626 



GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



Detailed statement of the quantities and value* of the products. 



a Including enhancement of value in process of canning, $13,440. 



224. THE COAST FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 



THE PRINCIPAL FISHERIES ENUMERATED. The whole Puget Sound region is very abun- 

 dantly supplied with fish, but for want of a market the fisheries are little developed and have as 

 yet little commercial importance. The only species of special value are the halibut (Hippoglossus 

 vulgar-is), which abounds everywhere in the deeper waters and main channels, but chiefly about 

 Cape Flattery; the five species of salmon (Oncorhynchus chouicha, nerka, kisutch, gorbuscha, aud 

 beta), which run up all the streams, large and small, in summer and fall, and which are taken in 

 the salt water at all seasons; the dogfish (Squalus^acanthias), which is largely sought for the oil 

 obtained from the liver; the herring (Chtpea miraMlis), and the eulachou (Thaleichthys pacificus), 

 which is considered when fresh as the best pan- fish of the region. Besides these, are many species 

 of Chiroids, Pleuronectoids, Salmonoids, Scorpcenoids, &c., used as food, but no one species of 

 any great value. 



The fishermen are chiefly Indians, who fish for their own consumption and live in small colonies 

 or "raucherias" scattered about the entire sound. Nearly all the sound Indians live by fishing. 

 No record of their number can be obtained by us and no material for any sort of accurate estimate 

 can well be had. A few Indians in the vicinity of the towns fish for the market and peddle their 

 fish at low prices about the streets. Some also fish for the salmon canneries. There are also a few 

 Chinese colonies, wholly similar to those south of San Francisco, where they salt and dry a con- 

 siderable amount of fish. Around the larger towns (Victoria, Seattle, Port Townseud, Tacoma) are 

 a few Italian or Dalmatian fishermen, and at Tacoma some Americans. 



OLYMPIA. No fishing is done at Olympia, the harbor being nearly bare at low water and 

 lined with oysters. The shipment of these oysters to San Francisco is the only fishing industry 

 of the town. The first shipment of these oysters was made two or three years ago, after the decline 

 in quality and quantity of the Shoalwater Bay product. This matter is elsewhere discussed. 



STEILACOOM. No regular fishing is done here. Various Indian raucherias are scattered 

 along, where the "Shvashes" fish for their own use. Fishermen from other places often come to 

 Steilacoom during the salmon season. 



NEW TACOMA. This place is connected by rail with Portland, and the chief supply of the 

 Portland market of all fishes except salmon and halibut comes from New Tacoma. At New 

 Tacoma two young fishermen from Maine have established a fishing station and are making good 

 wages. About 200 tons of fish have been taken by them and their employe's during the past year. 

 Most of these have been shipped to Portland, where they sell at 5i cents per pound, the salmon, 

 during the close season in the Columbia, somewhat higher. 



In summer and fall a considerable number of salmon are taken and salted aud sold in San 

 Francisco and elsewhere at 6 to 8 cents a pound. After August 1, when salmon are no longe'' 

 allowed to be taken in the Columbia, the sale of salmon, flounders, &c., from Puget Sound in Port- 



