52 FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1907. 
While the catch of halibut in Washington and British Columbia 
waters was very good this year, the same can not be said for the local 
fleet in Alaska waters. Despite the fact that 1907 shows a large 
increase over the two previous seasons in number of persons employed 
and vessels engaged in fishing, together with an increace in the quan- 
tity of apparatus used, the catch is but 287,578 pounds more than 
that obtained in 1906, while it is 233,895 pounds less than in 1905. 
The gross proceeds in 1907 were less than in any of the three years in 
question. It is quite evident that the fishery in southeast Alaska, 
at least, has reached its maximum development, if it has not already 
begun to decline. The banks are not very extensive in this section, 
and most of them are frequented by the fish only about six months 
of the year (October to March). At times the fishery is prosecuted 
so vigorously on certain of the banks that they are swept clean of 
halibut early in the season, and the fish are followed up so closely in 
their migrations from bank to bank that they have no rest until upon 
the approach of warm weather, when they scatter and seek the 
deeper waters. 
STATISTICS. 
During 1907 there were 591 persons employed in all branches of the 
industry, an increase of 287 over 1906. There were 14 steamers and 
launches and 15 sailing vessels engaged in fishing in 1907, an increase 
over 1906 of 10 steamers and launches and 1 sailing vessel. The 
total investment increased from $106,702 in 1906 to $164,126 in 1907. 
Despite the large increase in men, fishing vessels, and apparatus over 
previous years, the catch was but 287,587 pounds over that of 1906, 
while it was 233,895 pounds less than in 1905. Although the quan- 
tity taken was larger in 1907 than in 1906, the total value was $17,567 
less than in the latter year. 
The following tables show in detail the condition of the industry 
in 1907: 
EMPLOYEES IN THE ALASKA HALisutT FISHERIES IN 1907. 
Occupation and race. Number. Occupation and race. Number. 
Fishermen: | Shoresmen: 
Vessel fisheries— Winites cence Sec acee cee ee 19 
WW oR oS SE ba aeedisescenkooe 121 | Jap aD ESO ese =e eee 1 
Tndigngee ee =. steep eens 11 | UnGianis sesh eee ee er eee 5 
Lota: oe nq -5 cee tees 132 NOGA eas: Sc icine Ce ee eee 25 
Shore fisheries— "|| Transporters: 
Wihitests4:8: sess seen eee 38 Wihites 22. cae. cscocsseeee eee eee ae 26 
Indians. =< Aocos eee ee eeneee 136 UTNCIANG 3s cords oes cae seen 2, 
