Recent Commercial Fishery 



In the post-World War I years the rising economy, the development of diesel 

 engines, and expansion of the fishery in the Gulf of Alaska as far west as Unimak 

 Pass led to a sharp increase during the 1920's in the number of very seaworthy two- 

 masted vessels or "schooners", most of which were built prior to 1930. They ranged 

 from about 25 tons to 60 net tons. While they lack some of the versatility of the 

 seine-boat type, most of the "schooners" still operating in the halibut fishery have 

 been modernized to take full advantage of new technology. 



New propulsion systems, advanced navigation and positioning devices, hydraulic 

 deck controls, cargo-hold modifications, refrigeration, new types of gear and bait, and 

 other technological advances have permitted a reduction of about 35 percent in man- 

 power per vessel. Except for a few Canadian vessels, the halibut fleet consists of vessels 

 that were built without government subsidy. 



The vessels that fish halibut off Southeastern Alaska and British Columbia are 

 also usually owner-operated; but they are generally smaller and of the "seine boat" 

 type with a single mast and range from about 5 to 45 net tons. After 1929, additions 

 to the fleet fishing west of Cape Spencer in the Gulf of Alaska were also of the seine 

 boat or combination vessel type adaptable to use in other fisheries (Figure 24). 



Size of Fleet 



The home ports of the major section of the fleet, and the average number of 

 vessels and men centered therein during the past two five-year periods have been 

 as follows: 



Average Size of United States and Canadian Fleets by Sections of the Coast 



Number of Vessels Number of Men 



HOME PORT Average Average 



1960-1964 1965-1969 



Oregon Ports 5 2 



Seattle 106 70 



Vancouver (Can.) 85 76 



Prince Rupert (Can.) 100 86 



Other B.C. Ports (Can.) 22 6 



Petersburg 53 51 



Juneau/Pelican 41 34 



Other Alaska Ports 100 62 334 183 



Total -United States . 305 219 1,353 906 



Canadian 207 168 1,065 879 



Grand Total 512 387 2,418 1,785 



In addition to the above fleet of regular halibut vessels about 500 to 600 small, 

 one- or two-man boats fish halibut with a variety of hook and line gear. 



The number of vessels operating from year to year is of interest from an economic 

 or census standpoint, but it is not a satisfactory measure of available fishing power 

 unless adjusted at least for changes in average size, efficiency and length of season. 



14 



