104 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMINIERCK 



PRODUCTS OF THE FISHERIES 



The total output of Alaska fishery products in 1937 was 452,544,700 

 pounds, as compared with 523,652,500 pounds in 1936. Notwithstand- 

 ing this decrease in volume, the value of fisheries products in 1937 was 

 $51,743,200, an increase of $1,287,950 over the preceding year. Pro- 

 duction of canned salmon in 1937 was the third largest ever recorded, 

 having been exceeded only in 1934 and 1936, and the output of herring 

 products set a new high record for the Territory. There were 30,331 

 persons engaged in the fishing industry of Alaska in 1937. 



Salmon products accounted for 75 percent of the total weight and 

 90 percent of the total value of Alaska fisheries products in 1937. 

 Ninety-four percent of the salmon production consisted of canned 

 salmon, the pack amounting to 6,669,665 cases, valued at $44,547,769. 

 This compares favorably in point of value with the record pack of 

 the previous year, which amounted to 8,437,603 cases, valued at $44,- 

 751,633. Red salmon comprised 32 percent and pinks 54 percent of 

 the 'total pack in 1937, as compared with 30 and 54 percent, respec- 

 tively, in 1936. One hundred and thirteen canneries were operated, 

 or four less than in the preceding year, and the number of persons 

 employed declined from 25,221 to 24,865 in the same period. 



Twenty herring plants were operated in 1937, a decrease of 7 from 

 the preceding year, but the total production of herring meal and oil 

 was the largest in the industry's history. Saltery operations, how- 

 ever, were sharply curtailed, chiefly as a result of unfavorable market 

 conditions. There was a slight decrease in the volume of halibut 

 landings, and the output of cod and shrimp products also declined, 

 but production in other minor fisheries of the Territory, including 

 crabs, clams, and sablefish, showed substantial increases. The two 

 whaling plants which operated in 1937 also reported a slight increase 

 in production over 1936. 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL SERVICE 

 GENERAL ACTIVITIES 



Sealing and foxing operations were carried on as usual by the native 

 inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands under the direction of the Bureau's 

 staff. Twenty-six skilled employees of the Fouke Fur Co. were de- 

 tailed to the island for several months to assist in the curing and 

 packing of the skins. 



Construction activities on the island were rather limited in 1937. 

 Work on the extension of roads was continued, and minor improve- 

 ments were made on buildings and equipment. A substation was 

 established on Amchitka Island, one of the western Aleutian gi'oup, 

 to serve as a base for sea otter investigations and patrols. 



The byproducts plant on St. Paul Island was operated for the 

 utilization of fur-seal carcasses and produced 29,830 gallons of oil 

 and 165 tons of meal. Small quantities of these products were re- 

 tained at the islands to be used during the winter for fox feed, but 

 most of the oil was sold in Seattle for the account of the Government, 

 and meal was transferred to the Division of Fish Culture for use as 

 fish food in Federal hatcheries. 



