The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-05-22
PROTECTION OF SALMON.


the letter published in The Astorian
yesterday with reference TO the decline
u the blueback salmon may well ex-
cite the apprehension Of packers, nsh-
~rner ana consumers alike. The writ
sr. a prominent salmon packer. con-
vers ne assurance In his letter that
she supply of bluehacks has so mater
inIly diminished that the ultimate ex-
termination of this choice fish is GER
tain unless vigorous steps are at once
taken TO replenish the supply and pro-
sect the salm,n from the processes
which are bringing about the extermi-
nation.
1t appears from the packers state
rnent that repeal OF the Sunday law
i responsible for the present situa-
kson. The repeal of this law, which
prohibited fishing operations on Sum
day gave the fish no opportunity to
reach the spawning waters. he points
cut. with the result that the supply
has been almost annihilated. there be-
ing no blueback salmon hatcheries In
the northwest. 1t is also pointed out
that Of all the salmon blueback Is the
most easily destroyed.
While ii Is indeed lamentable that
eur fishing laws are inadequate to the
proper protection of all varieties Of sal
mon, the fault cannot be rightfully laid
at the door Of any Oregon official. The
Columbia river is the joint property
of the states Of Oregon and Washing
ION. and concurrent laws are necessary
to regulation Of fishing. Should the
state Of Oregon enact law that was
not on the statute books of Washington,
the law would be inonerative. concurr-
ence on the part of the legislatures
Of both states is absolutely essential.
II win be recalled that oregon's leg
stature passed Sunday closed law
some years ago. and the officials Of
sbss stats used every means within
their power to compel its enforcement.
FISHERMEN, however, secured Wash
mgton licenses, operated on Sunday and
detied arrest by the Oregon authorities.
Efforts 10 induce the Washington au-
thoritisg to concur in the Oregon law
proved futile, and the legislature OF
This state was compelled to repeal the
Taw previously passed. To all pur-
poses and fntents IT was dead letter.
The perpetuatiol Of the fishing IN
5ustry is matter that requires the
sober consideration of the people d.
4
rectIv interested and those who make
The laws governing fishing. Certain II
& that the supply Of salmon cannot
last II no provision is made TO restock
he river. Both oregon and Washing
ron have done admirable work in es-
tabIfshing and maintaining chinook and
steelhead salmon hatcheries, and u
would seem that the only course re-
manning to prevent the extermination
If the bIueback is the establishment
of hatcheries for the propagation OF
that character Of fish.
we do not share the opinion express
ed by the packer in his letter that sun
day operation is to blame entirely for
the decadence Of the blueback. The
sunday law merely allowed fish to pro-
iced up the river, where the wheels
tscoopad them out. The Sunday law
was calculated only to increase me
supply OF fish above Astoria. The sec
ret of our present failure is the abb
-enee Of blueback hatchery and the
supply Of This variety of salmon can
be relied upon TO diminish until such
iiime as the necessary propagation plant
is installed.