FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 317 



from the beginning, and during the past few years has been remark- 

 able. Its limitations are measurable only by the supply of fish and the 

 restrictions of trade. 



The utilization of the salmon from this region in a fresh condition, 

 except locally, was long delayed, owing to the lack of transportation 

 facilities to large markets, of which there are none in proximity to the 

 Pacific coast. The preference for fresh fish, however, led to the early 

 utilization of through railroad communication to place the western 

 species in competition with their Atlantic congener in the very home 

 of the latter. This trade is now having a marvelous development. It 

 reaches the larger cities along the Atlantic seaboard and in the interior 

 of the country, and has recently found an outlet in Europe and other 

 parts of the world. Shipments have chiefiy been made during winter 

 and spring when the salmon are in best condition and the weather is 

 most propitious. Ice is used in packing to the extent made necessary by 

 temperature and other conditions, and freezing methods have recently 

 been introduced. 



The quinuat is preferred for the fresh trade, and in the spring, before 

 the Atlantic salmon are in season, it commands so high a price as to 

 make its i)urchase for canning purposes unwarranted. The steelhead 

 is also. a fresh-market fish and is sold almost exclusively as such, it 

 being obtained most abundantly in the best condition during the winter, 

 when the fewest difficulties attend its shipment. The sockeye and other 

 species are likewise utilized in this trade, but the latter least extensively 

 on account of their lighter color. 



The most important centers for the shipping of fresh salmon are IS'ew 

 Westminster, in British Columbia, and Seattle, in Washington, but small 

 quantities may be sent inland directly from a few other places, more 

 especially from Tacoma. The bulk of the fish intended for this trade, 

 however, is forwarded to one or the other of these cities from fishing- 

 grounds or from collecting places on steamer routes. Thus Seattle may 

 derive its supplies of quinnat from the Strait of Juan de Fuca by way 

 of Port Townsend, from the San Juan Islands through the several 

 stopping-places which the steamers have in that group, from Skagit 

 Bay and River, and so on, the entire field tributary to Seattle being an 

 extensive one. The New Westminster supplies come partly from the 

 Gulf of Georgia, but mainly from the Eraser Elver. 



The freezing of salmon seems to have been started on the Fraser 

 River as early as 1886, but not much was apparently done in that line 

 until within a few years. There are now several freezing establishments 

 in British Columbia and Washington, and the business outlook is 

 exceedingly promising. By this method not only may a large stock of 

 fish be laid in when the season serves best, to be disposed of as demands 

 arise, but a way is opened to new and more distant markets. The 

 prospects are for a large and profitable trade which shall greatly 

 increase the fishing industry of the region. 



