FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 57 
vative estimate indicates that 500,000 pounds of coho, 500,000 pounds 
of chum, and 400,000 pounds of king salmon were dried for use in the 
interior of Alaska, thus making a total of 1,400,000 pounds, valued at 
$140,000. This product is used chiefly as food for the natives and 
their dogs. 
According to careful estimates, the investment in this business con- 
sists of 393 fish wheels, valued at $19,650, and 130 gill nets, aggregat- 
ing 3,250 fathoms, valued at $6,500, or a total of $26,150. 
SALMON BY-PRODUCTS. 
The utilization of offal and other waste material at the salmon 
canneries in Alaska in the manufacture of oil, fish meal, and fer- 
tilizer was carried on by the Fish Canners By-Products Co., at 
Ward Cove, and the Pacific American Fisheries, at Excursion Inlet 
and Ikatan, the latter plant being new in 1918. 
The industry shows an investment in 1918 of $109,782, which is 
an increase of $1,629 over 1917. Employment was given to 20 men, 
45 less than the number employed in 1917. The value of the products 
was $40,047, as compared with $61,873 in 1917. This decline is 
due chiefly to the lessened production of oil, the falling off bemg 
20,526 gallons. 
Ovutrut or By-Propucts INDUSTRY IN ALASKA IN 1918. 
Items. Quantity.| Value. 
a ee a ee ace me oe na ie eee ere cee nein wa tertnaiomre! gallons... 4,624 $4, 624 
LHI Se Ee A SE SRE eA eo eer aoeee poeeca, esece oe socoece tons... 684 35, 423 
TEST pao ae ae a gr een Ae Alpi tia bak ME 2 PEL oo A Pa a 40,047 
HALIBUT FISHERY. 
For many years the halibut fishery has been second in importance 
to the salmon industry. In 1918, however, the great activity in 
the herring fishery placed it next in importance to the salmon, thus 
pee the halibut in third place. A great increase occurred in the 
erring industry, while the halibut fishery showed but a slight 
increase. 
The total catch of halibut from Pacific waters in 1918 was con- 
siderably less than that of the previous year, due chiefly to with- 
drawals of men and vessels on account of the war. There is a slight 
increase, however, in the figures compiled by the Bureau in respect 
to the yield of halibut from the Alaskan banks. Because of diffi- 
culties mm securing statistical information as to the exact source of 
the halibut catches, it has been necessary to make certain estimates 
in respect to investment and production credited to Alaska. It is 
believed, however, that the figures are so nearly correct as to be 
acceptable for all practical purposes. 
At a number of, sessions of the Canadian-American Fishery Con- 
ference consideration was given the halibut fishery of the Pacific 
coast and Alaska. Details in respect thereto appear on page 21 
in this report. 
