The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-21
THE FISHERIES.
Report Of the Exploration Of Pacific Fish
Ing Banks.

WASHINGTON, June 20-The United
States Fish Commissioner has just issued an
interesting report of the work done by the
AlbatrOss in exploring and laying out the
fishing grounds of Bristol Bay. The report
says: Goldfish of fair size and good quality
were very plentiful on the whole bank, and
scattering schools of small halibut were
taken. A weIl-found fishing schooner could
anchor anywhere on this ground between
May and September with an even chance of
being able to lay out any gale she should
encounter. Shaw Bay affords excellent
protection against winds from southeaststo
southwest. Baird Bank has been named by
the writer in honor of the late Professor
Spencer +. Baird, Commissioner of Fish
and Fisheries. through whose untiring
efforts the great scheme of deep sea
fishery investigation was inaugurated.
This bank is the largest and most
valuable Of the fishing grounds yet
discovered in Behring sSea. Commencing
in the vicinity of Amak Island, it stretches
along the coast Of the peninsula to Cape
ChicOhog0b, go miles, with an average width
of 40 miles, and thus covers an area t 9200
square miles. The depths average from 10
to 80 fathOms with a bottom of fine gray
sand with occasional spots OF black sand
and gravel and few rocky patches near
the shore.
Herendeen Bay will be port of call for
fishermen when they become better known.
Port Haiden also may become available
after it has been surveyed. We found cod
fish in great abundance and of good quality
over the whole bank. But the best fishing
ground is without doubt in depths between
% and 40 fathoms, and Port Moller region
is the most prolific. The FISH taken near
shore were smaller and apparently not in
good condition. Goldfish are found on
KuIuiya aI- Urnund on1 In 10 rpUiOn QT Canp
Newenham. Bnt they are smaller and in
ferior in quality to those on the shores
Of Cape Unimak and the peninsula.
Goldfish have their enemies in Behr-
ing Sea, as we'll as in other parts OF the
world. Many wounded fish are seen, par
ticularly ia the spring and fall, after the
passage of the seals into and out Of the sea.
This phenomenon Is observed more notice
ably near the passes between the Aleutian
lslandL Behring Sea also suffers IN COM
mon with other prolific grounds that are not
much tShed upon, in that numbers OF fish
are left to die Of old age or other natural
causes. AT certain age fish become weak
and more liable TO be infested with para
sites, all of which is soon apparent from the
general condition of the victims. This
trouble decreases. however, as the bank be-
comes more generally fiShed. Scattering
specimens of small haibut of fine quality
were found on Baird Bank. Founders of
several species, some of them excellent fish,
were also taken in the beam trawl wherever
it was lowered in Behrng Sea.
PosToFFICE CHANGES.
A new Postoffice has been established at
Parsons. Tuolumne County, from Sugar
pine. Hiram w. BlaSdell has been COM
miSsioned Postmaster at Ogilby, San Diego
County, CAL
PENSIONS GRANTED.
Pensions have been granted to the fol-
lowing Calif0rnianS: George j. F0gg, An
drew NJ Ornbaum, Frank KOpmaD, S. 9.
Tornhohm, Ella j. Chamberlain, Ellen f.
Bricketts, AremontO I. Stanford, Harriet
V. Ii. Rippey.