REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 17 



ing establishments served to dispel the prejudice, and the demand in 

 foreign markets soon became normal. The earthquake and fire in 

 San Francisco also affected the salmon industry, through the destruc- 

 tion of vessels and the dispersal of cannery employees. The number 

 of canneries operated, however, was nevertheless greater than in the 

 previous year, being 47, against 42 in 1905. The total pack of all 

 kinds of salmon was 2,246,989 cases, valued at $7,896,392. 



The pickling of salmon, the oldest branch of the salmon industry, 

 is declining, the mild-cured product now being more in demand. The 

 salteries in 1906 yielded an output of 16,926 barrels and 3,389 half 

 barrels, worth $139,838. Ten firms and individuals engaged in mild 

 curing, putting up 1,294,900 pounds of salmon, worth $67,007, in their 

 initial season. 



Four hatcheries were operated in Alaska in 1906, three by different 

 firms, and one by the Bureau of Fisheries. The first season for the 

 latter (1905-6) resulted in an output of 6,638,550 sockeye fry. The 

 output of all the hatcheries that season amounted to 104,817,962 

 sockeye and 1,837,000 coho fry. In the fall of 1906 the hatcheries 

 contained 205,909,200 sockeye, 30,000 coho, and 182,000 steelhead eggs, 

 of which 58,210,000 of the sockeyes and all the steelhead trout were in 

 the Government hatchery at Yes Lake. 



As a result of the inspection of 1906 several recommendations have 

 been submitted, viz, that Eyak River and Lake, on Prince William 

 Sound, be declared a salmon-spawning reservation, to permit the reen- 

 forcement of adjacent waters; that the salting of salmon bellies by 

 processes that do not make use of any other part of the fish be pro- 

 hibited; that Indians be prohibited from taking salmon with gaff 

 hooks in the Chilkoot and Chilkat rivers for sale to the canneries; 

 and that Wood River be closed to commercial fishing and a salmon 

 hatchery be established on the chain of lakes at its head. 



ADMINISTRATION. 

 MOVEMENTS OF VESSELS. 



The Albatross completed the explorations in the Northern Pacific 

 Ocean and Japanese Archipelago the latter part of October and 

 sailed for home from Yokoliama November 10, 1906, arriving in 

 San Francisco December 10. The wear and tear of the long cruise 

 just completed and the operations of the previous year necessitated 

 an extensive overhauling of hull, machinery, and rigging before 

 another extended expedition could be undertaken, and accordingly 

 arrangements were made with the Navy Department to have the 

 vessel put in cruising condition at the Mare Island Navy- Yard. The 

 work was begun February 18, 1907, and at the close of the year was 

 nearlv finished. 



