332 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



For coDvenieiice of discussion, the useful fishes of the region may be 

 arbitrarily classed in three groups: First, those which exclusively 

 inhabit the salt water; second, those which belong entirely to the fresh 

 water; and, third, those whose habit causes them to make i^eriodic 

 migrations between the sea and the rivers. 



The salt-water fishes present the greatest number and diversity of 

 forms, but only a few now figure at all prominently in the catch, and 

 the majority may be regarded rather in light of a reserve stock, which 

 will be drawn upon more and more with the increase of local jxjpu- 

 lation. In only one direction, probably, has the fishery progressed 

 sufficiently to give cause for concern, and as a whole the resources of 

 the group, so far as can be judged, may be considered as in good con- 

 dition. The halibut is at present the most important of the marine 

 species, chiefly because of the large demand for it in eastern markets. 

 It has always been a favorite food with the Indians and one of their 

 principal objects of pursuit, but there is no reason to suppose that its 

 abundance was in any way afl'ected until long after the advent of the 

 whites. The rapidly growing trade recently inaugurated, however, 

 has caused a heavy drain upon the different grounds tributary to the 

 region, and while the large shippers depend ahuost entirely upon the 

 outer and more extensive sources of supply, yet the inner grounds 

 have had to stand a more active fishery than before; and as they are 

 small, scattered, and relatively few in number, have quickly felt the 

 effects of overfishing, a very appreciable decrease being re[)orted. A 

 remedy will be difficult to find, owing to the indefinite character of the 

 fishery, but some restriction should undoubtedly be placed upon the 

 quantity offish taken. 



Attention should also be given to the oysters, of which the supply 

 can readily be increased and the quality improved by artificial culti- 

 vation. The fisheries for crabs and shrimps, and possibly for clams 

 likewise, need supervision, the crustaceans being especially subject to 

 depletion. 



The purely fresh-water fishes are of very much less importance than 

 either of the other groups. Among them are no species of extensive 

 commercial value, but their protection is particularly desirable in the 

 interest of local markets and sport fishing. International action is 

 scarcely called for, however, unless it be to i)rovide jointly for the 

 enforcement of regulations to prevent illegal shipments across the 

 border. In considering this group, the fact should not be lost sight of 

 that the trout are among the worst enemies of young salmon, and that, 

 in a region whose industrial prosperity is so largely dependent upon 

 the salmon fishery, it would be unwise to jeopardize the latter for the 

 sake of the trout. 



The third group consists of the anadromous fishes, whose most con- 

 spicuous members are the salmons. The sturgeon also occupies a prom- 

 inent place, the eulachon is locally important, and the Atlantic shad 

 seems destined to gain a foothold. While it may yet be too early to 



