18 FISHING IN THE PRIAMUR DISTRICT OF SIBERIA, 
Russian fishing in the Okhotsk-Kamchatka district is, as pre- 
viously stated, concentrated in the nonconventional waters, bays, and 
harbors, which are rented exclusively to Russian subjects on condi- 
tion that they employ only Russian workmen and ships. 
Since 1907 quite a change is noticeable in the position of Russian 
fisheries in these waters. During the first years the Russians prepared 
fish almost exclusively by the Japanese method of dry salting, only 
caviar being prepared for the Russian market. The number of salting 
stations, where Russian caviar makers buy raw caviar from Japanese 
fishermen and prepare it for the Russian markets, is still growing. 
Three well-equipped Russian fish-canning factories have been built, 
two on the river and one on the coast. 
This region covers the coast line of the northern part of the Okhotsk 
Sea from Port Ayan to Penjin Promontory, about 1,620 miles. 
Regardless of occasional good catches, the Okhotsk shores are con- 
sidered poor in fishery resources, and the natives are often unable to 
catch enough fish to provide for themselves and their dogs during the 
winter. In order to establish a reserve area and to guarantee the 
future stock of fish in this region, clause 11 of the fishing law of June 
11, 1911, has been put in force since 1913, and the following waters 
have been closed for fishing: Uliya and Urak Rivers, 23? miles along 
the shore each way from the mouth of the rivers; Okhota and Kukh- 
tui, being two outlets of the same river, 34 miles to the west from 
Okhota River and 34 miles to the east from Kukhtui River, as well 
as the territory between, about 24 miles; Kola, Tau, Yana, Arman, 
Ola, Yama, Takhyama, Nayakhan, and Gizhiga Rivers, 22 miles on 
both sides of the mouth of each river. 
The run of chum salmon in 1913 was of average proportions. It 
began July 14 and was heaviest between August 2 and 27; single 
fish were caught as late as early September. The run of humpback 
salmon was good. The catch was effected along the coast at seven 
fishing stations, six Japanese and one Russian. The number of 
salmon caught in 1913, compared with the two preceding years, was 
as follows: 
Hump- 
Chum. back, | Sockeye. 
TOL CAtstations) ALG oe POG. AST Ee. ot Oe Oe oR eee Pee 
641,000 |.......... 38, 000 
ISL 2A tationis yb k Sos eae ees es wn 2 730,000 | 16,000 9,000 
1913/(7 stations). LUA fh. VY BTR Cote OT. Hae 679,948 | 204,014 |.....2.... 
The product prepared amounted to 1,729 tons in 1911, 1,891 tons in 
1912, and 2,005 tons in 1913. Of the 1913 product 1,928 tons were 
dry salted for the Japanese market, and 71 tons of Russian caviar and 
6 tons of Japanese caviar were prepared. 
