AI^\SKA FISHERY AND FUR-SKAI. INDl'STHl KS, 1934 47 



Products of Alaska herring indnsinj in 1984 



1 2,615,898 gallons. 



2 1,094,450 gallons. 



HALIBUT 



3 3,710,348 gallons. 



The American halibut fleet operated in 1934 under a program for 

 controlling production \vhich vas a modification of the plan followed 

 in 1933. Tliis program involved restrictions on the number of trips 

 made by each vessel and on the catch per man, but specific dates 

 upon which the vessels should land their catches were not assigned 

 as in 1933. In general this program was only moderately successful, 

 as it was carried out fully in but one area. In spite of the lack of com- 

 plete cooperation, the market for halibut in 1934 was much more 

 stable than in 1933. 



There was a very active demand for halibut livers during 1934, and 

 virtuallj^ all of those landed were disposed of under contract at a 

 price about 37 percent above that offered in the preceding year. 

 Considerable profit has resulted to the fishermen in recent years 

 through the pharmaceutical use of halibut liver extracts. 



The halibut fishery was governed by regulations of the International 

 Fisheries Commission. Fishing began on March 1 and ended in 

 area no. 2 on August 19 and in areas 1 and 3 on October 27, at which 

 dates the quotas prescribed by regulation were reached. 



Biological investigations of the Pacific halibut were continued under 

 the direction of Dr. William F. Thompson. These investigations are 

 being directed primarily toward a determination of the extent to 

 which the stock of halibut must yet be increased in order that there 

 will be sufficient spawn to populate the banks to their proper maxi- 

 mum. The halibut vessel Eagle was chartered during the winter of 

 1933-34 in connection with studies in the Gulf of Alaska. 



STATISTICAL SUMMARY 



There were G02 persons employed in the Alaska halibut industry in 

 1934 — an increase of 33 over the number reported for the i)receding 

 year, and products amounted to 13,221,338 pounds, valued at $804,- 

 785. This production represents the total fares of the Alaska halibut 



