16 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
Canada at considerable expense. It is therefore important that this 
demand should be supplied, so far as practicable, by the products of 
American fisheries. 
If the proper methods are adopted, it may be feasible to bring quan- 
tities of the bull’s-eye mackerel from the west coast to the markets of 
the Central States, and even as far as the Atlantic coast. A profitable 
business might be inaugurated by canning mackerel in this region if 
the supply is sufficient to warrant the attempt and the quality of the 
fish is suitable for packing in this manner. 
Atka mackerel . — The Atka mackerel, or yellow-fish ( Pleurogrammus 
monop ter ygius), occurs in considerable numbers iu the western part of 
the Aleutian archipelago, about Atka and Attu Islands, during May, 
June, and July. Usually it arrives about the middle of May and 
remains until toward the latter part of July. It is said that this is a 
most delicious species, and would be a very excellent substitute for the 
common mackerel. It is also believed that it may be readily taken in 
considerable numbers by hook-and-line fishing. The natives secure 
considerable quantities in the season, by spearing. 
Mr. L. M. Turner, who visited Atka Island in 1879, found that fish 
of this species arrived “in countless thousands” about the 18th of June. 
He says that they generally head the tide, which rushes with great 
velocity through the pass, the fish varying their position as the cur- 
rent changes. He observed that the spawning season is generally over 
as early as the 20th of July, after which the fish gradually disperse and 
return to the deeper waters of the Pacific. 
The following remarks by Mr. Turner are from his “Contributions to 
the Natural History of Alaska” : 
The fish arrive at Attu, from the southwestward, about the 24th of April, though 
this date varies according to the openness of the season. It is rarely later than the 
1st of May. The fish come at first in a straggling manner, and their first appearance 
is made known by their being caught on hooks while the men are fishing for other 
kinds. The first-comers are usually adult males. They are not fat on arrival, but 
soon become so from the abundance of small crustaceans that fairly swarm among 
the patches of seaweed by the 10th of May, and at which time the fish are tolerably 
numerous. By the 10th of June thousands of these fish can be seen in the shallow 
water (about 1^ to 8 fathoms deep) below. The natives here take considerable quan- 
tities of these fish, and dry them for use at an early date. * * * When they go to 
catch them they visit the various localities known to be the haunts of these fish, and 
by looking beneath the mass of kelp fronds can see them if present ; if not , the fish 
are off in the open water. 
*• * * * * * * 
I here had opportunity to come to the conclusion that these fish will bite readily 
at the hook. I saw them jump and struggle to get at the gaff and could feel them 
strike against it while it was in the water, and at times it was impossible to hold it in 
position, as the mass of moving fish carried it along with them. Any kind of fresh 
fish may be used as bait on a small cod-hook for these fish. A piece of scarlet flannel 
tied above the hook is good to attract the fish, as they will then bite voraciously. 
With the hook a person can catch the fish as fast as put into the water. With the 
use of several hooks on one line several fish may be taken at once. With the gaff the 
fish are taken in great quantities, equal to all demands. The run lasts at Attu until 
July 25, after which the fish are spent and slowly disappear from the waters. 
