 3 1922 2 1923 7 1924 1 1925 1 1926 .. 3 1927 1 1928 3 1929 2 1930 1 1931 o 1932 12 1933 2 Table XVIII.—Skeena River Sockeyes, 1933, grouped by Age, Sex, and Length, and by their Early History. Number of Individuals. Length in Inches. 4 2 52 53 6 3 Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 19% 1 2 9 12 44 49 60 69 57 61 53 27 12 5 2 3 12 35 84 116 96 78 44 20 7 3 1 3 9 22 20 31 46 42 29 18 10 7 2 1 1 6 23 41 59 77 67 46 22 16 7 2 2 1 1 3 5 3 4 6 4 6 2 3 1 3 1 7 6 13 7 2 4 1 1 2 9 3 1 2 4 4 1 2 1 1 20 2 20% 12 21 25 21% 83 22 135 22% 187 23 183 23% 177 24 166 24% 166 25 140 25% 126 26 108 26% 72 27 49 27% 26 28 14 28% 7 29 4 29% 30 1 Totals 463 498 241 369 38 45 18 12 1,684 Ave. lengths.... 23.2 22.8 26.1 25.2 24.3 23.4 26.4 25.3 H 38 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table XIX.—Skeena River Sockeyes, 1933, grouped by Age, Sex, and Weight, and by their Early History. Number of Individuals. Weight in Pounds. 4 2 52 5 3 6 3 Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 3 2 21 95 98 86 77 49 25 7 3 13 96 203 117 49 14 5 1 2 12 16 23 46 32 43 30 22 9 3 2 1 14 36 52 81 73 59 25 14 10 1 3 1 3 3 8 5 8 5 5 1 1 4 16 7 10 5 1 1 1 1 4 4 4 3 1 1 4 2 1 2 2 2 3% 35 4 198 4% 336 5 267 5% 214 6 183 6% 160 7 110 7% 77 8 49 8% 33 9 10 9% 6 10 " 3 10% 1 Totals 463 498 241 369 38 45 18 12 1,684 Ave. weights.... 4.9 4.7 7.1 6.3 5.7 5.0 7.1 6.3 Table XX.—Skeena River Sockeyes, Average Lengths in Inches of Principal Age-groups, 1912 to 1933. Year. 42 52 h 63 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1912 24.6 23.5 24.2 24.2 23.9 23.6 24.1 24.3 23.8 23.8 23.6 23.7 24.1 23.6 23.8 23.9 23.3 22.9 23.1 23.5 23.4 23.5 22.9 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.2 23.1 23.2 23.1 23.3 22.8 23.4 23.3 22.8 22.7 22.7 23.1 22.7 26.4 25.5 26.2 25.9 26.2 25.5 25.9 25.7 26.2 25.2 25.3 25.5 26.2 25.6 25.6 25.7 25.3 25.5 24.7 25.7 25.2 25.2 24.7 25.1 25.0 25.0 24.7 25.0 24.8 25.3 24.2 24.4 24.5 25.2 24.7 24.8 24.8 24.7 24.7 23.9 24.8 24.4 24.5 24.1 23.9 23.9 24.3 24.1 24.2 23.8 23.9 24.7 24.1 •24.6 24.1 23.5 23.8 23.5 23.8 24.1 23.4 23.8 23.8 23.4 23.4 23.4 23.4 23.3 23.2 23.6 23.3 23.8 23.5 22.8 22.8 22.4 23.1 22.8 25.6 26.2 25.4 25.2 25.8 26.2 24.9 24.6 25.6 25.8 25.8 26.0 25.2 25.6 25.5 24.6 25.8 25.4 1913 1914 1915 1916 24.8 1917 1918 24.7 24.7 25 1 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 24.8 25.0 24.9 24.7 24.3 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 24.7 24.4 1932 23.8 23.2 25.7 24.8 24.1 23.3 25.5 24.6 1933 23.2 22.8 26.1 25.2 24.3 23.4 26.4 25.3 LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 39 Table XXI.—Skeena River Sockeyes, Average Weights in Pounds of Principal Age-groups, 1914 to 1933. Year. 4 2 5 2 5 3 6 3 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1914 5.9 5.7 5.4 5.3 5.8 6.1 5.6 5.7 5.4 5.3 5.6 5.1 5.3 5.4 5.0 4.9 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.1 5.0 5.3 5.5 5.1 5.1 5.1 4.9 5.0 4.7 5.1 5.1 4.6 4.7 5.1 5.1 4.9 7.2 6.8 7.1 6.4 6.9 7.0 7.2 6.4 6.5 6.3 7.0 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.4 6.8 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.3 6.2 6.3 6.0 6.4 6.2 6.4 5.7 5.7 5.7 6.3 5.8 5.8 5.9 5.8 6.2 6.0 6.3 6.1 5.9 5.8 5.5 5.7 6.1 6.3 5.8 5.5 5.3 5.9 5.5 5.9 5.4 5.0 5.6 5.6 5.5 6.0 5.2 5.4 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.1 5.1 5.1 4.8 5.1 4.9 5.2 5.0 4.6 4.9 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.6 7.1 6.3 6.6 6.9 7.3 6.0 6.2 6.3 6.6 6.9 6.9 6.0 6.5 6.8 6.8 6.9 6.8 1915 6.0 1916 5 9 1917 5.8 1918 6.1 1919 6.3 1920 6.3 1921 5.6 1922 5.7 1923 5.4 1924 5.8 1925 5.4 1926 6.2 1927 5.8 1928 5.8 1929 5.7 1930 5.8 1931 6.0 1932 5.9 Average weights 5.5 5.0 6.7 6.1 5.7 5.1 6.6 5.9 1933 4.9 4.7 7.1 6.3 5.7 5.0 7.1 6.3 Table XXII:—Skeena River Sockeyes, Percentages of Males and Females in each of the Different Year-groUps in a Series of Years. 4 2 52 E 3 6 3 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1912 54 69 60 55 70 65 63 53 41 44 52 60 50 57 40 45 48 50 47 43 47 48 46 31 40 45 30 35 37 47 59 56 48 40 50 43 60 55 52 50 53 57 53 52 42 47 47 45 43 48 46 46 37 44 41 37 43 42 43 41 45 46 56 39 63 40 58 53 53 55 57 52 54 54 63 56 59 63 57 58 57 59 55 54 44 61 37 60 56 65 61 52 43 50 52 56 46 45 48 47 43 65 55 51 41 46 44 35 39 48 57 50 48 44 54 55 52 53 57 35 45 49 59 54 54 58 56 45 41 43 53 40 46 47 49 56 50 57 63 53 57 60 1913 1914 1915 1916 46 1917 42 1918 44 1919 55 1920 59 1921 57 1922 47 1923 60 1924 54 1925 53 1926 51 1927 44 1928 50 1929 43 1930 37 1931 47 1932 43 1933 40 H 40 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. 4. THE NASS RIVER SOCKEYE RUN OF 1933. (1.) General Characteristics. Nineteen hundred and thirty-three is one of the few years in which expectation of the Nass River pack has coincided with realization. As was anticipated, the pack was small, amounting to 9,757 cases. Furthermore, it is not surprising that Mr. Young, who made the inspection of the spawning-beds of the Meziadin watershed, should conclude his report with these words: " On making a summary of conditions on the areas I have inspected, I have to submit there was a lack of sockeye salmon. Both early and late runs were small." However, in spite of the fact that this pack is one of the smallest on record, it is three-quarters greater than that of the brood-year from which it was chiefly derived. The year 1934 belongs to what was considered a good cycle in earlier years. However, in 1929 the pack failed to reach more than half the average for the previous years, thus interrupting the good cycle. Although predictions cannot be relied upon in this river system, it seems safe to expect in 1934 a run at least greater than the very poor one of the present year. It will be principally the progeny of the year of 1929, which was only moderately successful both as to pack—16,077 cases—and escapement. Mediocre as the escapement was, it was sufficient to produce 35 per cent, of the run of 1933 (Table XXIII.). A glance at this table shows the increasing importance of the four-year-old fish in Nass River runs. Attention is called to this fact for two reasons: First, because the run of this year has the largest 49 component on record. Secondly, in 1930 Inspector Hickman reported more sockeye on the Meziadin spawning-beds than he had seen in any previous year, and from his observations at the fishway he says: '.' In all my twenty-three years' experience I have never seen so many congregated here." Therefore, if the 42's return as abundantly in 1934 as they have during the past six years, they should increase the run very materially. However, the inconsistencies demonstrated by the Nass in the past have taught us that it is wiser to regard an improved run in 1934 as a possibility, rather than a probability. (2.) Age-groups. The material for the analysis of the Nass River run of 1933 comprises 1,638 individuals collected in fourteen samples at regular intervals between June 22nd and August 16th. The great variety of age-groups in this river system has always been considered one of its most marked racial peculiarities. This run of 1933 is the poorest in year-classes of any run yet studied. One of the usual eight age-classes (64) is unrepresented, and three others (31? 41( and 7.) taken together total eleven fish only. These four groups have never been abundant enough to record their relative proportions year by year, but they have been present so consistently that they have been regarded as an integral part of the runs. The collection of material covered the usual time period, so that the sea-types (3X and 4j) which occur early, and the 64's and 74's which normally appear late in the season, should have been captured, had they been present in their former numbers. The run, then, virtually consists of four age-classes. Here again there is an unusual condition in the relative proportions of these groups. The dominant age-group, the 53, is only 55 per cent, strong, a figure at least 10 per cent, below normal, and the group of second importance, the 42, is greater by 5 per cent, than in any previous year. The percentage of 52's is also below normal, so that the total number of five-year-old fish is less than in any year yet recorded. A few years ago it was pointed out that the 40's were increasing at the expense of the 5a's. This run of 1933 shows additional increase at the expense of the 5o's as well as the 52's (Tables XXIII. and XXIV.). (3.) Lengths akd Weights. This run of 1933 is unusual in still another respect; that is, in the generally large size of the fish. The lengths and weights of all the individuals in the various year-groups are enumerated in Tables XXV. and XXVII. and the yearly averages are registered in Tables XXVI. and XXVIII. Except for the length of both sexes and the weight of the female in group 53, every average measurement exceeds the general averages over twenty-one years for lengths and- nineteen years for weight. In the case of the 53's the size is only slightly below average; the male is shorter by only 0.2 inch, and the female shorter by 0.1 inch and equivalent in weight. Similarly, the averages of class 42 are greater than the general averages by a very small degree. On the other hand, the 52's and 63's are astonishingly large. The lengths and weights for both LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 41 sexes of the 52 group are new records, surpassing the general averages for males by 1.1 inches and 1 lb. and for the females by 0.8 inch and 0.7 lb. The 63 class is almost as phenomenal, but the number of fish represented is smaller and therefore the averages are not as significant. The length of the male and the length and weight of the female touch new high levels. The male is longer by 0.9 inch and heavier by 0.5 lb., and the female by 1.8 inches and 1.1 lb. than the general averages. In 1928, the year which constitutes the chief brood-year for 1933, the statement was made that the small size of the individuals in the run verified Dr. Gilbert's opinion that general size reduction usually accompanied small runs. The run of 1933 is among the smallest the Nass has produced, but instead of being correlated with undersized fish it is associated with oversized fish. One of the racial size characteristics to which attention has frequently been called is that, while the fish in the other river systems have undergone diminution as the years have passed, those of the Nass have suffered no decrease. The year 1933 is no exception. This river exhibits another racial size peculiarity—namely, that the smallest fish are the youngest and, conversely, the largest fish are the oldest (Tables XXIX. and XXX.). In the Fraser and Skeena Rivers and Rivers Inlet, on the other hand, the number of years spent feeding at sea seems to be the factor which limits size irregardless of ultimate age. Table XXXI. shows this difference. Taking the Nass River first and considering each sex separately, it is seen that the average lengths show a steady progression, according to age, in the three- and in the four-year periods of feeding. Examining the other rivers in the same manner, it is evident that the average lengths within each three- and four-year period tend to be alike. (4.) Seasonal Changes during the Run. That this run of 1933 is outstanding in unusual features is again evidenced in this matter of seasonal succession of the age-groups. In the past the changes have been fairly constant in spite of the usual complexity of year-classes. The dominant group, the 5g, has always been present with varying strength from the beginning to the end of the run. The 42's and 59's have always accompanied the prevailing group throughout the run and their maxima intensities have been reached during the second or third week of July. The other principal age-group, the 6„, has likewise appeared at all times, but in greatly increased numbers in August. Of the other four less important classes, the sea-types (3,'s and 41's) have been confined to the early part of the run and the oldest fish, the 64's and 74's, have been restricted to the later days of the run. In 1933, Table XXXIL, five of the seven groups, although three of them are very poorly represented, follow the usual course of progression. The two which deviate from the normal are the 42's and 52's. Their periods of greatest numbers are earlier than usual, falling in June and the first week of July. The 52 group has appeared irregularly previously, and it is not surprising that it should be so when a comparatively small number of individuals is spread over an entire season. In the case of the 40's, this is the first instance of abnormal occurrence. Although this early appearance of greatest strength may not be related to the following fact, it is true that this group is present in 5 per cent, greater numbers than in any previous run. (5.) The Meziadin and Bowser Sockeye Colonies. Since the year 1915 two races of Nass sockeye have been recognized—one, associated with Meziadin Lake, and the other, presumably with Bowser Lake. The study of these two races has been based on material collected during the annual inspections of the Meziadin watershed. Samplings are made both of the fish gathered below Meziadin Falls, and, by fishing 'a net in the Nass above its junction with the Meziadin River, of fish bound for the Upper Nass. In recent years, except for 1930, when the Nass escapement was especially large, although the net has been fished for a week or ten days as formerly, the attempt to net fish has been a failure. If the Upper Nass still supports a considerable spawning population it must be one which spawns early. In 1933 five fish were caught, and although they form altogether too small a sample for reliable analysis, in order to put them on record they are incorporated in the tables. The following discussion of the differences between the two colonies is based on previous years when the material was sufficient to warrant comparisons. One of the striking dissimilarities is found in the age at which the sockeyes of these two colonies seek the sea. The majority of the Bowser fish start their seaward migration as yearlings, while the larger proportion of the other colony remains two and even three years in the lake before setting out for the salt water. This H 42 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. difference is featured in Table XXXIII. The 1933 Meziadin percentages agree with those of former years in the fact that more fish remain in the lake two years than one, but it is exceptional in having no representatives of the group which spends three years in the lake. This, however, is in accord with the general sample of Nass sockeyes totalling 1,638 individuals, only two of which had three years' residence in fresh water. A second distinction between the Meziadin and Bowser Lake populations is related to the size of the fish. Those of the former colony are larger than those of the latter (Table XXXIV.). The detailed information concerning the lengths of the 1933 Meziadin sockeyes is found in Table XXXV. As was previously mentioned, the Bowser material is too limited to justify discussion. The average length of the Meziadin males is conspicuously low and that of the females slightly so. The margins of the scales of spawning fish are so absorbed it is impossible to read ultimate age, but by taking the fresh-water history into account and comparing lengths with the general average lengths it is possible to estimate age with a considerable degree of certainty. Thus a perusal of the Meziadin data checking lengths against the general Nass lengths suggests the probability that all the fish with single nuclei are 42's, and among the fish with double nuclei, at most only three of each sex could be 63's. Consequently, the low average size of these 1933 Meziadin fish is apparently due to the fact that the sample contains an unusually small number of older, larger fish. Table XXIII.—Nass River Sockeyes, Percentages of Principal Age-groups from 1912 to 1933. Year. Percentage of Individuals that spent One Year in Lake. Two Years in Lake. Four Years Five Years Five Years Six Years old. old. old. old. 8 27 63 2 15 12 71 2 4 41 45 10 19 14 59 8 9 17 66 8 10 15 71 4 30 16 45 9 7 22 65 6 8 14 72 6 10 7 75 8 6 2 91 1 11 6 77 6 4 3 91 2 23 8 67 2 12 12 63 13 8 7 81 4 30 6 61 3 25 9 60 6 28 15 54 3 10 17 67 6 28 4 61 7 35 7 55 3 1912 (36,037 cases) 1913 (23,574 cases) 1914 (31,327 cases) 1915 (39,349 cases) 1916 (31,411 cases) 1917 (22,188 cases) 1918 (21,816 cases) 1919 (28,259 cases) 1920 (16,740 cases) 1921 (9,364 eases).. 1922 (31,277 cases) 1923 (17,821 cases) 1924 (33,590 cases) 1925 (18,945 cases) 1926 (15,929 cases) 1927 (12,026 cases) 1928 (5,540 cases).. 1929 (16,077 cases) 1930 (26,405 cases) 1931 (16,929 cases) 1932 (14,i54 cases) 1933 (9,757 cases).. Table XXIV.—Nass River Sockeyes, Percentage of Principal Age-groups in Runs from 1912 to 1931 combined in Five-year Periods. One Year in Lake. Two Years in Lake. Year. Four Years old. Five Years old. Five Years old. Six Years old. 1912-16 11 13 11 20 22 15 7 11 62 65 77 65 1917-21 7 1922-26 1927-31 4 life-history: OF the SOCKEYE salmon. H 43 Table XXV.—Nass River Sockeyes, 1933, grouped by Age, Sex, and Length, and by their Early History. Number of Individuals. Length in Inches. h 4 1 42 52 53 € 3 ?4 Total M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 19 1 1 19 % 20 20% 1 2 1 21 2 21% 22 1 6 15 29 42 55 61 47 18 6 3 1 11 27 41 64 65 51 14 11 5 2 3 8 13 12 10 3 5 2 2 1 1 1 4 2 4 5 11 6 6 2 1 1 1 1 1 5 6 10 15 36 44 77 96 74 41 9 3 3 17 22% 34 23 1 2 1 11 20 40 53 95 108 71 57 15 1 74 23% 125 24 160 24% 176 25 1 1 1 214 25% 219 26 190 26% 1 1 4 5 8 7 4 8 2 3 1 5 2 1 1 181 27 117 27% 61 28 25 28% 18 29 1 8 29% 12 30 3 Totals 1 3 0 284 292 61 47 418 474 39 12 2 1,638 25.6 23.8 24.6 23.7 27.1 25.8 25.9 25.2 28.4 27.9 27.7 Table XXVI.—Nass River Sockeyes, Average Lengths from 1912 to 1933. Inches of Principal Classes 4 2 5 2 5 3 6 3 SI. F. SI. F. SI. F. SI. F. 1912 24.6 24.1 24.6 24.0 24.5 23.4 25.0 24.9 24.0 24.3 24.2 24.3 24.7 24.4 24.9 24.9 24.3 24.1 24.5 24.5 24.9 23.3 23.5 22.7 23.5 23.3 23.2 24.3 24.1 23.4 23.5 23.4 23.7 23.8 23.8 24.1 24.2 23.5 23.5 23.7 23.8 23.9 26.5 25.6 26.1 25.9 26.4 25.5 25.7 26.2 26.3 25.5 25.6 25.9 26.2 25.9 26.1 25.3 26.0 26.1 26.5 26.5 26.4 25.1 24.8 25.1 25.2 25.0 24.7 24.7 25.2 25.0 24.3 24.6 25.3 24.9 24.7 25.3 25.2 25.1 25.2 25.4 25.7" 25.2 26.2 26.0 26.3 26.5 26.5 25.3 25.9 26.5 26.7 26.2 25.7 26.2 26.3 25.9 26.1 26.3 25.5 25.9 26.4 26.1 26.6 25.4 25.2 25.5 25.9 25.6 24.7 25.0 25.8 25.9 25.6 25.0 25.5 25.4 25.0 25.3 25.9 24.6 24.9 25.3 25.3 25.6 27.0 26.0 26.9 26.6 27.9 26.5 27.2 27.9 27.4 27.9 28.0 27.2 28.0 26.9 27.9 27.6 28.1 27.2 27.9 28.2 28.3 25.6 1913 26.6 1914 25.6 1915 25.3 1916 25.7 1917 25.5 1918 1919 1920 25.2 26.7 25.0 1921 26.2 1922 25.9 1923 26.5 1924 25.4 3 925 25.4 ' 1926 27.0 1927 26.5 1928 26.2 1929 26.2 1930 26.8 1931 27.1 1932 27.1 Ave. lengths 24.4 23.6 26.0 25.0 26.1 25.3 27.5 26.1 1933 24.6 23.7 27.1 25.8 25.9 25.2 28.4 27.9 H 44 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table XXVII.—Nass River Sockeyes, 1933, grouped by Age, Sex, and Weight, and by their Early History. Number of Individuals. Weight in Pounds. h 4 1 42 52 h 63 ?4 Total. Mi F. SI. F. M. F. SI. F. SI. F. SI. F. SI. F. 2% 1 1 3 3% 4 .. . 4 36 81 81 62 18 6 4 3 9 24 48 76 82 107 55 10 3 1 418 15 33 76 139 102 ■ 77 26 5 1 474 4 4%. 10 26 41 78 69 39 15 3 3 64 5 149 5% 2 3 2 2 3 16 12 12 5 8 1 7 1 10 10 12 3 1 3 231 6 333 6% 2 " 1 1 8 9 10 2 5 3 ~39 280 7 2 5 1 2 2 1 221 7% 1 194 8 88 8% 1 40 9 15 9% 14 10 4 _12 Totals 1 3 5 284 292 61 47 2 1,638 Ave. weights 6.8 5.8 6.2 5.4 8.1 j 7.0 7.0 6.2 8.4 7.9 7.6 Table XXVIII.—Nass River Sockeyes, Average Weights in Pounds of Principal, Classes from 1914 to 1933. 4 2 52 5 3 € 3 SI. F. M. F. SI. F. M. F. 1914 6.2 5.6 6.0 5.3 6.3 6.0 5.6 6.0 5.9 5.8 5.9 5.9 6.0 6.2 5.6 5.7 5.9 6.0 6.3 5.0 5.2 5.3 5.3 5.8 5.5 5.2 5.4 5.4 5.2 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.8 5.0 5.2 5.2 5.5 5.6 7.4 6.9 7.2 6.8 7.2 6.6 7.4 6.9 6.8 6.7 7.2 6.8 6.9 7.1 7.0 7.1 7.3 7.4 7.5 6.5 6.4 6.3 6.2 6.3 5.9 6.3 6.1 6.2 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.2 6.6 6.5 6.8 6.6 7.2 7.0 7.2 0.3 7.2 6.7 7.4 6.9 6.8 6.6 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.9 6.2 6.7 7.1 6.8 7.3 6.5 6.6 6.2 5.8 6.4 6.1 6.7 6.3 6.3 6.0 6.1 6.0 6.0 6.2 5.5 5.9 6.1 6.2 6.3 7.9 7.2 8.1 7.3 8.3 7.8 7.9 7.7 8.1 7.2 8.0 7.4 7.8 7.8 8.1 7.6 8.2 8.3 8.7 6.8 1915 6.5 1916.... 6.4 1917 6.4 1918 ; 6.7 1919 6.7 1920 7.0 1921 . 6.6 1922 6.6 1923 6.8 1924 6.5 1925 6.3 1926 7.1 1927 7.0 1928 6.6 1929 6.8 1930 7.2 1931 : 7.4 1932 7.5 Ave. weights 5.9 5.3 7.1 6.3 6.9 6.2 7.9 6.8 1933 6.2 5.4 8.1 7.0 7.0 6.2 8.4 7.9 LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 45 Table XXIX.—Nass River Sockeyes, 1919-33, grouped by Age, Sex, and Average Lengths of Principal Age-groups. Average Lengths in Inches of Groups. Year. Three Years old. Four Years old. Five Years old. S x Years old. Seven Years old. 31 42 41 h 52 6 4 63 74 SI. F. SI. F. M. F. SI. F. SI. F. si. F. M. F. SI. F. 1919 24.9 24.0 24.3 24.2 24.3 24.7 24.4 24.9 24.9 24.3 24.1 24.5 24.5 24.9 24.1 23.4 23.5 23.4 23.7 23.8 23.8 24.1 24.2 23.5 23.5 23.7 23.8 23.9 26.1 25.1 26.5 26.7 26.2 25.7 26.2 26.3 25.9 26.1 26.3 25.5 25.9 26.4 26.1 26.6 25.8 25.9 25.6 25.0 25.5 25.4 25.0 25.3 25.9 24.6 24.9 25.3 25.3 25.6 26.2 26.3 25.5 25.6 25.9 26.2 25.9 26.1 26.3 26.0 26.1 26.5 26.5 26.4 25.2 25.0 24.3 24.6 25.3 24.9 24.7 25.3 25.2 25.1 25.2 25.4 25.7 25.2 28.2 26.6 26.9 26.2 26.1 27.1 26.3 26.7 26.8 25.5 26.5 26.7 26.5 25.4 25.5 26.4 25.3 25.8 27.0 24.6 27.9 27.4 27.9 28.0 27.2 28.0 26.9 27.9 27.6 28.1 27.2 27.9 28.2 28.3 26.7 25.9 26.2 25.9 26.5 25.4 25.4 27.0 26.5 26.2 26.2 26.8 27.1 27.1 27.2 28.0 1920 .. . 24.2 24.5 25.5 23.6 23.5 24.3 1921 23.1 22.4 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 23.7 23.4 23.7 22.3 23.5 22.4 24.5 25.6 25.1 25.8 25.4 24.8 24.0 24.1 23.6 24.3 23.9 24.3 28.2 29.0 27.0 1927 1928 - .. . 1929 1930 1931 23.7 22.5 27.2 26.2 25.5 26.3 1932 28.0 Ave. lengths 24.5 23.7 25.2 24.1 26.2 25.4 26.1 25.1 26.7 26.0 27.8 26.4 1933 24.6 23.7 25.6 23.8 25.9 25.2 27.1 25.8 28.4 27.9 27.7 Table XXX.—Nass River Sockeyes, 1919^33, grouped by Age, Sex, and Average Weights of Principal Age-groups. ■ Average Weights N Pounds OF Groups Three Years old. Four Years old. Five Years old. Six Years old. Seven Years old. Year. 31 42 4l 53 52 64 63 ?4 M. F. M. F. SI. 1 F. SI. F. SI. F. SI. F. SI. F. M. F. 1919 . . 4.6 4.5 4.7 5.0 6.0 5.6 6.0 5.9 5.8 5.9 5.9 6.0 6.2 5.6 5.7 5.9 6.0 6.3 5.5 5.2 5.4 5.4 5.2 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.8 5.0 5.2 5.2 5.5 5.6 6.4 5.9 6.1 7.0 5.9 6.8 6.9 6.8 6.7 6.6 5.7 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.8 5.7 6.2 6.7 7.4 6.9 6.8 6.6 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.9 6.2 6.7 7.1 6.8 7.3 6.1 6.7 6.3 6.3 6.0 6.1 6.0 6.0 6.2 5.5 5.9 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.6 7.4 6.9 6.8 6.7 7.2 6.8 6.9 7.1 7.0 7.1 7.3 7.4 7.5 5.9 6.3 6.1 6.2 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.2 6.6 6.5 6.8 6.6 7.7 7.6 7.0 7.5 6.7 7.3 6.8 6.8 7.0 6.3 7.8 6.4 7.0 6.9 6.5 6.3 6.3 6.5 6.0 6.2 7.2 5.4 5.7 6.8 7.8 7.9 7.7 8.1 7.2 8.0 7.4 7.8 7.8 8.1 7.6 8.2 8.3 8.7 6.7 7.0 6.6 6.6 6.8 6.5 6.3 7.1 7.0 6.6 6.8 7.2 7.4 7.5 7.1 7.7 9.0 7.5 7.5 1920 1921 1922 5.0 1923 1924 1925 1926 5.5 5.3 5.4 5.5 7.3 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 Ave. weights 5.9 5.3 6.5 5.7 6.8 6.1 7.1 6.3 7.1 6.4 7.9 6.9 1933 6.2 | 5.4 1 6.8 5.8 7.0 6.2 8.1 7.0 8.4 7.9 H 46 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Table XXXI.—Nass, Fraser, and Skeena Rivers and Rivers Inlet Sockeyes, Average Lengths over a Period of Years, grouped by Number of Years spent on the Sea-feeding Grounds. Nass. Fraser. Skeena. Rivers Inlet. Age. SI. F. SI. F. M. F. SI. .F. 3 Three years at sea— 3, Inches. 23.5 24.5 26.2 25.2 26.1 27.8 Inches. 22.6 23.7 25.4 24.1 25.1 26.4 Inches. 22.3 23.7 23.9 24.5 25.6 25.8 Inches. 21.6 23.0 23.0 23.9 24.4 24.9 Inches. 23.8 24.1 25.6 25.5 Inches. 23.2 23.3 24.8 24.6 Inches. 22.6 22.9 25.3 26.2 Inches. 4 4„ 22.5 5 5„ 23.1 4 Four years at sea— 4. 5 5„ 24.7 6 63 25.7 Table XXXII.—Nas River Sockeyes, Number of Individuals of each Class running at Different Dates in 1933. Date. 42 52 53 63 31 41 ?4 Number of Individuals examined. June 22 66 68 68 70 57 49 61 55 29 30 17 5 1 9 14 11 8 8 11 5 8 12 9 8 2 2 1 39 38 40 43 36 62 53 55 79 70 87 106 115 69 2 1 1 1 2 5 3 8 8 8 7 5 1 5 2 1 2 121 „ 23 July 3 .. 124 120 6 „ 10 121 102 ,, 12 123 „ 18 „ 21 „ 25 121 123 123 ,, 27 117 Aug. 8 122 „ 11 „ 14 „ 16 121 124 76 576 108 892 51 1 8 2 1,638 Table XXXIII.—Percentages of Meziadin and Bowser Lake Runs, showing Different Number of Years in Fresh Water. Years in Lake. No. of Specimens. One Year. Two Years. Three Years. Sfeziadin, 1922 13 2 6 10 6 16 20 40 33 18 16 27 22 44 20 80 84 76 93 94 89 94 100 80 80 60 64 79 80 55 78 56 80 20 3 24 5 1 4 3 3 4 18 10 Meziadin, 1923.: 63 Sleziadin, 1924 160 Sfeziadin, 1926 43 - Sleziadin, 1927 85 Sleziadin, 1929 74 Sleziadin, 1930 113 Sleziadin, 1931 51 Sleziadin, 1932 104 Meziadin, 1933 59 Bowser, 1922 15 Bowser, 1923 41 Bowser, 1924 Bowser, 1925 34 45 Bowser, 1926 Bowser, 1927 11 9 Bowser, 1930 34 Bowser, 1933 5 LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SOCKEYE SALMON. H 47 Table XXXIV.—Meziadin and Bowser Lake Sockeyes, Lengths of Individuals comprising Runs in 1933. Length in Inches. Number of Individuals from Sleziadin Lake. Bowser Lake. SI. F. SI. F. 21 1 1 1 1 3 3 8 5 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 4 6 6 7 1 1 1 1 1 1 21% 22 22% 23 23%...-. 24 1 24% 25 2 25%. 26 26% 27 27% 28 28% 29 29% 30 Totals 28 31 2 3 25.9 25.3 24.3 24.7 Table XXXV.—Meziadin and Bowser Lake Sockeyes, Average Lengths in Inches for the Years 1924-33. SIeziadin Lake. Bowser Lake. Year. M. F. SI. F. 1924 26.8 28.1 27.1 27.0 27.2 27.9 27.7 25.9 25.7 26.3 25.8 25.3 25.7 26.3 25.5 25.3 25.5 23.8 25.9 24.7 24.9 24.3 23.6 1925 23.3 1926 24.8 1927 .'. 23.7 192S 1929 1930 22.9 1931 1932 1933 24.7 H 48 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. THE SALMON-SPAWNING AREAS. Owing to the discontinuance by the Department to make personal inspections of the spawning areas of the Fraser, Skeena, Rivers Inlet, and Nass systems, we have been furnished with a review on the salmon-spawning areas of the Province by Major J. A. Motherwell, Chief Supervisor of Dominion Fisheries, who conducted these investigations. His courtesy in supplying us with these reports is gratefully acknowledged. The following is a reproduction of the review in its entirety:— North Queen Charlotte Islands.—Sockeye salmon run to this area in small quantities. The streams frequented are the Yakoun and Awun Rivers and one or two minor streams. The size of the runs is not a material factor in the salmon-pack. An average return was observed this . year. The above remarks apply very largely to the springs and cohoes. Although much of the trolling in the north is carried on along the north coast of the Queen Charlotte Group, these salmon apparently are heading for spawning-grounds on the mainland. The pink run in the North Queen Charlottes is heavy in the even-numbered years, and during the odd-numbered, including this year, the quantities of this variety are negligible. The conditions found this season were average. There are several fair chum-streams and the run this season has been normal. South Queen Charlotte Islands.—The cohoe run to this area is not a large factor in the fishing operations. This season was an " off " one for pink salmon, although some were found in Copper River, Tlell River, and Riley Creek. The precautions taken during recent seasons for the protection of the chum run have obtained excellent results and the quantity of this variety found on the spawning-grounds was very satisfactory. Nass River Area.—The same officer who has made the inspection of the Meziadin area during recent years was again employed this year, and reports that the run of sockeye to that district was found to be not particularly satisfactory. This has reference to both the early and late runs. The quantity of spawning fish observed, however, was estimated as greater than in 1927, about 50 per cent, better than in 1928, but from 40 to 50 per cent, less than in 1929. It should be mentioned again that an inspection covering a period of a few days is not all that could be desired when it is remembered that the sockeye run continues for several weeks. It is impossible to provide a really adequate inspection of such isolated areas unless at very considerable expense officers are maintained at these points during the whole period of the run. The inspection of the lower portion of the watershed would seem to show that a satisfactory proportion of the run had passed through the commercial fishing areas. This is evidenced by the good catches made by the Indians farther up the river for their own food purposes. The upper reaches of the Nass are very difficult of access, but it was possible to obtain a fair estimate of the quantities of spawning fish and indications would appear to point to a normal supply of sockeye. Supplies of springs and cohoes were reported as being greater than found during any previous inspection. Pink salmon were found in satisfactory numbers on the spawning-grounds, and the conditions regarding chums were found to be normal, although it was early in the season for this variety. The Nass is not a heavy producer of chums. Skeena River Area.—It was not expected that there would be any large quantity of spawning sockeye found in this area, due to the light seedings of the previous cycle-year, and the inspection confirmed these expectations. At Babine Lake the principal spawning-beds are at 15-Mile Creek, Fulton River, Morris River and Lake, and the Babine River. At 15-Mile Creek the first run was over two weeks late compared to 1929 and was estimated to be fairly satisfactory, although smaller than that of the year above mentioned. The second run arrived in the second week of September and is reported as a heavy one. The seeding of this creek evidently is entirely satisfactory. At Fulton River the run was reported as surprisingly good. This is confirmed by the Indians, who obtained a portion of their winter food-supply at this point. The inspecting officer feels that the number found was considerably less than in 1929, although heavier than any season since that year. At Morrison Creek, where the hatchery is situated, the run was the best in the last three seasons, but not as good as that of the brood-year 1929. Whilst it is a fact that the hatchery did not obtain a sufficient quantity of eggs to fill that establishment to capacity, yet this cannot be taken as evidence of an unsatisfactory run, as the lower fence was not closed until a portion of the run had passed through. The lower portion of the Babine River itself is reported to have received a heavy run of sockeye, whilst few sockeye were found in the balance of the river. The inspecting officer is SALMON-SPAWNING AREAS. H 49 rather of the opinion that it is the five-year fish which are usually the most plentiful in this portion, and he points out that there was a small run four years ago, but a heavy run of large fish in 1928. A good run of five-year fish is expected next season. A plentiful supply of spring salmon was found in the area and good supplies of pinks and cohoes as well. In the Kispiox and Kitwanga areas considerable quantities of sockeye were observed and large quantities ill the Slangese. In the Morice River and Lake area the supply of sockeye seems to have been fair, although it is very difficult to make a thorough inspection of this area, due to the facilities available. An attempt has been made by means of seaplane and by pack- horse, but the officers are of the opinion that the only adequate method is by means of a boat with an outboard engine of sufficient power to contend with the swift water. The supply of springs found was very satisfactory, also in the case of cohoe. The run to Williams Lake, in the Lakelse area, is reported by the Superintendent of the hatchery as being a good one and exceeding that of the brood-year of 1929. It is pointed out, however, that most of the sockeye are taken for hatchery purposes. This is the main sockeye- spawning ground in the area. In the case of Schulbuckhand Creek the conditions were quite the reverse and the showing found this season was poor compared with that of 1929. No doubt this condition was due largely to the damage done in 1929 by the severe freshets, which did considerable injury to the spawning-grounds. The supply of pinks may be considered as fair, but cohoe, on the other hand, appeared in large quantities and were reported by the Superintendent as being in greater numbers than he has observed. The supply of sockeye in the Ecstall River watershed was light and could hardly be considered as satisfactory. On the contrary, there were good supplies of springs, chums, cohoes, and pinks. Considering the Skeena watershed as a whole, the return of sockeye salmon appears to have been much better than might have been expected when one considers the small commercial catch. Lowe Inlet Area.—The sockeye-supply showed an increase over the cycle-year, generally speaking, but there were several streams where there is necessity for further conservation measures. The proper action will be taken with a view to providing for a larger escapement. The cohoe-supply was very satisfactory in practically all streams. These remarks apply also to the pinks, and the inspecting officer suggests that the conditions found would indicate a gradual building-up of the " off " year run. In the case of the chums, the supplies were rather light, although it is considered that the spawning-beds will be fairly well seeded. Butedale Area.—Sockeye appeared in sufficient numbers to fairly well seed the spawning- grounds. The escapement of cohoes was quite satisfactory. At Indian River particularly there was a very heavy seeding. The pink run was fourteen days later than usual and the quantities observed on the spawning-grounds were larger than the commercial catches would indicate. The seeding was quite satisfactory. At Mussell, Kynoch, and Green Inlets the streams were better seeded than other parts of the area, and on the whole the chum seeding can be considered as only fair. Bella Bella Area.—There was a good average supply of sockeye found on the spawning-beds. It was necessary to increase the closed time in the northern part of the area, but the additional two weeks added appears to have given the desired results. Cohoes, while showing well in some rivers, did not appear, generally speaking, in particularly satisfactory quantities. The pink-supply was not more than fair, even though it was an " off " year for this variety. The same remarks apply to chums. Bella Coola-Kimsquit Area.—The principal spawning areas in these two districts are the Bella Coola or Atnarko River (at the head of Burke Channel) and the Kimsquit River (at the head of the channel of that name). In the Bella Coola River it was found that whilst the supply of spawning sockeye was reasonably good and estimated to be sufficient to provide a good return, yet it was not quite equal to the run of 1929. The commercial catch in this area was unusually good. It is worthy of note that the run of sockeye arrived on the spawning-grounds two weeks earlier than usual. Notwithstanding the fact that springs have not been fished to any extent in this area, the supplies on the spawning-grounds do not appear to increase. No doubt the trolling operations at distant points, however, have their effect on the run to Bella Coola as well as to other districts. Cohoe were fewer in number than usual. The run of pinks, however, is stated by the inspecting officer to have been a very heavy one, all gravel-bars being crowded with spawning salmon of this variety. The situation with regard to chums was quite satisfactory. The sockeye return to the spawning-grounds in the Kimsquit River was the best 4 H 50 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. observed in several seasons and a noticeable increase over the quantities appearing in the brood- year of 1929. The cohoe-supplies observed were not satisfactory, but of course in the case of this stream, as in most others frequented by this variety, the run continues well into the winter months. The supply of chums was quite satisfactory. In the case of the pinks, although the Kimsquit is not a good pink-stream, yet the run this season was smaller than usual. The streams along the shores of Burke and Dean Channels, other than the ones referred to above, are frequented by the fall varieties and appeared to be doing rather better than holding their own. In recent years extra precautions have been taken with a view to building up the runs and these efforts apparently are proving successful. Although heavy rainfalls occurred during the spawning-time, there was no evidence of damage to the Spawning-grounds at the time- of inspection. The inspection was carried out by means of a seaplane. In this way the trip was made in two days, with the use of two hours' flying-time, compared to a difficult trip of from twelve to sixteen days. Rivers Inlet Area.—Two trips of inspection were made in this area ; the first covering the period from September 9th to 12th for the purpose of observing the results of the early run of sockeye to the upper reaches; and the second from October 14th to 22nd. The early run of sockeye to the Washwash River was found to be exceptionally heavy. This river is frequented, by what spring salmon enter Owikeno Lake. The quantity found was not as large as usual. The Cheo River also contained a reasonably heavy supply of sockeye salmon and the supply found in Indian River was even greater. The inspecting officer observes, after his two inspections of the three above-mentioned streams, that it must be concluded there was a remarkable escapement of sockeye this season in these streams. At Genesee River the escapement was found to be a normal one. At Sheemahant River a fair supply of sockeye was observed. In Machmell River no sockeye were observed, but this is not unusual as the stream is extremely muddy, and in the past, so far as is known, has not been a material factor in the production of salmon. Nookins River was found to contain a satisfactory supply of spawning sockeye and the same remarks apply to Asklum River. Quap River contained quite a satisfactory supply of sockeye and the conditions at Dalley River were normal. It is gratifying to find the spawning- grounds in this area so well seeded, particularly in view of the excellent commercial catch. Smith Inlet Area.—Two trips of inspection were also made in this area, the first one by plane on September 17th. There are only two sockeye-streams of any account—namely, the Geluch and Delabah. The streams were found on both inspections to be splendidly supplied with sockeye, which promises well for the cycle-year. At Nekite River, at the head of Smith Inlet, the run of pinks appears to be increasing, although the supplies of cohoes and chums were rather light. In Takush River the fishing, area was closed this year in order to restore the run of the unusually good variety of chums. It is intended to keep the area closed for four years. The supplies on the spawning-grounds this season were found to be not satisfactory. Alert Bay Area.—The important sockeye-streams in this area are the Nimpkish River and the stream entering at the head of Glendale Cove. Due primarily to high-water conditions, a very satisfactory proportion of the run escaped to the spawning-grounds of the Nimpkish system, and the seeding at Glendale Cove and the points of lesser importance, such as Mackenzie Sound, Thompson Sound, and Port Neville, was quite good. The early runs of the creek variety at Hardy Bay, Shushartie and Nahwitti Rivers were not fished and all passed safely to the spawning-grounds. The escapement of springs in Knight and Kingcome Inlets and along the mainland shore generally was found to be good, due partly, no doubt, to the fact that the toll taken by the fishermen was light. The escapement to the Nimpkish system was also satisfactory. It is the even-numbered years that the pinks run to the Alert Bay area in large quantities, but this year the supply was better than in the brood-year of 1931. A good escapement of both cohoes and chums was observed. Quathiaski Area.—A satisfactory supply of spawning sockeye reached the beds in Phillips Arm, which is the most important district for this variety. At Hayden Bay conditions were not quite so satisfactory, but arrangements are being made to give this run further protection. A large escapement of springs was observed on the spawning-grounds. The run to Campbell River was somewhat better than last season and a large percentage of the run escaped to the spawning area. The pink run was quite as good as that of the brood-year and the seeding of chums and cohoes was entirely satisfactory. Pender Harbour Area.—Sockeye run only to the Saginaw system. A heavy escapement was found this year on the spawning-grounds. The pink-supply at Jervis Inlet is being maintained. SALMON-SPAWNING AREAS. H 51 Apparently in this area the years are fairly even and the spawning has been quite adequate. At Toba Inlet and in other parts of the district pinks were found in greater quantities than in the cycle-year. The cohoe seeding was quite satisfactory in comparison with the brood-year, but the quantity of chums found was rather light. Comox Area.—An unusually large supply of springs was reported on the spawning-grounds of the Puntledge River. The pink-supply exceeded that of the brood-year of 1931, although it was the " off " year for the district. The Tsolum River was particularly well seeded. Cohoes were found in very considerable quantities and the run was entirely satisfactory. In the case of chums a large supply was observed on the spawning areas of the Puntledge River and in several of the smaller streams which flow into Baynes Sound. The other streams, however, were not so well seeded. Nanaimo Area.—Cohoe salmon were found in unusually large quantities on the spawning- grounds in the Nanoose Bay portion of the area and a good average supply in the Nanaimo River. The chum run in the Nanoose area was an improvement over the brood-year, but somewhat less in Nanaimo River. Ladysmith Area.—Cohoes were found to be in quite satisfactory quantities and the pink- supply equal to that of the brood-year. In the Chemainus River the chum run was found to be not up to expectations, but equal to that of 1929. In the smaller streams conditions were found to be more satisfactory, however. Cowichan Area.—The spring-supply is considered a fair average one. In the case of cohoes the run is reported as the best for many years. The chum-supply was quite satisfactory. It is rarely fished except by the Indians for food purposes. It is interesting to note that in the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers, two of the most important sport-fishing streams on the Island, the run of steelhead trout was one of the best observed in recent years. Victoria Area.—The cohoe-supply found was quite a satisfactory one, but in the case of chums the run can be considered as only fair. These runs are fished very little, however. Alberni Area.—The sockeye-streams of this area are the Somass River, Anderson River, and the Hobarton River, in Nitinat Lake. The inspecting officer refers to the spawning conditions found in the Somass River as the very best. In the Anderson River, however, conditions were quite different and a very poor supply arrived on the spawning-grounds. Arrangements are being made to provide for a larger percentage of escapement in future years. At the Hobarton River the escapement was found to be quite satisfactory. The inspecting officer remarks in this case that the size of the individual fish comprising the run to Hobarton River appears to be increasing very materially. The supply of springs found in the Somass, Anderson, Nahmint, and Nitinat areas was found to be very good, and that to the Sarita and Toquart areas, while not being so good, was quite satisfactory. Cohoe arrived in all the streams entering Alberni Canal in large quantities, and in the opinion of the reporting officer the supply of that variety in the district is showing a large increase. Spawning conditions in the case of chums were found to be good. There was not so much fishing equipment operated and consequently a larger percentage of the run escaped. Clayoquot Area.—The sockeye spawning in the Kennedy Lake section, which is the most important area, was not as satisfactory as could be desired, although a fairly good run ascended the Medgin River. The peculiar conditions obtaining at the mouth of Kennedy River make it very difficult to permit any commercial fishing at all and be sure of a reasonable quantity for the spawning-grounds. The supply of sockeye will, of course, be of no use to any one unless permission is given to fish them commercially to some extent. Notwithstanding strenuous opposition, unusual precautions have been taken in recent years to be sure of a proper escapement, but even with these precautions there are times when, due to the difficulty of knowing the movements of the fish, a larger percentage than desirable is captured. The quantities of springs and cohoes found were larger than usual and very satisfactory. This applies in the case of chums also, although the run was somewhat lighter than in the brood-year. The spawning-grounds were well seeded. Nootka Area.—Sockeye salmon do not arrive in important quantities in this district, although there is usually a fair run of the creek variety to the Gold. River. The cohoe-supply, which is never large in this district, compared favourably with other years. The chum-supply was somewhat disappointing, although unusual closures were arranged in order to provide a larger percentage of escapement. H 52 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. Kyuquot Area.—The usual small run of creek sockeye was observed, but in this area also the sockeye is not an important factor. Springs were found in satisfactory quantities on the spawning areas, and this also applies to the cohoes. In the case of the chums the situation was not so satisfactory, the inspecting officer reporting the smallest run since 1925. Quatsino Area.—The sockeye running to this area are of the creek variety and not an important factor in the commercial fishing. The spawning conditions were found to be quite adequate. The run of spring salmon was only fair and appears to be have been not as satisfactory as the two preceding seasons, although the water conditions made observations difficult. The cohoe-supplies were found to be good, and the supply of chums equalled that of four years ago. Fraser River Watershed.—Nineteen thirty-three was the cycle-year of the previous big sockeye run, and whilst there was no particular reason to expect a large return due to the conditions obtaining following the catastrophe of 1913, yet a good run would not have been surprising. Actually, conditions found were very much as might have been expected. The usual large quantity of pinks arrived in this, the cycle-year of the big run of this variety. The usual spawning-grounds were satisfactorily seeded. The supply of springs on the spawning- grounds was not as satisfactory as could be desired, although far from being a failure. The seeding of cohoes and chums was found to be fairly average. Unusually heavy rainfalls and mild weather during the fall months caused flood conditions in many streams, particularly near the coast, the run-off being approximately 50 per cent, greater than normal. The situation in more detail is as follows:— Prince George District.—As a result of the unusually satisfactory escapement to the spawning areas in this system in 1929 it was hoped that a much larger return would have been observed. The reports, however, have not been encouraging. It is a fact that in the upper reaches of the Stewart, Trembleur, and Takla Lakes fair quantities of sockeye were observed, although in the lower reaches of Stuart Lake system the spawning was disappointing. The sockeye this year apparently were quite late in arriving, the first being observed on August 9th and the second run appearing on September 9th. The former were in very poor condition, but the latter were quite the contrary. The Indians in the Fort St. James District obtained approximately 1,000 sockeye. In the Francois-Fraser Lake area there was quite an appreciable increase over the brood-year of 1929; in fact, the run is reported as the largest in many years. Good supplies of sockeye were seen in Ormond Creek and Stellako River in the Fraser Lake area, a 100-per-cent. increase over 1929. This year for the first time in many years sockeye are reported from the Burns Lake watershed in such streams as Endako River, Shovel Creek, Poison Creek, and Tchesinkut Creek. Quesnel District.—The reports from this area show the return of sockeye above the average and the inspecting officer suggests that it has been the best run in eight years. It must be remembered, however, that the number of spawning sockeye returning to the Bowron system has been very small in recent seasons, and this year's report cannot be taken as evidence of any large quantity. In the Quesnel Lake system there was a small run of sockeye observed, commencing on August 22nd, but this return cannot be considered as encouraging. Chilko Lake System.—It will be remembered that in the brood-year of 1929 the inspecting officer reported having seen approximately 70,000 spawning sockeye. This year the same officer reports at least 100,000 sockeye having reached the spawning-grounds in good condition. The officer states that it is the largest quantity he has observed in his ten years' experience in the district and, from information received, is of the opinion that it is the best in the last twenty years. Shusivap Lake System.—At Little River and Adams River there was observed an increase in the number of spawning sockeye compared with the brood-year, but the return was not as large as expected. A few were also observed in Scotch Creek. Hope Area.—A few sockeye were noticed in the creek at the head of Kawkawa Lake and a few in the Nahatlatch River, as well as some of the smaller streams between Hope and Lytton. The numbers compared favourably with those observed in 1929. The conditions at Hell's Gate Canyon were normal, and the salmon, although delayed at times for short periods, were able to pass this point safely. Harrison Lake-Birkenhead System.—There was no increase in the number of sockeye on the spawning-grounds in the Harrison District as compared with the year 1929. Springs and chums were not as numerous as could be desired, and although the supply of pinks was not SALMON-SPAWNING AREAS. H 53 heavy, yet it was reasonably satisfactory. In the Birkenhead system the supply of fish on the spawning-grounds was quite disappointing. The hatchery obtained a collection of only 10,674,000 sockeye-eggs. In this connection it is felt that the Indians are taking far too great a toll from the run passing up the system from the Fraser River and steps are being taken to reduce this quantity very materially in future seasons. Cultus Lake Area.—At Cultus Lake it is not expected that the number of returning sockeye will exceed 3,500 spawners. There was also a run of sockeye to Chilliwack Lake, but it was no greater than average. The supplies of pinks, springs, and chums were satisfactory. Pitt Lake Area.—At Pitt Lake high-water conditions were experienced which interfered with observations, and although the collection at the hatchery was only 2,285,900 sockeye-eggs, yet due to the washing-out of the fences a portion of the run passed to the spawning-grounds and deposited their eggs under natural conditions. The two high-water periods occurred just when the greatest number of fish were below the fences. Squamish Area.—The supply of springs compared favourably with those of recent years. Pinks, although probably not quite as numerous as in 1931, appeared in satisfactory quantities. These remarks also apply to chums and cohoes. SOCKEYE-SALMON EGG COLLECTIONS, BRITISH COLUMBIA HATCHERIES, 1933. Hatchery. Collection. Anderson Lake, V.I 3,256,000 Babine Lake, Skeena River 3,666,500 Lakelse Lake, Skeena River 6,300,200 Kennedy Lake, V.I 3,368,800 Rivers Inlet 18,344,900 Pemberton, Fraser River 10,680,000 Cultus Lake, Fraser River 5,491,400 Pitt Lake, Fraser River 2,310,000 Total 53,417,800 We are indebted to Major J. A. Motherwell for the foregoing statement giving the number of sockeye-salmon eggs collected from the Fraser River watershed this year and placed in the hatcheries. Sockeye-salmon egg collections for the whole of the Province in 1933 were 53,417,000. This is the smallest collection recorded since 1918. The sockeye-egg collection in the Fraser River system for 1933 was 18,481,400, as compared with 32,216,285 in 1929, its brood-year, and 45,755,000 in the year 1925 of the same cycle. H 54 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. CATCH STATISTICS OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD.* By John Lawson Hart, Pacific Biological Station. The present paper reports an attempt to estimate the abundance of pilchards (Sardinops cwrulea (Girard)') from a consideration of the catch statistics on the assumption that the size of the catch for a unit of fishing-gear is proportional to the general abundance of the species. The collection of data was commenced under a joint arrangement between the Biological Board . of Canada and the Department of Fisheries of the Province of British Columbia, but the subsequent work has been carried out under the former organization alone. The co-operation of the pilchard-plant operators in supplying the fundamental data is gratefully acknowledged. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CATCH FOR UNIT EFFORT AND ABUNDANCE. Depletion may not become apparent from the catch statistics of a schooling species of fish if the time taken in finding the schools occupies only a small part of the total fishing-time under all but extreme conditions of abundance. In the case of the pilchard-fishery the time spent in scouting occupies such a great part of the total fishing-time that it seems reasonable to allow the assumption that a definite and positive relationship does exist between the catch made by unit fishing effort and the abundance of the fish stock. FACTORS OTHER THAN ABUNDANCE INFLUENCING DAILY CATCHES. It is evident that certain influences on the fishery tend to affect the catch made by unit fishing effort. Accordingly, the possible errors due to these influences must be considered before adopting a method involving the assumption that a close relationship exists between the abundance of pilchards and the catch made as a result of unit effort. In the first place, weather has a great effect on the amount of fish captured, an effect which is quite independent of the actual abundance of the fish. Fishing may be impeded for days by weather conditions, but it is only rarely that no catches are recorded on a day during the season. In consequence, it is difficult or impossible to make adequate allowances for the influence of weather in affecting the average catch per boat. Wildness of the fish is another factor which influences the size of the catch, but which has no apparent connection with the abundance of fish on the fishing-grounds. At times fish may be showing plentifully, but may be so active that it is impossible for the fisherman to make a successful set on them. This condition is probably due to food and temperature conditions. At some periods of the fishing season fish are found to come close to the surface for only a short time each day, with the result that the daily period of productive fishing is greatly curtailed. In consequence, fewer fish are caught each day and some of the boats often fail to make a catch at all. The fact that, on occasions such as these, fish are proven to be in the locality, but do not, for the greater part of the day, come close enough to the surface to be observed by the fishermen, suggests that at other times fish may be present in a locality for considerable periods without ever coming close enough to the surface to be detected. If this is the case it is certain that the reported daily abundance of fish cannot be taken as indicative of the daily abundance even when weather conditions are comparable, and the daily catch records are thus even less trustworthy from this point of view. The size of the schools of pilchards on the fishing-grounds has a considerable bearing on the total daily catch which a boat may make. The sizes of the schools appear to differ at different periods throughout the fishing season. The fishing-grounds change frequently in position. When these are close to the reduction plant the boat may be filled with fish, go to the reduction plant to be unloaded, and return to the fishing-grounds in time to make another catch on the same day. That is impossible when the distances to be covered are great. Frequently as the fishing-grounds change in locality they get near to one plant as they draw away from another, so this factor tends to some extent to be averaged out each day. * Reprinted from Bulletin of the Biological Board of Canada No. 38, 1933, with slight alterations. This paper was printed before the pilchard-fishing season of 1933 and Is of interest in indicating that the failure of the fishery in that year was not preceded by a gradual decline such as might be expected if the crisis had been brought about by overfishing. CATCH STATISTICS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 55 The five factors enumerated above apply to the success of the fishery from day to day. It may, however, be assumed that the influence of weather, wildness, showing, schooling, and the distance of the fishing-grounds will affect the fishery to about the same extent each year. Then, since it is the changing of the catches from year to year which is of interest in connection with the present problem, the influence of these five factors may be provisionally disregarded. FACTORS OTHER THAN ABUNDANCE CAUSING TRENDS IN YEARLY CATCHES. Other factors influencing the catches have changed more or less regularly with the development of the fishery. The effect of any one of these changing conditions would, other things being equal, tend to cause a more or less steady increase or decrease in the catch resulting from unit effort. One of the most important changes which has taken place in the fishery is its change from a fishery of the sounds and inlets to one of the open sea. In the years 1925 and 1926 all the catches were made in the estuaries. In 1927 most of the pilchards were taken in the inlets, but some were captured in the open sea. Since 1928 almost all the fishing has been carried on in the unsheltered waters of the Pacific and many catches are made 10 to 20 miles offshore. Whether or not the change in the nature of the fishery was associated with its growth cannot be stated with certainty, but it is certain that the influence of the change was, other things being- equal, to reduce the size of the catch. This is the case not only because the fishery under present conditions is more subject to the vicissitudes of the weather, but also because the change of the fishery to outside waters has resulted, on the whole, in longer runs for the fishermen between the fishing-grounds and the plants. The influence of this factor is comparable to the daily changes in the distances from the fishing-grounds to the reduction plants as already discussed. When the fishing-grounds are close enough to the plants to make possible the filling of the holds twice in one day the apparent abundance of fish is increased without necessarily implying that the actual abundance is any greater. In the years from 1925 to 1929 the number of reduction plants operating and the number of boats fishing for pilchards increased steadily. The result was that, while the total catch was increasing, the competition for fish became keener, and in consequence there was probably a slight tendency for the average catch made by one boat to be reduced, although there was no corresponding decline in the actual abundance of fish. Another change which has taken place in the fishery is that in the length of the season. There has been a progressive trend toward a shorter and more intense season. The result has been that the season's catch for a boat has been reduced, but the average daily catch increased by the cessation of fishing during the less profitable periods before and after the height of the season. In 1930, at the request of the industry, an opening date (July 5th) was fixed for the fishery. The influence of the opening date on the total catches made by fishermen is probably small. Previous to 1931 fishing was stopped each week from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday. In 1931 this restriction was removed. In consequence, in that year, fishing was legally carried on for seven instead of six days each week. The influence of the removal of the restriction, however, does not amount to increasing the catch by one-sixth, as considerable time was saved under the older system by running, unloading, and mending nets during the closed period. Previous to 1925 very few men had any experience in the pilchard-fishery. With the rapid growth of the industry new pilchard-fishermen were recruited from the ranks of the herring crews. As a result there has been a considerable increase in the skill of fishermen owing to their increasing familiarity with pilchard-fishing. As a result it may be expected that the same fisherman can now catch more fish in a season than he could six years ago under comparable conditions. A similar evolution has taken place in the adaptation of nets and boats to the conditions of the pilchard-fishery. Experience has suggested modifications of the herring equipment which have increased the efficiency of boats and nets so that now, as far as equipment is concerned, any crew is in a position to catch more fish than in the early days of the industry. The sources of change in the amount of pilchards captured as a result of unit fishing effort just enumerated are such that each one alone would appreciably distort the results. However, consideration of the several factors indicates that the various influences may be expected to more or less counterbalance one another; i.e., the effects of the change in the locality of the H 56 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. chief fishing-grounds and the increase in the number of boats tends to decrease the catch for each boat, but the increase in the skill of the fishermen and the efficiency of their equipment exerts the opposite effect. The consequences of the changing length of season in the reward of fishing effort depend upon whether the average catch per day or the whole year's catch is considered. The increase in the catch brought about by the cancellation of the weekly closed season is less than one-sixth, and is probably in the neighbourhood of one-tenth. OTHER FACTORS ASIDE FROM ABUNDANCE WHICH AFFECT CATCHES. Other factors affect the reward for fishing effort in various ways and must be taken into consideration in applying specific methods of investigation and in examining their results. The trend toward a short and intense season resulting partly from the policy of the fishing companies and partly from changes in the movement of the stock of fish has been mentioned. The shortening of the season has not, however, taken place in regular steps from season to season, with the result that in some years the season has been somewhat protracted and the catch per boat per season increased, with either an increase or a decrease in the average daily catch. The catch of a fisherman is to some extent influenced by the fishing policy of the company for which he is working. Some companies use large seine-boats and tenders and high-grade equipment throughout. Others prefer to catch fewer fish at a lower cost and consequently make use of less effective floating apparatus. As the maximum catch of a boat is usually fixed by the hold capacity of itself and its tender, the size of the boats used is of considerable importance in fixing the size of the catch. The catches made in the pilchard-fishery are not materially affected by pilchard-fishermen diverting their attention to other species during the pilchard season, since, having once begun pilchard-fishing, the great majority of boats and crews continue in that fishery until the end of the pilchard season. METHODS OF CALCULATING CATCH FOR UNIT FISHING EFFORTS. Approximate Methods. In Table I. are shown the annual catches and the results of treating them in two simple ways. In the first column are shown the catches in metric tons (2,205 lb.) made by all the plants on the coast. As the number of plants increased from three in 1925 to twenty-four in 1929, such figures are inclined to be misleading in an attempt to estimate the abundance of fish from the catch. Accordingly, seven representative plants were selected and the average annual catches for them were calculated. These are presented in the second column. In selecting the seven plants a number of points were taken into consideration. First of all, it was desired to select companies which had operated for as many years as possible and particularly in the early years of the fishery- Secondly, an attempt was made to select plants which would fairly well represent the two different policies of fishing on the coast and which were consistent in their application of that policy. Finally, it was attempted to choose plants which were fairly representative of the whole pilchard-fishing area of British Columbia. At least one plant was selected from each of the five main sounds on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The final choice of plants was based on a compromise among the principles enumerated. The same seven plants are considered in all of the subsequent discussion. Table I.—A, Total Catch in Metric. Tons; B, Average Catch of Seven Representative Plants in Metric Tons; and C, B divided by the. Number of Boats making over a Minimum Number of Fish Deliveries; all for the Years 1925 to 1932. Year. A. B. C. Year. A. B. C. 1925 14,469 43,997 62,079 73,041 2,690 3,300 3,810 4,020 1,520 1,470 1,280 1,250 1929 1930 1931 78,330 68,104 66,774 39,400 4,680 4,410 8,420 6,314 1,230 1,100' 2,000 1,800 1926 1927 1928 1932 CATCH STATISTICS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 57 The general upward trend of the catch per plant per year cannot be taken to indicate that the abundance of pilchards is increasing, because as the industry developed a number of the plants have materially increased the number of boats used. Accordingly, in an attempt to eliminate the influence of the increasing numbers of boats used by each plant, the catch per plant was divided by the number of boats and averaged for the seven plants. In fixing on the number of boats no consideration was given to those which made only a few fish deliveries. One hundred and eighty metric tons (200 short tons) was taken as an approximate standard. The catches treated in this way are shown in the third column. In general they fall gradually from the first year 1925 to 1930 with a sharp rise to the maximum in 1931. The decline is associated with the general shortening of the fishing season and the employment in 1929 and 1930 by one or two of the plants of a number of fishing units which were imperfectly equipped or which fished for part of the season only. The method is too rough to eliminate either of these confusing factors. Modifications op Methods p.ased on the Season's Catch. In Table II. is shown an attempt to avoid errors caused by including boats which fish for only a part of the season. The table was derived in the following way: The average annual catches of all boats fishing for the entire season, at each plant considered, were determined and tabulated. From this the grand average annual catch per boat was calculated for each plant. The average of these grand averages is the averge catch per boat at all plants over the period, which proved to be 1,470 metric tons (1,620 short tons). The average annual catch per boat for each year at each plant was then multiplied by 1,470 and divided by the grand average annual catch per boat for all the years at the plant concerned. The average annual boat catches for the different plants after this treatment are shown in Table II. and will be found to all average 1,470 metric tons. Table II.—Average Annual Catch in Metric Tons per Boat at each of Seven Selected Plants from 1925 to 1932, considering only Boats -which fished throughout the Entire Season, the Average Catch for each Plant being weighted to 1,470 Metric Tons. Plant Number. Averages. Year. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1-7. 1-5. 1925 1,420 1,020 1,380 1,400 1,660 1,390 2,090 1,390 1,620 1,220 1,640 1,510 1,150 910 2,120 1,570 1,230 1,920 1,400 1,260 1,640 1,370 1,290 870 890 1,450 1,490 2,530 1,770 1,220 1,310 1,480 1,410 1,250 2,010 1,610 1,660 1,540 1,210 2,170 1,310 930 1,420 1,500 1,350 1,240 1,460 1,280 2,190 1,580 1,420 1926 1,330 1927 1928 1,320 1,310 1929 1,460 1930 1,280 1931 2,190 1932.. 1,580 The necessity for this somewhat complicated mathematical procedure is twofold. As was previously pointed out, the boats from some of the plants are equipped to catch larger numbers of fish than the boats of others. There is, however, no reason why the changes in the catches of the more efficiently equipped plants should influence the conclusions more than those of other plants, as would be the ease if such weighting of the data were not resorted to. Such measures are the more necessary since there are gaps in the data. In the case of a plant (No. 6 is a case in point) where the average boat catch each year was high, but where the record is incomplete, the final average boat catch for each year for which there was a record would be disproportionately high. In Table II. the weighted average boat catches are shown for each year. As the records for plants No. 6 and No. 7 are very incomplete, and as the plants are situated in districts where the pilchard-fishery has not proven to be permanently successful, averages were prepared both including and excluding the two plants. The figures in either of the two columns of ultimate averages suggest that the apparent decline shown in the third column of Table I. was the consequence rather of a peculiarity of the fishery than a falling-off in the abundance H 58 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. of the fish. The table would appear to indicate that the abundance of pilchards had been fluctuating about an average until 1931, in which year a definite increase in abundance was indicated. Table III.—Average Annual Catch in Metric Tons per Boat at each of Seven Selected Plants in the Period between July 25th and September 25th from 1925 to 1932, the Average Catch per Boat for each Plant being weighted to 1,110 Metric Tons. Plant Number. Averages. 1 1. | 2. 3. j 4. 5. 6. 7. 1-7. 1-5. 1925 840 430 1,220 1,130 1,280 1,360 1,550 1,080 930 630 1,460 1,290 930 950 1,540 1,150 1,010 880 1,080 920 1,290 1,490 790 640 1,010 1,350 1,580 1,280 710 1,170 1,140 990 1,140 1,410 1,220 1,220 1,270 840 1,860 770 700 930 960 1,110 950 1,100 1,260 1,520 1,180 930 1926 660 1927 1,140 1928 1,020 1,100 1,260 1,520 1,180 1929 1930 1931 1932 Attention was drawn to the fact that the annual catch is to a large extent dependent upon the length of the fishing season. There is, however, no reason for the belief that the length of the fishing season is closely associated with the abundance of fish. Accordingly, data were prepared in which the influence of the length of season is eliminated. This was done by determining, for the same seven plants, the average catches made by each boat Ashing continuously throughout the two-month period at the height of the fishing season. These data were treated in the same way as those in Table II. and are presented in Table III. They show, if any trend, a slight increase in the catch with the growth of the fishery, probably the result of improved fishing methods. Table III. agrees with Tables I. and II. in indicating a well- marked increase in the catch for unit effort in the 1931 season. Methods based on the Catch per Boat per Day. The results of an attempt to overcome the influence on the fishery of the varying length of season are shown in Table III. The change in length of season may be compensated for by another method. That method is by dividing the annual catch by a factor representative of the length of the season. In the present case the catch in metric tons has been divided by the aggregate number of days for which the boats making the catch were engaged in fishing. Accordingly, the result is in the form of tons per boat per day. Table IV.—Average Catch in Metric Tons per Boat per Day at Seven Selected Plants for each Year from 1925 to 1932, the Average Catch for each Plant being weighted to 15.8 Metric Tons per Boat per Day. Plant Number. Averages. Year. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1-7. 1-5. 1925 1926 12.6 6.1 9.4 15.0 19.4 19.2 26.6 18.0 13.8 11.0 16.5 15.7 12.9 14.2 21.6 20.4 13.9 13.5 16.1 13.1 18.1 20.1 11.5 9.0 9.3 15.1 22.6 23.0 19.9 11.9 13.0 14.5 13.7 15.6 22.2 19.8 16.8 18.6 12.0 24.1 13.0 10.3 13.6 13.7 12.8 13.4 10.8 1927 1928 12.8 13.5 1929 1930 15.8 18.3 1931 1932 23.4 19.5 CATCH STATISTICS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 59 In calculating the results, boats making catches of less than 450 metric tons (500 short tons) were not included. Boats were considered to start fishing on the day of their first catches and to fish continuously until three days after their last catch. This procedure was followed even where definite information was available concerning the dates on which units started and stopped operations. It is realized that in many cases a seine-boat may be used in scouting for several weeks before the first catch is made in the season, but it seems inadvisable to consider this time, as to do so in the present connection is to imply that because fish are not showing they do not exist. The influence on the catches of weather, wildness, lack of visibility of the fish during the fishing season, time taken off for repairs, and closed seasons were neglected, as no acurate method of allowing for these factors is apparent and as they may be expected to be reasonably constant from year to year. The catches per boat per day for the seven selected plants were subjected to mathematical treatment similar to the data for Tables II. and III. and the resulting values are presented in Table IV. The averages indicate a rise in the catch per boat per day. This is no doubt the result in part of increasing fishing efficiency on the part of crews and equipment and increasing daily effort in fishing by the individual crews. The strongly marked increase in 1931 is due, in part, to the removal of the closed season, the introduction of an opening date for fishing, the improved quality of equipment, and the employment of a reduced number of selected crews. However, these factors are not sufficient to account for all or even most of the increase indicated. Table V. shows the number of metric tons per boat per day for all the plants for which data are available. The average catches for each district were calculated and are shown along with the average for the whole coast. The results indicate considerable fluctuation with a strongly marked increase in the average daily catch per boat for 1931. Table V.—Average Catch in Metric, Tons per Boat per Day in each of Five Districts Whole Coast for the Years 1925 to 1932, including all Data available. and on the Year. Barkley Sound. Clayoquot Sound. Sydney Inlet. Nootka Sound. Esperanza Inlet. Kyuquot Sound. Quatsino Sound. Whole Coast. 1925 13.2 13.0 11.6 11.2 16.1 19.2 22.3 20.9 8.9 7.0 9.0 10.2 12.2 12.8 18.8 14.5 16.2 15.2 20.6 14.7 16.6 20.0 26.9 24.6 20.9 21.7 11.3 11.6 9.4 20.7 11.6 10.6 13.1 14.9 13.9 1926 17.2 1927 14.9 1928 12.5 1929 15.5 1930 18.7 1931 24.3 1932 22.2 Discussion and Summary. The various methods of investigating the abundance of pilchards by considering the catch statistics indicate that while there has been considerable variation in the catch in different years there has been no marked decline. On the contrary, when the length of the fishing season is taken into consideration it appears that the catch made by unit equipment is increasing. It would appear then that there is no indication of depletion. However, this conclusion must be accepted with considerable reservation, as this general increase was accompanied by: (1) Improvements in the adaptation of fishing equipment to the pilchard-fishery; (2) increased experience of the fishermen; (3) the concentration of the fishing in the most productive months; and (4) the extension of the fishing-grounds. Accordingly, it is advisable that the fishery be followed very closely in the future and as complete and accurate analyses as possible be kept. All methods of examining the problem indicate that the reward of fishing effort was very high in 1931. Although this is mainly due to the favourable weather conditions which prevailed throughout the fishing season, and to the fact that as a result of the curtailed activity in the industry only the most skilful fishermen were employed, the increased catches may be in part caused by an influx of pilchards into the coastal waters from some other region, or the entrance into the fishery of an unusually large year-class. H 60 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. A REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OP THE LIFE-HISTORY OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. By John Lawson Hart, Pacific Biological Station. In 1929 an investigation of the pilchard was begun to examine the factors which bear on the abundance of that species. At the outset this work was under the combined auspices of the Biological Board of Canada and the Department of Fisheries of the Province of British Columbia. It continued so for two years and has since been carried on under the Biological Board of Canada alone. The ideal way of conducting an investigation with such a purpose would be to make a thorough study of the life-history of the fish to discover just what factors were principally involved in controlling its abundance. However, an investigation of that kind would be tremendously complicated ; for the abundance of any species of fish may be fairly said to depend on all of the following factors, and no doubt on others as well: The number of spawning fish; the proportion of males and females among the spawning fish; the average number of eggs produced by a female fish; the proportion of eggs properly fertilized; the proportion of fertilized eggs to live through to the hatching stage; the supply of food available for the newly hatched fry at the time when they are ready to begin feeding. It is believed that in many species the food-supply of the very young fry is the most important single feature in determining the number of fish surviving from a spawning, and it again is a complicated factor depending on such conditions as water temperature, amount of sunshine, currents, the concentrations in solution in the sea-water of some of the less common substances necessary for the development of the fodder plants and animals, the extent to which the eggs are distributed in the sea, and the length of time over which the spawning season lasts. Even after the young fish have hatched and have got beyond the stage where starvation for a few days may prove fatal, they are subjected to an unknown extent to influences which materially affect their numbers. For at each stage of the life-history the developing fish are liable to the attacks of predatory animals, and as they approach maturity the numbers of the species become open to reduction by the fishing activities of man. Consideration of almost any one of the factors enumerated will suggest that it is only to be completely understood by making a long and painstaking investigation, and further consideration will show that, to make any real progress in the major problem, not one but all of the factors listed must be comprehended and evaluated. Since the problem is so complicated and touches upon so many fields it is expedient to seek a satisfactory short-cut to the essential information in regard to the factors governing the success of the fishery. In the cases of a number of investigations on several species of fish such a short-cut is provided by studying the age composition of the commercial catch. Doing so throws but little light on the relative importance of the various factors already mentioned, but it does provide a comparative measure of the total effect each year of all the factors listed and thus provides a basis for more detailed work. Fortunately, moreover, this total effect is the one which is of the most direct concern to mankind, since the success of any fishery depends upon the entrance into it of a succession of annual broods of fish, and the size of the broods and the age at which they enter the fishery is usually the prime factor in determining the success and the nature of the fishery. Short-cuts based on the principle of examining the age composition of the catch have been of great usefulness in explaining the fluctuations of abundance in the European herring-fisheries and the cycles in the runs of Pacific salmons, and they are at present being used with considerable success to elucidate the vagaries of the herring runs in British Columbia. In the case of the pilchard the principle of this short method was followed, but special difficulties were encountered which made its most simple application impossible. The usual custom in making a study of the age composition of the catch in a commercial fishery is to examine the scales from a truly representative sample of the commercial catch. In many cases the scales are found to have on them marks of some kind indicating the times when growth has been arrested by winter conditions or the drain placed upon the fish by spawning. Accordingly, by examining the scales it is an easy matter to determine the age of the individual fish. From information obtained in this way for a great number of fish it is a LIFE-HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 61 simple matter to determine the size of the contribution to the fishery made by the broods from each year. The familiar studies on the herring and the salmons have been carried out in this way. However, some kinds of fish have either no scales or have scales too small for any marks that might be on them to be readily interpreted with certainty. The sturgeon and the halibut, respectively, are examples of such fish, and in them it has proved necessary to examine rings on the ear-stones or otoliths resembling in general those formed on the scales of other species. It will be understood that before either of these methods may be used with certainty the hypothesis that each ring does actually represent one year's growth, and only one year's growth, must be confirmed—preferably by the examination of the scales or otoliths of fish of known ages. The pilchard has large scales. However, a critical examination of a large number of them showed that winter checks run into one another in a considerable proportion of the cases and it was accordingly impossible to read them with a satisfactory degree of certainty. Unfortunately, the young stages of the pilchard, whose ages could be readily estimated from their lengths, are so rare in British Columbia waters that it has not been possible to definitely establish the validity of the age determinations made by the otolith method. In view of the doubt in regard to the determinations of the ages of pilchards by scales or otoliths, little reliance has been placed on such determinations up to the present time, although material for a study of the otoliths has been collected in anticipation of the development of suitable methods of interpretation in the future. In preference to using a method that is dependent upon an unproved hypothesis, the chief reliance of the investigation so far has been placed on the broad general conclusions that may be drawn from a study of the changes in the length distribution of the pilchards in the commercial catch from year to year. As fish are creatures of so-called indeterminate growth—i.e., continue to grow as long as they live—a study of the length composition of the fish captured each year will give general information in regard to the changes in the age composition of the catch, and from this it is possible to infer in general terms the comparative success of previous spawnings inasmuch as they affect the British Columbia fishery- For example, the fact that the average size of the pilchards in 1931 was low suggests that the fish supplying the industry in that year were younger than usual. Although chief reliance has been placed upon the study of changes in length of pilchards, the other features of the life-history have not been neglected. Vertebra number, body-form, proportions of the sexes, and food have all been the subject of considerable attention. The significance -and the results of these studies will be briefly dealt with later in this report. RESULTS. Length Distribution. As a rule fish grow quite rapidly in length for their first two years, and in consequence it is a reasonably easy matter to tell the ages of young fish if it is possible to examine a group of them that have been taken at the same time. In the case of older fish, age determinations cannot be readily made by inspection, as the normal variation in length within any older year- group is large enough to obscure the effects of the reduced annual growth. Accordingly, in the case of fisheries in which a large proportion of the catch consists of young fish in their first to third years, a high degree of precision in estimating age distribution from length can be obtained, but in the case of fisheries depending upon older fish such exact inferences are not to be drawn from a study of the length composition. As the British Columbia pilchard-fishery is dependent upon mature fish of large size, the results obtained are somewhat lacking in precision. They are, however, far from being without value, as they provide general information in regard to the age distribution of the stock of pilchards upon which the fishery depends. An indication of the way in which the pilchard population is affected by the fishery can therefore be obtained, as depletion due to overfishing would be accompanied by a reduction in the proportion of the older, larger fish, and accordingly by a reduction in the average length of the fish. The most essential feature in collecting the data for a study of the kind decided upon is that of obtaining a sample of fish for examination which is really representative of the catch as a whole. The practice eventually chosen in the present case was to measure 100 fish taken at random from one catch every day on which fish are caught throughout the season. The lengths, weights, and sexes of all of these fish were recorded, and in addition twenty or twenty- five of them were subjected to a more thorough examination involving measurements of body- H 62 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. parts, the determination of vertebra number, and the removal of the otoliths. In some cases samples of the food were taken from the digestive tracts or parasites were noted and preserved for future examination. All linear measurements were made by the use of a measuring-board. The length was considered as being the distance from the tip of the closed lower jaw to the end of the silvery area on the tail after the scales are scraped away, the fish being straightened out and allowed to lie limp on the board. The lengths obtained by this method have been used in several ways. The first use made of them was to find the average length for each sex each day during the season for each of the five years. The results of the attempt are shown graphically in Figs. 1 and 2. The first point illustrated by the figures is that definite differences in average length do occur from year to year. MALES FEMALES 250 240 250 ~~o TOO 240 0) a $250 r> W J 240 b o ogco o °~ CD 8oo n° So?-*0- ^o-^ °#u .W, Oqq.?. T «°£o_ X £ 250 7. 240 250 240 <°° . _ ° rr, r 3 O—C~ O O &0-00 1929 247-7 1930 246-4 193 241-3 1932 244-O 1933 244-3 -Sk- 252-8 ocp on) oco oo O o dODO 252-1 o oo O M3 O o 6> o oV ^5 -g^r^^ 246-7 0 Oo o»o o ' > o 0 « y.i ;u - 0 ? H11^— 3 o Y OO 0 Off o 0 ° o 0 o 0 o c > n 0( »«P cP 8 8 o 248-8 2485 JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT JUL/Y AUG. SEPT. OCT. Ti-oced by JL McHuoh '34 Fig. 1. Average length of male and female pilchards in each sample during the season at Nootka and the averages for the complete seasons; 1929-1933. LIFE-HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 63 Secondly, it is evident from the distribution of the circles that there is po strongly marked tendency for the average size of fish in a sample to change during the course of each season. The fishery for the California sardine depends upon the same species of fish, Sardinops ccerulea (Girard), but the lack of size trend in the British Columbia fish is in marked contrast to the condition in the California fishery, where regular seasonal fluctuations in the size of fish are experienced. Some length measurements of pilchards from the British Columbia fishery for the years 1926 and 1927 are available for comparison with those of later years. These data were collected by Dr. H. C. Williamson and Mr. C. McC. Mottley by a method of sampling sufficiently like that 250 240 250 CO § 2 r-i J J ?2S0 X y 250 240 MALES o FEMALES o o o 1930 247-2 1931 242-0 o O 0 OD 252-7 246-9 247-6 254-9 O O O 500 o o o 00 O o 080 o 0 3CD OCD OOO am o o 0 o 0 o o i o 0 o 0 °c ° o o o ° „ o 0" 0 o o o o O 0 o CD U° O o 1932 243-9 1933 2504 o 0° o 0 O 0 f? no <o° o o o o * ° o c o ° o 3 o 0 o 3 0 o *. 1 < -rr*S o o o JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT JULY AUG. SEPT. Traced by J- OCT L.McHu (?A '34 Fig. 2. Average length of male and female pilchards in each sample during the season at Barkley Sound and the averages for the complete seasons; 1930-1933. Table I.—Number and Average Length of Pilchards of each Sex sampled in 1926 and 1927 by Dr. H. C. Williamson and Mr. C. McC. Mottley. Year. Male. Female. Av. L. No. Per Cent. Av. L. No. Per Cent. 1926 243.4 244.8 180 713 40.0 40.7 251.8 249.4 270 1,038 60.0 1927 59.3 H 64 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. applied later to make the results comparable. However, the older measurements were made in inches and fractions of an inch to the fork of the tail, and have since been changed to the basis now used by multiplying the lengths in inches by the conversion factor 24.1. Owing to the uncertainties involved in so doing, the results are not to be relied upon for close comparisons. The average values are presented in Table I., and it will be seen that the two years do not differ greatly from one another, nor from later years as shown by the graphs. In Figs. 3 and 4 are shown graphs indicating the number of fish of each length measured each year at Nootka and at Barkley Sound, males and females being treated separately, since the sexes are found to be different in average length. The sampling in the year 1929 was not carried on for the whole of the fishing season, but the fact—shown in Figs. 1 and 2—that there is no appreciable trend wfth season in the average size of fish indicates that little or no misconception is induced by using the values obtained for only a part of the season. In general, changes in length distribution are more or less parallel in the fish landed at Nootka and at Barkley Sound, and no attempt is made in the present report to explain such differences as do occur between two localities. MALES FEMALES 1929 100 100 0 0 1930 100 100 0 0 1931 100 100 0 0 1932 100 100 0 0 1933 100 100 0 0 >. \Jt Itzr 1 jk i. 1 i M 1 L -^JU J L + 2 1 ilk m L 1 + 6 .... J i L + 1 j. ii J u L J 1 1 +24 .41 L ♦17 +4 +4 2 00 220 240 260 280 LENG-T1 2 I MI 00 220 240 260 280 LLIMETEES Trace/ &/J.LttrMe*. '34 Fig. 3. Number of male and female pilchards in each millimetre length group examined at Nootka each year ; 1929-1933. LIFE-HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 65 MALES FEMALES 1930 50 BO 0 0 1931 50 50 0 0 1932 50 50 0 0 Mi jmk J m L - ' JfeJ MM ftU t—_, I...... . ft* juHfc k., . j UUJ i +5 .jl d 1 L *.« +7 --■ mJ J um k 1933 50 50 0 0 + 1 + 1 2 OO 220 240 260 280 LENGTH 200 220 240 260 280 MILLIMETRES TroctJ by J.L.UcHugh '34 Fig 4. Number of male and female pilchards in each millimetre length group examined at Barkley Sound each year; 1930-1933. In order to show more clearly the changes in the length distribution from year to year the following procedure has been followed: The number of fish of each length in each group has been reduced to a per-thousand basis by dividing the number of fish in the length-class by the number of fish in the whole group and multiplying by 1,000. Irregularities in each distribution were then reduced by substituting in each length-class a figure derived by taking the average of the original figure and the two values on either side of it. The results so obtained are the smoothed-weighted values. Average smoothed-weighted values for the five years have been obtained by adding the numbers in the same length and sex classes for the five years and dividing by five. Results of this procedure have been plotted and are shown in the top panels of Fig. 5. The size-frequency distributions shown by these figures may be considered as averages for the two sexes for the five years in question. The deviations from the average for each year were obtained by subtracting the average values from the smoothed-weighted values for each year (not illustrated). The deviations from the averages obtained in this way for each year are shown in the lower panels of Fig. 5. This treatment has been limited to the data from the more complete sampling at Nootka Sound. An examination of these figures leads to several interesting observations. The fact that in the graphs for 1929 and 1930 the deviation curves are considerably above the base-line for the larger sizes indicates that in these two years the representation of large pilchards was greater than the average. This might be expected from the fact that the average lengths of pilchards in 1929 and 1930 was considerably higher than in subsequent years. Similarly, the indication of the excessive representation of small fish between the lengths of 220 and 240 5 H 66 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. °°°°5o Ji o >Ji y o u\ ui o ui LnoLp Lfi o" ijp 5 W W <: fc. ! 1 o | N * O 3> ID < N * t) o fc o N CM O O ^ CO w o OJ CO f-, W o2 j ' : V ) / v 1 > « r J \ ^ c I SI ;. N hi > ■n \ / ^ \( r 1 1 \ ( . AVERAGE DIFFERENCE 1 929 DIFFERENCE DIFFERENCE 1931 DIFFERENCE 1932 DIFFERENCE 1933 L J 5 W < 2 o I CO f_, o Z o o N N O O CM O CO O 52 ■ ' . J «; b i #=* ■4 ^ Z ■-—j 3 > < r J j f . i i < • ■ < I C L 52££!OOl-fi0Lfi loolo loolo LAOLn la o lo o -<j cj (m — + i + \ + i + i + i r3 ci Qi Ci CJ h o co <H § O ■at 0) § CD cj GO ^» ■4-4 ■a a s» o O « 2 ? ° 3 fl o 60 o g a OS'S g0= g 60 03 =3 »-! W o 0) ^ .=1 <H •4-< O EO O Cl M Q LIFE-HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 67 millimetres in 1931 might be expected from the fact that in 1931 the average size of pilchards was the lowest recorded. It is, however, surprising to note than in 1932 and 1933, when the average sizes of fish were definitely higher than in 1931, the representation of very small fish less than 200 millimetres in length is much greater. In 1932 and 1933 the comparatively small sizes of the deviations from the normal as indicated by the closeness of the deviation-curve to the base-line are connected with the intermediate average size of the fish in those years. The treatment of data for California sardines by this method shows that the peaks and valleys in the different curves can be followed from year to year, the same peak being found corresponding to a little larger size each successive year. This is not evidently the case for the British Columbia pilchard-fishery, but whether the result is merely a consequence of the slow growth of large fish, or whether it is the result of selection of fish size by some outside factor, cannot at present be stated. Vertebra Counts. It is of the greatest importance to know the extent of the movements of the British Columbia pilchards, as the problems of conservation are radically different for fisheries depending on highly localized populations and for those depending on widely spread more or less nomadic stocks. Very often problems dealing with the extent of migration are approached indirectly by studying the vertebra numbers of the fish, using methods based on the following considerations: Environmental or hereditary factors determine the vertebra numbers of individual fish at an early stage of development, and the numbers stay constant throughout life, so that fish developing from the eggs of different parents under different conditions usually have slightly different vertebra numbers on the average. Accordingly, if schools of fish remain in the same localities in which they were hatched, so-called local populations with definable characters, such as average vertebra number, will be identifiable, but if the schools originating from different localities mix together freely no average differences between the fish from different regions will be discernible. When counts from different localities have been made, statistical methods are available to show the odds against such differences as do occur being accidents of sampling. As a rule the occurrence of a difference so great that the odds are 20 to 1 against its occurring accidentally is considered as being significant. An account of the work done on the vertebra number in plichards has already been published (Trans. Roy. Soc. Can., V„ 79-85, 1933). The data recorded in that article showed in some cases statistically significant differences in vertebra number between California and British Columbia and between Nootka Sound and Barkley Sound. However, it was not possible to consider that separate populations of pilchards were demonstrated, because the results showed that the average vertebra number of pilchards in the same locality changes from season to season. On the other hand, it is not definitely established that separate populations do not exist. Since the publication of that report the results of some 600 further counts have been obtained. The first series of counts were made by Dr. H. C. Williamson in the years 1926 and 1927 on fish corresponding in place of capture to those later sampled in Barkley Sound. The rest of the counts were obtained in a continuation of the sampling programme outlined in the previous paper. The results of the newly reported counts are shown in Table II. An examination of this table and a comparison of the results in it with those already published demonstrates that the new data confirm the interpretation of the previous paper. In view of the fact that the results are inconclusive in spite of the large amount of data collected, it would appear that other- methods of studying this problem must be developed. Table II.—Results of Vertebra Counts on Pilchards taken in the Commercial Fishery off Vancouver Island. Locality and Year. Vertebra Number. No. Av. o\ P.E. M Authority. 49. 50. 51. 52. Barkley Sound, B.C., 1926-27... Barkley Sound, B.C., 1933 Nootka Sound, B.C., 1933 3 7 31 38 159 77 57 231 11 4 20 122 100 417 50.79 50.64 50.63 0.63 0.58 0.60 0.04 0.04 0.02 Williamson. Whittaker. Hart. H REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. 51 NOOTKA SOUND 1933 O 00° ° ° °0 50-63 o 5o o o o o 50 BARKLEY SOUND 1933 51 « D o o 50-64 50 JULY AUGUST SEPT. Traced bf/ JL.Mcriugh '34 Fig. 6. Average vertebra counts in individual samples, 1933. The body measurements which were made to complement the studies of vertebra number also gave negative results on a superficial analysis. Accordingly, and since the technique of treating such measurements is less convenient, the full analysis of these data has not been attempted. 60 50 Av: 30 60 50 1 0 u u o o °V» o°^ o > 1929 Av. 30 eo 50 Av. 0 < o ooo o o ° o ° aP ° o °4 °<n> o ° o°° ' r ° fcb "o o 0 Oo ° O o O o o o r° 8f ° o < o 1 1930 g Z H O a a. 30 60 50 Av. 30 60 50 Av. 30 S>- m rfbo" o o< o ° oo Oo i> °oo O0O -Sx>i 00 °cPo<g- 1931 40 50 41-4 TO 40 SO 46-3 W H W 70 40 50 45-2 'ooo„ A O^"O 1tt> 0(P o oo qo ? °o°o Qq- ~d—Y 5P c? _22_ 1932 70 40 50 43-4 (!) < b 2 w o pi w ft o o o 0 ° o *o°o < o r ' " CO 1933 JULY AUGUST TO 4.0 50 44-5 70 SEPTEMBER OCT. Traced by J.L.McHcjgS? '34 Fig. 7. Percentages of male and female pilchards in each sample taken during the seasons 1929-1933 at Nootka and the seasonal averages. LIFE-HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PILCHARD. H 69 Proportion of the Sexes. Female pilchards are more numerous than males. Figs. 7 and 8 demonstrate the percentages of male and female pilchards sampled at Nootka and Barkley Sound. These figures also show that there is no significant change in the proportions of the sexes with the advance of the fishing season and that all seasons are alike in showing an excess of females. The same peculiarity is shown in Table I. 60 50 Av. 03 » <! Av. 30 60 50 o HO-1 — o o o •o 0 ° <9° q, o oo o o o o o o ° o „ °o 1930 40 50 43-9 a z a v OJ w ft 30 60 50 0 o 1931 Av 30 60 50 o O ° r. o n o o o 1 1 v O u o o o CO - o o 1932 70 40 CO rn 50 < 42-2 w ft. 70 40 50 m 45-2 0 Av. 30 0 o 0 1933 '—/ ' 70 40 50 44-2 70 V Oi W ft JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCT. Traced bif JJ-Mcr/ugh '34- Fig. 8. Percentages of male and female pilchards in each sample taken during the seasons 1930-1933 at Barkley Sound and the seasonal averages. The average size of female pilchards is considerably larger than that of males, as is thoroughly demonstrated by the graphs in Figs. 1 to 4. The observed proportion of the sexes may therefore be only a result of the fact that some unknown factor dictates that the British Columbia fishery shall depend principally upon large mature fish. It is interesting to note that of 867 pilchards examined at Monterey, California, in eleven samples, 420, or 48.4 per cent., were males, and males were more numerous than females in four of the samples and equal in number in one sample. Food. A detailed study of the food of the pilchard has already been completed and the results were reprinted as an appendix to the Report of the Commissioner of Fisheries for 1931. The account is based on examinations of the stomach contents of some 250 adult pilchards captured in commercial hauls. Altogether, 189 species of plants and animals were identified and their importance in the food estimated. In bulk the most important items of food were the fifty-three kinds of diatoms, small one-celled green plants which constitute on the average about 40 per cent, of the food and various small animals related to the shrimps, which together comprised some 30 or 35 per cent, of the food. . The precise determination of the food of the pilchard provides part of the preliminary information necessary to making a complete study of the extent to which the distribution of the food in the water affects the movements of the fish. H 70 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. CONCLUSION. The failure of a fishery may be brought about in several ways. Probably the most common cause of failure is the exhaustion of the supply of fish through overfishing. In such cases the decline is likely to be accompanied by a reduction in the average size (and age) of the fish, since each year that a fish lives it is placed under an excessive hazard through the activities of the industry depending on it. On the other hand, it is possible that a fishery might depend for a number of years on a single year-class of fish. Because practically only one group of aging fish is supporting the fishery, a failure might be preceded by a gradual reduction in the catch at the same time as the fish caught got larger and gradually approached the maximum size for the species. In a case of this kind the fishery would collapse when the dominant year-class of fish had passed through its normal period of life. The remaining probable cause of the failure of a fishery is that conditions in the water are unfavourable for the appearance of the fish. Irregularities in the fishery produced by hydro- graphic conditions cannot be prevented and are unpredictable from biological evidence. The results presented in this report may be examined in view of the foregoing remarks in an effort to explain the failure of the pilchard-fishery in 1933. The facts that the average lengths of the pilchards in 1932 and 1933 are greater than those for 1931 suggests that the average age is probably not undergoing a steady decline such as would be expected in the case of a fishery which was declining owing to overfishing. This observation supports the conclusion obtained from an examination of the catch statistics reported elsewhere in the Commissioner's report for this year. On the other hand, the average lengths of pilchards taken in 1932 and 1933 are smaller than those for 1929 and 1930. This relationship indicates that the failure of the fishery in 1933 was not the result of the disappearance from the commercial catches of a single year-group of fish which has been the chief support of the fishery for recent years and finally passed out of the picture. Moreover, the results obtained by Williamson and Mottley as shown in Table I. are intermediate in value between the highest and lowest values obtained in later years, and it is evident, therefore, that no well-marked long-term trend in size is evidenced. This observation lends support to the foregoing conclusion. These conclusions infer by elimination that the 1933 failure was related to conditions in the water, and the fact that the spring and early summer of that year were exceptionally cool lends support to the idea. An investigation is at present under way to determine the relationship between ocean-water temperatures and the pilchard-catch. During the course of this investigation assistance has been received from a number of sources. Mr. W. R. Whittaker and Mr. A. L. Tester have assisted with the sampling. Fishermen have been universally obliging in donating samples, and such operators as the Nootka Packing Company, the Northern Packing Company, and the British Columbia Packers have co-operated with the very best of spirit. To all of these many thanks are due. AGE AND GROWTH OF HERRING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. H 71 THE AGE AND GROWTH OF HERRING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. By Albert L. Tester, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C. There have been many inquiries concerning the age compositions of the schools, the rate of growth, and the age at maturity of herring in the various fishing areas of the Province, and since the answers to these questions are not only of general interest, but also have an important bearing on the problem of the conservation of the herring-fishery, they are treated in this article. METHOD OF AGE ESTIMATION. It has been recognized for many years that herring and other fishes carry with them on their scales a more or less complete story of their life-history. Slow growth in winter causes the formation of " annuli " or winter-rings on each scale. By counting these annuli the age may be estimated and the growth during each year of life may be traced. A fish with two winter-rings and three summer-zones on its scales is considered to be in its third year and is designated by III. AGE COMPOSITION OF THE RUNS. Each year numerous samples of herring are obtained from various localities in British Columbia and the ages of the fish are estimated by the scale method. The results for the past season, 1932-33, are given in Fig. 2. It will be seen that in the commercial fishery the ages range- from two to eleven years, but that the runs are composed mostly of fish from three to six years of age, these forming usually over 98 per cent, of total catch. It is also apparent that there is a great variation in the age compositions of the runs to the various localities. In Trincomali Channel on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in Esperanza Inlet and Kyuquot Sound on the west coast of the island, and in Jap Inlet and Pearl Harbour in the Prince Rupert District, IV.'s (fish in their fourth year) predominated and formed the bulk of the catch. In Barkley Sound and Nootka Sound, III.'s predominated. In Sydney Inlet, V's showed a slight predominance over IV.'s and III.'s. A sample from Quatsino Sound consisted of extra large fish and was composed mostly of VI's. In a sample from Bella Bella, both IV.'s and VI.'s predominated. A further consideration of Fig. 2 shows that the more northern runs are, on the whole, made up of older fish than those to the south, for, in the former, a relatively large percentage of fish older than V. occurs and the III.'s form but a small percentage of the total. SEASONAL VARIATION IN AGE COMPOSITION. Naturally the age composition of the catch in any locality will change from year to year. For instance, in 1931-32, III.'s formed over half of the catch in Trincomali Channel, whereas, as mentioned above, IV.'s predominated last season. It is apparent that these two groups of fish are the product of the same spawning, that of 1928. Conditions in that year must have been favourable for spawning and survival since the progeny have formed the bulk of the catch in Trincomali Channel for two years. An abundant age-group such as this is called a "dominant" year-class. The VI.'s in the Bella Bella run (Fig. 2) are perhaps a better illustration of a dominant group. In the fisheries of Alaska and "Europe, where herring grow to greater ages, dominant year-classes have been found to persist for many years and have contributed enormously to the success of the fishery. THE AGE AT WHICH HERRING BECOME MATURE AND ENTER THE COMMERCIAL FISHERY. It will be noticed from Fig. 2 that in Southern British Columbia a few fish join the commercial schools in their second year. The II.'s, however, do not appear to be sexually mature. The members of a new year class enter the fishery in force to spawn for the first time in their third year. In the Prince Rupert District a small percentage of a new year-class reaches sexual maturity in the third year, but the large percentage joins the adult schools and spawns for the first time in the fourth year. Unlike the salmon, the herring does not die after spawning. The sexual organs are fully recovered by the following spring, when spawning again takes place, and normally is repeated once every spring throughout the remaining life of each fish. H 72 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. It is interesting to note than in Barkley Sound for the last four years the new year-class, the three-year-olds, has formed about 50 per cent, of the catch each year. In other words, the fishery is largely dependent on the new recruits joining the adult schools for the first time. This has not always been the case, for, in former years, the bulk of the catch was composed of older fish. The present age composition shows a scarcity of these older age-groups. This fact is rather suggestive of overfishing in this region in recent years. 40 40 20 O TRINCOMALI CHANNEL BARKLEr SOUND SYDNEY INLET NOOTKA SOUND ESPERANZA INLET KYUQUOT SOUND QUA TSINO SOUND BELLA BELLA PEARL - HARBOUR. I II III It/ V VI VII VIII IX X XI I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI IN YEAR OF AGE Fig. 2. The percentage age composition of the runs to various localities in 1932-33. RATE OF GROWTH. Compared with salmon, herring grow very slowly. In Southern British Columbia, measured to the tip of the tail, they attain a length of approximately 4 inches in their first year, 7 inches in their second year, 8% inches in their third year, 9% inches in their fourth year, and up to 10^ inches in their fifth to eighth years. In the vicinity of Prince Rupert growth is still slower. At the end of the third year the length is less than 8 inches. The average length of fish in their fourth year at Prince Rupert is about the same as that of fish in their third year in the vicinity of Vancouver Island. At seven years of age the length is only about 9% inches. Because of this slow rate of growth the average length of samples from this northern locality is as small or sometimes smaller than that of samples from the east and west coasts of Vancouver Island, even though the northern samples are composed of older fish. A COMPARISON OF THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN RUNS. The herring examined from the vicinity of Vancouver Island were taken in the commercial catch from October to February; Those from Prince Rupert District, including Bella Bella, Jap Inlet, and Pearl Harbour, formed part of the spring spawning run taken during March. The above discussion has disclosed several points of difference in age composition and growth between these two localities. The northern runs differ from those to the south in the following: A greater age spread; a relatively large percentage of older age-groups; a new year-class joining the adult schools in force a year later; often a small average length; and a slower rate of growth. Undoubtedly some of these differences are the direct result of differences in environmental conditions and, in particular, the lower-temperature conditions of the northern waters. The influence of intensive fishing on age and growth must not be overlooked. Some of the differences listed above may possibly be attributed, in part at least, to a difference in the intensity with which these two districts have been exploited since the beginning of the herring-fishery. H 74 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933 PACK OP BRITISH COLUMBIA SALMON, SEASON 1933. Showing the Origin of Salmon caught in each District. District. Sockeye. Springs. Steelheads. Cohoes. Pinks. Chums. Grand Total (Cases). 52,465 5,579 3,575 1,296 3,297 449 354 841 4,875 13,901 92,746 34,391 6,988 1,775 15,714 677 8,841 128,602 96,642 199,082 10,563 9,757 30,506 83,507 37,369 26,106 18,397 49 267 82 87 827 147 3,251 39,896 3,446 5,068 33,471 60,019 44,306 95,783 5,059 19,995 101,701 172,945 60,434 185,463 93,220 Smith Inlet 71,714 291,548 353,025 Totals 258,107 20,266 1,459 159,052 532,535 293,630 1,265,049 21,763 cases of bluebacks are combined with cohoes in this table. 8,720 cases of sockeye packed at Esquimalt are credited to the Fraser. 6,531 cases of sockeye packed on the Fraser are credited to Rivers Inlet. 300 cases of sockeye packed on the Fraser are credited to Smith Inlet. 2,905 cases of sockeye and 93,334 cases of other than sockeye packed on the Fraser are credited to District No. 3. 3,575 cases of springs and 6,988 cases of chums packed on the Fraser are credited to the Queen Charlotte Islands. STATEMENT SHOWING THE SALMONPACK OP THE PROVINCE, BY DISTRICTS AND SPECIES, PROM 1918 TO 1933, INCLUSIVE. Fraser River. 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930. 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. 52,465 5,579 65,769 18,298 10,403 14,948 385 16,815 23 40,947 9,740 103,692 11,366 9,761 68,946 30,754 25,585 27,879 61,569 3,305 6,699 144,159 158,208 40,520 12,013 29,299 1,173 3,909 193,106 2,881 27,061 795 61,393 7,925 10,528 67,259 102,536 24,079 10,658 85,689 12,783 20 169 Springs, Red 34,391 92,746 13,901 251 13,307 8,165 657 88,495 32,256 21,783 13,776 Pinks Totals 199,082 126,641 73,067 277,983 426,473 258,224 284,378 274,951 1925. 1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. 35,385 7,989 25,701 66,111 99,800 36,717 5,152 39,743 2,982 4,648 109,495 31,968 21,401 1,822 31,655 3,854 4,279 103,248 63,645 20,173 15 51,832 10,561 6,300 17,895 29,578 23,587 817 39,631 11,360 5,949 11,233 8,178 29,978 1,331 48,399 10,691 4,432 23,884 12,839 22,934 4,522 38,854 14,519 4,296 15,718 39,363 39,253 15,941 19,697 15,192 24,853 86,215 18,388 40,111 Springs, Red Springs, White Chums Pinks Bluebacks and Steelheads 4,395 Totals 276,855 212,059 226,869 140,570 107,650 136,661 167,944 208,857 SALMON-PACK OF THE PROVINCE. H 75 STATEMENT SHOWING THE SALMON-PACK OF THE PROVINCE, BY DISTRICTS AND SPECIES, PROM 1918 TO 1933, INCLUSIVE—Continued. Skeena River. 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930. 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. Sockeyes Springs Chums Pinks Cohoes Steelhead Trout 30,506 3,297 15,714 95,783 39,896 267 59,916 28,269 38,549 58,261 48,312 404 93,023 9,857 3,893 44,807 10,637 768 132,372 7,501 5,187 275,642 29,617 58 78,017 4,324 4,908 95,305 37,678 13 34,559 6,420 17,716 209,579 30,194 241 83,996 19,038 19,006 38,768 26,326 582 82,360 30,594 63,527 210,081 30,208 754 Totals 185,463 233,711 162,986 450,377 220,245 298,709 187,716 407,524 1925. 1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. Sockeyes Springs Chums Pinks Cohoes Steelhead Trout 81,146 23,445 74,308 130,079 39,168 713 144,747 12,028 25,588 181,313 26,968 214 131,731 12,247 16,527 145,973 31,967 418 96,277 14,176 39,758 301,655 24,699 1,050 41,018 21,766 1,993 124,457 45,033 498 89,364 37,403 3,834 177,679 18,068 1,218 184,945 25,941 31,457 117,303 36,559 2,672 123,322 22,931 22,573 161,727 38,759 4,994 Totals 348,859 390,858 338,863 477,915 234,765 332,887 398,877 374,306 Rivers Inlet. 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930. 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. Sockeyes Springs 83,507 449 677 5,059 3,446 82 69,732 459 944 3,483 7,062 29 76,428 325 429 5,089 6,571 32 119,170 434 492 18,023 756 105 70,260 342 989 2,386 1,120 29 60,044 468 3,594 16,546 868 7 65,269 608 1,122 671 2,094 9 65,581 685 11,727 12,815 7,286 11 Pinks Cohoes Totals 93,220 81,709 88,874 138,980 75,126 81,527 69,773 98,105 1925. 1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. Sockeyes 192,323* 496 11,510 8,625 4,946 94,891 545 4,924 15,105 1,980 116,850 599 3,242 10,057 1,526 03,584 323 311 24,292 1,120 82 48,615 364 173 5,303 4,718 97 125,742 1,793 1,226 25,647 2,908 56,258 1,442 7,089 6,538 9,038 53,401 1 409 6,729 29,542 12,074 Pinks Cohoes Steelhead Trout Totals 217,900 | 117,445 | 132,274 79,712 59.272 133,21 S 80,367 | 103,155 Smith Inlet, t 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930.- 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. Sockeyes Springs, Red 37,369 354 25,488 46 2 273 1,148 165 20 12,867 122 32,057 268 22 1,460 16,615 1,660 103 9,683 18 60 275 853 113 12 11,014" 33,442 108 178 230 167 19 6 22,682 270 70 2,990 732 2,605 8 17,921 73 39 Cohoes Pinks Chums Bluebacks and Steelheads 5,068 19,995 8,841 87 112 824 133 36 164 689 31 Totals 71,714 27,142 14.094 52,185 34,150 29,366 18,917 * Including 40,000 cases caught in Smith Inlet and 20,813 cases packed at Namu. t Previously reported in Queen Charlotte and other Districts. H 76 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. STATEMENT SHOWING THE SALMON-PACK OP THE PROVINCE, BY DISTRICTS AND SPECIES, PROM 1918 TO 1933, INCLUSIVE—-Continued. Nass River. 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930. 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. 9,757 1,296 1,775 44,306 3,251 49 14,154 4,408 14,515 44,629 7,955 10 16,929 1,439 392 5,178 8,943 26,405 1,891 3,978 79,976 1,126 84 16,077 352 1,212 10,342 1,202 5,540 1,846 3,538 83,183 10,734 36 12,026 3,824 3,307 10,609 3,966 96 15,929 5,964 Chums 15,392 50,815 4,274 375 Totals 60,434 85,671 32,881 113,460 29,185 104,877 39,828 92,749 1925. 1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. 18,945 3,757 22,504 35,530 8,027 245 33,590 2,725 26,612 72,496 6,481 1,035 17,821 3,314 25,791 44,165 7,894 595 31,277 2,062 11,277 75,687 3,533 235 9,364 2,088 2,176 29,488 8,236 413 16,740 4,857 12,145 43,151 3,700 560 28,259 3,574 24,041 29,949 10,900 789 21,816 4,152 40,368 59,206 17,061 1,305 Totals 89,008 142,939 99,580 124,071 51,765 81,153 97,512 143,908 Vancouver Island District. 1933. 1932. 1931 1930. 1929 1928. 1927 1926. Sockeyes Springs Chums... Pinks Cohoes Steelheads and Bluebacks Totals 18,397 4,875 96,642 172,945 60,019 147 27,611 10,559 70,629 33,403 35,132 28,596 22,199 4,055 16,329 81,965 26,310 24,638 24,784 3,431 177,856 89,941 30,206 14,177 10,340 1,645 102,246 74,001 35,504 11,118 14,248 2,269 303,474 41,885 23,345 5,249 24,835 6,769 220,270 52,561 58,834 10,194 353,025 205,930 175,541 340,395 [ 294,854 300,470 373,463 25,070 5,222 174,383 86,113 51,551 5,383 347,722 Queen Charlotte and other Districts. 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930. 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. 26,106 4,416 135,590 101,701 33,471 S27 21,685 3,514 167,011 82,449 44,977 591 29,071 1,608 34,570 55,825 16,141 446 39,198 1,852 143,781 600,986 61,418 1,204 35,331 1,020 111,263 136,758 56,938 575 59,852 2,806 341.802 438,298 58,455 609 60,533 7,826 252,230 36,481 47,433 973 62,383* 3,650 348,682 380,243 47,183 973 Cohoes Steelheads and Bluebacks Totals 302,111 320,227 137,661 848,439 341, S73 901,822 405,476 844,114 1925. 1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. 49.962 5,002 305,256 120,747 40,269 1,520 40,926 4,245 195,357 141,878 26,031 497 24,584 2,711 148,727 146,943 29,142 732 47,107 4,988 80,485 113,824 31,331 409 18,350 4,995 21,412 14,818 18,203 2,790 64,473 15,633 30,946 247,149 33,807 3,721 54,677 14,766 165,717 110,300 35,011 702 51,980 8 582 90,464 201,847 42,331 1,009 Cohoes Steelheads and Bluebacks Totals 522,756 408,934 352,839 278,144 80,568 395,728 381,163 404,793 * Including 17,921 cases of sockeye packed at Smith Inlet. SALMON-PACK OF THE PROVINCE. H 77 STATEMENT SHOWING THE SALMON-PACK OF THE PROVINCE, BY DISTRICTS AND SPECIES, FROM 1918 TO 1933, INCLUSIVE—Continued. Total Packed by Districts in 1918 to 1933, inclusive. 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930. 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. 199,082 185,463 93,220 ■ 71,714 60,434 353,025 302,111 126,641 233,711 81,709 27,142 85,671 205,930 320,227 73,067 162,986 88,874 14,094 32,881 175,541 137,661 277,983 450,377 138,980 52,185 113,460 340,395 848,439 426,473 220,245 75,126 11,014 29,185 294,854 341,873 17398 77 7(T 258,224 298,709 81,527 34,150 104,877 390,470 901,822 2,03S;629~ 284,378 187,716 69,773 29,366 39.828 373,463 405,476 274,951 Skeena 407,524 98,105 Smith Inlet 18,917 Nass River Vancouver Island... Other Districts 92,749 347,722 844,139* Grand totals.... 1,265,049 1,081,031 685,104 2,221,819 1,360,634 2,065,190 1925. 1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. 276,855 348,859 217,900 33,998 89,008 263,904 522,756 17719,282" 212,059 390,858 117,445 11,776 142,939 277,267 604,745 l7745,213~ 226,869 338,863 132,274 11,979 99,580 191,252 352,839 1,341,677" 140,570 477,915 79,712 5.862 124,071 185,524 278,144 1,285,946" 107,650 234,765 59,272 136,661 332,787 157,522 167,944 398,877 80,367 210,851 Skeena Rivers Inlet* Smith Inlet 374,216 103,155 51,765 69,528 80,568 603,548 81,153 84,170 395,223 1,1877616~ 97,512 267,293 381,163 T73937T56~ 143,908 Vancouver Island... Other Districts.. Grand totals.... 389,815 404,793 176267738"" * Including 17,921 cases of sockeye packed at Smith Inlet. STATEMENT SHOWING THE SOCKEYE-PACK OF THE ENTIRE FRASER RIVER SYSTEM FROM 1894 TO 1933, INCLUSIVE. 1894. 1895. 1896. 1897. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 363,967 41,781 395,984 65,143 356,984 72,979 860,459 312,048 240,000 252,000 486,409 499,646 170,889 228,704 974,911 1,105,096 Totals 405,748 461,127 429,963 1,172,507 492,000 986,055 399,593 2,080,007 1902. 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909. 293,477 339,556 204,809 167,211 72,688 123,419 837,489 837,122 183,007 182,241 59,815 96,974 74,574 170,951 585 435 State of Washington 1,097,904 Totals 633,033 372.020 196,107 1.674.611 365,248 156,789 245.525 1,683,339 1910. 1911. 1912. 1913. 1914. 1915. 1916. 1917. 150,432 248,014 58,487 127,761 123,879 184,680 719,796 198,183 91,130 64,584 32,146 84,637 148,164 State of Washington 1,673,099 335,230 411,538 Totals 398,446 186.248 308,559 2,392,895 533,413 155,714 116,783 559.702 1918. 1919. 1920. 1921. 1922. 1923. 1924. 1925. 19,697 50,723 38,854 64,364 48,399 62,654 39,631 102,967 51,832 48,566 31,655 47,402 39,743 69,369 35,385 112,023 Totals 70,420 103.200 111,053 142.598 100,398 79,057 109,112 147^08 1926. 1927. 1928. 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 85,689 44,673 130,362 61,393 97,594 158,987 29,299 61,044 90,343 61,569 111,898 173,464 103,692 352,194 45578S6~ 40,947 | 87,211 |T287l58~ 65,769 81,188 ~T467957~ 52,465 State of Washington Totals 126,604 1797069~ H 78 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. STATEMENT SHOWING THE SOCKEYE-PACK OF THE PROVINCE, BY DISTRICTS, 1918 TO 1933, INCLUSIVE. 1933. 1932. 1931. 1930. 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926. Fraser River 52,465 30,506 83,507 37,369 9,757 18,397 26,106 65,769 59,916 69,732 25,488 14,154 27,611 21,685 40,947 93,023 76,428 12,867 16,929 22,199 29,071 103,692 132,372 119,170 32,057 26,405 24,784 39,198 61,569 78,017 70,260 0,683 16,077 10,340 35,331 "2817277" 29,299 34,559 60,044 33,442 5,540 14,248 26,410 61,393 83,996 65,269 22,682 12,026 24,835 37,851 85,689 82,360 65,581 Smith Inlet 17,921 Nass River 15,929 25.070 44,462 Totals 258,107 284,355 291,464 477,678 203,542 308,052 337,012 1925. 1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. Fraser River 35,385 81,146 192,323 33,764 18,945 14,757 16,198 39,743 144,747 94,891 11,435 33,590 15,618 20,579 31,655 131,731 116,850 11,864 17,821 12,006 12,720 51,832 96,277 53,584 39,631 41,018 48,615 48,399 89,064 125,742 38,854 184,945 56,258 19,097 123,322 53,401 Smith Inlet Nass River 31,277 15,147 47,107 9,364 6,936 18,350 163,914" 16,740 6,987 64,473 ~351,~405~ 28,259 6,452 54,677 21,816 6,243 51,980 392,518 369,603 334,647 295,224 369,445 276,459 STATEMENT SHOWING THE PILCHARD INDUSTRY OF THE PROVINCE, 1920 TO 1933, INCLUSIVE. Year. Total Catch. Canned. Used in Reduction. Oil. Meal. Bait. 1920 Cwt. 88,050 .19,737 20,342 19,492 27,485 318,973 969,958 1,368,582 1,610,252 1,726,851 1,501,404 1,472,085 886,964 65,353 Cases. 91,929 16,091 19,186 17,195 14,898 37,182 26,731 58,501 65,097 98,821 55,166 17,336 4,622 2,946 Cwt. Gals. Tons. Bbls. 9,937 1921 4,232 3,125 1922 1923 3,625 923 1924 1925 220,000 940,000 1,310,000 1,560,000 1,654,575 1,468,840 1,456,846 876,700 63,251 495,653 1,898,721 2,610,120 3,997,656 2,856,579 3,204,058 2,551,914 1,315,864 275,879 2,083 8,481 12,145 14,502 15,826 13,934 14,200 8,842 1,108 4,045 2,950 1,737 2,149 1,538 926 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1 552 1932 1,603 1933 PRODUCTION OF FISH OIL AND MEAL. H 7£ PRODUCTION OF FISH OIL AND MEAL, 1920 TO 1933 (OTHER THAN FROM PILCHARD). From Whales. From other Sources. Year. Whalebone and Meal. Fertilizer. Oil. Meal and Fertilizer. Oil. 1920 1921 .. i Tons. 503 326 485 292 347 Tons. 1,035 230 910 926 835 666 651 754 780 581 223 Gals. 604,070 Tons. 466 489 911 823 1,709 2,468 1,752 1,948 3,205 3,626 3,335 5,647 6,608 4,955 Gals. 55,669 44,700 75,461 180,318 241,376 354,853 217,150 250,811 387,276 459,575 243,009 1922 283,314 706,514 645,657 556,939 468,206 437,967 571,914 712,597 525,533 1923 1924 1925 1926 340 345 376 417 273 249 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 352,492 1932 231,690 439,943 1933 509,310 VICTORIA, B.C. : Printed by Charles F. Banfield, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1934. 1575-634-8074
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PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31ST,… British Columbia. Legislative Assembly [1935]
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Title | PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, 1933 WITH APPENDICES |
Alternate Title | REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 1933. |
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British Columbia. Legislative Assembly |
Publisher | Victoria, BC : Government Printer |
Date Issued | [1935] |
Genre |
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FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Identifier | J110.L5 S7 1935_V01_08_H1_H79 |
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Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Source | Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Date Available | 2016 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
Rights | Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy or otherwise distribute these images please contact the Legislative Library of British Columbia |
CatalogueRecord | http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198 |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0308217 |
AggregatedSourceRepository | CONTENTdm |
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