FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 
19 
bleed them. This method can be very readily applied to fish of any 
considerable size, and it will add immensely to the firmness of flesh and 
its flavor as an article of food. 
Utilization of waste products .^— There seems to be an opportunity in 
some of the larger fishery centers to profitably utilize the waste products, 
and thus add considerably to the returns now obtained from fishing. 
In the discussion on the Columbia River fisheries, mention is made of 
a small establishment at Astoria which has handled waste products 
to a limited extent; much more might be done in that direction on 
the Columbia River, and considerable quantities of material might be 
utilized at San Francisco which are now thrown away. A ready de- 
mand could be found in farming communities for all fertilizers manu- 
factured from waste products of the fisheries. Large quantities of 
sturgeon and other fishes are now thrown into the Columbia River, to 
decay and to pollute the waters, which ought to be applied to food pur- 
poses or in some other way for the benefit of mankind. This matter 
deserves the earnest consideration of all interested in fishing; for 
whatever the conditions may be to-day, the time is not far distant when 
the results of such wasteful destruction will be too apparent. 
Transportation , etc . — The question of transportation is important, and 
may well engage the consideration of all having the welfare of the fish- 
eries at heart. It appears that while the transportation agencies of the 
West, as a rule, are disposed to deal fairly with shippers of fish, it is 
nevertheless true that freight charges are a serious burden and may 
limit the distribution of perishable products. The value of the fish 
trade to the prosperity of the railroads is doubtless understood, but the 
full importance may not be realized. It is probable, however, that the 
intelligence which controls transportation agencies will lead to the 
adoption of a fairly liberal policy, and that concessions will be made to 
the advantage of the fishing interests, which will promote their increase 
and development. 
Under the head of the halibut fishery of Puget Sound, reference has 
been made to the advantages that might be secured by having centers 
of distribution in the great cities of the Central States. It may be to 
the advantage of the transportation interests, as well as the fisheries, 
to aid in securing the facilities referred to. 
The importance of the fish trade to the development of transportation 
facilities has been exemplified in many instances and in various coun- 
tries. In England the important city of Grimsby, at the mouth of 
the Humber River, has been practically built up to its present magni- 
tude through the efforts of a railroad company, which built docks for, 
the accommodation of fishing fleets, and found its return in carrying 
the products to markets. 
