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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 1921)
THE MORNING OREGOXIAN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1021 11. M. 70 o 7"Ae Oregonian's "Know Oregon" Series. The capture of this famous food fish in Oregon waters and its preparation for table uses constitutes an industry in which mil lions of dollars are invested, which gives em ployment directly and indirectly to 22,000 men and brines in revenues approximating $10,000,000 annually. The industry has had its ups and downs. At times the supply of fish for packing has been sadly depleted, but Oregon has developed methods of artificial propagation which have restored the salmon supply and put the industry on a stable foundation. The latest biennial report of the hatcheries in the state of Oregon states that during the preceding two years more than 50,000,000 Royal Chinook fingerhngs were liberated into the various streams at the average age of 8 months. In addition, there were nearly 40,000,000 young fish of less valuable varieties, making an approximate total for the past two years of 90,000,000 fish. Oregon, can also boast of possessing the largest fish hatchery in the United States. This is the Bonneville Hatchery, situated on the Columbia Highway, and is one of the show places of the west. Here millions of eggs are carefully kept and scientifically treated through all the intricate stages of hatching, until the time the young fish is about 8 months old, when it is liberated into the streams with thousands of its brethren, there to fight its own way in the world. During its first year it migrates to the ocean, where it will usually remain until its fourth or fifth year. At the end of that time, the mature salmon, with an unerring "homing" instinct, turns and heads up the current and when it reaches the mouth of the river into whose waters it was liberated, it swims into the fresh water, and by easy stages migrates to the spawn ing beds, where the cycle of its existence is repeated. Altogether there are 18 fish hatcheries and stations in Oregon! GROWTH OF SALMON PACK In 1910 there were only 10 canneries on the Columbia River; in 1920 there were 20. We increased in ten years to double the amount of canneries, which is proof of our rapid strides in this great and important industry. 1866 was the first year that Oregon commenced salmon packing, and to show how great has been our progress since then we quote the following figures: Year No. of Cases Value 1866 4,000 $ 64,000.00 19107 391,415 2,544,198.00 1920 518,545 6,531,617.00 The foregoing figures include the annual catch of fish from coastal streams, which are usually sold as fresh fish, but are here represented by their equivalent in packed fish. Oregon's coastal streams, the Rogue, Umpqua, Coos Siuslaw, Alsea, Yaquina, Siletz, Nestucca, Tillamook and Nehalem Rivers, with a few lesser streams, pro duce annually the equivalent of 100,000 cases of canned salmon, worth approximately a million dollars. Most of the catch from these streams is sold as fresh fish and these are the sources from which Portland markets get their daily supplies. Owing to her wise protective legislation and her work of propagation, Oregon is showing a constant increase in the quantity of salmon which inhabit her waters. Tlis is true of no other Pacific State. Seventy per cent of all salmon caught in the Columbia River are taken by Oregon fisheries. Seven methods have been used to capture salmon. These are the gill net, the troll, the set net, the trap, the drag seine, the fish wheel and the purse seine. The purse seine is not now allowed as it destroys the young fish. Troll fishing is also discountenanced now. Oregon spends approximately $20,000 a year for wardens to police and protect the state fishing. Oregon spent to maintain fish hatcheries in 1920 $106,901.57. ONE OF WORLD'S FAMOUS FOOD PRODUCTS Columbia River salmon, because of its quality and full flavor, has continued to extend its fame into the markets of the world. England is one of the largest world markets for Columbia River salmon, and no other American food product, perhaps, is so esteemed as Columbia River salmon. It is one of the industries that has helped to make Oregon known throughout the world. The fame of Oregon industries, such as salmon, reflects itself on other products, either natural or manufactured, the growth of which is measured by the energy and ambition of the men who head these industries. Remember this : i mt i i n - 211 Other Subjects to Be Cov ered in The Oregonian "Know Oregon" Series Pulp and paper. Portland and its manufacturing Portland, the jobbing center. Portland, the railroad tenter. Iron and other metals. Tourists as a trade resource and our climate and scenery. -mt L The Industrial Reputation of Oregon Is the Sum Total of the Reputation of Its INDI VID UA L Industries I j By the BotsfordConstantine Company.