INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [59 STAT. APPENDIX "A" COPY January11th, 1944. SIR, In the Pacific Northwest a particularly valuable species of salmon, known as Sockeye, was once so abundant that in 1913 it produced a pack of almost a quarter of a billion one pound cans which, at present prices, would be worth over forty million dollars. Now, one-eighth of that amount is considered a good pack. The blasting of rocks during railroad construction in a narrow gorge of the Fraser River known as Hell's Gate Canyon, is charged with causing this huge decline by obstructing passage of the fish to their up-river spawning grounds. It is now believed, however, that great numbers of fish were fatally retarded at this canyon even under natural conditions. Canada and the United States created this Commission to rehabili- tate this once enormous food supply of the two nations-for though the spawning all takes place in Canada, United States fishermen get first chance to catch the fish as they pass through Puget Sound to approach the Fraser River mouth. After intensive investigation it has been conclusively shown that the terrific rush and surge of water at Hell's Gate Canyon is largely responsible for failure of the salmon run to recover its former magni- tude. Furthermore, the Commission finds that construction of so- called fish-ladders at this point will largely eliminate the difficulty. Some lesser obstructions also should be eliminated. The Treaty requires the Commission to recommend to the two Governments the removal of obstructions. Accordingly the Com- mission herewith submits a biological report showing the necessity for action, an engineering report showing the action required, and a request for two million dollars with which to accomplish the desired result. Respectfully submitted, INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES COMMISSION By "EDWARD W. ALLEN" Chairman. "A. J. WHITMORE" Secretary. Honourable ERNEST BERTRAND, K.C ., P.C., Minister of Fisheries, Ottawa. 1616
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