400 U. S. BUREAU OP FISHERIES 



depths of 66 to 99 fathoms. Near the central part of the bank, 

 between longitudes 150° and 151° west, two soundings of 37 fathoms 

 occur, while on the southern part depths of 40 to 72 fathoms were 

 found. Between longitudes 151° and 152° west, the latter marking 

 approximately the western boundary of the bank and the coast line, 

 the depths, according to the soundings of the Albatross, range from 

 20 to 81 fathoms, the latter occurring near the land ; but there were 

 no indications of a marked or extensive depression between the bank 

 and the shore. 



Gray sand prevails over most of the bottom, mixed with pebbles, 

 gravel, and broken shells in places, with occasional patches of mud 

 and some rocky spots on the western part of the bank. 



In 1888 the Albatross made a single series of soundings between 

 the eastern end of Portlock Bank and Middleton Island, which 

 showed depths of 87 and 101 fathoms about midway between the 

 two, indicating a small area surrounded by much deeper water. 



In 1911 the Albatross covered this same region more extensively 

 in its search for halibut banks, but on neither occasion were cod 

 found. 



During the latter investigations the region between Middleton Is- 

 land and Dixon Entrance was covered by the Albatross, but only 

 an occasional cod was found, and the work of the halibut vessels 

 over this area indicates that cod are quite scarce. 



INSHORE BANKS 



These banks generally are close to shore, usually around islands, 

 and are those resorted to by the fishermen from shore stations adja- 

 cent (from whence the cured product is shipped to market) or by 

 the natives and whites living close by, who catch enough for their 

 immediate wants or cure a few for their food in winter. Observa- 

 tions at a number of places show that cod caught close to the main- 

 land shores generally are smaller than those found on the offshore 

 and the island inshore banks. Virtually no cod are taken for 

 market on the inshore mainland banks. 



It was noticed that sick cod generally sought the shelter of the 

 harbors. At Pirate Cove, in the Shumagins, and at Pavlof, on 

 Sannak Island, I frequently noticed medium-sized cod in the harbors, 

 and almost invariably these were found to be sick or diseased. A few 

 yards outside the harbors only clean, healthy fish were found, show- 

 ing that their condition caused the diseased fish to seek the shelter 

 of the harbor. 



There are a few small banks in southeast Alaska. These banks, 

 which vary from 5 to 7 fathoms in depth, are mainly in Chatham 

 Straits, Lynn Canal, and Icy Straits. The fish are found on the 

 banks in the summer, disappearing into the deeper water in the fall. 

 The fish caught are comparatively small, examples more than 

 24 inches in length being rare. It is probable that if a search were 

 made numerous other banks would be found. 



Although cod are found occasionally near Sitka, Yakutat, in 

 Prince William Sound, and Port Graham, near the lower end of 

 the Kenai Peninsula, but few are taken by fishermen. At one time 

 many cod were taken by the natives living on Kodiak, Afognak, and 

 adjacent islands, but of late years the natives have given most of 



