FUE-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. XXXIX 



THE OKHOTSK SEA. 



The sliallow waters of the Okhotsk Sea, were noted for their cod fish- 

 eries before the Alaskan grounds were opened to American enterprise, 

 and they are still visited to a limited extent by American fishing ves- 

 sels from San Francisco. The grounds mostlj' resorted to at present 

 are said to lie about 30 or 40 miles north of Saghaliu Island, on the 

 western side of the sea. Other good grounds are located on the eastern 

 side of the sea, off the coast of Kamtschatka, and in the Kurile Straits. 

 In 18CG about fifteen American vessels visited the Okhotsk Sea, but 

 in recent years, and especially since the Alaskan grounds have become 

 better known, the number has been much less. 



GENERAL NOTES. 



Cod are present on the Alaskan grounds during the entire year, but 

 cold weather tends to drive them off from the shallow groun<ls into 

 deeper water. The best seasons for fishing occur at diflerent times in 

 different localities. A part of the shore fish approach the islands in 

 separate schools, as is also t!ie case on the Atlantic coast. These schools 

 are classed as follows, in the order of their appearance, which continues 

 from about May 1 into September, namely : The herring school, the 

 lant school, the capelin school, and the squid school. The last-men- 

 tioned school is composed of the largest fish, averaging about 12 pounds 

 each, but the bank fish are still larger. 



The majority of the Alaskan cod sent to market are, in size, below the 

 average of the George's Bank fish, but it is to be remembered that the 

 Alaskan fishery has so far been chiefly limited to the immediate vicinity 

 of the islands, where the fish are much smaller than upon the banks. A 

 length of 28 inches is generally regarded as the standard for the east- 

 ern fish. In the trials made by the steamer Albatross the average size 

 of the fish in each catch varied from about 25 to about 3L inches. 

 These were, however, all short trials with hand-lines, and the fact is 

 recognized among fishermen that the smaller fish take the bait first, 

 the larger ones being finally " tolled" up to tlie hooks. The visit of 

 the Albatross to this region was also not made at the best season for 

 obtaining large cod. Tiie fish generally took the hook rapidly, both cod 

 and halibut being secured at most of the trials. 



The bait question will give no concern for many years. There is 

 everywhere an abundance of fishes, squid, and clams, suited to this 

 purpose, and it is now the custom to start out with only a sufficient 

 amount of cured bait to begin fishing. The hooks (juickly supply live 

 bait, which appears never to be lacking. Ilalibut, yellow-fish, herring, 

 Bculpins, pollock, lant, and even salmon, are among the fishes used. 

 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 



Marshall McDonald, 

 United States Commissiouc)' of Fisheries. 



Hon. POINDEXTER DUNN, 



House of Representatives, Washington, D. G. 



