FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 67 
method of preparing black cod is to smoke certain parts lightly, par- 
ticularly the backs. This is done chiefly after the fish are landed at 
Puget Sound ports, for the product as it comes from Alaska is either 
in a fresh, frozen, or pickled state. 
The fish are taken incidentally in the halibut fishery, and as a rule 
are caught on those trawls which are set at greater depths, as the 
black cod apparently confines its habitat more exclusively to deeper 
water than does the halibut. Until four or five years ago most of 
the halibut fishermen when lifting their trawls threw away all black 
cod immediately after they were taken from the hooks. At the 
present time, however, the price obtained makes it desirable to bring 
in these fish along with the halibut. 
SHIPMENT OF Buack Cop From ALASKA WATERS IN 1915. 
Products. Pounds. | Value. 
TDRSS 2 Se be A cits ea ee emcee Bi ih epee bat eet eee eee ett kts 57,394 $1, 688 
Frozen... -- eee oreo totes cen ene pet penne a aac Bee TEAR Shae sees ee eres ape os 46,176 1,194 
LPTELS EOL. a Sete es els A ek al eed I Ry ly a ee ode a Ea A 2 oes 38, 980 1,089 
SEGUE Serre ree ane a - Ae see ep ee meena ree om cee acer de toet todas ec ca 142, 550 3,971 
ATKA MACKEREL. 
In January, 1915, the department issued a permit authorizing 
A. C. Goss to fish for Atka mackerel in the vicinity of Attu Island, 
Aleutian Islands Reservation, and to market the product. It was 
stipulated in the permit that all work in connection with the taking 
of the fish and their subsequent preparation for market should be 
done by Aleuts or Indians who were residents of the reservation. 
Fishing for Atka mackerel was carried on by Mr. Goss at Attu Island 
on June 19, July 1, and July 10, and 10 barrels of 200 pounds each 
were taken each day. Native labor was used and the fish were taken 
by means of jigs. The gear employed consisted of 1 schooner, 
valued at $3,000; 3 boats, at $100; jigs, $5. Eighteen natives were 
employed and the number of fish taken was 7,035. The total product 
was 30 barrels, valued at $300. 
A. few barrels of the fish after having been pickled were shipped to 
San Francisco, as a sample, in an endeavor to introduce the product 
and if possible secure financial aid. The fish were repacked at Una- 
laska and an examination showed them to be fat and in excellent 
condition. 
It is stated that the fish congregate in large schools off Attu Island 
and remain there the entire summer. The natives say that they are 
also found there in the winter season. 
It has been suggested that experimentation might develop a way 
of making excellent caviar from the eggs of these fish. 
