Allen, Edward Weber, 1885-1976

Lawyer, fisheries expert, and public official.

From the description of Papers, 1926-1974. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 86093913

Edward Weber Allen (1885-1976) was an attorney from Seattle, Washington, who specialized in fisheries law. Beginning in 1928, he represented Alaska salmon packers in many areas of activity, including legal affairs, labor matters, lobbying, and as public spokesman for the industry. Organizations with which he worked included Canned Salmon Industry, Inc., Alaska Salmon Industry, Inc., the Pacific Fisheries Conference, the Alaska Salmon Institute Northwest Salmon Canners Association, and the American Salmon Protective Committee Association of Pacific Fisheries, and he was a long-time member of the U.S. State Department Fishing Industry Advisory Committee. Allen also used his knowledge of fisheries law to the benefit of various international commissions, including the International Fisheries Commission (known after 1953 as the International Pacific Halibut Commission), the the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission, and the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission. Additionally, he was active in the American Bar Association, chairing its Law of the Sea Committee and serving on its International and Comparative Law Section as well as other committees. During World War II Allen served in the United States Office of Strategic Services. He authored four books: North Pacific: Japan, Siberia, Alaska, Canada (1936); Dancing Tails and Other Fishy Jingles (1951); The Vanishing Frenchman: The Mysterious Disappearance of Lapérouse (1959); and Lapérouse: A Check List (1959).

From the description of Edward Weber Allen papers, 1886-1975 (bulk 1929-1974). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 28419358

Allen also used his knowledge of fisheries law to the benefit of various international commissions. He was a member from 1932 to 1955 of the International Fisheries Commission (known after 1953 as the International Pacific Halibut Commission), and also served as its chairman and secretary. The International Fisheries Commission helped restore the depleted halibut stocks in the North Pacific. Allen also served as a commissioner of the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission from 1937 to 1957, which was formed to revive the salmon stock of the Puget Sound and Fraser River. In 1954 Allen helped create the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission, which was composed of representatives of the United States, Canada, and Japan. The commission met every three years and Allen served as chairman. He was also a long-time member of the U.S. State Department Fishing Industry Advisory Committee.

Additionally, Allen was active in the American Bar Association. He chaired its Law of the Sea Committee and served on its International and Comparative Law Section, as well as other committees. During World War II Allen served in the United States Office of Strategic Services.

In 1957 Allen was named Puget Sound Maritime Man of the Year. In 1959 he received the Raymond J. Huff Memorial Award for service in the field of international affairs.

Allen was the author of four books: North Pacific: Japan, Siberia, Alaska, Canada (1936), which attempted to raise the alarm about Japanese fishing in the North Pacific; Dancing Tails and Other Fishy Jingles (1951) – a collection of his poems; The Vanishing Frenchman: The Mysterious Disappearance of Lapérouse (1959); and Lapérouse: A Check List (1959).

From the guide to the Edward Weber Allen papers, 1886-1975, 1929-1974, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)