4 HALIBUT FISHING GEOUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



of the fish obtained in this manner were never paid for, and in some 

 instances the crews of the vessels received no compensation for their 

 labor. 



The fish were usually taken to the first market available, generally 

 Seattle or Tacoma, from which points they were shipped to New 

 York and Boston. 



Previous to 1894 little or no profit was realized from the fishery, 

 and from the fishermen's point of view the case seemed to be hope- 

 less; but the introduction of Pacific coast halibut in the markets of 

 the East aroused the fish dealers of New England to a realization 

 of the importance of the new source of supply. A combination was 

 formed sufficiently large to prosecute the fishery in the same manner 

 as conducted on the Atlantic coast and powerful enough to secure 

 from the railroads low rates of transportation across the continent, 

 and also means of prompt delivery to local points. This also applied 

 to all other kinds of fish, shipped. "WHien these fish reached the East 

 in carload shipments they were delivered to local dealers in small 

 quantities for daily trade. At first strong objection was made to 

 the Pacific coast halibut on the ground of quality, but for this there 

 was little foundation, the Pacific fish being quite as valuable as 

 those of the Atlantic coast. 



In shipping fish the main requirement is their proper state of 

 preservation on arriving at their destination, a feature of the busi- 

 ness that frequently has been overlooked. An expert in the fisheries 

 of the Atlantic coast was engaged to superintend the catching and 

 handling of halibut, and unremitting care to the improvement of 

 ever}' detail connected with the fisheiy resulted in landing the fish 

 at the shipping point in an inviting condition, to the satisfaction of 

 both dealer and consumer. 



As early as 1888 and 1889 attempts were made to fletch halibut, 

 but they were soon abandoned on account of the small demand for 

 the smoked product. Fletching, however, is likely to lead to wanton 

 destruction of fish, as fully one-half of the halibut caught are too 

 small for the purpose, and in consequence are often thrown away. 

 Such was the case with the few trips of fletched halibut taken on 

 Cape Scott and Queen Charlotte Islands grounds. 



No authentic information is to be had regarding the age of halibut. 

 It is thought, however, that more than 20 years are required for the 

 fish to reach full growth. While the halibut caught seldom weigh 

 more than 200 pounds, individuals have been taken weighing 400 

 pounds. The largest specimens have been taken off the coast of 

 Newfoundland. The average weight of the Pacific coast halibut 

 will not exceed 30 pounds. It is probable that fish of this size are 

 about 5 years old. Larger fish are found from Cape Scott north- 

 ward than on grounds farther south. 



