58 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1915. 
running about 600 fish to the barrel should be worth at least $12 a 
barrel. Smaller fish, grading down in size to about 1,000 per barrel, 
are. worth approximately $9. The advent of the Pacifie Mild-Cure 
Co., anew concern in the Alaska field, had much to do with improving 
the pickled-herring industry in 1915. This company’s operations 
were conducted chiefly in the vicinity of Petersburg. 
As for many years past, the Alaska Oil & Guano Co. operated its 
plant at Killisnoo, where herring were utilized in the manufacture of 
oil and fertilizer. This company has expanded its operations some- 
what to include the sale of herring for bait to halibut vessels, and has 
also pickled some herring for food. The season’s catch of herring was 
upward of 28,000 barrels. It is likely that before long legislation 
will be enacted prohibiting the use of herring or other food fish in the 
manufacture of oil or fertilizer. Should such action be taken a rea- 
sonable amount of time ought to be given the company in which to 
adjust its affairs. 
STATISTICAL SUMMARY. 
Aceording to the statistics, the herring fishery in Alaska in 1915 
shows an increase over the previous year. The total investment in 
1915 was $211,640, as compared with $203,045 for 1914. The num- 
ber of persons engaged in 1915 was 158 as against 144 in 1914. The 
value of the products m 1915 was $155,579, as compared with $123,217 
in 1914. The most notable feature of the gain in 1915 was the in- 
creased pack of pickled herring for food. There was also a consid- 
erable increase in the amount of herrmg frozen for bait. The pro- 
duction of both oi and fertilizer manufactured from herring declined 
im 1915. 
INVESTMENT IN THE HERRING FISHERY OF ALASKA IN 1915. 
Items. No. | Value. i Ttems. No. | Value, 
PATON TY Riche a Pee ae Oe eet UY 8 | 
Vessels: Pile driversé £.- 32 Gases. - ELS 2'| $1,000 
Steamers and launches. ......--- 41e221000)||| Purse SeineS: ac. 2 sea eeee ee ane 12 | 15,000 
Toewhabe. 2fs.cecee yj-L eae te IBS |b 45.4 Gashicapital.|. Siiess eee eer fs ee ae er i 
Launches under 5 tons. ......--- 1 1,500 || Shore and accessory property...---.|-.---- 74, 000 
Boats, row and seine... ......--- 22 2, 040 —- 
Lighters and scows......-.----- 6 6, 100 "POtalMe Rae Re Aes eee eel Seen oe 211, 640 
Persons ENGAGED IN THE ALASKA HERRING FISHERY IN 1915. 
Occupations and races. Number. Occupations and races. Number. 
Fishermen: Shoresmen—Continued. 
WWDIESS sect -(oeicee onic <= creas ae 99 JADANOSO 2. 6:05 95 <= a2 dee ft 
Mapaneser je saee - Ve IT ee 4 
Totall.¥.ccss qoqceuenw-peeeee eee 50 
ai UM a at ae a a oe 103 ————_—— 
Transporters: (Whites .40c>-e eso ereee 5 
Shoresmen: 
WUE OSS ec clase Sate diate ciaeinecie. ous Onis nee 32 Grand total2s..22-202)- oe 158 
NMtHIVeS.. nee. SPE ey Tes: oP ll 
