PACIFIC COD FISHERIES. 91 
Kenai Peninsula, but few are ever taken by fishermen. At one time 
considerable cod were taken by the natives living on Kodiak, Afog- 
nak, and adjacent islands, but of late years the natives have devoted 
most of their time to the salmon fishery. The fact that the cod 
found on these banks are quite small has militated heavily against 
their sale in a dry-salted condition, in which trade only large fish 
are of much value. In 1909 the Alaska Commercial Co., at its Kodiak 
station, purchased from the native fishermen and dry-salted a con- 
siderable quantity of cod, but they were so small that they could be 
marketed in San Francisco only at a loss, with the result that the 
fishery was abandoned. If these small fish had been pickled they 
would have found a small but growing market for them in the coast 
States. 
In Chignik Bay cod are frequently found. At Mitrofania the 
natives cure considerable quantities for their own use, while in 1912 
some stockfish was prepared by a number of the ndtives. In 1912 
the writer investigated the ground off Ivanof Bay. Good, large cod 
are to be found here, but the vessels have never found it necessary 
to resort to this ground, while a shore station could not operate, as, 
should the wind from the ocean suddenly shift to the land, a dory 
would be blown straight out to sea. A vessel would find Kupreanof 
Harbor a very safe and convenient refuge. 
On Herendeen Island, on Northwest Harbor, a small island to the 
northward of Little Koniuji Island, are located two shore stations, 
which are operated during the winter and spring months; during 
the last two seasons with but indifferent success. During the summer 
months the cod are mostly on the offshore banks, too far away for 
the dories to operate. Several vessels have operated with marked 
success on this offshore bank, which is really a prolongation of 
Shumagin Bank, but as the bottom is rocky anchors are frequently 
~ lost. 
In the Shumagin and Sannak Groups shore stations to operate 
on the inshore banks have reached their greatest development. 
In the Shumagins these banks are very numerous, spots where cod 
can not be taken at some time during the year being exceedingly 
infrequent. The best-known banks are in West Nagai Strait and 
Gorman Strait. The majority of the Shumagin Island stations are 
on the former sheet of water, it forming practically one continuous 
bank. On the western side fishing is carried on throughout the year, 
while on the eastern side fishing is generally begun in May and 
ended in August—June and July being the best months. The sta- 
tions on the western side find*the cod most abundant from March 
to October, the former month being the best. It is probable that 
they are just as abundant during the rest of the year, but the weather 
generally prevents much fishing. A considerable part of this bank, 
86497°—17——27 
