FISHERIES OF SIBERIA 39 



fisherman had to stand heavy losses, including a large portion of his 

 unused supplies if his lease expired. When the run of fish exceeded 

 his estimate, and consequently his supplies, the fisherman was unable 

 to take advantage 8nd lost opportunity for larger profits. 



Commercial fishing in the most important Siberian fishing dis- 

 trict — namely, in the far eastern waters — was largely in the hands of 

 Japanese, who had the advantages of near-by markets, cheap labor, 

 excellent shipping facilities, and cheap freight rates. 



How profitable the fishing industry may be in Siberian waters is 

 shown by a conservative estimate made in 1922 by a competent 

 business man for a fishing station in Kamchatka. This enterprise 

 would call for an outlay of $30,000 and probably would yield a net 

 profit of $32,000 in a period of six to seven months. Enterprises on 

 a larger scale, with larger plants and more invested capital, may 

 bring still larger profits, owing to better equipment, the establish- 

 ment of a temporary cannery, etc. 



Reduction in the world's supply of fish makes it imperative that 

 the fishing industry be more strictly regulated, existing supplies 

 protected, more modern methods of preparing fish and fishery 

 products introduced, and scientific methods of breeding valuable 

 species applied. The enormous decrease of livestock in Russia 

 reduced the Russian meat supply. This situation can not be remedied 

 within a short time, and therefore there will be greater demands for 

 fish and fishery products. This further emphasizes the importance 

 which the Siberian fishing industry is bound to attain in the near 

 future. 



SPECIES OF FISH 



The principal groups of Siberian fish having commercial value are 

 (a) fish ascending rivers (salmons) ; (b) marine forms (herring and 

 cod, as well as oysters, crabs, shrimp, sea cucumbers, and kelp) ; 

 and (c) fresh-water fish. The hunting for fur seals and sea beaver 

 is also of some commercial importance. 



The most important species are the whitefishes (Coregoni) in the 

 Arctic Ocean and the salmons (Oncorhynchi) in the Pacific Ocean. 

 Among the latter are distinguished the following: (1) "Keta," 

 dog or chum salmon (0. Jceta), which is the most common species. 

 It is of high quality and value, being superior to the American dog 

 salmon, and weighs 9 pounds or more. Its caviar of pale red color, 

 which was formerly regarded as waste, now finds a ready market. 

 (2) "Gorbuscha," humpback or pink salmon (O. gorbuscha) , which 

 ascends all rivers of the Russian far east. It weighs from 4 to 8 

 pounds. (3) Red salmon or sockeye (O. nerka), which weighs about 

 8 pounds and salts very easily. (4) "Chavycha" or king salmon 

 {O. tscJiawytscha) , which weighs from 15 to 20 pounds. It has a 

 good flavor and supplies the best caviar. This species is found only 

 in waters of the Kamchatka Peninsula and is more abundant in 

 Bolshaya and Kamchatka Rivers and in the rivers emptying into 

 Avacha Bay. (The king salmon is held to be too fat for canning, 

 but is very palatable and is considered a great delicacy when salted 

 or smoked.) (5) "Kizhuch" or silver salmon (O. Icisutcli), which 

 weighs about 4 to 5 pounds; and (6) "goltzi" (Salmo malma or S. 

 alpinus) , a kind of sea trout. The catch of these species in Russian 

 far eastern waters by number, weight, and per cent is shown in the 

 returns for the period 1909-1922. on pages 45 and 46, 



