V. THE SALMON FISHERIES OF SIBERIA. 
As on the Alaska coast, the aborigines of Siberia must have learned 
early of the excellent food qualities of the salmon which each year 
frequented the rivers of that country for spawning purposes, and 
not only ate them fresh but also dried large quantities for winter use 
of themselves and their dogs. 
Owing to the inaccessibility of the Siberian coast, due mainly to 
the lack of transportation facilities for many years, and the decided 
objection of the Russian Government to travelers roaming over the 
country, partly because of the presence of political and criminal 
convicts, and partly because of a fear that they might learn too 
much of its resources, there has been but little written, especially 
with regard to its fishery resources, about this remote section of the 
Russian Empire, and what little has been published is usually filled 
with inaccuracies, due, doubtless, in many instances, to the fact that 
the writer generally had to get most of his information at second and 
third hand and was also unfamiliar with fishery subjects. 
Most of the data given below were obtained directly from persons 
living in Siberia or Japan, most of whom are engaged in the fishing 
industry of Siberia, or from Americans who have on various occa- 
sions visited the country in order to view its fishing possibilities at 
first hand. 
SPECIES OF SALMON. 
All five species of salmon are to be found along the Siberian coast. — 
Although we have very little authentic data relating to their move- 
ments, these are doubtless similar to the runs on the Alaska coast, 
where climatic and other conditions are very similar. Nearly all 
streams from the Arctic Ocean to north China seem to have runs of 
one or more species. The steelhead does not appear to be an inhab- 
itant of the Asian coast. 
The fishing carried on by the Russians has usually been along the 
rivers of the mainland, principally in the Amur and on Sakhalin 
Island. 
From very early times Japanese fishermen have frequented the 
Siberian coast and Sakhalin Island, the southern portion of the latter 
being owned by Japan, being drawn here mainly by the rich stores 
of salmon which could be secured easily and quickly and were so 
necessary to eke out the vast quantity needed to supply such a fish- 
eating nation as Japan. 
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