The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-02-15
NORTH PACIFIC FISHES.
Results Of the Researches Of the
Albztross.
Marshall Mcdonald in conxrssslonsI
Refo7ss.

Cod and haIiDuf are the principal
saltwater food fishes Of the Northern
Pacific, IS they are Of the North At
lantie coasts. The species are idensi-
cal in the two oceans. In the Pacific
Ocean both species have practically
the same distribution and the same
distribution and the same center oil
abundance. Cod hare been recorded.
donbtfully. from rs far south ss the
Faraiione Islands, of San francisco
They oeenr on Heeetz Bank. of the
coast OF Oregon, in the vicinity Of the
Etraits OF FCca. and On the coast OF
British Columbia. From this point
they range continuously northward
along the Aiassan coast 70 -. Law
renee Island and Sorton Sound, In the
northern part Of Behrtng Sea, becon1-
ing scarce in the northern part Of that
sea, and aftording the most extensive
fisheries along the coasts and islands
and upon the oEf-Shore banks south of
Kenaf and Alaska Peninsuias, along
the line OF the Aieutian Islands, as far
TO the westward as Aka. end in the
southern part of Behring Sea.
The halibut also ranges from the
FarrasIone islands 10 Bthring straits.
and Is exceedingly abundant aiong the
central Alaskan coast, associated with
the cod. salmon OF several species,
for which the Alaskan rivers are justly
noted, sre also sometimes captured in
salt water, but only IN tlse bays and
harbor-, respec ting which no question
~ a
the remaining food and bait fishes Of
Alaska are briefly discussed as 20 the
distribution, abundance, and uses, in
the incsosed report by Or. T. III. Bean,
the lchThyo Iogfst OF this commission.
The natiye- are greatly dependent
upon the catch OF habitat for supply
ing their own wants, but the only ini-
portant commercial fishery conducted
at present in salt water il directed to-
ward the cod. Cod and haiibut hanks
are found among the islands OF south
eastern Alaska. aud q very limited
fishery Is carried on ia that region,
and also along the coast 10 the north
ward OF sitka, as far as the kenai
peninsula. The principal grounds re-
sorted % are, however, located on the
submerged continental plateau south
vi t1F hEs4A4 Atft 41AATAA fHsf&ttte AS49s
and in the vicinity Of Unifnak and
unaiashka islands. That portion OF
the submerged plateau situated be-
tween Middleton island. south Of
Prince William > sound and the island
OF Unalaahka Is covered with sue
cession of banks and island groups.
which Afford almost continuous fish
ing grounds, whose richness in marine
OF the great fishing banks OF eastern
North America.
Parts OF this region have been re-
sorted to for the capture OF cod during
nearly 20 years, but, OF course,
only 10 very limited: extent com pared
with the fishing grounds OF the east
ern coast. The gishtng has been carried
on mostly within easy reach of the
land in the vicinity OF the shumagin
islanls, Unalashka aud kadiak. The
existence of Seil-deiined banks in this
region have been known for long
time. their positions and characters
tics having been determined in gen
eral way IRON information obtained
from the fishermen and from the occa-
ional soundings of exploring vessels.
The extent and contour of these banks
and their exceeding richness in ali
parts, have, however. only been ascer-
tanned during the past year, through
the researches Of the fish commission
steamer Albatross, which spent about
two months in making IA preliminary
survey of the region.
Five of these hanks were developed
by the steamer AIbatross, ana several
others partly explored. They are To-
caIed, ns d whole, much nearer the
coast line than the ofs-shore banks of
New England and the British prov
inees. the NEST OF them being within
easy reach OF secure harbors. They
are limited on the outer side BY the
steep slope bordering the continental
plateau, which varies in width from
about 30 miles ut the eastern end to
about 40 miles at the western end,
many oi the banks reaching from this
slope 10 the mainland, or 20 the shores
of the adjacent islands. The entire
length of the plateau, so far as il has
been explored, Is over GOO miles, and
the extent OF the fishing grounds. ex-
amined, about . 100 square geograph-
ical miles. All uf this area abounds
In cod and halihut, but some localities
afford much better fishing and much
better grade o. FISH than others, as is
the case OF ali fishing regions. Good
fishing uccars among the islands. and
ia the bays and hafbors which indent
the mainland coasts, especially at the
mouth OF Cook inlet and in Prince
Williams sound. but the largest and
best fish are taken Off shore in the
deeper waters.
The banks examined hy the steamer
Alhatross during the summer of isss
are as follows
Portloek bank. This bank lies 10
the northward and eastward Of kadiak
Island, and extends from near the ISL
and To about latitude if9 degrees west.
IL covers an area OF about q 500 square
miles inside of the tosLtathom line, be-
ing no. greatly inferior In size 10
Georges bank, the total area of which
is about : soc square miles.
Atbatross bank lies Ia the southeast
ward os kadiak Island. It extends
the entire length of the island aud
reaches from tue coast To the lee
tathom line. IL IS practically an ex.
tension of Purtloek bank and has an
area oi about :, 200 square miles. Many
excellent haThors and convenient an
chorages are located along the inner
edge OF this hank.
Between kadiak and the region OF
the Shumagins huI few soundings and
trials for fish were made. but these
were sufficient 10 prove the existence
OF rich fishing grounds ia this locality
covering al estimated area of tt0s
square miles.
shumagin bank lies south and east
Of the shumagin islands, between
which AMI the loo .fathom line il has
an area of about iS0 square mites
This Is enc of the best known of III,
Alaskan grounds. and has been srscf
reSeytca - by the fishermen.
Between the ShumasluS AFT tbs
Sanakh hank about isso square male,
1T excellent fishing grounds have beer
partly explored.
Sauakh bank lies south aud east d
che SAnakh islands. ana covers al
area ef about 1870 square miles. Good
fishing grounds are also reported from
the region wing io the iserth ot shs
Sanakh island and west Of the Sand
man reefs. Ii has nos, however. beer
EXPLORED
Davidson bank extends from tbs
region cs gpnok eastward Ia shs
vssiaity 90 the Sanakhs. and contain,
an area af its0 square miles inside o.
the isslfatham curve.
Between Uulmak pass and the
western snd ~ InaIAShka island az
area Gf 9ssl StSaarp WtlsS has hseF