652 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
a dozen ripe eggs often were found, and the male gonads had blood clots, and 
both the female and male gonads were flabby. All of these facts tend to show 
that it was probably not long since they had spawned. In Red Fox Bay, 
Shuyak Straits, from July 15 to August 5, the herring were in the very best 
of condition and the factor at 255 millimeters was 1.57. In Kachemak Bay, 
from August 19 to August 30, the herring were also in fine condition, the gonads 
weighing only from 1 to 5 per cent of the total weight and the belly still con- 
taining much fat, the condition factor was 1.56. In Eshamy Bay, Prince 
William Sound, from September 12 to 20, the herring were all rather thin, 
with only a trace of belly fat, and their condition factor at 255 millimeters was 
1.34. A few were too thin to salt. 
Mr. Rapciuirre. I want to raise a question. There is considerable 
discussion as to how far it is desirable to use herring for commercial 
purposes, or whether we should use the herring at all. The herring 
is one of the best food-conversion plants that we have. Would it 
not be better to let members of the herring family stay in the water 
and furnish food for other fishes which are considered of greater 
economic importance ? 
Mr. Rounsereiy. That is a question that is very hard to answer— 
as to the conversion of food products. The salmon fisherman looks 
with disfavor upon the extensive use of herring in reduction plants 
because they believe that is why the pink salmon is becoming more 
scarce. 
Mr. Bower. I assume you take it that herring is just as important 
for a reduction plant as for food. 
Mr. Rounsrretu. In southern Alaska very few of the herring are 
used for food. Some years ago the Franklin Packing Co. canned a 
great, many herring and lost a great deal of money. Herring in 
southern Alaska are not good for anything but reduction into meal 
and fertilizer. Farther north they are given the “Scotch cure ”— 
salted and used for food. 
THE RAZOR CLAM 
By Dr. F. W. WEYMOUTH 
[Read by Dr. W. H. Rich] 
The razor clam is of wide distribution on the Pacific coast and is found 
in great abundance. It shares with the oyster and abalone the foremost 
place among edible shellfish in this region. In 1924, the value of canned razor 
clams was more than $863,000—about equal to all other shellfish together. 
The habitat of the razor clam is strictly limited to bread, sandy beaches, 
They are accessible to diggers, and, due to their high value, are subject to such 
intensive fishing that many of the beds are evidently depleted. Information 
that will enable us to follow the abundance of the razor clam, detect signs 
of depletion, and point the way to intelligent protective measures is being 
sought. The wide distribution, under varied conditions, of this single species 
presents unique opportunity to follow certain biological problems of importance, 
which also have a direct bearing on the protection of the species. 
As long as the industry retains its present value, certain facts should be 
gathered annually and made ayailable for future comparison and for an index 
to the condition of the beds. A general survey of the industry, including the 
intensity of digging, area being exploited, and the size and age of clams in 
the catch, is essential. Observation of the spawning and the abundance of 
the resulting set gives an index to the future supply of clams. The relation 
of the set to number and age of the spawners, as shown by the commercial 
eatch, should also be followed out. 
Study of the rate of growth of clams from Oceano and Crescent City, Calif., 
Warrenton, Oreg., Copalis, Wash., Graham Island, British Columbia, and 
important beds in Alaska are being completed. Observations on the spawning 
