Processing Products Of The Sea
Still Big Industry On Kodiak Island
Catching and processing fish re
mains one of the top industries in
Kodiak, despite the fact that there
has been a lessening in the case
pack through the years.
With the exception of a few years
in between, where the pack has at
tained a total such as was enjoyed
in the more affluent days, the pack
has declined to where it was act
ually less than half of what it was
20 years ago.
This doesn’t mean, of course, the
fisherman doesn’t have a take
home pay, for the price paid for
fish has increased since then.
From facts supplied by the Alas
ka Department of Fish and Game,
the total case pack in 1940 was
611,796. In 1941, the case pack was
710,891. n I960, the total pack was
414,385 and in 1961, the figure
given is 352,038.
The 1960 pack is the highest
since 1955. That year saw a total
of 600,672 cases packed. Since then
the pack figures are smaller, until
in 1959, there were 202,623 cases
of salmon packed in the Kodiak
area.
P nks account for most of the
pack, but of course this too has
steadily declined except for that
one year, 1955, when of the total of
600,672, 525,322 were pinks.
Reds have been on a continuous
slump since 1945, when the pack
totaled 154,513, an outstanding
year. The pack of reds was 27,924
in 1930, and 32,516 in 1961, quite
a drop.
The fabulous days of fishing are
gone. Much of the romance of the
occupation is not there. Too many
boats go out year after year, but
fishermen have little to show for
their efforts. Hence the interest in
king crab fishing, because it offers
a steadier income.
Crab fishing in the few years
TFE SILVER HORDE which has kept Kodiak’s economy flowing
down through the years. From the files of the Kodiak Mirror.
A KODIAK CANNERY SCENE
MEET YOUR FRIENDS
AT THE
BREAKERS BAR
Phone 486-2822
AND
LIQUOR STORE
Phono 486-5131
FRED and RUTH BRECHAN
KODIAK, ALASKA
Bince its development into an all
year-round occupation, has shown
tremendous strides, and has added
tremendously to the economy of
the Island. We can’t go back 20
years for comparisons, for there
was very little crab fishing and
none commercially on the Island.
But it might be of interest to com
pare figures for the last ten years.
From July, 1951 through June,
1952, there were 335,337 pounds of
crab caught. This increased to 579,
707 the following year. The follow
ing years, the catch totalled 2,531,
120, 2,491,536, 3,717,145, 7,015,988,
5,070,638, 7,137,529, the latter fig
ure for 1958-1959. In the last two
years this figure has doubled and
tripled. In 1959 - 1960, 14,348,110
pounds were harvested and in the
season ending June, 1961, 22,000,
000 pounds of crabs were taken.
Shrimp processing is being done
on a limited scale. This can de
velop into a profitable industry, al
though there are certain economic
factors ito be worked out. The po
tential is there as you can see by
the following figures. The total
catch in 1960 in the Kodiak area
was 3,197,985 pounds. In 1961 to
date, 9,110,878 pounds of shrimp
have been caught.
Clam canning here is a factor to
be reckoned with in providing a J
payroll. According to the ADF & G, |
the output usually approaches the |
quota set by regulation. According |
to the Department, the quota in |
the Swikshak area was 12,500 cases.
In 1960, this was raised to 15,000 J
cases. 9
CLAMS ARE being dumped in- i
to the hopper on the first step in ||
their journey to the cleaning if
tables and the can. From the |j
files of the Kodiak Mirror.
Sports Coats
The perfect gift for your
favorite Santa! Imported
tweeds and fleeces — newest
patterns and colors
$35.00 to $45.00
^—WiT lin iHlIili ? 1-1
Sport
Shirts
Fresh new patterns
and colors sure to
please — From $4.25
Warm
Slippers
Smart, soft and com
fortable, for Holiday
giving.
Dress
Shirts
Choice of Wash-and
W e a r Broadcloth,
Oxford cloth or Dac
ron from $4.50
Broadcloth
Pajamas
These a man will always wel
come. Large selection of col
ors and patterns $3.95 to $5.50
Men’s Dress
Gloves
Wool and fur-lined leather
gloves in a wide variety of
styles. $5.75 up.
Smart Wool
Socks
A great variety of patterns
and styles all featuring nylon
reinforced heel, toe.
$1.50 to $3.00
KRAFT’S MEN’S DEPT.