lof 
FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1899. 537 
The salmon catch of the Columbia River has been decreasing during 
the past few years. For many years the river has been overfished, 
and the quantity of fishing apparatus has been constantly increasing. 
During 1899 3,944 fishermen and 1,447 shoresmen were employed. 
The fishing apparatus consisted of 444 pound nets, 1,356 gill nets, 32 
haul seines, and 76 tish-wheels. 
Aside from salmon, the fisheries of the Columbia are at present of 
small value and receive but little attention. 
Summary of the salmon-canning industry of the Columbia River, in Oregon and Washing- 
ton, between 1866 and 1899. 
















. Year. Cases. | Value. Year. | Cases. Value. Year. | Cases. Value. 
| | 
1866. ... 4,000 | $64, 00C 1878....| 460, 000 $2, 300, 000 18907: 435,774. | $2, 407, 456 
1867....| 18,000 | 288, 000 1879....| 480,000 | 2,640,000 | 1891 ...... 398, 953 2, 240, 964 
1868....| 28, 000 392,000 |] 1880....} 530,000 | 2,650,000 | 1892...... 487, 328 2, 679, 096 
1869. ...| 100, 000 1,350,000 || 1881....| 550,000 | 2,475,000 | 1893 -.-..... 415, 877 2,107, 500 
1870....| 150,000 1, 800, 000 1882....| 541, 300 2,600,000 | 1894...... 505, 987 2,651, 940 
1871....| 200, 000 2,100, 000 1883 ....| 629, 400 851471000) | 189522222" 634, 696 3, 342, 298 
1872. ...| 250, 000 2,325, 000 1884....| 620, 000 2,915, 000 S96 es 463,777 2, 261, 826 
1873... .| 250, 000 2, 250, 000 1885. ...| 553, 800 2, 500, 000 SOT eee oe 552, 721 2, 219, 311 
1874....| 350, 000 2,625, 000 1886....| 448,500 | 2,135,000 S9Sh ees 481, 461 2, 087, 748 
1875. ...| 375, 000 2, 250, 000 1887....| 356,000 | 2,124, 000 BOOM =. eee 328, 174 1, 753, 525 
1876. ...| 450, 000 2,475,000 || 1888....| 372, 477 | 2,327, 981 — a 
1877. ...| 380, 000 2,052,000 || 1889....) 309, 885 | 1, 809, 820 Total ../13,111,110 | 73,346,465 

Shad appear to be constantly increasing, many tons being taken in 
the haul seines used in the salmon fishery, but only a few are saved, 
the demand being very light and prices so low that fishermen prefer 
to throw them back into the river or use them for fertilizer. The 
shad will probably become a valuable addition to the products of the 
river, as the demand from fresh-fish dealers continually increases. 
The cold-storage fish business is represented by four firms, located 
at Portland, Goble, and Astoria, representing $265,000 capital, with 81 
employees. Two of the cold-storage plants, used exclusively for fish, 
have the latest improved machinery and are large and noticeable for 
their cleanness and attractive appearance. 
The shipments of fresh salmon to points east of the Rocky Mountains 
began in a small way during 1890 and the business soon became impor- 
tant. It finally extended to Europe, large quantities of fresh frozen 
salmon being sent to Hamburg and from there distributed over the 
Continent. This has been followed by a growing business in pickled 
slack-salted salmon for smoking, of which 1,308,494 pounds net 
weight were shipped to Europe from the cold-storage establishments 
of the Columbia River during 1899. The chinook salmon only were 
used in supplying the foreign demand for pickled salmon, a large-size 
fat fish being desired for smoking. 
In the preparation of the fish, they are split on the under side and 
eviscerated, and the head, fins, tail, and backbone are removed. The 
dressed fish, after a thorough washing, are well salted and packed in 
tierces, the first few being placed back down, others back up, with 
layers of salt between. After the casks are filled pickle is added. The 
