BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



89 



29.— STATISTICS OF ^VIIAI.IiVG, C OD-FISHBIVG, AND SAL,MON-PA€K- 



IlVCi ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 



[From the San Fraucisco Chronicle.] 



Whaling. — The followiug is a statement of the annual catch of the 

 Arctic whaling fleet reporting at San Francisco for twelve years: 



The returns of oil and bone made here for the last year are the largest 

 on record, the entire fleet reporting at this port, while prior to 1879 

 the greater number of the fleet reported at Honolulu. Until within the 

 last two years the price of whale oil in this market has been from 35 to 

 40 cents, but owing to the operations of the Pacific Steam Whaling 

 Company the price has been advanced from 50 to 55 cents. This com- 

 pany, having completed extensive refining works here, is now handling 

 a large quantity" of the annual catch. The demand for whalebone here 

 is very small, the greater part being shij)ped east. Two years ago bone 

 was worth $4.50 in New York, the highest price in seventeen years, 

 but has now dropped back to $2.50 per pound. 



Cod-fishing. — The cod-fishing fleet of 1885 consisted of twelve ves- 

 sels, one of which made three round trips, acting as tender for the fleet. 

 The vessels dispatched all arrived back safely, bringing full loads, 

 which has acted unfavorably \x\ion the market, and prices throughout the 

 season have ruled low. The sharj) competition of local dealers and the 

 low rates at which superior goods have been sold have practically 

 driven eastern fish out of the market. The last vessel arrived back 

 from the fishing grounds on October 18. The vessels employed in the 

 trade and the catch of each was as follows : 



