60 



ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1919. 



MINOR FISHERIES. 



TEOUT. 



The most notable change in respect to the trout fisheries of Alaska 

 in 1919 was the failure to operate of the Midnight Sun Packing Co., 

 at Kotzebue, where 2,587 cases of Dolly Vardens were canned in 

 1918 — the largest single product of the trout fisheries. The canning 

 and pickling of trout almost ceased in 1919; only 371 cases, valued 

 at $3,496, were packed, largely by four salmon-canning companies 

 in central Alaska, and 11 barrels were salted in western Alaska. 

 There was an increase in the quantity of fresh trout handled in 

 southeast Alaska, the entire production being credited to the Ripley 

 Fish Co. The gross value of all trout products in 1919 was $13,155, 

 a decrease of $20,529 as compared with the output in 1919. 



Products of Alaska Trout Fishery in 1919. 



SABLEFISH. 



None of the minor fisheries of Alaska shows a greater shrinkage 

 in production than the sablefish. Whether it be due to a smaller 

 catch or to the failure to save the entire catch can not be stated. 

 As sablefish are taken in fishing for halibut and yield but a small 

 return to the fishermen, it seems probable that a considerable quan- 

 tity may have been wasted rather than that there was an actual 

 shortage in the supply. The catch is made chiefly on the halibut 

 banks off the coast of Alaska. The total production of sablefish 

 was 509,369 pounds, valued at $35,485, a decrease of 826,670 pounds 

 in quantity and $31,866 in value; 289,158 pounds, valued at $22,682, 

 were shipped fresh, and 220,211 pounds, valued at $12,803, were 

 shipped frozen. 



RED ROCKFISH. 



The red rockfish, like the sablefish and other deep-water fishes, 

 are taken largely on the halibut banks in connection with that 

 fishery. The demand for rockfish is somewhat limited, a fact which 

 doubtless curtails deliveries to buyers. The total reported produc- 

 tion in 1919 was 69,048 pounds, valued at $1,414, as compared with 

 338,669 pounds in 1918, valued at $67,351. 



