64 FISHERY AND FUR INDUSTRIES OF ALASKA IN 1912. 



Products of the Alaska Halibut Fisherieo in 1912. 



o Prepared weight. 



b Represents 1,660 eases, each containing 4Si-pound flat cans. 



c Represents 17 cases, each containing 48 1-pound flat cans. 



Statistics op Alaska Halibut Fisheries, 1905-1012. 



a A number of steamers from Puget Sound in addition; catch not known. 

 6 Dressed or prepared weights, 

 e Inclusive of the steamer catch. 



COD FISHERY. 



GENERAL CONDITIONS. 



The commercial fishery of Alaska other than whaling had its real 

 inception in the operations of cod fishermen. This work dates back 

 almost to the middle of the last century when schooners were dis- 

 patched from San Francisco and returned with fares of cod from 

 Alaska, equal or even superior in quahty to the well-known cod of 

 the eastern coast. From the early sixties to the present day Alaska 

 has constantly maintained a prominent position in meeting the 

 demand for this staple food fish. The cod fishery is now fourth in 

 relative importance of the fisheries of Alaska, being exceeded by the 

 salmon, hahbut, and herring operations, unless account be taken 

 also of the unusual spurt shown by the whale fisliery this year. 



Cod operations in Alaska are conducted almost exclusively by 

 firms having their headquarters in Washington and California. The 

 three San Francisco companies have a number of shore stations at 



