XLII FUE-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



The sculpins are among the most numerous of fishes iu Alaska, 

 constituting nearly one-fifth of the entire known fauna. Probably the 

 largest sculpins in the world are found in that country. I have seen 

 specimens measuring 30 inches. Two of the species are excellent for 

 food and many of the others furnish food for fishes and other aquatic 

 animals. The species which I have personally tasted and found to be 

 acceptable food are distinguished by strips of scales along the sides. 



The family of Scorpwnidce, which in New England waters is rei)re- 

 sented by the well-known red fish, ]N"orway liaddock, or brim, includes 

 seven species in Alaska. These are among the choice food fishes of 

 the Territory. Tliey appear to be limited to the Gulf of Alaska. The 

 name usually applied to this fish is rock bass. The red rock bass grows 

 to a length of 18 inches ; the black-banded rock bass, 15 inches ; the 

 black rock bass reaches a length of 20 inches; the clouded rock bass, 

 12 inches ; the mottled rock bass, nearly 2 feet, and the other species 

 about 15 inches. AH of them take the hook very freely and are found 

 usually in moderate depths. 



The so-called rock cods, members of the family Cliiridoe, are also .very 

 abundant and highly prized as food. They belong to the genera Hcxa- 

 grammus, with the species of small or moderate size ; Fleurogrammus, 

 also of moderate size ; OpJiiodon, which is one of the largest fishes iu 

 the Territory, and Ancqjlopoma, another very large species. The spe- 

 cies of Hexagrammus are styled rock cod, although they have no rela- 

 tion to the cod family. Another name for some of the species is green 

 fish, because of the green color of the flesh before cooking. Among 

 the Russians they are known as torpoog. One of the species extends 

 as far north as Port Clarence. All of them are found in Bering Sea. 

 The largest species grows to a length of 18 inches. 



The Fleurogrammus has several common names: Athka fish, Athka 

 mackerel, striped fish, and yellow fish. In the western part of the Gulf 

 of Alaska and about the Aleutian Islands this fish occurs in great 

 schools. In deep water about the Shumagins it is very common, and is 

 one of the finest known baits for codfish. It is also very abundant oil' 

 Athka. It can be taken in purse-seines like, the mackerel, and, when 

 prepared in the same way, it strongly resembles this fish in taste. It 

 deserves to be ranked among the most important of the commercial 

 species. The OpModon, commonly called cultus cod, is a very valuable 

 food fish and a very common one from Santa Barbara to southern Alaska. 

 It grows to a length of over 3 feet and sometimes weighs nearly 40 

 l^ounds. 



The Anaplopoma is known to the Indians of Washington Territory and 

 nortward as the beshowe. This fish, without any reason whatever, has 

 sometimes been styled the black cod, but this name sliould beat once sup- 

 pressed. In the deep water off Puget Sound and southeastern Alaska 

 very large individuals are caught. Dome of them more than 2 feet in 

 length. When smoked, like the halibut, it is highly esteemed. Small 

 quantities have beed shipped to New England for trial in this way, and 

 met with great favor. 



The sand lance or laut is extremely abundant about the shores of 

 Alaska, extending northward at least to the Arctic circle. It is chiefly 

 valuable as food for cod, salmon, and other fishes. 



The pike of Alaska is very plentiful in the Bristol Bay region, the 

 Yukon, and the Kowak. It reaches a length of 39 inches, and is a very 

 valuable food fish. 



The smelt of Alaska resembles our own. It is \i very important food 

 fish, both in the iresli and the dried condition. It is most abundant in 

 Berins: Sea and northward. 



