16 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD TO THE AMERICAN HERRING FISHERY. 
The experience of the European herring-packers has resulted in a prepared 
product, which meets with ready sale throughout the world at better prices than are 
received for other cured herring. If American lierring-curers wish to supply the 
home markets and to establish a profitable trade with other countries, they must 
take cognizance of the demands of those markets and make their fish conform thereto. 
That there is an opportunity for a large increase in both the domestic and foreign 
trade in American herring there can be no doubt; and the following suggestions are 
made to this end: 
1. While the demand for fresh herring for bait, for smoking, and for canning 
takes a large part of the catch on certain parts of the New England coast, there are 
localities where the salting of herring could be made very profitable. Even in the 
canning and smoking districts it may prove more remunerative to the weir fishermen 
to salt their large-sized herring. It seems probable that the excellent herring of the 
Pacific coast can be salted to great advantage and ought to find a read}' market. 
2. Care must be exercised in all steps of the curing and packing processes. 
Oidy plump fish in the best condition should be salted, and only sound fish should be 
packed. Herring of different grades should not be packed in the same barrel. 
3. Different standard qualities of salt herring should be recognized and con- 
scientiously adhered to. The organization of the United States Government would 
probably not warrant the Federal authorities in exercising jurisdiction in the matter 
of inspecting and branding fish. While this jurisdiction could doubtless be acquired 
(as has been done in the case of meats intended for export), it can not be regarded 
as essential. Each State is competent to superintend the inspection and branding 
of its own fish, to adopt special regulations and brand marks, and take such other 
measures as will tend to promote the salt-herring trade. This systematic branding 
under State authority is regarded as one of the most essential factors in the develop- 
ment of the salt-herring trade. 
4. The establishment of a large trade with southern Europe, the Philippines, 
Australia, and elsewhere in salted river herrings or alewives is entirely feasible. 
These fish, which are in excellent condition when they ascend the Eastern rivers in 
untold millions each season, should, if properly prepared, sell almost as well as the 
sea herring. An especially good opportunity for promoting the alewife fishery 
appears to exist in the Middle and South Atlantic States, where the catch is only 
imperfectly utilized and where labor is abundant and cheap. The river herrings 
might be prepared as white-cured herring and also as red herrings. 
