Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-07-07
ALASKAN FISHERIES.
Their Importance and value-Enormous
Consumption and Waste by Natives.

part of the immense resources of the ter
ritorty. The total value of the cate
last year amounted to more than FIVE
million one hundred thousand dollars.
Seventy-four kinds of food fishes are
caught, more than sixty of which can
be used by man while the remainder
come under the head of bait for catch
ing. An enumeration would include
nearly all the specimens of ichthyolo-
gy of North America. Those most in
use at the present time are salmon,
cod, herring. halibut, reddish, sea and
brook trout. black bass, pike, oolichon,
whitefish. copelin and anchovy. The
natives, in addition. use the octopas,
whale, shark, porpoise, dogfsh, hair
and fur seal, and other kinds.
Salmon fishing is the largest and
most important branch of the industry.
In operation now are thirty-seven can
neries. with the prospect of three others
during the year. and seven or more
sailing establishments. The aggregate
pack of the canneries in 1891 was 6SS,-
332 cases of four dozen one-pound cans,
the value of which was 81. 753, 1928. The
quantity of sailed salmon was about
1900 barrels. These salmon fisheries
represent a capital of $4,000, 900, and
they give employment to about 1000
white laborers, $500 Cinnamon and
1000 natives, and require in their bust
ness, for transportation and other
work, about 100 steam vessels and 500
fishing boats. The business of canning
salmon in Alaska was commenced less
than ten years ago. The salmon
canned in Alaska are sent to nearly
every part of the globe. Perhaps no
other saltwater fish suits the palate of
so many people in so many different
countries.
The quantity of salmon that is con-
sumed in Alaska is enormous. It is one
of the most important items in the sub
sistence account. Every native fam:l.D"
lays by a store of dried salmon and
halibut for winters use, perhaps not
less than 500 to $50 pounds of each, and
the diet is varied by fresh salmon when
in season. In the Bristol Bay district
it is estimated that the salmon caught
annually to feed the population of
1000 people is not less than 1000, 900
pounds.
The cod fishery of Alaska may be con-
sidered as in its infancy, notwithstand-
NY Tic ldcG CndC the clUcn IN 1871
amounted to a total of LAO. 900 fish,
valued at more than $4,000. Since
the beginning of the cod-fishing bust
ness in this territory in 1865 the total
number of fish taken has been, in round
figures, %, LOG, 900, having value of
sI3.O50,00O. The industry has not, how
ever, developed in such degree as
might have been expected from
the almost unlimited supply and
the favorable location of the banks.
Cod is found along the south shore
of Alaska and as far down as British
Columbia. Just now almost the entire
cod-fshing business is carried on by two
San Francisco firms at the Shumagin
islands and in the Behring sea. The
facilities for the pursuit of the cod fish
ing are greater on the Pacific side than
they are on the Atlantic.
Very little at tention has been paid to
halibut fishing. although the fish are
numerous and of the finest quality. and
are Obtainable nearly throughout the
whole year. The Thlinket fishermen
exhibit great patience and skill in
ca tching the huge fiat fish. In 1891
quantity of fish was sent to the market
cIent to command the conveniences for
transportation necessary to lay it be-
fore the consumer in the best condition.
The home consumption of this fish is
very large. The natives dry them to
some extent for winter use but can
usually obtain all they require fresh at
any season. Fish of very large size are
taken frequently. weighing sometimes
several hundred pounds, but those from
fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds
are preferred.
The schools of herring are large in
many localities. but the catching of them
is made business of Importance only
by the Alaska Oil and Guano Co.
at Killisnoo. From August to
December % the company caught
$4,000 barrels, equal to about
$500 tons, or 42,400, 900 herring.
From that catch came 151. 900 gallons of
oil, valued at So, 900. The oil is shipped
to San Francisco and Portland and to
England The fishing fleet of the COM
pany consists of three steamers four
scows. and four other boats. employing
fOrty-fve white men. fifty Indians, and
a few Cinnamon AS an experiment.
and to show what can be done in the
herring fishery. the captain of the com
pany at Sitka sometime ago filled his
scowS with two hauls of the net. one of
which yielded 800 barrels of the fish. |
In some places schools of herring about
the size of sardines afford fine oppor-
tunities for the location of sardine pack
ing esta blishments. but the opportunity
has not been utilized yet.
The whaling business in the waters
adjacent or belonging to Alaska was
carried on last year by San Francisco
and New Bedford fleets of forty-one
vessels, and it resulted in a catch of |
231.2S2 pounds OF whalebone, A15O |
pounds of ivory and $500 gallons of |
oil. all valued at S1,517,310. The whal- |
ing fleet left in March this year, and |
consisted of only thirty-eight vessels. |
The cruise lasts usually from six to nine |
months.
Whaling Is on the decline in this vi |
cinity, as in all other parts of the globe. |
In 1852, when whaling reached the |
zenith of it's glory, 27S ships were en-
gagged in the business, and the value of |
the catch of that single year amounted |
to STATS, 800. The total catch for the |
last fifteen years foots up 4,745, 700 |
pounds of whalebone, 217,410 pounds |
ivory. and SOS, $50 gallons oil, total value |
of S24, SOC, 900.
The yellow fish, or Alaska nnackerel, |
as it is called sometimes, is a finely |
favored fish, fully equal to the mackes el |
in quality. Large schools of them have |