Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-25
FISHES OF THE PACIFIC.
Report on the work of the Alba
trOss.

tFO&Ss
WASHINGTON, July "a. = Lieutenant
Commander Tanner of the navy has
made an interesting report to the Fish
Commission OF the work Of the
steamer Albs'rosa, from the Re.
ginning OF the present year to
June 30th, last. The actual work o. The
Albatross began January 5th, when
trawl was cast in 236 fathoms OF
water in Cortez banks, about twelve
milss from Point Conception.
The fish swarmed in great numbers and
variety over the bsnke, which ere the
richest found so far in the Pacific. Fat
heads, white fish, yellow tail, rock cod
and four species of red rock cod took the
hooks steadily.
Rich hauls were made at Bercher's
bay in about 270 fathoms of water. The
Fl sh taken included four species Of black
cod, OF excellent flavor, and also deep
water sole, one of the best sea fishes
ot the Pacific G ,ast. At Watson's Rock
a.party sent out from the ship captured
more than 1000 pounds OF fsh
in less than two hours. Qua
were found to be barren, but
a round Clarion island the fish swarmed
in great numbers. Forty-six spe
cies, of which twenty we're edi.
BILE, were taken. Sharks made
things lively also. Fourteen species
OF fish not found on Clarion island, were
taken near Soccoro island, the largest Of
this group. Hump-hack whales
constantly ploughed throug', the
sea in full sight. Thousands oi
seal and cod, men.of-war, hawks aud
boobies m de Their home on San Bene
dicto, an island upon which neither
wood, water, nor even a bueh could be
seen.
The Gulf of California then became
the objective point, and in the vicinity
of Cape San Lucas the Alabatross in
vestigated the reports that long had
been current of islands, rocks
and reefs in the neighborhood
Their non-existence was established by
soundings, and it was also demonstrated
that the islands commencing at Guada'
loupe and extending to Los Alijos and
Reville Gigardo groups, are isolated vol
canic eruptions entirely independent oi
the continent and of one another
The gull was entered on March
11th and the ground around San
Jose was literally covered with
oyster shells, alive and dead at depth
of from ten totwelve fathoms. Numbers
of fish we're taken in the gulf, and al
George island plenty Of squeteague and
a species of ses.bass, weighing from
sixty to one hundred and sixty pounds,
were taken.
Many sea birds and rookery of ses
lions were also discovered. At one place
fcb koE b. in ct,oI, horo th fh
Captain was obliged to put a stop to the
gulf was found to be impracticable
San Luis island. In the latter part oI
March sea lions, whales and porpoises
abound, the last named be-
ing very wild. Governor Cervantes
and large number of gentlemen who
visited the ship we're greatly surprised to
see the great variety of marine
fauna which had been found, many
of which they never had seen OF
heard of. Excellent oysters were found
to be plentiful off Algodones lagoon
about the Yaqui river. At low
tide these oysters are exposed
to view and the Indians collect
them by hand. The fishing grounds of
Man.of-war cove did not sustain the rep.
utation they have.
Investigations made by Professor Gill
bert and MIR. Alexander showed that nc
shad existed in the Gila and Col.
orado rivers, the waters having
proved unadapted to the shad planted
there by the commission. German carp,
however, were found to have
thriven well. Large numbers of hal
ibut and rock cod were found of
Cape Flattery, and when trawl was
set in the water from 475 to 760 fathoms
deep, many unrecognizsd specimens OF
fish were taken, besides founders, deep
sea soleI Norway haddock, macrusus and
hog fish, sea shrimp, sea urchins, holo-
thurians, ophiurans, star fish, sea ane-
mones, crinoids, penatues and hermit
crabs were also pulled up. Black
cod was caught at S59 fathoms depth the
greatest depth in which they have been
found. A fine sandy bottom was in
dicated.