FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
135 
edge the depths determined by four soundings range from 53 to 62 fathoms, with 
muddy bottom at three of them. Toward the eastern end, however, on the northern 
side, sand and gravel occur, and in this locality the precise limits of the bank are still 
undefined. 
This bank derives its name from the presence of immense numbers of a large 
jelly-fish, brownish or rusty in color, measuring from 6 to 18 inches across the disk, 
and provided with long, slender tentacles, having great stinging powers. These 
animals, it is said, have never been observed upon the surface of the sea, but seem 
to occupy an intermediate zone toward the bottom, where they occasion much annoy- 
ance to the fishermen by becoming entangled about their fishing gear, and in this 
way often being hauled up. It is also claimed that they sometimes.interfere with the 
hooks reaching bottom, and by covering the bait and lines they render the former 
unattractive to the cod and the latter very uncomfortable to handle. Mr. Alexander 
states that up to the middle or latter part of June this so-called slime is not sufficiently 
abundant to give much trouble, but by July 1 it becomes so thick as to render it 
almost useless to remain upon the bauk, and other localities, farther north, are then 
resorted to. Should the fishing be continued late, however, the fishermen profess to 
keep their hooks above the layer of slime, not allowing them to reach bottom. 
After leaving the Akutan and Unimak grounds the fishermen anchor next on the 
western part of Slime Bank, gradually working to the eastward. The advantages for 
fishing on this bank, except for the unusual prevalence of jelly-fishes, are described 
as excellent, and cod are plentiful enough to supply all immediate demands. The 
largest and best cod taken by the Albatross were obtained some 6 or 8 miles from 
shore, those captured nearer laud having been inferior in size and quality. From the 
results of this investigation and from information derived from other sources it would 
appear, however, that cod of fair size are pretty generally distributed over the bank, 
and are almost everywhere abundant. 
The examinations by the Albatross were begun on June 24, 1890. Five beam- 
trawl stations (Nos. 3259-3262, 3264) were made on the western end of the bank, and 
three (Nos. 3265-3267) on the eastern end. The bottom fauna was found to be very 
rich, affording good feeding- ground for fishes. 
Hand-line fishing was carried on at each of the dredging stations and also in 
connection with some of the soundings. Seven trials were made on the western part 
of the bank, from off the Northwest Cape to off Cape Lapin, in depths of 13 to 43 
fathoms. The trials occupied from 10 to 15 minutes each and aggregated 96 minutes, 
from 9 to 12 lines being employed. The total number of fish taken was 132, ranging 
in length from 23 to 37 inches, the average size for each catch ranging from 26§ to 
32£ inches. The combined weight of all the fish was 1,528 pounds, making their 
average weight about 11£ pounds apiece. One halibut, weighing 5 pounds, was also 
taken in this region, and in 62 fathoms, muddy bottom, just outside the bank, 7 cod 
were captured averaging 12 pounds in weight and 30f inches in length. Nineteen cod, 
averaging 27 inches in length, were secured in Shaw Bay, in a depth of 6 fathoms, 
sandy bottom, the trial lasting one hour. 
Five trials, with 8 to 10 hand lines and aggregating 79 minutes, were made at the 
eastern end of the bank in depths of 26 to 44 fathoms. The catch amounted to 53 
cod, ranging in size from 20£ to 36 inches, and in average size for each trial from 24§ 
to 31£ inches. Their aggregate weight was 574 pounds, an average of about 10 £ 
pounds each. One halibut, weighing 8 pounds, was also taken in 32 fathoms. 
