230 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
Olsen Bay . — Olsen Bay is a small indentation on the north side of Port Gravina. 
Fishing for pink and chum salmon was probably begun here as early as at several 
other localities in the eastern part of Prince William Sound, but no separate record 
of catches was kept until 1918. In that year 28,132 chums and 79,341 pinks were 
caught. The catch was small in 1919 and there is no record at all of catches made 
during the next three years. From 1923 to 1927 data are available for each year, 
showing that the production of pinks in the odd years declined sharply while little 
change was noted in the even years. Chums were taken in larger numbers in 1925 
than before or since, but the data are insufficient to warrant a conclusion in respect 
to the condition of this fishery. Other species are taken in such limited quantities 
as to be commercially valueless. 
Orca Bay . — In area Orca Bay is the largest indentation on the east side of Prince 
William Sound. Little fishing was carried on directly in the bay which could not 
be or was not allocated to more localized waters; but in some years, especially in 1916 
and 1926, rather large catches were reported only as coming from Orca Bay. However 
the records are seriously broken by gaps of from one to seven years, thus giving no 
data by consecutive years for analysis. 
Port Gravina . — Port Gravina is the next bay north of Orca Bay. It has five small 
tributary bays and in addition is fed by one stream of fair size, entering at the head 
of the bay. Port Gravina was one of the first districts in the sound to be exploited, 
owing to the proximity of the canneries at Cordova, and operations have been much 
more continuous here than in many other localities. The catch consisted largely of 
pink salmon, although cohos and chums were taken in fair quantities. Wide fluctua- 
tions in the catch of pinks are apparent, some of which can be traced to economic 
conditions while others were doubtless due to biological causes as evidenced by the 
poor runs in certain years. More coho salmon were taken in 1927 than ever before; 
the catch of chums in the same year had been exceeded but twice, and then only in 
the years when fishing was most intense. The catch of pinks in 1927 was likewise 
better than in any other odd years except 1907, 1913, and 1915. As a producer of 
pinks, cohos, and chums Port Gravina seems to have maintained a good record and 
shows no indication that the runs have been impaired. 
Sheep Bay . — Sheep Bay, the largest arm of Orca Bay, produces principally pinks 
and chums although there have been small scattered catches of all other species. 
It was fished each year from 1910 to 1927 except two — 1919 and 1921. In the earlier 
years the catch of pinks varied markedly, irrespective of odd or even years, but since 
1922 it has reached and held a much higher level, with 1927 showing not alone the 
largest production of pinks but also the greatest number of cohos and chums ever 
taken from that locality. The trend of the catch for these species is distinctly upward. 
Simpson Bay . — Simpson Bay, also an arm of Orca Bay, is divided into two arms, 
the eastern one being the preferred seining ground. Fishing was apparently spas- 
modic until 1923, although the largest catch in this bay was reported in 1907. In 
the five years from 1923 to 1927 the catch of pink salmon twice exceeded 100,000, 
but in 1925 it was less than 10,000. The catches of chums and cohos during this 
period have also increased. Reds are taken in very limited numbers and kings not 
at all. The data indicate a marked increase in the intensity of fishing in recent years 
but so far without depletion. 
