The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-15
NO DECREASE OF FISH
Joint Commission Finds Salmon
as Abundant as Ever.
GREAT BANKS OF HAliBUT.
Investigating the Salrnon's Spawning
Grounds The Alaska Boundary
Commission.
GREAT BANKS OF HALIBUT.

I'VE have no information to show any
decrease In Puget Sound salmon, SAID
Prof. Richard Rafhbun of the joint ilsa-
cries commission OF the United states anu
Great Britain, last evening. Or William
wakehau. the British commissioner, and
myself have given the question as care
full study az the time would allow. We
have spent month in the waters or the
Sound on both sides of the line, and have
found that the Industry of canning Is IN
its infancy and the time has not neeh
sufficient TO make any material decrease
We simply hope TO follow up our re-
searches soon by more careful detailed
work"
The Joint fish commission was appoint
ed by America and Great Britain TWO
years ago and is now on Its third year us
object is 10 study the supply OF nsh IN
the boundary waters. including lakes, nv
ers and salt waters of both coasts Inc
commission has already examined INTO the
condition of the Bay OF Fundy, the great
lakes and all of the streams touching the
line. to the coast. This is the last year OF
field work and by June /. 1895, the report
will be given The object is TO md where
the fish have decreased. 10 suggest fem-
edies and 10 get information in general
upon the fisheries for the benefit OF the
two countries. The commission has spent
considerable time upon the Fraser river
and ell OF the salmon fishing grounds or
the Sound. As this variety. excepting nal
hut Is the only one at all likely 10 be de-
creasing, il is the only one requiring any
special attention here. AS the hahbut
banks have been carefully examined by
the United States fish commission steam
er Albatross, to report TO the Joint COM
mission. no personal attention TO that
variety is required except for those found
in inshore waters.
''The bulk of the sockeye salmon. which
come in the straits" continued Mr.. Rath-
bun. Ego up the Fraser river to spawn,
and part of the schools pass Point Rob
erts, but cannot say what proportion. ON
the Fraser there are some thirty cam
neries. and Ii may be there that there is
a decrease of fish. but not of any great
amount. The Point Roberts. Port An
geles, Friday Harbor and Seattle can
neries average no more than two years
old and it would simply be impossible for
them to have decreased the fish 10 any
extent
"Other varieties OF salmon have become
more widely diffused in these waters and
enter into large number of streams. Our
chief object with them has been to study
the different varieties and the relative
abundance at the different places.
Regarding halibut there is likely to be
a decrease in the shallow waters. In the
Atlantic they fish for halibut in nearly $50
fathoms of water. II can. be readily seen
that the fishermen of this locality have
great halibut grounds off Cape Flattery
and among the Queen Charlotte islands
when they do not find 1t necessary to fish
In deep water"
The commission has six men examining
into the upper tributaries of the Columbia.
They are not scattered about working in
dividually, but in two parties of three
each. MIR. Rathbun. in speaking of their
work. said: They study the habits of
salmon at the breeding places. Hitherto
very general studies of the Columbia river
have been made with reference TO the
movements OF the salmon. We are now
getting down 70 special points and plac-
ing parties at such places. AS a rule the
earliest fish goes farthest up TO spawn
and the late to the mouths of the
streams"
Or. Wakeham went East from Port
Townsend a week ago and Mr.. Rathbun,
with the secretary, r. h. Macy. will
soon follow.
of Prof T. c. Mendenhan. who, with Prof
King OF the British government, COM
prises the Alaska and Canadian boundary
commission. Prof MendenhaH Is said TO
be man peculiarly fitted for such duties
''He and Prof. King settled the water
boundary between Maine and New Bruins
wick" said Mr.. Rathbun. ''in the most
satisfactory manner to the American peo-
pie. ! can safely say that the boundary
dispute in this case will be settled in the
most satisfactory and honorable manner
Prof. MenGenhali is a man of great firm
ness and intelligence. There is no possi-
bic danger OF Point Roberts or any part
Of Washington being given 10 Canada In
exchange for the disputed Alaska terri
tory