56 THE FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1906. 



returns to anyone would not be large, they would aggregate a con- 

 siderable sum, and in addition would aid the fisheries by making 

 the waters sweeter and purer. It is possible, also, that the question 

 of the Killisnoo plant might be thus solved. If the machinery could 

 be adapted for salmon offal — and as whole salmon are utilized at 

 present there can hardly be a doubt of this — the plant might be run 

 wholly with offal. There are two large canneries within a com- 

 paratively short distance of Killisnoo, while three or four more are 

 situated not much farther away than the company's steamers go at 

 present in pursuit of herring. 



There is a small fertilizer plant at Pleasant Bay, built in 1905, but 

 the products prepared by it have not yet amounted to much. In 

 1904 a fertilizer plant was constructed on Dall Island, but, owing to 

 the unsuitability of the machinery installed, it has never been operated. 

 It is now being remodeled, however, and will probably be operated 

 in 1907. 



The plant of the Ketchikan Ka-ko Oil Company, at Loring, where 

 oil was extracted from the livers of dogfish, did not operate this jea,T. 

 This is to be regretted, for dogfish are a most unmitigated nuisance, 

 and anything that tends to reduce their numbers in Alaskan waters 

 will very much aid in preserving the other fisheries. 



AQUATIC FURS. 

 BEAVER. 



The catch of this most valuable of the interior fiu'-bearing aquatic 

 animals is decreasing from je&r to year. In 1905 it was 1,935 skins, 

 valued at $8,271, while in 1906 it was 1,536 skins, valued at $8,620, a 

 decrease of 399 skins, but an increase in value of $349 for 1906. 



MUSKRAT. 



But few of the muskrat skins are shipped out of Alaska, being gen- 

 erally used by the traders to barter with the natives for more valuable 

 furs. The natives use the muskrat furs for clothing and blankets or 

 robes. In 1905, 12,599 skins, valued at $1,192, were sent out of the 

 district, but in 1906 there was a large falling off, only 3,611 skins, 

 valued at $302, being shipped. 



LAND OTTER. 



Tliis is one of the most widely distributed of the coastal fur-bearing 

 animals of Alaska, but, like the other aquatic animals, was taken in 

 fewer numbers in 1906. In 1905 the output was 1,889 skins, valued 

 at $14,458, while in 1906 it was 1,709 skins, valued at $16,618, a 

 decrease of 180 in number, but an increase in value of $2,160. 



