18 HALIBUT FISHING GROUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



appear, might prove more successful. It is quite safe to assert that 

 cod in this vicinity are sufficiently abundant to furnish a supply for 

 a large shore plant if operated properly. 



Akutan Harbor. — In the evening we steamed across Akutan Bay 

 and anchored in Akutan Harbor. On our way into the harbor a dory 

 was dropped and a trawl set off the mouth in 27 fathoms of water, 

 on rocky bottom, where it remained one and one-half hours. The 

 catch was 1 halibut, weighing 4 pounds, and 12 cod. 



Wliile steaming across Akutan Bay a large fishing schooner was 

 sighted through the fog which afterwards proved to be the Fera, of 

 Seattle, some of whose crew had been fishing with handlines from 

 dories in and out the mouth of Akutan Harbor while the vessel was 

 taking a supply of water. In two days 4,200 cod were taken — 1,500 

 the first day and 2,700 the day following. That cod were plentiful 

 was indicated by the number taken on the trawl set at the mouth of 

 the harbor. 



It was stated by the people living at Akutan Plarbor that a whale 

 plant was soon to be erected and a cod station established, each to be 

 conducted on a large scale. A large steamer was about to be launched 

 at Seattle to engage in the whale fishery, and several motor boats and 

 dories were expected in a few days to take part in the cod fishery. 

 The motor boats are to be used in towing the dories to and from 

 the fishing grounds and performing such work about the station as 

 ma}^ be required. 



Akutan Harbor for many years has been occupied by the Alaska 

 Commercial Co., of San Francisco, as a trading station, but recently 

 the property was transferred to another company which is to carry 

 on the whale and cod fisheries previously mentioned. 



Many humpback whales were observed on the eastern side of 

 Akun Island, and quite a number in Akutan Bay, which separates 

 Akun and Akutan Islands. Whale birds were numerous and other 

 sea birds plentiful. 



While no large body of salmon visit Akutan, yet enough are taken 

 by the natives for local demands. It has also been the custom of the 

 natives of Unalaska to visit Akutan each season for the purpose of 

 laying in a supply of red salmon, that species being found there in 

 greater numbers than in the streams of Unalaska. 



North Head. — Leaving xVkutan Harbor, the next trial for halibut 

 was made off North Head, where two skates were set in 26 fathoms 

 of water ; character of bottom, rocky. On one skate there were taken 

 1 halibut, 38 cod, 2 skates, and 2 sculpins. The second skate caught 

 12 cod, 2 turbot, and 2 sculpins. The halibut weighed 5 pounds and 

 measured 23 inches. The cod were large, such as those found on the 

 offshore grounds. There was marked absence of birds or other forms 

 of life which would indicate prolific ground. 



