Japan – United States Fishery Dispute

Northern Advocate, 21 October 1938, Page 4

Japan - United States Fishery Dispute

VANCOUVER. Sept. 10. Relations arc strained between Japan and the United States in Alaskan waters. In spite of assurances given by Japan to America last March, several Japanese canneries, with their atendant fishing fleets, were detected operating in Bristol Bay, the main source of Alaska's fishing wealth, valued at £10.000.000 a year. The Japanese were setting huge seadrift nets, three and a half miles long, along the route of the famous red salmon, and trapping the bulk of the run before it could reach the inner waters of the American fishing grounds. Under American regulations nets are limited To 900 feet in length. One master sent a radio message to his headquarters in Seattle that the Japanese were operating fishing vessels thicker than ever, and had so much gear strung out that it was impossible for him to set his own gear. Another reported: “Behring Sea covered with Japanese boats and nets. No American revenue cutters in sight, therefore we have God-given instinct to shoot straight. Please ship high-powered rifles and plenty of ammunition.” Clash Narrowly Averted.

The guns were shipped. Subsequently it was stated that all fishermen going to Alaskan waters wore being armed. A clash appeared inevitable. The Department of State intervened, and ordered five patrol ships, carrying aeroplanes, to traverse the sector. The Japanese vessels left. Prior to their departure, a seaplane, carrying a cannery superintendent, flew low over one of the Japanese mother ships, and estimated that it. had on board 20,000 fresh-caught salmon, “We caused quite a disturbance,” he said. “The Japanese were running round, and seemed to have lost their heads; then, all of a sudden they stood still and just gazed at us.” Last season Japan sent the managing director of a Government-subsi-dised cannery to Seattle, urging a Japanese-American combine, under which Japan would supply the ships and labour and the catch would be shared. The offer was rejected. Canada Also Protests,

Japan cites as precedent for her policy towards Bristol Bay salmon, the fur seals of the Pribiloff Islands, in the Aleutian Group. Prior to 1911, Japanese, Russian and Canadian vessels hovered off shore and killed the seals as they migrated. In the Pelagic Sealing Treaty of 1911, the United States and Russia agreed to pay Japan and Canada 15 per cent, of the value of the annual catch. The United States patrols the waters, does the killing and markets the furs. Canada, as well as the United States is protesting against the activities of Japanese' fishing fleets on the Pacific Coast. The United States proposes to build an army and navy base in Alaska and an air base near the British Columbian border, and to strengthen the anti-aircraft batteries along the North Pacific Coast.