4G6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



From the preceding compilation it appears that during the ten years 

 following 1875 the value of the fishery products annually exported 

 varied little from $6,000,000. From 1887 to 1890 the value steadily 

 increased, reaching $7,458,385 during the last year, the highest record. 

 A steady decline has occurred since 1890, the exports during 1891 being 

 $3,200,079 less than in 1890 and smaller than during any previous 

 year for twenty years. 



While some falling off is apparent in the exports of dried or smoked 

 fish, oysters, and the products of the whale fishery, yet the principal 

 cause of the decrease since 1890 is the remarkable reduction in value 

 of "canned and other prepared fish." The value of these decreased 

 from $4,039,220 in 1890 to $1,682,830 in 1894, a difference of $2,356,390. 

 This class is made up principally of canned salmon, the exports of 

 which were worth $3,259,344 in 1890 and only $1,026,197 in 1894. 



A series of tables is next presented, showing, so far as practicable, 

 the quantities and values of the various kinds of fishery products 

 included in each classification noted in the preceding table. 



It is impracticable to show the quantity of fresh fish exported prior 

 to 1884, but the quantity and value of those exported annually from 

 18S4 to 1894, inclusive, are shown in Table 21. This consists of fresh 

 or frozen fish shipped to countries adjacent to the United States, and 

 principally to Quebec, Cuba, and Mexico. 



21. Statement of the domestic exports of fresh fish during each year from 1SS4 to 1894, 



inclusive. 



During the 104 years ending in 1894 the exports of dried or smoked 

 fish amounted to 25,295,613 quintals, valued at about $89,000,000. The 

 exports prior to 1840 consisted almost entirely of dry-salted cod and 

 similar fish, as haddock, hake, etc. 5 but the increasing trade in smoked 

 herring resulted in the exportation of large quantities of that product, 

 especially about 1800. In addition to those species, halibut, mullet, 

 sturgeon, etc., either smoked or dry salted, are now exported in con- 

 siderable quantities. 



