FRESH-HALIBUT FISHERY. 238 
and sour for from 13 to 2 cents per pound. The distinction between sour halibut and that which 
is not sour is doubtless a valid one, but that between white and gray is of little importance, since, 
in the hands of the retail dealers, there is seldom, if ever, any difference in price. There is no 
reason why the gray halibut, as they are called, should not be exactly as firm in flesh and deli- 
vate in flavor as the white. The distinction was first made by the Gloucester Halibut Com- 
pany, established in 1848, in order to avoid the carrying out to the letter of their coutracts with 
the fishermen, and since that time it has uniformly been made use of, to the disadvantage of the 
fishermen. It is not our intention to criticise’ the motives of the halibut merchants in this respect, 
but simply to call attention to the fact that the existence of an arbitrary distinction of this sort is 
extremely unfortunate, since it gives to the capitalists the opportunity of treating the fishermen 
with great injustice. The cullings are made entirely by the purchaser and the fishermen have no 
right to criticise their judgment, and no right to appeal. The manner of culling is varied arbitra- 
rily, from time to time, in accordance with the necessities of the buyers. At times a very large 
percentage of the catch of a vessel will be counted as gray, or even as sour, and paid for at reduced 
rates. Ifthe terms of the bargain previously made with the fishermen were justly carried out, the 
value would be very much greater tlian that which was actually paid for the fish. We do not 
deny that the buyers feel some necessity for some such safety-valve as this in the present condi- 
tion of the halibut fishery, since sometimes eight or ten large cargoes of fish are brought in at one 
time, glutting the market to an uncontrollable extent;* at the same time some more equitable means 
of regulating the price in accordance with the supply is very much to be desired. Under exist- 
ing circumstances, perhaps the most desirable remedy would be the appointment of some inspector 
who would cull the fish in accordance with some uniform rule, thus doing away with the feeling of 
injustice which is constantly felt by the fishermen. In the winter of 1878 the feeling against this 
system of culling was so strong among the owners and masters of the Massachusetts halibut ves- 
sels in Gloucester, that an attempt was made to organize a company of fishing firms, which should 
take the matter of handling the fresh halibut into its own hands. This, however, was unsuccessful, 
owing to the lack of unanimity among the fishing capitalists. The manner of weighing the halibut 
is also open to objection of the same kind. Fish are bought from the vessels with their heads on 
and weighed, and 14 per cent. of the total weight is deducted, this being supposed to represent 
the weight of the heads. This percentage, however, is considerably too large; then, too, the 
weighing is done by the purchaser with beam scales, and the fishermen complain that undue advan- 
tage is taken by the weighers. The employment of some impartial person as weigher would do 
much to allay the dissatisfaction felt and expressed by the halibut fishermen. 
9. FINANCIAL PROFITS AND EXTENT OF THE FISHERY. 
THE LAY.—The “Jay,” or division of the proceeds of the voyage, is given in detail in the 
chapter on “ Lays and Outfits.” Briefly stated it is as follows: From the gross receipts of money 
‘obtained from the sale of the fish are deducted certain “stock ” charges, these embracing expense 
for ice, bait, towing by steam-tug, woolen nippers, &c. The balance is called the “net” stock, and 
this is equally divided, the vessel receiving one-half, while the other half, after charges for splitting 
wood, filling water, medicine chest, tarring rigging, painting spars, and one-half of 1 per cent. for 
widows’ and orphans’ fund, are deducted, is divided equally between the members of the crew, 
the captain and cook included. In addition to his share obtained by this division he captain 
receives a percentage on the net stock, this being usually 4 per cent., though in some cases a 
*This statement applies more particularly to the fishery previous to 1881, at which time a larger fleet was employed 
and more fish were taken than at present (1885); nevertheless what is said of the method of culling and Pmeighing 
halibut applies equally well now, and it is not less objectionable now than in former years. 
