FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. XXXVII 



adjacent islands. The entire length of the plateau, so far as it has been 

 explored, is over GOO miles and the extent of the fishing-grounds ex- 

 amined about 23,400 square geographical miles. All of this area 

 abounds in cod and halibut, but some localities aftbrd much better fish- 

 ing and a better grade of fish than others, as is the case in all fishing re- 

 gions. Good fishing occurs among the islands, and in the baj's and 

 harbors which indent the main-land coasts, especially at the mouth of 

 Cook's Inlet and in Prince William's Sound, bat the largest and best 

 fish are taken offshore in the deeper waters. 



The banks examined by the steamer Albatross during the summer of 

 18S8 are as follows : 



Portloclc Banli. — This bank lies to the northward and eastward of 

 Kadiak Island and extends from near the island to about latitude 149° 

 W. It covers an area of about 0,800 square miles inside of the 100- 

 fathom line, being not greatly inferior in size to George's Bank, the total 

 area of which is about 8,400 square miles. 



A Ibatross Banlc lies to the southeastward of Kadiak Island. It extends 

 the entire length of the island and reaches from the coast to the 100- 

 lathom line. It is practically an extension of Portlock Bank and has 

 an area of about 3,700 square miles. Many excellent harbors and con- 

 venient anchorages are located along the inner edge of this bank. 



Between KadiaJc and the region of the Shumagins but few soundings 

 and trials for fish were made, but these were suUicient to prove the ex- 

 istence of rich fishing-grounds in this locality, covering an estimated 

 area of 4,400 square n)iles. 



Shumagin Bank lies south and east of the Shnmagin Islands, between 

 which and the 100-fathoin line it has an area of about 1,800 square miles. 

 This is one of the best known of the Alaskan grounds and has been much 

 resorted to by the fishermen. 



Between the Shumaghis and Sanakh Banlc about 1,800 square miles of 

 excellent fishing-grounds have been partly explored. 



Sanalch Banlc lies south and east of the Sanakh Islands and covers an 

 area of about 1,300 square miles. Good fishing-grounds are also re- 

 ported from the region lying to the north of the Sanakh Islands and 

 west of the Sandman Eeefs. It has not, however, been explored. 



Davidson Banlc extends from the region of Ugomok eastward to the 

 vicinity of the Sanakhs, and contains an area of 1,000 square miles in- 

 side of the 100-fathom curve. 



Between Unimalc Pass and the tcestern end of Oonalaslca Island an area 

 of about 2,000 square miles has been partly explored. Good fishing 

 was found wherever trials were made. 



The Aleutian Islands. — Cod are abundant along the line of the Aleu- 

 tian chain, as far as the island of Atka, and perhaps farther west, but 

 as these islands, to the westward of Ooualaska, are closely bounded by 

 very deep water on both tbe northern and the southern "sides, the fish 

 are found only in the immediate vicinity of the islands. Good fishing 

 occurs about Oonalaska and between there and Onimak Island, excep- 

 tionally rich grounds for large fish being said to exist oft" the northern 

 and southern entrances to Onimak Pass. 



Bering Sea.— Very little cod fishing has yet been done in Bering Sea, 

 and not much can i)Ositively be said of its resources in that resi)ect, 

 except with reference to a few localities. 



Captain Bryant wrote of this region that " Bering Sea is a mighty 

 reservoir of cod and halibut, so that he never threw over his lines with- 

 out bringing up fish in whatever part of the sea ho might hajjpen." 



