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TJ. S. BUBEAU OF FISHEBIES 



HERRING 



The greatest expansion of Alaska fishery operations in 1925 

 occurred in the herring industry. This increase was due chiefly to the 

 larger output of fertilizer and oil in southeastern Alaska and the 

 development of the herring fishery around Afognak Island, at which 

 place there was a marked influx of operators. 



An interesting development in the herring fishery of Alaska was the 

 use of large vessels as floating plants that were transferred from one 

 district to another to take advantage of the seasonal runs. The most 

 important operators of this type were: Atlantic & Pacific Packing Co., 

 with the ZR3 (1,600 tons); North American Fisheries, with the 

 Rosamond (1,035 tons); Ottar Hofstad, with the Esther (222 tons); 

 Utopian Fisheries, with the Donna Lane (1,597 tons); and Libby, 

 McNeill & Libby, with the Salvator (385 tons). The Alaska Con- 



Fig. 10. — Herring pounds at Red Fox Bay, Afognak Island 



solidated Fisheries chartered the motorship La Merced (1,247 tons 

 net) to transport supplies to its plant at Portlock City, and it was 

 also used as a saltery at that place while the plant was being rebuilt. 

 The Latouche Packing Co. outfitted the Walcina (216 tons) at 

 Seattle as a floating saltery, but the vessel burned while en route to 

 Alaska, resulting in a loss of about $14,000. A number of small 

 floating plants were operated in various districts. 



George A. Rounsefell was employed in 1925 as a scientific assistant 

 to undertake a biological investigation of the herring of Alaska. He 

 made a preliminary survey, visited all of the more important herring 

 centers, and collected considerable information. The investigation 

 will be continued in 1926. 



During the season of 1925 there was considerable adverse criticism 

 in southeastern Alaska in regard to the use of excessive quantities of 

 herring for the manufacture of fertilizer and oil. It was asserted 



