FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
141 
direction a total catch of 15 cod was made, but their average size was only 27f 
inches. 
The examinations of the Albatross were not carried north of Gape Newenliam, but 
cod are reported to occur in greater or less numbers as far north as the ice line; 
but how extensive the banks or how profitable the fishing may be in this region 
can only be ascertained by a detailed and careful examination. 
Condition of the cod in Bering Sea. — Attempts have been made to compare the 
abundance, size, and condition of the cod inhabiting Bering Sea with those taken on 
the fishing-grounds in the North Atlantic Ocean, but up to the present time sufficient 
data have not been obtained to justify conclusions in this respect. The trials made 
by the Albatross have all been of short duration, very rarely exceeding 20 minutes, and 
in the majority of cases not more than 15 minutes.' At the same time, moreover, the 
ship was generally drifting with the wind and current, the hooks being thereby 
dragged along over the bottom. The fishermen consider that a berth has usually to 
be occupied for some time before the best fishing begins or the larger fish appear in 
the greatest numbers. It is recorded as the experience of fishing vessels on Baird 
Bank that better results are obtained after the lapse of two or three days than when 
first anchoring, and the supply has tended to increase rather than diminish by the 
end of a week. The bait which falls from the hooks or otherwise reaches the bottom 
probably serves to tole the fish about the spot, and thus contributes to their greater 
abundance. 
The total number of trials made by the Albatross with hand lines in Bristol Bay 
was 110, and the aggregate amount of time spent in this work was 1,907 minutes, an 
average of about 17 minutes to each trial. Two of the trials, however, were long ones, 
occupying 2£ and 3 hours, respectively. If these be deducted it reduces the aggregate 
time to 1,540 minutes, and the average time to between 13 and 14 minutes. The total 
number of cod taken during these trials was 922, an average of 83- fish to a trial. From 
8 to 12 lines were generally employed. 
Limiting the calculations to what have been designated above as the banks proper 
in Bristol Bay, we find that the total number of trials was 74, the aggregate time 1,374 
minutes (including one trial of 2J hours), and the average time 18£ minutes. A total 
of 832 cod were captured on these trials, being an average of 11 fish to each trial. 
All of the cod secured were weighed and measured, and the average of weight 
and length was calculated for each trial. The smallest fish measured 9 inches, the 
largest 39 inches. In a number of trials, as before mentioned, nothing was obtained, 
and in some others only a few fish of small size were taken. At 75 stations, however, 
the average size ranged from 24 inches to 324 inches, distributed as follows : 3 stations, 
24 to 26 inches; 19 stations, 26 to 28 inches; 25 stations, 28 to 30 inches; 28 stations, 
30 to 324 inches. Considering all the circumstances attendant upon the trials, the 
results obtained by the Albatross must therefore be regarded as exceedingly favorable 
and indicative of an abundant supply of good, marketable fish. 
The range in weight of the cod taken in Bristol Bay was from 2£ to 27J pounds, 
the average weight about 104 pounds. The highest average obtained at any one station 
was 15£ pounds, on Slime Bank; and the next highest 15£ pounds, on the Port 
Moller ground of Baird Bank. The average of several catches on these two banks 
reached 15 pounds, and it must therefore be considered that the run of fish is about 
the same on both. 
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