6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
which have been embodied in the report made by Captain Tanner on 
the explorations of the Albatross. This report has been drawn upon 
for data relating to fishery methods. 
The writings of Rathbun, Elliott, Bean* Jordan, and Gilbert have 
been valuable sources of information both as relates to methods and the 
definition and distribution of species. In a very few cases interesting 
and valuable data have been obtained through correspondence. 
Through the courtesy of the transportation agencies, fish-packers, and 
fish-dealers, the agents of the Commission were generally able to get 
full and reliable data from the records of firms, corporations, etc. 
4. METHODS OF TREATMENT. 
In preparing this report an effort has been made to present all the use- 
ful information in the most convenient shape for reference. In some cases 
the fishing interests of a locality were so insign ifi ant that they have 
been disposed of in a single chapter ; but in most instances the material 
has been arranged and classified to show all the important details. The 
method of treatment has been varied by necessity, so as to adapt the 
consideration of fisheries to existing conditions of a geographical or 
local nature. In California, where there are coast fisheries, it has gen- 
erally been feasible to consider their relations to the various counties 
bordering the sea and bays. Exception to this occurs in the discussion 
of the fisheries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. 
The fisheries of Oregon and Washington, however, are largely con- 
fined to streams of greater or less magnitude, and the most desirable 
method has been to consider each river basin by itself, regardless of 
territorial limits. The region embracing Puget Sound, Washington 
Sound, the Strait of Juan de Euca, and the Gulf of Georgia has been 
discussed as if it were a river basin. 
The report begins in the south at San Diego, where the inquiry prac- 
tically started, aud each geographical section is taken in turn until the 
northern extremity of the coast line of Washington is reached. 
Perhaps the most important matter connected with the treatment of 
available information relates to illustration. The maps herewith pre- 
sented for the first time will prove a valuable aid in conveying a proper 
understanding of the fishery industries of each section, showing the 
fishing grounds, the location of special forms of fixed apparatus, fishing 
towns, canneries, etc. Other illustrations show the methods of fishing, 
the fishing stations, the preparation of products, etc. 
5. IMPORTANCE OF THE PACIFIC FISHERIES. 
The fislierieS’Of the Pacific coast of the United States are second only 
in rank lo those prosecuted along the Atlantic coast ; several branches 
take precedence of all others of a similar character in the world, while 
others are now coming into marked prominence or have much that is 
promising for the future. 
