HALIBUT FISHINa GROUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 23 



the halibut was 15 pounds, average length 30 inches. Numerous sea 

 birds were present, the first observed since leaving Akutan Pass. 



Two other trials were made during the day. The trawls were 

 baited with salted herring and fresh halibut and set 2 miles apart, 

 one in latitude 54° 59' N., longitude 157° 43' W., and the other 

 in latitude 55° 01' 30" N., longitude 157° 43' W., on rocky bottom, 

 each in 42 fathoms of water. They were kept down 1 hour and 30 

 minutes, with a result of capturing 14 halibut, 46 cod, 7 sculpins, and 

 1 starfish. Tlie halibut averaged 11 pounds in weight and 20 inches 

 in length, the maximum weight of a single individual being 20 pounds. 

 The cod were large and of good quality. The result of these trials 

 would indicate an excellent cod ground, and probably a good halibut 

 ground at certain seasons. AMiales and birds were abundant. 



Semidi Islands. — On the morning of July 11, at 6.15 o'clock, fishing 

 was begun off Semidi Islands, Lighthouse Rocks 7 miles distant and 

 bearing WNW. ^ W. ; depth 48 fathoms, rocky bottom. At this 

 station one skate of trawl was set, remaining down one hour, on which 

 1 small halibut and 4 cod were caught. 



In the next investigation, which began at 8.05 a. m., Lighthouse 

 Eock bearing AV. I S., 10 miles distant, a dory was put over with one 

 skate of trawl and set in 48 fathoms; character of bottom, sand and 

 small rocks. The ship steamed 2 miles on a NE. f N. course and 

 dropped a dory where the water was 49 fathoms deep, after which 

 continued on the same course and put over two more dories at inter- 

 vals of 2 and 3 miles, in 50 and 53 fathoms. At these stations 23 

 halibut and 52 cod were caught. The trial lasted 1 hour and 40 

 minutes. A large number of whales and numerous birds were pres- 

 ent, indicating the presence of marine surface life. 



The taking of this number of halibut on salt bait in such a short 

 time is somewhat convincing that this region is favorable for a con- 

 siderable catch of this species. The true value of the ground, how- 

 ever, can be determined only by fishing vessels. 



Ghowiet Island. — The next trial was made in the vicinity of 

 Chowiet Island, one of the Semidi group, which bore NW. | W. 6J 

 miles. The set was begun in 100 fathoms of water, deepening to 120 

 on the outer end of the trawl ; bottom sandy. There were few, if any, 

 indications of halibut on this spot of ground. Twenty-six cod, 2 

 skates, and a basket starfish was the catch. 



Chirikof Island. — From the position of the last trial the ship 

 steamed 27 miles in a northeasterly direction, and at 6.50 p. m. made a 

 trial 11 miles from Chirikof Island, the north end bearing east. 

 Character of the bottom, dead shells ; depth, 40 fathoms. The trawl 

 was kept down 1 hour and 20 minutes, the catch consisting of 2 hali- 

 but, 8 cod, and 1 skate. The halibut weighed 9 and 12 pounds, 

 respectively; length, 27 and 29 inches. The considerable number of 



