FISHERIES OF ALASKA, 1908. 77 



During the progress of the journey 500 were sold at the various road 

 houses for 75 cents each. Fairbanks was reached on March 12, where 

 the remaining crabs, 800, were sold at $1 each. 



According to Mr. Knyg Johansen, of Ideal Cove, in Dry Straits, the 

 crabs seem to spawn at various times in the year. In 1906 immense 

 numbers were spawning in that neighborhood in September, while in 

 1907 many spawned in the spring. About the latter part of May, in 

 this year, plenty of immature crabs (about 6 inches in length) were to 

 be seen on the flats in Dry Straits. 



Shrimp. — Shrimp are found in many places in southeast, cen- 

 tral, and western Alaska, but no commercial use is made of them. 



Trepang, or hecJie-de-mer. — Large quantities of this product are to 

 be found in southeast Alaska, but, although the prepared article 

 commands a high price in the markets of Asia, no use is made of them 

 in Alaska at present. 



Shellfish, etc. — Clams, especially the razor clam, Machsera patula, are 

 found in abundance throughout southeast and central Alaska, and 

 have been reported from a few places in western Alaska. It is only 

 in the two former sections that they are put to much use, largely 

 because the consumer is generally compelled to gather his own clams, 

 most of the fishermen considering it beneath their dignity to engage 

 in such work for pay. Large mud clams (probably Panopea generosa) 

 have been reported from southeast Alaska. 



A native rock oyster has been reported from Sitka, in southeast 

 Alaska, and Latouche Island, in Prince William Sound. Cockles, 

 sometimes called scallops, are to be found in Funter Bay and in Dry 

 Strait, near Wrangell. They are eaten, but are not sold. Mussels 

 are plentiful in many sections, especially along the Aleutian chain, 

 where they form an occasional addition to the natives' larder. The 

 octopus is abundant, and at times is eaten by the natives. Abalones 

 are found near Sitka, and would probably be found elsewhere if sought 

 for. The natives of the Aleutian chain consume large numbers of 

 the sea urchin, which appears to be abundant in that section. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



1. That there be available in Alaskan waters at least three vessels 

 belonging to the department for the use of the Bureau of Fisheries 

 in the sahnon inspection. For work in southeast Alaska a com- 

 paratively small launch (about 60 feet long, 12 feet beam, and fitted 

 with a 60 horsepower gasoline engine), and for western Alaska a some- 

 what larger one, would answer the requirements. For the work in 

 central Alaska a much larger vessel is needed, one of at least 100 tons 

 displacement, as the waters in this section are open and storms are 

 frequent. 



