The Washington times., 1903-04-22
ALASKAN FISHERIES
TO BE INVESTIGATED
Large Expedition to Inquire Into
Increasing Scarcity of Salmon.

Plans have been completed for a thor
ough investigation of the salmon fishery
industry, and orders were issued by
Commissioner George NJ. Bowers today
under which the largest expedition ever
sent out by the Fish Commission VIII
soon depart for Alaskan waters Some
of the best-known scientists in the
country are among those who will aid
in the proposed investigation The
steamer Albatross viii take the expe-
dition north from Seattle.
For several years the diminishing
number of salmon captured by the fish
cries on the Pacific Coast has been a
source Of worry to all concerned, it be-
ing evident that unless the Government
took some action it would be only
question of few years before the sup
ply would be practically exhausted for
commercial purposes. Figures showed
that in 1901 ifty-thre canneries and
twelve saItertes packed a catch valued
at 1926 167; in 1902 the number of can
neries were increased to sixty-nine. AMI
the salteTies 10 twenty-eight Several
thousand more men were employed IN
fishing, and new grounds we're visited
Improved tackle was used, and yet with
all of this increase the pack for 1902
amounted to only S, 667 ,673. This year
the packers have informed Mr.. Bowers
the catch will be smaller than in 1901.
When these facts were placed before
President Roosevelt he at once recon-
mended that such action as would pre-
serve the fisheries be taken at once.
The present expedition is the result Of
this accommodation.
The men who will take part in the ex-
petition are Dr.. David Starr Jordan, OF
Leland Stanford University DR.. Barton
Warren Evermann. of the Fish Commits
sion; Lieut.. Francis Swift. of the navy,
who viii command the Albatross; A. B.
Alexander, fisheries expert of the Alba
tross; CIoudsley Rutter. naturalist of
the AIbatross; J. Nelson Wisner, a field
superintendent of the fisheries commits
sion; Dr. Harold Heath, of Stanford
University; DR.. Charles H. Gilbert, OF
4 the same university; F NJ Chamber
/ lain, an assistant naturalist of the fish
/ cries commission; Henry G. Fassett.
Prof H s Davis. of the Washington
State University; A. H. Baldwin, an art
+ list. and about two-score men. the crew
/ Of the vessel, fishermen, and other help.
] The expedition will cost the Govern
ment more than 800 600. but the work
it viii do will more than compensate
the country for the money spent.
! It is intended 10 reach the northern
waters about June / and it is expected
the expedition will return about the
middle OF October. Some of the members
/ OF the expedition. who, under the orders
| issued today, are to establish stations,
will remain on the ground for a year or
two Dr. Jordan will be the executive
head of the party. and d. Evermann
viii be next in charge
! Il is intended that the Eastern mem
/ bers of the expedition shall leave for
Seattle in week OF two The Albatross
| is now 10 the harboT of San Francisco,
having just ccme from the Mare Island
} Navy Yard. where she was thoroughly
refitted for the trip north. She will sail
/ in few days for Seattle where she will
await the members of the expedition.
From Seattle the expedition viii go first
/ 10 Nanaimo. a little Indian fishing vii
! Iage on Vancouver Sound. in the waters
surrounding which there is a peculiar
/ kind Of red fish. which makes fine food
/ but concerning which little is known
/ The sound IS to be thoroughly dredged
and the fish studied Then. in the order
named. Prince Edwards Island. Kadaik
Island. Karluk KIawak. Loring Island.
! SheIikof Strait. Bristol Bay. Nashaguk,
4 Mana. the Seal Islands, and all of the
principal fishing grounds in the waters
of Alaska are 10 be dredged and the
( FISH studied If the expedition has
time, it is to cross the Alaskan PENN
sula and investigate the kinds Of fish
that fuhabit the Arctic Ocean.
After the dredging and field work.
the party viii visit all of the canneries
and collect all data concerning them.
even down 20 the names Of the principal
employees. This done and all facts
+ concerning the habit Of the salmon
from its birth TO its death having been
collected. the expedition will locate a
number CT culture stations. and as soon
Is the stations can be put in readi-
ness. the Government will 20 into tbs
breeding of Alaskan salmon on d scale
as large as in the shad and other fish
cries b means of artificial propaga
ton it Is hoped soon TO restock the
Northern waters with the fast disap-
bearing Northern salmon.
poATuNTTcF At RAFTING REACH