THE SALMON AND SALMON LISIIERILS OL ALASKA. 
REPORT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION STEAMER 
ALBATROSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1898. 
By JEFFERSON F. MOSER, 
Commander, United States Navy, Commanding. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
The following report of tlie operations of the steamer Albatross and party under 
iny command for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, is respectfully submitted: 
In order to cover in one report the work of the summer of 1897 it will be necessary 
to refer to the time of the arrival of the party in the field, a date earlier than June 30, 
1897, the time of closing my previous report. 
While the Albatross was engaged in setting deep sea gill nets along the edge of 
the Pacific plateau for the purpose of ascertaining, if possible, the sea salmon-grounds, 
instructions were received, under date of April 23, 1897, directing tlie vessel to visit 
Alaska, for the purpose of investigating the salmon and halibut fisheries. 
Under these instructions, modified by subsequent e,xi)erience, the plan of work 
for the investigation of the salmon streams and the salmon industry of Alaska was 
laid out as follows: To commence at the southern boundary and work in detail to the 
northward and westward, visiting all canneries and all streams carrying commercial 
salmon, whether fished or not; to obtain at the canneries statistics of streams fished 
by them, reaching over as many years as the records would furnish data, and, in 
addition, detailed statistics regarding the persons, vessels, boats, and apparatus 
employed in the fisheries, together with the catch and i)ack of the various species 
of salmon : to explore the streams and lakes and ascertain the general features and 
characteristics, so far as they relate to salmon and other fishes, spawning-grounds, 
condition and nature of the water, character of shores, vegetation, species of salmon 
entering, their movements, time and duration of runs, size of fish, abundance, waste 
species, signs and causes of depletion, the mortality of the different species on the 
spawning-grounds, natural and artificial obstructions to the passage of fish, fishing 
methods and their relation to the maintenance of supply, data relating to conditions 
for hatcheries, etc. 
In connection with the studies of the salmon industry it was decided that the 
halibut-grounds could be examined and jiractical information obtained as to their 
location, depth, extent, the abundance and size of the fish, the proper bait, and other 
points. 
P. C. B. 1898-1 
1 
