FISHEKIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST STATES IN 1904. 



13 



Comparative Summary, by States, of the Number of Cases of Salmon Canned in 

 the Pacific Coast States in Certain Years. 



HALIBUT. 



The halibut fleet consisted of 36 small vessels of from 6 to 42 tons, 

 with crews of from 5 to 7 men each; 2 steamers, and 1 gasoline launch. 

 Of these vessels 32 hail from Seattle, 2 from Tacoma, and 1 each 

 from Port Townsend and Ballard. The 2 steamers hail from Tacoma 

 and the gasoline launch from Seattle. 



During the summer the halibut vessels fish off the southwest and 

 northeast coasts of Washington and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 

 During the last of September and early in October a large number of 

 them leave for Alaskan waters, to fish in Chatham Strait, Frederick 

 Sound, and occasionally in Ic}^ Strait. 



They return home from Alaska between the middle of February and 

 early part of March and continue fishing on grounds off the coast of 

 Washington. The fishermen work on shares, the crew paying for the 

 provisions and ice, and the vessel furnishing the fishing gear except in 

 some cases, when a small charge is made for the latter. After the 

 expenses are paid the vessel draws one-fifth of the stock and the crew 

 the balance. The catch in Alaskan waters is packed in 500-pound 

 boxes and sent by steamer to Seattle. 



The vessels took from off the coast of Washington and in the Strait 

 of Juan de Fuca 4,625,000 pounds, and from Alaskan waters 3,349,000 



