REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 163 
FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 
A eanvass of the fisheries of the Pacific coast States for 1899, the 
general results of which were announced in a statistical bulletin, No. 
20, shows these important fisheries to be now more extensive than 
during any previous year for which full records exist. This is due 
chiefly to the great development of the salmon-canning industry in 
northern Washington. 
In 1899 there were employed in the fisheries of these States 19,52 
persons. The total investment in the industry was $12,873,379, and the 
products, amounting to 217,965,156 pounds, were valued at $6,278,639. 
Since the last canvass of these fisheries (for 1895) the number of per- 
sons engaged has increased by 2,225. The increase in the investment 
amounts to $5,599,200, while the increase in yield and value amounts 
to 70,733,977 pounds and $1,808,687. 
Although the fisheries in general have increased in both Washing- 
ton and California, there has been a falling off in the yield and value 
of the fisheries of Oregon, traceable to a smaller catch of salmon in 
the Columbia River. 
The amount of capital invested in the fisheries of California has 
not changed materially since 1895. In Washington the investment 
has increased by $4,576,774. 
Salmon constitute by far the most important feature of the fish- 
eries, the yield for 1899 being worth at first cost $3,504,622. The next 
item in importance is oysters, worth $1,043,192. The oyster industry 
consists chiefly in the growing of the seed of eastern oysters trans- 
planted to San Francisco Bay. Other important fisheries are whale 
products, worth $456,733; cod, worth $201,304; halibut, worth $192,580; 
shrimp, worth $107,957, and crabs, worth $99,518, all other items being 
represented by smaller amounts. 
The following table presents, by States, statistics of the fisheries of 
this region for 1899: 
Fisheries of the Pacijic Coast States, 1899. 
+ 
Tae Washington. Oregon. California. | Total. 
No. Value. No. Value. No. Value. No. Value. 
Personsemployed.-....-.-| 9,911 |-...-.....| 5,643)|_-....--<. 195287 o ae see 
Vessels fishing y ST 1 $6, 000 66 | $779,270 
Tonnage--------- “oe - DO) | eee wee 6;900) |e eee 
Outfitie sss. s-2 2-22 =e (15 oe eee BOD) loon ewe- 413, 287 |_....-.-- 458, 337 
Vessels transporting -_-- p 275, 30 66, 300 a5 55, 800 7 397, 300 
MONNAPOL= ies c= esi. = r 33) ee a tots Sal ea ena 25OSD)|saseeaeees 
OUbitt we seo ot sacs anes et ~ BGvSla eo ees 4,490 |.--..--- #220) |eoes eee 95, O24 
Boats'--.----------..-....-| 2,566 | 233,475 | 1,830) 198,240 | 1;355 1 150,385 bol 582, 050 
IPile-Grivers’: =-=2>=5==.--- 30 63, 283 1 TODO Me sees see 31 64, 283 
SOU Spee tact ae ee = 205 93, 420 46 19,910 115 13, 230 366 126, 560 
Poundinetsos=-2-4. 22-2... 540 |1, 552, 650 65 AD CANDY ree aia | seo scene ae 605 | 1,597, 850 
Galliniets2 ts. hes cs ccoe ke 1,900 | 119,591 |} 2,067) 297,700 | 1,979 | 166,841] 5,946 584, 132 
Trammel:nets....-.-=---< iS epitiencc|(secsea a ta|ateielgas | eee ieee te 591 | 26,280 | 591 26, 280 
FLOOD NETS <= 22-2 a2 eee Site. eee ee eee 2,325 1,829 | 1,537 3,074 | 3,862 4,903 
Shrimpme tees se weal ee |i eh ae pees ee 1,370 27, 800 1,370 27, 800 
Wyke mets. 22st ls eee 70 700 36 360 356 1, 424 462 2,484 
Wheels (salmon) ---_----_- 29 66, 300 47 OL O00) a2 eae sale ee 76 187, 600 
Beametrawis 2232 262-22 |Laseliescliceee ls 225% no SPE Seeks Cee Bee 4 1,400 4 1, 400 
MoObsteripots seo s=2 =<. 5: Beco o ape eess  Seicl|ttaneycelliewaeeeses 578 664 578 664 
Dredges, tongs,rakes,etc |--------- Betis iol ee Bee TON Pee eae 156) eee aes 3,900 
Lines—hand and trawl-_|--------- Gs418) ese oeeee AQ) ae gee 4 PAO | eee 11, 058 
Otherapparatus:---.2.--} --222 -<- RES Se ease AQ eexa 2 ae 4522 Nico ce oe = resale 
Shorowproperty 322-202. | 22224 ee T2008 B92 2222 2-22 Leis asm ess cee 820,650 |.--...._.| 3,194, 690 
Cashicapitaleeeess 2 2 or sires. 2! SOOT Woes SSE DOLSO00 Mee Se BIO VO0' 1222 2 4, 720, 677 
Total investment----_|._._. ___. 6, 601,243) | 25. <.- 3, 497, 643 |.--..--. peels fag te 60 Val cee a 12, 873, 379 
