a3 PACIFIC COD FISHERIES. 
lying throughout the middle of the strait, has been but little fished, 
as the dories could not work that far from shore. During the last 
two years, however, the number of power fishing boats has been con- 
siderably increased, and as these are enabled to go much farther from 
shore than the dories which are propelled by oars or sails, the middle 
ground is being worked more thoroughly. Occasionally the smaller 
vessels, with headquarters at the stations, have frequented the outer 
banks in West Nagai Strait. Around the Haystacks is an especially 
good fishing ground for a power fishing vessel. This ground runs 
from the pinnacle off East Head and the eastern point of Porpoise 
Harbor north to the southeast end of Andronica Island; is also said 
to extend toward Wedge Cape, at the upper end of Nagai Island. 
The bottom on this ground is smooth, and is composed of fine hard 
gravel; depth of water about 30 fathoms. The strong tide and the 
proximity of the numerous small islets forming part of the group 
make a power Vessel necessary. 
Should otter trawling ever be adopted for codfishing, West Nagai 
Strait would be one of the most favorable spots in all Alaska for 
its operation, as it has a comparatively smooth sandy bottom with 
depths throughout the greater portion from 25 to 40 fathoms. 
Pirate Cove, the oldest shore-fishing station operated in Alaska, 
is located on the northeast point of Popof Island. The grounds 
frequented by the fishermen of this place lie in Gorman Strait, be- 
tween Popof and Korovin Islands, and along the eastern side of the 
island as far south as Popof Head. 
In Unga Strait an inshore bank begins at Gull Island in 40 
fathoms, and runs west to Bay Point (known locally as Niggerhead). 
The bank is about a mile offshore and is about a mile in width, with 
a depth of about 30 fathoms nearly everywhere. Bottom is of 
packed sand with very little moss. 
In Portage Bay (now known as Balboa Bay) is a small bank upon 
which large fish may be taken during the summer months. The 
bank runs up the middle of the bay to the 5-fathom sounding. The 
soundings on the bank run from 25 to 35 fathoms. The bottom is of 
gravel, with numerous holes. 
In Beaver Bay, along the Peninsula, good fishing may be had. 
The bottom here is sandy and the depth averages about 25 fathoms. 
On the northern, eastern, and western shores of the Sannak Islands 
are to be found inshore banks on which cod are to be found through- 
out the late fall and winter, but the fish are in too deep water for 
the station fishermen throughout the rest of the year. On the 
northern side are four shore stations. Owing to the danger of the 
fishermen being blown to sea in the gales which spring up very sud- 
denly in this region, no shore stations have been established on the 
south side. 
