FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 331 



It is, of course, to be understood that these remarks do not apply to 

 extraterritorial waters, which are generally conceded to be outside the 

 jurisdiction of any country, although several countries may unite in 

 concerted action for their ijrotection. And, furthermore, it is to be 

 remembered that the Federal Government of the United States has not 

 heretofore concerned itself with the regulation of the fisheries, except 

 in some special cases, leaving to the individual States the entire control 

 of such matters. 



In the region to which this paper relates there may still be time to 

 give the fisheries the full benefits of a wise protection before any of its 

 branches shall have been appreciably impaired, but action should not 

 be long deferred, as a decrease once began is hard to check. The 

 urgency of the matter is emphasized by the fact that elsewhere fish- 

 eries of the same character as the more important ones here have been 

 among the first to suffer from indiscretion, and it is not to be expected 

 that this region will furnish an exception to the rule. Of the regula- 

 tions already in existence some are excellent, but as a whole, and more 

 especially in Washington, they still fail to meet certain most essential 

 requirements. In view of the fact that only a few branches of fishing 

 are immediately concerned, however, not many additional laws are 

 necessary at present, but it is very important to begin upon a course 

 of procedure that shall be logical, and consequently effective. It is not 

 suggested to carry the restrictions to a point where they would be 

 either oppressive or unjust, but chiefly to establish a proper system of 

 limitations before the strain upon the local resources shall become too 

 great. 



Unfortunately there is little definite information as a basis for legis- 

 lative action, though possibly sufficient for the time in the directions 

 where most urgency exists. It is, therefore, of the greatest importance 

 to institute without delay a detailed and comprehensive investigation 

 of the fishery products of the region with reference to their natural 

 history and the extent to which their pursuit may safely be carried. 

 The laws governing their capture can be perfected only in proportion 

 to the sum of knowledge derived from such studies, which will also 

 serve the further purpose of making these resources better known and 

 of indicating new channels for their development. 



Before passing to the special considerations which follow, it may be 

 well to explain, what seems not generally to be understood even by 

 many of the older fishermen, that the inland salt waters of this region 

 are entirely divided between the two adjoining countries, leaving no 

 intervening high sea open unrestrictedly to all comers. From the 

 mainland at Point Eoberts the boundary line extends due west partly 

 across the Gulf of Georgia, and thence midway through the Canal de 

 Haro and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the ocean. The United States 

 on one side of this line and Canada on the other have each complete 

 jurisdiction over its share, whether navigation, the fisheries, or other 

 subject is concerned. 



