FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 337 



in the trap nets, when left out late enough in the season, and by other 

 methods. 



While the humpback, whose appearance is strangely confined to alter- 

 nate years, and the dog salmon have a lower standing than the fore- 

 going, yet they are of sufficiently good quality to entitle them to a high 

 rank among the food-fishes of the region. Both are canned to some 

 extent in Washington, The humpbacks are taken in large quantities 

 in connection with the later runs of sockeye, especially in the trap-net 

 fishery, when they are customarily discarded, but not until after they 

 are dead, causing an extensive waste. 



The dog salmon seem recently to be meeting with increased favor. 

 Their condition is said to be excellent as long as they remain in the 

 salt water, which is for a considerable period after their first appear- 

 ance, and they are now being utilized in connection with the fresh 

 trade. The silver, humpback, and dog salmon, like the quinnat, spread 

 to all parts of the inclosed sea and enter most streams, even those of 

 small size. With this wide range of spawning-ground, their chances of 

 survival are much greater than with the sockeye, while the extensive 

 area over which they must be sought in the open- water fishery gives 

 them an additional advantage. The activity of their pursuit, however, 

 is certain to increase, and should there ever be a decided falling off" in 

 the supply of sockeye it would be greatly stimulated. 



It will be observed, therefore, that while the requirements of the 

 sockeye have already been ascertained with some degree of definite- 

 ness, much uncertainty exists as to the amount of protection that should 

 be accorded the other species at the present time. The problem they 

 present is more complex as a whole and will require more study to 

 unravel the details, but there is no reason to suppose that it may not 

 be as satisfactorily dealt with. IsTone of these species, unless it be the 

 quinnat and steelhead, seems to be in immediate danger, and if the 

 ordinary i)recautions which should be taken in regard to any salmon 

 fishery, such as safe-guarding their spawning, be immediately enforced, 

 detailed regulations in respect to other matters can possibly await 

 further investigations, if not too long delayed. The primary requisite 

 in the protection of salmon is that they shall have such freedom of 

 access to their spawning-grounds as will insure the jierpetuation of the 

 species without decrease. This provided for, it makes little difference, 

 as regards the welfare of the species, how or where the fishery is 

 carried on. 



It is unfortunately impossible to determine what proportion of any 

 run of fish may safely be taken, and it would probably be impracticable 

 to utilize that information were it obtainable. While theoretically any 

 disturbance of the natural supply might be expected to cause a decrease, 

 experience teaches that a certain amount may be removed each year 

 without appreciable effect, as instanced by the large Indian fishery in 

 this region, which has been going on from time immemorial. Between 



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