, 1886-02-04
The Fishing Interests Of Puget Sound
and British Columbia.

In another column we publish the
memorial passed by the Territorial
Legislature, asking Congress to APP
propriate $4,000 to be expended in
developing our fisheries, and Ill III
PRODUCING Holsters, oysters and new
varieties Of food fish into the waters
of Washington Territory
Few persons ara aware of the value
and importance of the fish and other
ocean products OF the northwest coast.
We have 10 fish commissioner as We
should have to collect and compile
statistics fer the Legislature, but to
show what such an officer could do,
We present a statement Of the fishing
product Of British Columbia, com
piled by Capt. George Pittendreigh,
inspector of fisheries, which was sent
by him to Mr.. James G Swan, and
kindly handed to Us for publication.
Capt. PIltendreigb writes that one OF
these reliable fishermen states that Il
turbot was taken near the Spanish
bank outside Burrard Inlet. and that
he has applied for the use Of the Gov
ernment steamer Sir James Douglas
so as to explore some Of these banks
in the Gulf of Georgia, where he
hopes to discover good fishing
ground.
This is Just what the memorial to
congress alluded 20, aims at. The
development OF our fisheries by the
United States Fish Commission as
the Colonial Government is doing for
British Columbia.
MEMORIAL.
Praying an appropriation of 80,
600. to be expended by the United
States Fish Commission in develop
ing the fisheries of Washington
Territory and for the introduction
of the varieties of food fishes, lob
sters, oysters, &c, into the waters
of Washington Territory for the
purpose OF propagation.
To the Hon. Senate and House OF
Representatives. Of the United
States IN Congress assembled:
Your memorialists, the Legislative
assembly of the Territory of Wash
ington respectfully representa-
That the United States Fish Com,
mission by liberal appropriations
granted by Congress, have been and
still are doing a great and valuable
work on the Atlantic Coast OF the
United in developing the food fishes
and other marine food products of
the Atlantic ocean, and nave there
fore added largely to the national
wealth.
Your memorialists further repre-.
sent that the waters Of Puget Sound
present conditions favorable to the
propagation Of Holsters and varieties
of oysters, and contain within the
deep channels and fiords, new and
valuable varieties of food fishes which
although known to exist, have never
been properly developed from want
of funds and requisite knowledge and
experience, which knowledge and ex-
perience are possessed by the United
States Fish Commission in q greater
degree than by any private indiyi-
duais in this Territcry
Wherefore your memorialists re-
spectfully pray that the sum of $10,-
900 be appropriated for the purpose
OF developing the fisheries Of Wash
ington Territory, and that said
amount of $4,000 be expended by
and under the direction of the United
States Fish Commission in iDtroduc-
ing the best varieties of food fishes,
Holsters and oysters into the waters
of this Territory, wherever in the
judgment of said Fish Commission
they may best be placed to propagate
and also to develop the marine food
products already existing, and native
to these waters. And your memor
ialists, as in duty bound will ever
pray.
Passed the House Of Representa-
tives Jan. 2lst, 1886.
LSigned. r. 0. DUNBAR,
Speaker of the House.
Passed the Council Jan. Dad, 1856.
[Signed. B. Is. Day,
President of the Council.
Approved Jan. 29th, 1856.
Signed. WATSON c. SQUIRE,
Governor