26 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
up with many specimens of the red rockfish, Sehastichthys, and of Lepidopsetta Mlineata. 
One skate was also taken. Several species of shrimps were very abundant, and hermit 
crabs, pectens, other mollusks, ascidiaus, and echinoderms were common. 
Trials for fish . — Three trials for fish with hand lines were made on or near Sannakh 
Bank.. The first was at dredging station No. 2346, about 15 miles south of Sannakh 
Island, 44 fathoms, gravel bottom, seven lines in use for fifteen minutes taking ten 
cod and two halibut, with clams and salmon for bait. The halibut averaged 14J 
pounds in weight, the cod 11 pounds in weight and 23| inches in length. 
The second trial was made at hydrographic station No. 1213, about 12 miles 
south of Caton Islaud, latitude 54° 12' N., longitude 162° 17' W., 47 fathoms, the 
bottom consisting of sand and fine gravel. Nine lines were kept over about half an 
hour, being baited as in the previous trial, with the addition of sculpin on one of th^^ 
hooks, and six cod and one halibut were taken. The average weight of the cod was 
8J pounds, their average length 25 inches. The halibut weighed 30 pounds, and was 
“white.” This was the largest specimen that had been taken up to this time; but 
large halibut, it is said, are seldom caught on these in-shore banks. 
The third trial was at hydrographic station No. 1239, about 12 miles a little south 
of east of Caton Island (latitude 54° 23' N., longitude 161° 56' W.), depth 34 fathoms, 
the bottom consisting of iiebbles. Nine lines, baited with salt clams and salmon, were 
kept down for fifteen minutes, securing two cod and five halibut, the former averaging 
liouuds in weight and 23f inches in length, the latter 9f pounds in weight. The 
largest halibut weighed 22 pounds. The stomachs of these fish contained fragments 
of squid and a few small jiartly digested fish. 
Bemarics . — Some of the best fishing grounds in this region will probably be found 
about Sannakh Bank. The Sannakh Islands are, however, a dangerous group, with 
few safe harbors or anchorages, and the proximity of the bank to this inhospitable 
region will detract somewhat from its value, at least until the class of fishing vessels 
visiting it are prepared to lie out occasional gales without seeking a harbor. 
But little attention is now paid to the bank. Mr. Collam, of Popoff Island, one of 
the Shumagin Group, is said to be the only person who engages in fishing there at the 
present time. He built a small fishing station on Sannakh Island in 1886, and has a 
small schooner of about 20 tons burden, which fishes in the neighborhood of that island, 
and carries the catch to Pirate Cove, Popoff Island. Several trips are made each 
season. 
The cod caught in the vicinity of the Sauuakhs are considered by many fishermen 
to be superior in quality to those found about the Shumagins, being pronounced by 
them less watery. The Sannakh cod are said to be plump and very firm meated, and 
do not shrink so much in curing. Very few of these fish, however, find their way to 
market. 
FISHING GROUNDS BETWEEN SANNAKH BANK AND THE SHUMAGIN ISLANDS. 
The region between Sannakh Bank and the Sandman Eeefs on the west, and the 
Shumagin Islands on the east, was partly explored and shown to be suitable for fishing, 
but its precise value in that respect can only be determined after a more thorough 
examination has been made. The area of this ground is roughly estimated at 1,800 
square miles. 
