116 Twenty -seventh Annual Meeting 



goods. Sturgeon is sufficiently well known to be appreciated 

 under its own name if it is properly handled. And here a word 

 with regard to the matter of handling. 1 think the fisheries are 

 endangered b\' the manner in which many fish are marketed. 

 Perishable as they are, the housewife is cautions in purchasing un- 

 sightly fish, and the Commission should ask for local legislation 

 that will dominate the sale of fish in every market. If this was 

 established, more fish would be used and less left to waste ofifens- 

 ively. Thus far there is unquestionably an over-production of all 

 but a few choice varieties. With careful manipulation all fish 

 - would be more tempting, and if the purchaser did not see the fish 

 that was wanted she would possibly take another not very inferior. 

 To protect the fishing interest everywhere, the fish should be deli- 

 cately handled to prevent unsightly appearance, and they should 

 be fresh beyond all doubt. 



To prove that a limitation of the catches of the dififerent fish- 

 eries will permit the numbers to attain a certain annual average, 

 we will find that the species that have thus far been allowed com- 

 parative freedom are found in amazing quantities in their haunts. 

 Smelts and herring, percli and pompano, ct)d, halibut and mack- 

 eral, trout and many other varieties can actually be captured by 

 the ton in virgin waters. We must look to it that none of them 

 are so captured until the waters are suddenly depleted. 



In this connection I wish to speak of carp, some of which 

 grow to the size of fair specimens of sturgeon. I was one time 

 criticised for stating that these carp destroy other and more val- 

 uable species, but to-day there comes the complaint that young 

 fry are being devoured by carp. As this fish has proved itself 

 less desirable than was expected, it would be an excellent idea 

 to allow it to be taken in all agesand sizes, or else these ravages 

 will materially injure the business of the hatcheries. 



A comparatively new business is progressing finel}' in the 

 northwest in planting and preparing oyster beds and the better 

 quality of lobster has also been transplanted. Puget Sound 

 oyster canneries have only been in full operation for three years, 

 and in that time they have increased in value one hundred and 

 fifty per cent. Here again the danger threatens that injuries 

 every otlier part of the fishing business. It is, as soon as the 

 product shows phenomenal success other companies rush in to 

 claim a share, and tliousands upon thousands of really almost 

 unsaleable stock will be spoiled in the pursuit of the more de- 

 sirable kind. Let the fisheries get a good start, then allow just 

 a reasonable amount to be taken at once; in time, the supply 



