144 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of other regular eini)loyment, men of small means have turned to the 

 fisheries and thus have not only found work, but have assisted in fur- 

 nishing the masses with cheap and wholesome food at a time when this 

 was specially needed. This was the case at a number of places in the 

 Pacific States during the later years covered by this report. 



The previous report on tho fisheries of this region contained a number 

 of suggestions for the improvement of the fisheries. Among these were 

 the much-needed use of ice, the adoption of cold storage, and the better 

 care of fish by fishermen and dealers. In most cases the desired reforms 

 were as conspicuous for their absence in 1892 as in 1S89. Fresh fish 

 continue to be sent to the city markets as they come from the water, 

 seldom being eviscerated; and only a small amount of ice, if any, is 

 used on them during transportation. When the market fishermen adopt 

 the custom, which is almost universal in the East, of dressing and icing 

 their catch before shipment, an increased demand and better prices may 

 be expected, to say nothing of the advantage which Avill come to the 

 consumer through having more wholesome food. 



As during the previous investigations, the inquiries of the Commis- 

 sion were much facilitated by the courtesy of railroad, steamboat, and 

 express companies in permitting access to their records. The fishing 

 and canning firms of the coast took great interest in the agent's inqui- 

 ries, and often extended much assistance, in addition to allowing the 

 examination of records. The thanks of the Commission are due to 

 the fishing interests of the west coast and also to the members of the 

 State fish commissions for courtesies extended. 



The field work on the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Eel rivers and 

 Monterey and San Francisco bays was ably assisted by Mr. A. B. 

 Alexander, of the United States Fish Commission steamer Albatross. 



CONDENSED STATISTICS OF THE INDUSTRY. 



The extent of the fisheries of the Pacific Coast in 1892 is shown in the 

 following tables, the figures for California, Oregon, Washington, and 

 Alaska being se])arately given. 



In the matter of persons engaged in the industry, California leads in 

 the item of vessel fishermen, Washington in shore or boat fishermen, 

 and Oregon in shore employees, such as factory hands, although Alaska 

 leads in the number of shoresmen when all its canneries are in operation. 



The aggregate investment in the fisheries of Alaska is greater than 

 elsewhere, owing to the relatively expensive canneries there located 

 and the large amountof working capital required to operate them. Cali- 

 fornia .takes first rank in the number, value, and tonnage of vessels 

 employed, and also in the number of seines and gill nets used, but the 

 seines in Washington and the gill nets in Oregon have a greater value. 

 Oregon follows California in the amountof the general investment, and 

 has important pouud-net and wheel interests which are lacking else- 

 where except in Washington. 



