300 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



the farthest from the point, has been abandoned. The remaining 

 two, however, are said to be favorably placed, bat while both were put 

 to use in 1895, an injunction obtained against them by the Indians 

 prevented their employment during most of the season. This was due 

 to their location inside of and adjacent to one of the favorite reef-net 

 fishing-grounds, which the Indians claimed was being injured by their 

 proximity. Here also, in 1897, a marked increase was shown in the 

 extent of trap-net fishing. 



An elaborate trap built in 1894 at Sandy Point, on the mainland, a 

 short distance north of Lummi Islaud, is reported to have taken no 

 sock eye; but while the site was not occupied in 1895, it was proposed to 

 utilize it again in 1896. Projected traps for 1890 were also to be located 

 at Cherry Point and Point Whitehorn, still farther north, on the main- 

 land. One was erected in 1895 at Birch Point, but was used for only 

 a few days. It was intended to rebuild it on a larger scale in 1896. 



Point Roberts. — The advantages of the waters about Point Eoberts 

 for trap-net fishing will be understood from the account of the move- 

 ments of the sockeye after reaching Boundary Bay. The number of 

 fish which pass around the point and the regular course taken by the 

 schools combine to make this locality, as regards the species named, 

 the most favored of any in the salt waters of the region. 



Point Roberts is about 3 miles wide along its southern shore, which 

 is nearly straight, and between 4 and 5 miles long north and soutb, 

 about 2 miles in this direction lying south of the international boundary 

 line formed by the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude. On the east 

 side it is bordered by Boundary Bay, which, including Semiahmoo Bay, 

 has an extreme width of about 11 miles. North of the boundary this 

 bay is very shallow, being nearly everywhere less than 3 fathoms deep. 

 The width of the shallower water narrows in the direction of the 

 southeastern corner of Point Roberts, known as Cannery Point, south 

 of which, however, there is an extensive kelp-covered ledge, long a 

 favorite fishing ground of the. Indians. After passing this ledge the 

 3 fathom curve lies close inshore along the south side of Point Roberts 

 and until after rounding its southwest corner, when it again bends 

 ofishore (juite abruptly as the broad bank off the mouths of Fraser 

 River is approached. 



The facilities for the building of trap nets in this locality are mainly 

 determined by the contour of the bottom. The shallow water off the 

 east side of the point gives opportunity for greatly multiplying their 

 number, but when the depths are slight, the conditions are generally 

 least favorable for the movements of the sockeye, and much of the 

 ground is practically valueless. More fish are said to be taken along the 

 edge of the deep water than elsewhere, and those nets fish best which 

 are in the deep water or lead into it. The winds also are a factor as 

 regards the shallow areas, as the nets up in the bay do nothing when 

 there is a northwest wind, while a southerly wind, blowing on the shore 

 and causing rough water, seems to drive the fish in. Cannery Point is 



