REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XIX 



of fish ; detailed statistics of the canneries and salteries, besides a gen- 

 eral study of the subject. 



All of the canneries in operation in Alaska outside of Bering Sea were 

 visited, and as many streams explored as time would permit. Owing 

 to the great extent of the Alaskan coast line and the character and num- 

 ber of its streams, it was impossible to visit them all in a single season, 

 and no attempt was made to explore any except where red fish are 

 found, as this species is of the most commercial importance. It had 

 been intended to continue the investigation during the following year 

 and carry it on until complete data are available regarding all the 

 waters of the Territory, whether they are now fished or not, but further 

 inquiries have been unavoidably postponed till another season, as, owing 

 to the outbreak of the war with Spain, the Albatross was, on April 13, 

 1898, detailed by the President to the Navy Department for use as an 

 auxiliary cruiser. 



The examinations of streams were made with care, not only to deter- 

 mine what species of fish frequented them and to obtain complete 

 records of them as salmon-producers, but also to discover what injury 

 had been caused by the erection of traps and barricades, overfishing, 

 etc. The explorations were often carried on with difficulty, owing to 

 natural obstacles, and reliable information was difficult to obtain. At 

 the Indian villages the reports were vague and confusing, and the whites 

 were found to know but little of the streams, save where they themselves 

 fish, and even these they but rarely trace to their sources to examine 

 the spawning-grounds; moreover, large areas of the Territory are unin- 

 habited except during the fishing season. 



The most important species of salmon packed in Alaska is the red- 

 fish (Oncorhynchus ?ierJca), known in other localities as the blueback, 

 sockeye, and by various other names. The other species form but a 

 small percentage of the output, and of these the more important are 

 the humpback ( 0. gorbuscha) and coho ( 0. Jcisutch). The king salmon ( 0. 

 tschawytscha), the well-known and valuable quinnat or chinook salmon 

 of the Pacific States, is only found in small numbers, and in 1897 formed 

 but little over 2 per cent of the total pack. In 1897, 688,581 cases of 

 redfish and 157,711 cases of humpbacks were packed, 75.74 and 17.35 

 per cent, respectively, while the remainder of the production was made 

 up of king salmon, cohoes, and dog salmon. The redfish is noted for 

 its deep red color, and is preferred for canning for that reason, although 

 other species, as the humpback and coho, might prove practically as 

 good. The coho is more delicately flavored, has richer meat, and but 

 for the popular prejudice in favor of the red flesh, should rank next to 

 the king salmon in value. 



The dates when the salmon arrive in sufficient quantities to be taken 

 for commercial purposes vary largely in streams in the same neighbor- 

 hood, the larger rivers and the streams nearer the sea usually receiving 

 the first fish. As a rule the "ran" from the sea to the rivers and 

 streams for the purpose of spawning occupies practically the entire 



