142 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
A marked difference exists in the size and quality of the fish in different locali- 
ties, as elsewhere explained, hut after sufficient experience has been acquired a 
judicious discrimination in the choice of grounds will be possible, and the few fishing 
vessels which resort to this region already have their favorite spots, where they find 
no trouble in securing full fares. In any consideration of this general subject, however, 
it should be borne in mind that the only information on which to base conclusions has 
been obtained during a few summer months of each year, while the great banks on the 
Atlantic coast have been visited by multitudes of fishing vessels for several centuries. 
Mr. Alexander reports a large proportion of diseased fish in the shallow water 
along the coasts, due in part at least to parasitism, but the proportion decreases as 
the water deepens, and at 8 or 10 miles from shore the average is very good. Capt. 
Tanner also refers to the occurrence of many wounded cod, particularly in the spring 
and fall, after the passage of the seals into and out of Bering Sea. They have been 
chiefly observed near the passes between the Aleutian Islands. 
Halibut and flounders in Bristol Bay. — Only three specimens of halibut were 
taken by the Albatross within the limits of Bristol Bay, and they were all small, their 
combined weight amounting to only 42 pounds. As mentioned elsewhere, Oapt. A. 
W. Smith, of the schooner Vanderbilt, informed Mr. Alexander that, according to his 
experience, halibut weighing above 25 pounds are seldom captured in this region, 
although individuals of smaller size are abundant during some seasons. He had also 
found them scarce during the season of 1890. The specimens taken by the fishing 
vessels are generally used as bait for the cod. Flounders of several species, some of 
which were of excellent food quality, were captured in the beam trawl at nearly every 
station. 
Port Moller and Herendeen Bay. — From their proximity to the better fishing- 
grounds on Baird Bank, these two bays may be regarded as affording convenient 
shelter for fishing vessels during stormy weather. Hitherto they have seldom, if ever, 
been used for this purpose, owing to the lack of information respecting their hydrog- 
raphy, but this desideratum has been in part supplied through the agency of the 
Albatross. Their channels, however, have not yet been buoyed, nor are they likely to 
be for some time, and access to them must, for the present, be considered as rather 
difficult. Both bays are shallow and elongate, cutting more than halfway through the 
Alaska Peninsula and opening close together on its northern side, the principal 
passage into Herendeen Bay leading through Port Moller entrance. A detailed 
account of the survey made in 1890, together with sailing directions, will be found in 
Commander Tanner’s reports (F. C. 9, pp. 281-283, and F. C. 10). The former contains 
a chart suitable for navigation purposes. It shows the entrance to Port Moller, the 
channel from Entrance Point to Point Divide, called Hague Channel, the narrow and 
intricate passageway from the latter point to Marble Point, named Johnston Channel, 
after the officer who surveyed it, and the general contour of the upper part of Heren- 
deen Bay, including Mine Harbor, the headquarters and shipping station of the coal 
company. 
According to Capt. Tanner, “the entrance to Port Moller is guarded by banks and 
shoals over which the tide sweeps with great force, making the channel difficult and 
dangerous, its ill repute having, in fact, caused the great bay and its tributaries to 
remain almost a terra incognita to the navigator.” The survey of the Albatross will 
render these harbors available hereafter, but the chart should be used with caution 
