would be made tc trace the progress of available schools into the area of c 

 mercial fishing. 



Testir^ of Tarions types of gear was to be undertaken in conjunction 

 with the exploratory activities, i-lienever weather conditions periflitted, both 

 inside and outside the limits of the existing comcercial fishery. Once the 

 fishery becaaie established off the Oregon coast, the plan w-as then to move north- 

 ward alon^ the Washinrton and British Coluirbia coasts, keeping well ahead of the 

 rra-in fismjig fleet and continuiTig to evaluate cosiaercial possibilities at all 

 stages, '.fhen the albacore were found to have arrived off the iueen Charlotte 

 Islands, erctensive exploration north of Dixon Entrance would thai be undertaken 

 in an effort to determine if the tuna migrate farther north into Alaskan waters 

 in conmercially important numbers. 



DESCHIPTICW OF GEAR AIO) EIPLORATORI FISHING METHODS 



Three types of gear were used by the John N. Cobb in exploring for 

 albacore. These were siurface-trolled jigs, gill nets, and long lines. As the 

 majority of albacore taken in this area are caught on trolling gear, it was 

 decided to use this eqiiipniait as the main device in locatirig fish; and most of 

 the albacore caught during the cruise were by this means. The trolling jigs were 

 of various material and construction, most of which are used in the comniercial 

 fishery. Gill nets, both linen and nylon, were fished when weather and sea con- 

 ditions were satisfactory. Several experimental sets were made -with long-line 

 gear. 



The usual procedure was to fish the waters during daylight hours with 

 the trolling gear, paying special attention to water temperatures and other 

 factors as they affected the abundance of albacore. Jiast before dark, if weather 

 conditions were favorable, the gill net was set and allowed to drift until day- 

 bre«ik when it was hauled, and trolling was again resumed. A few experimental sets 

 made with the long-line gear in daylight produced meager results; however, all 

 types of gear fished caught albacore. Hesijlts of the gill-net fishing were highly 

 informative and on some occasions were encouraging from the commercial fishing 

 standpoint . 



Trolling Gear 



Make-up of the trolling gear used in the albacore fishery has become 

 quite standardized with the individual fisherman varying the different items of 

 gear to suit his personal taste and opinion. Poles, lines, and gear construction 

 used in this survey were no different from this coairercial-type gear. The Cobb 

 trolled eight lines, three from each outrigger pole and two from the stem (see 

 figure 3). The average number of lines fished by the commercial boats usually 

 varies from 8 to 10. 



Make-up and specifications 



The two trolling poles were of fir, 40-feet long, and tapering from 

 5 incnes at the butt to 2 inches at the tip. These were mounted on the bulwarks 

 just aft of the main house with conventional steel boom heel cap and pin-type 

 fittings so that their angle with the water could be adjusted to prevent the 



