54 



FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1907. 



carefully. Residents of Port Heiden, in Bering Sea, report that 

 large schools of herring visit that bay in the spring and fall. The 

 schools generally visit Cook Inlet, in central Alaska, from July to 

 October, and these fish are said to be very large and choice. Unfor- 

 tunately, but little use is made of the herring as a food fish in central 

 and western Alaska (except at Simeonof Island), only a few barrels 

 being put up for home use by the residents. This year, however, a 

 herring saltery was established by Mr. James Osmond on Simeonof 

 Island, one of the Shuinagin group which is said to be visited annu- 

 ally by large schools of fine herring. A great difficulty in this fishery 

 is the erratic movements of the fish. They may visit a bay for three 

 or four years in succession, and then, without any apparent reason, 

 avoid it for a season or two or altogether. 



In southeast Alaska the herring fishery has attained considerable 

 importance. Here the fish are found throughout most of the bays, 

 sounds, and straits, where they are caught with haul and purse seines 

 and gill nets. They are sold fresh for food and as bait in the halibut 

 fisheries, salted for food and as bait, and smoked for food, while a few 

 of the eggs, dried, are sold for food. A very fair season was experi- 

 enced in 1907. The following table shows the condition of the industry 

 in 1907: 



Employees and Investment in, and Products of, the Alask.^. Herring 



Fisheries in 1907. 



a 3,520 yards in length. 



b 980 yards in length. 



c 2,600 yards in length. 



