PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES. 



253 



to keep up the catch. Advices received from this river in 1S03 reported 

 a great scarcity of sturgeon, which was followed in 1894 by a still more 

 marked decrease in the abundance of the fish, so that the persons inter- 

 ested were obliged to discontinue the business, and some moved their 

 plants to Grays Harbor, Wash., and Fraser Eiver, British Columbia. 

 The absence of any protective laws or a close season during the spawn- 

 ing period, together with the avidity with which the fishing was prose- 

 cuted, have doubtless led to this destruction of a once valuable fishery. 

 The failure of the States to take proper action for the preservation of 

 the sturgeon has no doubt been due to the recent date at which the 

 fishery was established and to the absence of accurate knowledge as to 

 its destructive tendency. The extreme brevity of the existence of 

 this fishery is very suggestive, although in keeping with other rivers of 

 the Eastern States in which the sturgeon fishery has been entirely 

 abandoned. 



The extent of the sturgeon fishery of the Columbia Eiver during the 

 four years, 18S9 to 1892, is shown in the following tables, relating to 

 Ijersons employed, apparatus, boats, etc., used, and quantity and value 

 of products. 



Persons employed in the sturfjeon fishery of the Columbia liiver. 



Tears. 



Total. 



1889 

 1890 

 1891 

 1892 



155 

 212 

 237 

 340 



Boats, apparatus, and other property employed in the sturgeon fishery of the Columbia 



Biver. 



Products of the sturgeon fishery of the Columiia Eiver, 



