FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 55 
FRESH-SALMON TRADE. 
The trade in fresh salmon declined somewhat from that reported 
in 1915. This was probably due to the greater demand for all species 
of salmon at the canneries. Customs records at Juneau show that 
1,480,515 pounds of fresh salmon, valued at $118,316, were shipped 
from Alaska in 1916, as compared with 2,216,603 pounds, valued at 
$172,268, in 1915. These fish were boxed in crushed ice and trans- 
ported by the regular steamship lines. The companies handling 
the greater part of the fresh salmon in Alaska were the Columbia & 
Northern Fishing & Packing Co. and the Dalmeny Fish Co., at 
Wrangell, and the Washington Fish & Oyster Co., at Ketchikan. 
The local fresh-fish trade is also of importance. Although detailed 
figures for this business have not been compiled, close estimates 
place the quantity at 700,000 pounds, valued at $56,000. Of this, 
approximately one-half is halibut, one-third salmon, and the re- 
mainder miscellaneous species, including black cod, herring, eulachon, 
and bass. 
DRYING AND SMOKING OF SALMON. 
The drying ard smoking of salmon is an industry that. attracts but 
few operators, most of whom engage in it as a side issue. The con- 
stant demand for dried salmon as food for dogs and foxes would seem 
to assure good prices for the product and tend to establish the busi- 
ness on a firmer basis. There have been some discouragements, 
however, because of extended periods of dampness and rain, involving 
the risk of losing the fish before curing is complete. The capital in- 
vested in the business is small, and several of the establishments 
are of temporary construction, often used only one season. The plant 
having greatest permanency is the one at Seldovia, owned by Nor- 
dyke & Markle, and valued at $1,000. Arthur McConahay’s plant 
at Three Mile Creek, on the western shore of Cook Inlet, probably rep- 
resents an equal investment. Nordyke & Markle dried and smoked 
8,070 pounds of humpback salmon, valued at $625, and 4,430 pounds 
of chum salmon, valued at $343. Linder & Olsen, at Dogfish Bay, 
Cook Inlet, dried 12,000 pounds of chum salmon, valued at $600. 
Johnson & Howitson, at Cold Bay, dried 9,000 pounds of humpbacks, 
valued at $450, and 10,000 pounds of red-salmon backs, valued at 
$500. The natives of Tatitlik cured 5,122 pounds of humpbacks, 
having a value of $205. Arthur McConahay, at Three Mile Creek, 
and T. D. Giezentanner, at Point Possession, on Cook Inlet, each 
smoked about 3 tons of salmon, having a total value of $1,000. 
During the winter of 1915-16 dried salmon sold in Anchorage, 
Alaska, at 25 cents per pound, while the minimum price did not 
fall below 10 cents. 
