The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-03-15
Salmon Season outlook.

~ooe SouHu ouu III tile OOuCloaStern
ana western Alaska are already begin
ming to make preparations for the
opening of the fishing season. This.
in the opinion of local cannerymen,
will be banner year, so far as Puget
sound is concerned, but the pack in
Alaska is expected to be much smaller
than it was last season, with the result
that the general average of prices for
the entire Pacific coast product will be
likely to show little if any decrease.
Concerning the total pack for the
coming summer on the Sound is it
estimated that about 1000, 900 cases will
be put up, having an aggregate value
OF from $5,OO0,0O0 to $1,000, coo. The
Alaskan product will be of about the
same value.
There are seventeen large canneries
on Puget sound, distributed as follows:
Two at Seattle, three at Anacortes,
four at Fairhaven, four at Blaine, two
at Point Roberts, one on Lummi island
and one at Friday Harbor. The season
will not open until about July l, but
the packers are now getting ready for
the run of salmon. The general work
OF repairing plants and building and
over-hauling traps will begin about
April l, and will require about three
months for it's completion.
A great many steamers are employed
in the industry, from four to six being
operated by each cannery all summer.
The industry is said to be second in inn
portance in this state, numbering being
first, and gives employment to large
number of men for many months each
year.
The local cannerymen reason that
this will be heavy year so far as this
part of the coast is concerned; that it
is the last in a cycle of four years.
Last year was light year in this Sec
ton, being the lowest of the cycle.
The fishing grounds for the Puget
sound canneries extend from the salmon
banks off San Juan island northward
to the mouth of the Fraser river. The
salmon come in through the straits
headed for the river, passing through
the fishing banks on their course. All
kinds of salmon are caught on these
grounds. At the beginning of July,
the sockeyes put in their appearance.
This fish is of great commercial value
and ranks only second to the Chinook
salmon, of the Columbia river in the
markets of the world The humpback,
a cheap but wholesome fish, follows the
run for about three weeks. The silver
side comes next, during September and
October and is succeeded by the chum
salmon in the latter part of October and
the earlier part of November. This
completes the list of the varieties cam
ned.
While the run of salmon in Alaskan
waters is not expected by many to
equal that of last year, a number of
Alaskan canneries have been adding to
their capacity and Western and South
eastern coasts will be patrolled by large
fleets. A great many new firms have
been established ON both coasts as re-
suit of the high prices for canned
salmon prevailing last year. They
have, it is said, invaded the territory OF
Alaska Packers Association and other
large concerns. AS consequence, the
packers association has lowered its
prices in an endeavor to put his inde-
pendent rivals out Of the field, and a
lively rate war is considered imminent.
The association according to good
authority, has cut the price from 50
cents to 80 cents case on all grades of
salmon packed. Last year, reds were
sold at from ST. to 81. case. The
association has reduced its price to as
low as 923 cents. 1t is said to be the
same all along the line, and it is be-
lieved that the small plants in Alaska
must retire from the contest in the
course of time.
The Pacific Steam Whaling Company
which also operates number of plants
in the north, has met the cut OF the as
sociation and has made a uniform re-
duction on all grades at q cents below
the schedule of the Alaska Packers
Association. 1t is not known yet
whether the independent firms will
meet this sweeping reduction or not.
The fight may last years before settle
ment is reached.
The principal salmon banks IN
Alaskan waters are on the west coast,
where there about score OF canneries,
which have an enormous capacity. On
the Southeastern coast there are about
the same number of plants, but the
salmon are considered to be trifie
inferior. r.-P. |.