FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1907. 63 
found in the Arctic; redfish, or ‘‘black bass’”’ of Sitka (Sebastodes 
melanops); flounders, and sand launce, or lant. 
Shellfish—Clams, especially Machxra patula, or the razor clam, 
are found in abundance throughout southeast and central Alaska 
and have been reported from a few places in western Alaska. Very 
little use is made of them, owing to the fact that the consumer is com- 
_ pelled in most sections to go out and dig his own clams, the fishermen 
considering it below their dignity to engage in such work for pay. 
When the prejudice against engaging in this fishery and that for 
crabs, wears off, both will prove to be remunerative. There is said 
to be a bed of scallops in Funter Bay. 
Orabs.—These crustaceans are quite abundant in southeast and 
central Alaska, where they attain a very large size. They are much 
sought after for food by the whites and natives, the consumers, how- 
ever, being usually compelled to catch for themselves, as crabs can be 
purchased at but one or two towns in southeast Alaska. 
Shrimp.—Shrimp are found in a number of places in southeast and 
central Alaska, but no commercial use is made of them. They are 
also reported from Bering Sea in the neighborhood of Herendeen Bay. 
Alge.—The Thlingit and Yakutat Indians of southeast Alaska 
gather alge in the summer, which they dry, press in boxes, and put 
away to be eaten in winter. As certain species of alge are very nutri- 
tious it is probable that some day they will come into use by the whites 
on the Pacific coast as food. A number of valuable by-products can 
be extracted from alge. 
Tn Seattle, Wash., there has been invented a process for making a 
product resembling citron (called by the inventors “‘seatron”) from 
the giant kelp (Nercocystis lutkeana). The product has not the form of 
citron, being tubular, like sections of garden hose, although when made 
from the bulbs of the plant exclusively it resembles somewhat the 
halves of a citron. The larger portion of the stalk—from 1 inch up— 
is used. The process of manufacture is Inexpensive and compares 
well with the cost of making candied citron. The flavor is of course 
artificial. The prepared product is said to contain no harmful prop- 
erties and to be digestible to a greater degree than citron. This plant 
is very abundant in Alaskan waters, and it is to be hoped that some 
one with capital will take up the manufacture. 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 
The following recommendations are respectfully submitted: 
1. That the salting of salmon bellies by the processes that do not 
now make any use of the other part of the fish, and thereby entail a 
serious waste of valuable food material, be prohibited. 
2. That a cod hatchery be established on one of the Shumagin 
Islands in order to aid in perpetuating this valuable fishery. 
