COMMERCIAL VALUE OF EELP-BED8 29 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38a 



Macrocystis has a life longer than a year, and exact data as to its rate of growth 

 and rate of regeneration (for the plant is said to regenerate when cut) are at present 

 not available. Spore discharge takes place from sori situated on fronds low down 

 on the plant towards the base, so that the greater portion of the plant can be removed 

 without interfering with reproduction.* 



During 1913, observations were made by the American Bureau of Soils at La 

 Jolla and Point Fermin, California, and at Friday Harbour, Washington, on the life- 

 history of Nereocystis and Macrocystis^ with especial reference to cutting and har- 

 vesting.* The results will presumably appear in the report in process of publication 

 already referred to. 



THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE PACIFIC KELP BEDS OF CANADA. 



This investigation has been directed with two aims. An estimate — very approxi- 

 mate, of course — was sought of the total amount of kelp availaible for commercial 

 purposes, and a further estimate of what part of this could be harvested at a probable 

 profit. 



The kelp beds do not attain full size before the middle of July at earliest. Investi- 

 gations were commenced, however, at the beginning of the month, and carried on 

 until the end of August. Since, in that limited time, only a relatively small portion 

 of the coast line could be examined accurately, typical portions were mapped out, so 

 that from these the average yield per mile of coast line might be calculated with at 

 least an approximation to accuracy. The portions examined will be seen on reference 

 to Chart I. The following districts have been charted as accurately as time would 

 permit : — 



A. The district comprising the southeast coast of Vancouver island, from North- 

 west bay to the north of Saanich peninsula, and the islands to the east of this from 

 the Ballenas group to the international boundary. 



This district can be regarded as typical for waters of moderate salinity, abound- 

 ing in reefs. It comprises 500 miles of coast-line. 



B. The district included in Howe sound and Burrard inlet. These are typical 

 of the large inlets comprising some thousands of miles of coast-line, and occurring 

 at regular intervals along the mainland. 



This district can be regarded as typical for brackish waters. The part mapped 

 includes about 200 miles of coast-line. 



C. The district along the north coast of Vancouver island from Hope island to 

 Baronet passage. 



This district is typical for waters of fairly high salinity; it comprises 240 miles 

 of coast-line. 



The following districts were examined : — 



D. The coast-line of Vancouver island and the islands adjacent, south of dis- 

 trict A, to Victoria. 



E. The channels between Vancouver island and the mainland, from Texada island 

 northward to Johnston strait. 



F. Barkley sound and the Alberni canal (selected as typical of the inlets on the 

 west coast of Vancouver island). 



G. The district from the north of Banks island to Prince Kupert and Hodgson 

 reefs. 



^ Setchell, ibid., 9. 139. 



*Phalen, "Potash Salts for 1913," p. 93 (Publications of the U. S. Geol. Survey). 



