FISHING GEOUNDS OF BRISTOL BAY. 
287 
THE CODFISHING BANKS OP BRISTOL BAT. 
The codfish hanks of Bristol Bay extend from Unimak Pass, along the Bering 
Sea shores of the island of that name and the Alaska Peninsula, to Cape Chichagof, 
and thence to the Kulukak Ground and the vicinity of Cape Newenham. 
Slime Bank extends from Northwest Cape of Unimak to the vicinity of Amak 
Island, embracing depths from 20 to 50 fathoms. It is about 85 miles in length, 17 in . 
average width,' and covers an area of 1,445 square miles. The character of the 
bottom is generally black sand and gravel, pebbles being frequently added, with rocks 
near shore and mud in the greater depths. 
The bank received its name from the fishermen on account of the number of 
medusae or jelly fishes found on it. The species was unknown to our naturalists, but 
it may be described as brownish or rusty in color, from 6 to 18 inches in diameter, and 
with long slender tentacles well covered with stinging cells. These jelly fishes seem 
to inhabit an intermediate space near the bottom, very few being seen on the surface. 
Their numbers increase during the season until they become a great nuisance to the 
fishermen. Codfish of fair size and good quality were very plentiful over the whole 
bank, and scattering specimens of small halibut were taken. 
A well-found fishing schooner could anchor anywhere on this ground between May 
and September with an even chance of being able to lay out any gale she would 
encounter. Shaw Bay affords excellent protection against winds from southeast to 
southwest. 
Baird Bank has been named by the writer in honor of the late Prof. Spencer F. 
Baird, the first U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, through whose untiring 
efforts the great scheme of deep-sea fishery investigation was inaugurated. This 
bank is the largest and most valuable of the fishing grounds yet discovered in Bering 
Sea. Commencing in the vicinity of Amak Island, it stretches along the coast of the 
peninsula to Cape Chichagof, 230 miles, with an average width of 40 miles, and thus 
covers an area of 9,200 square miles. The depths range from 15 to 50 fathoms, with 
a bottom of fine gray sand, occasional spots of black sand, black sand and gravel, 
and a few rocky patches near the shore. 
Well-equipped fishing vessels can anchor anywhere on Baird Bank and lay out 
such winds as she would be likely to encounter during the summer mouths. The penin- 
sula will afford a weather shore for southeast winds, and Amak Island offers fairly 
good protection on its southeast and southwest sides. Port Moller and Herendeen 
Bay will be ports of call for fishermen when they become better known. Port Haiden 
also may become available after it has been surveyed. 
We found codfish in great abundance and of good quality over the whole bank, but 
the best fishing ground is without doubt in depths between 25 and 40 fathoms, and 
the Port Moller region is the most prolific. Fish taken near shore were smaller aud 
apparently not in as good condition. Codfish are found on the Kulukak Ground and 
in the region of Cape Newenham, but they are smaller and inferior in quality to those 
on the shores of Unimak and the peninsula. 
Codfish have their enemies in Bering Sea as well as in other parts of the world. 
Many wounded fish are seen, particularly in spring and fall, after the passage of the 
seals into aud out of the sea. This phenomenon is observed more noticeably near the 
passes between the Aleutian Islands. Bering Sea also suffers, in common with other 
