That, we are convinced, is the major factor in
the intense antagonism that now prevails in many
sections against the use of fish traps as a fishing
appliance. Packers, more and more, are depending
on the traps for their raw supplies to the detri
ment or the seiner.
For the past two seasons the situation has been
aggravated, it must be admitted, by the market
conditions with which the packers have been con
tending. Confronted with abnormally low prices for
their own product, they have been forced to cut
their own prices for fish to the point that seine
operations are not profitable. In fact, many traps
that were paying propositions in prior years, have
been operated at a loss, or abandoned by their hold
ers, since 1930.
It remains true, however, that without tire effect
of the depression seiners would be confronted with
undersirable conditions. Closures of seining grounds
have been too extensive for them to exist even in
comparative comfort and unnecessary hardship has
resulted. The movement Mr. Heckman seeks to
launch is timely and ought to be given more than
passive support. His counsel in the matter is wise
and moderate. There is room for both seiner and
trap in Southeast Alaska. Each is Valuable to the
industry. Surely it is not impossible for the authori
ties to work out a proper balance between them
that will open up opportunities for the fishermen
to earn a living and still permit the retention
of the traps.
