REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LIIl 
became evident that the sharks and dogfish had taken possession of the 
grounds almost to the entire excdusion of edible fishes. On the prin- 
cipal bank halibut were taken in two localities, six specimens in all, 
averaging in one case 47f pounds each, and in the other 55 pounds each. 
Five halibut were secured north of this ground, but only one, weighing 
140 pounds, on the bank off Flattery Rocks. In June, 1889, three days 
only were spent in this locality, and they were chiefly occupied with 
determining the contour of the outer edge of the larger bank. In one 
short trial with the trawl line eight halibut, averaging 35 pounds in 
weight, and several other food species were captured, dogfish being- 
scarce. According to the testimony of fishermen who have recently 
operated in this region, halibut are abundant from March until into 
June, and vessel fishing may be considered advisable only between 
March 1 and September 1. 
Beginning early in 1888, a number of trips for fresh halibut were 
made from different ports in the State of Washington. Some proved 
very successful, while on others poor fares were obtained or the vessels 
were absent a long time. Difficulties have also been encountered in 
the maintenance of this fishery through the competition of eastern mar- 
kets, the cost of transportation, and the price of ice. The Gloucester 
schooner MoUie Adams secured its first fares of halibut on the bank off 
Cape Flattery, and the same vessel, fishing nineteen days off the southern 
extremity of the Queen Charlotte Islands, obtained 150,000 pounds of 
halibut, of which one-half were large enough for fletching. The crew 
shared about $9 apiece for each fishing day. The yacht G. H. White 
Las made three trips to Flattery Bank since the fall of 1888, taking in 
all about 100,000 pounds of halibut, of which 00,000 were shipped fresh 
to New York, the remainder being smoked. The schooner Rosie Olsen 
took 15,000 pounds off Cape Scott, during a trip of about five weeks in 
the spring, while the schooner Oscar and Hattie had a long experience 
off the southeastern coast of Alaska and off British Columbia, lasting 
from January to June, 1889, a fare of 140,000 pounds, the fish averaging 
65 pounds in weight, being finally secured. 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 
The examination of this region between Point Conception and the 
Mexican boundary line occupied the months of January and February, 
1889. Some of the best fishing-grounds adjacent to the western coast 
were found in this district, and only the lack of markets prevents their 
immediate development. The continental plateau is wider here than 
to the north of Point Conception, and the area available for fishing is 
therefore much greater. Moreover several large islands, the Santa 
Barbara group, San Nicolas, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente are 
located near the coast, affording good anchorage and protection against 
storms. Two small but important banks, called Cortez and Tanner 
