FISHERIES OP WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 303 



leaders, not exceeding 1,800 feet, which begin near shore and extend 

 into depths of 5.^ and 7 fathoms. Off the west coast there were also only 

 two single traps in 1895, both being well up toward the boundary, 

 and off shore. They had comparatively long leaders extending over the 

 edge of Roberts Bank, the cribs being located in depths of 6.^ and 9 

 fathoms, respectively, and at distances from shore of about 3,200 feet 

 and 1.^ miles. 



In 1897 and 1898 many additional trap nets were in use about Point 

 Roberts, but their number and exact location have not been ascer- 

 tained. The catch of sockeye in the former year was very large, and 

 the capacity of the region was shown to be much greater than had 

 been anticipated. 



SEASON AND CATCH. 



The canneries obtaining their supplies at Point Roberts desire only 

 sockeye salmon, and take other species only when the sockeye catch is 

 insufificient to meet their requirements. The trap nets at that place 

 are therefore built almost exclusively for the capture of the sockeye, 

 and, in view of the expense attending their construction and mainte- 

 nance, it is doubtful if any would be used there except for the i)res- 

 ence of this species. The season when they are set is mainly limited 

 to the period during which the sockeye run continues, generally begin- 

 ning between the first and middle of July and closing between the 

 middle and end of August. 



In 1894 and 1895 one or two traps are said to have been set for the 

 quiunat salmon, commencing between the 10th and 15th of June, but as 

 the weather about Point Roberts is likely to be stormy as late as that 

 time, the risks attending the working of the traps have discouraged 

 their use during the quinnat season. To maintain an active spring 

 \ fishery for the quinnat by this means would require a^ special strength- 

 ening of the nets, increasing the expense, while at the same time there 

 would be constant danger of their serious injury or destruction. The 

 prevailing summer winds are northwesterly, but easterly winds occa- 

 sionally occur, producing rough water in the neighborhood of the nets 

 in Boundary Bay and making it difficult or impossible to lift them for 

 a day or two, especially the more northern ones in the shallower water. 

 If the sockeye season has been unfavorable, a few of the traps may be 

 left in i)osition during a part of September, in order to cover more or 

 less of the run of silver salmon in case it is desired to fill out the pack 

 with that species. 



As an indication of the recent rapid growth of the trap-net fishery 

 at Point Roberts, it may be noted that in 1892 the catch of sockeye by 

 that means was reported as about 37,000 fish, while in 1895 it had 

 increased to about G80,000 fish, of which by far the greatest quantity 

 was taken in the nets of the nearby canneries. The number of spring 

 salmon caught during the latter year was reported at less than 5,000. 

 Humpback salmon are taken in connection with apart of the sockeye run 

 in very large quantities, but they are seldom, if ever, used for canning. 



