260 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



few small shipments have been made from Fairhaven and New What- 

 com. Fishing is carried on most extensively in the winter, and nearly- 

 all the catch is landed fresh, only an occasional trip being made for 

 fletched halibut. 



The main outlet for the Pacific catch is furnished by the Eastern 

 markets, and is thus controlled by the large Eastern dealers, the ship- 

 ments being mainly made at seasons when the Atlantic catch is small- 

 est. The cost of transportation across the continent greatly reduces 

 the profit to the catchers, who have to be satisfied with low prices, and 

 who sometimes suffer considerable losses by producing more than the 

 trade can handle. The demand, both at the East and in the interior of 

 the country' is said, however, to be constantly increasing, and, if heed 

 be given to the condition of the market at different seasons, there is 

 every reason to suppose that the development of the fishery may go 

 forward steadily and without reverses. 



While this fishery is assured a much larger growth, that it will ever 

 approach the Atlantic fishery in extent or stand the same test of time 

 seems improbable. The grounds in the Gulf of Georgia, Puget Sound, 

 and Strait of Fuca, with those off Cape Flattery, have all together only 

 a relatively small capacity, which has already been overtaxed. Along 

 the British Columbian and southern Alaskan coast the continental 

 platform is everywhere narrow, precluding the occurrence of extensive 

 offshore grounds. On the Alaskan banks still farther north, made 

 known through the cod fishermen and the investigations of the United 

 States Fish Commission, halibut have not yet been found in the abun- 

 dance characteristic of the North Atlantic, though further researches 

 may show the conditions to be more favorable than now appears. But, 

 however uncertain may be the future status of this important branch of 

 fishing, the supply of halibut is undoubtedly sufficient to satisfy the 

 demands of trade for a number of years to come. 



While the true cod is of no importance as a local product, yet this 

 region affords convenient shipping facilities in respect to the Alaska 

 banks and will doubtless soon come to dispute with San Francisco for 

 supremacy in their development. Two or more stations for curing and 

 handling this species have already been established in Puget Sound. 



Two species of sturgeon occur in these waters, the white sturgeon 

 {Acipcnser transmontanus) and the green sturgeon {A. viedirostris), the 

 former being the superior in quality and the only one utilized as food. 

 It is exceedingly abundant, attains a very large size, and is regarded 

 as one of the most important fishery products of the region. While 

 probably ascending most rivers, it is best known on the Eraser, where 

 alone it is now fished for regularly. Elsewhere in British Columbia 

 and in the waters of Washington it forms only an incidental feature 

 of the catch, so far as could be learned, a few finding their way to 

 neighboring markets and some being sent inland. Many are sometimes 

 captured in the salmon traps at Point Roberts, by which a part of the 

 schools pass, api)arently on their way to the Eraser Kiver. The season 



