ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1924 141 



and the general movements and location of the schools of shrimp. 

 On account of the diminution of the supply in some localities it has 

 been generally conceded that a closed season is desirable to afford 

 protection during the spawning period. The present regulations 

 prohibit commercial fishing for shrimp between March 15 and April 

 30 of each year throughout southeastern Alaska. 



The great need of the industry appears to be the development of 

 more efficient apparatus for catching shrimp on the known grounds, 

 and especially the invention of gear which can be used on the rough 

 and rocky bottoms where beam and otter trawls can not operate 

 successfully. 



The investment in the shrimp industry in 1924 was $326,683, as 

 compared with $268,656 in 1923. Of this total $25,500 represents the 

 value of the two plants, $128,259 the cost of operations exclusive of 

 labor, $113,739 wages paid, and $59,185 the value of boats and 

 apparatus. Employment was given to 173 persons, of whom 45 were 

 whites, 75 natives, 2 Chinese, 27 Japanese, 16 Filipinos, 3 Koreans, 

 and 5 Mexicans. Products consisted of 528,432 pounds of shrimp 

 meat, valued at $227,979, as compared with 460,560 pounds, valued 

 at $178,474, produced in 1923, or an increase of approximately 15 per 

 cent in quantity and 28 per cent in value. 



CRABS 



Five concerns in southeastern Alaska packed crabs in 1924. The 

 Dobbins Packing Co., at Hoonah, and Ludeman cS; Isom Bros., at 

 Petersburg, were the chief operators. The total investment was 

 $56,196, and 22 persons were engaged. The output consisted of 

 2,241 cases of 3^-pound cans, valued at $22,410; 66,630 pounds of 

 cold-packed crab meat, valued* at $25,981; and 160 dozen whole 

 crabs, valued at $336. The total value of crab products in 1924 was 

 $48,727, as compared with $14,590 in 1923, a gain of 233 per cent. 



TROUT 



The production of trout in Alaska in 1924 was wholly incidental to 

 other fishery business. The products were Dolly Vardens, 45,428 

 pounds fresh, valued at $5,627, and 1,222 pounds frozen, valued at 

 $122; and steelheads, 11,217 pounds fresh, valued at $693, and 3,395 

 pounds frozen, valued at $299, a total production of 61,262 pounds, 

 valued at $6,741. No trout were canned. The total production of 

 trout in 1923 was 44,024 pounds, valued at $4,122. 



MISCELLANEOUS FISHERY PRODUCTS 



Minor species of fish are taken in small quantities, chiefly in con- 

 nection with the halibut fishery. In 1924 such products were as 

 follows: Sablefish, 23,006 pounds fresh, valued at $831, and 204,344 

 pounds frozen, valued at $8,977; smelt, 1,233 pounds fresh, valued at 

 $113, and 23,251 pounds frozen, valued at $2,235; flounders, 6,993 

 pounds frozen, valued at $349; red cod, 115 pounds fresh, valued at 

 $3, and 1,060 Dounds frozen, valued at $31. 



