WAG) PACIFIC COD FISHERIES. 
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 A/datross, but only 
an oceasional cod was found, and the work of the halibut vessels 
over this area indicates that cod are quite scarce. 
INSHORE BANKS. 
These banks are generally close to shore, usually around islands, 
and are the ones resorted to by the fishermen from shore stations ad- 
jacent, 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 are generally smaller than those found on the offshore 
and the island inshore banks. Practically no cod are taken for mar- 
ket on the inshore mainland banks. 
It was noticed that cod in a sick condition generally sought the 
shelter of the harbors. At Pirate Cove, in the Shumagins, and at. 
Pavlof, on Sannak Island, the writer 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 would be found, thus showing 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. 
Although cod are occasionally found near Sitka, Yakutat, in 
Prince William Sound, and Port Graham, near the lower end of the 
