XVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



changes in the relative values of the yield in different States. The 

 total products amounted to 65,300,623 pounds, valued at $2,271,726 to 

 the fishermen. The oyster fishery, valued at $748,760, was the most 

 important, followed by the sponge fishery, valued at $355,589. 



A market is developing in the Southern States west of the Mississippi 

 Eiver for the fishery products from southern California. Considerable 

 shipments, consisting chiefly of barracuda, bonito, mackerel, sea bass, 

 and spiny lobsters, have been made and have brought remunerative 

 prices. Though the industry is yet in its infancy, it would appear that 

 a new and increasing market will be found for California fresh fish and 

 spiny lobsters. 



Attention is called in the report of the division (page clxv) to the 

 fishery resources of the Yukon River, in Alaska, which thus far have 

 only been utilized by the Indians for their own needs. The present 

 information is fragmentary and inconclusive, but there is reason to 

 believe that the abundance of salmon, whitefish, and other valuable 

 species in this river will afford a food supply to the miners and traders 

 located along its banks, and possibly become a factor in the fisheries 

 of the country at large. 



Appended to the report of the division are statistical tables relating 

 to the fisheries of the Gulf States, the South Atlantic States, Boston 

 and Gloucester, Mass., San Diego, Cal., and Lake Ontario, and tables 

 showing the yield and value of certain fisheries of New England, the 

 Middle Atlantic States, and the Great Lakes. 



INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 



At the beginning of the fiscal year the steamer Albatross, under 

 command of Lieut. Commander Jeff. F. Moser, U. S. N"., was engaged 

 in an investigation of the fishery resources of Alaska, and this inquiry 

 was continued until the stormy weather of fall compelled the return of 

 the vessel to more southern latitudes. 



Especial attention was given to the salmon fishery, and the report 

 of Captain Moser, to be published in the Bulletin of this Commission 

 for 1898, gives a full account of the expedition, and is an important 

 contribution to this subject, supplying much-needed and detailed 

 information. 



Many of the waters visited had not been completely surveyed, and 

 in consequence existing charts were found to be defective. In addition 

 to the inquiries pertaining to the investigation much hydrographic 

 work was done by Captain Moser, his notes of which, with accompany- 

 ing chart corrections, have been forwarded to the Coast and Geodetic 

 Survey. 



The investigation embraced the physical characteristics of streams 

 and their productive capacity, the species of salmon frequenting them, 

 together with observations on the habits, sizes, and abundance of these 

 fishes, and a comparison of their past and present abundance; the 

 extent and methods of fishing operations and their effect on the supply 



