Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-16
SALMON FISHERIES.


corning their Protection.
The reference in the Governors recent
message to the salmon fisheries, and the
means necessary to their protection, makes
OF interest the following letter from DIR. H
w. Hardness, President of the Academy of
Sciences, in San Francisco. The letter is
addressed to the Bulletin and is from a
practical standpoint, as relating to the peo-
pie of the State. The letter says:
The scarcity of salmon in our rivers has
been made the subject of considerable study
and comment recently. Before re-examin-
ing the subject with the view of determin-
ing the causes for the scarcity of salmon in
our rivers we find that the principal agent
in their destruction is man. Man accom-
plishes this in various ways-by fouling OF
the rivers. by the refuse from manufact.
cries, by dams or other distractions, but
chiefly effecting their capture by use of
nets. The modern appliances are so per-
feet, and the pursuit of fish SO active and
persistent, that We are led to believe that
should the fishermen comply with the laws
in every particular, still the salmon must
soon disappear altogether from our inland
waters. But when we take into considera-
ton the fact that all unfair means are re-
sorted to tor the purpose of increasing the
catch, we are no longer at loss to account
for their scarcity.
If our fishermen would but paw decent
respect to the laws and, furthermore, would
capture only sufficiency for the supply of
the market with fresh salmon, our rivers
with assistance from the State, in the wav
of restocking at intervals) might still con-
tinue to be productive for an indefinite
period.
There is one source of wase-as we look
upon (which should be prevented bv the
authorities, viz, the canning industry.
From time to time the Government has
expended large sums of money for the
purpose OF stocking our rivers with SAL
mon. This is the act of paternal Gov
eminent with the sole idea, as we view II.
OF furnishing to all of the inhabitants of
the State $50 far as it is possible to do sol
an opportunity for supplying the table with
a cheap nutritive article of food. The tag
payers at large are called upon to pay the
cost and ought alike to share in the bene.
fits. Let us examine for a moment. 10 see
II there is fair distribution of the results
OF this outlay. If, as has been previously
stated, after the stocking of the rivers, fish
ing were conducted in accordance with the
laws, fishing being prohibited during GER
tain days, in order that percentage of the
breeding fish might escape, also. that the
close season should be strictly observed
and, further, that the expectation of fish
should cease, under these conditions we be-
iieye that our rivers would, for an indefi-
mite period, continue to furnish salmon in
quantity sufficient TO meet the home de-
mand. No sooner, however, does the
salmon appear in tolerable abundance than
the Gamer begins his work Either by
hiring boats and fishermen himself, or bv
Offering tempting rewards to the fisherman
for his catch, he is enabled to cover the
river with boats ia such numbers as to CAP
ture large proportion of the product of
the stream before they can pass his estab-
lishment. If the fish so captured from the
Government preserves were distributed as
canned provisions amongst our people
there would be some slight excuse, but
when We come to learn that all, or nearly
all. are shipped away TO foreign countries,
We begin to realize that the people are be-
Ing defrauded OF their just dues.
The Gamer may claim that he is realizing
but small percentage of profit or he may
affirm that he has met with material loss.
Yet this has nothing to do with the cues
ton; he is in a great degree responsible for
the increase in the price of fresh fish, and
he is TO blame for the final exhaustion of
the rivers. There is no river on earth. how
eventually become impoverished if the can
ner is to be allowed to pursue his vocation.
even when under limited Government sur
W nc, (Note-Four or five years ago
there were 1900 men and 1000 boats en-
gagged in the salmon fisheries of the Sacra-
mento river alone How many out of
these were employed by the Gamers we are
unable TO aeternine) As bis means Tor
canning fish are practically unlimited and
he has he world for q market, the Gamer
has bnt to increase the number OF his fish,
elmen until the stream is so far exhausted
as 10 be of no further value In oar iudg-
ment the business of the Gamer sbo Id
cease, or else the Government should
abandon the plan of stocking the rivers
when the results are so unsatisfactory. We
feel that this is question of the greatest
importance. and that the attention of the
authorities should be called to it, and that
the facts should be set forth so clearly as to
induce them to take steps to remedy the
evil
Toiilustrate the case still more fully, we
will suppose that our rulers should while
acting IN the capacity of s paiernal Govern
ment, determine 10 set aside large tract of
land for a deer park, where large bands of
these animals might be cared for with the
view ultimately that venison should be
furnished cheaply at certain season to the
people of the Stale. What would be said
OF the economy of such proceeding if the
Government during the bunting season
should permit individuals 10 kill the deer
without hindrance. for the purpose of can.
ming the flesh so secured aud sending it
away TO a foreign market?
For Constipation Use Horsford's Acid