156 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
or four weeks. A form called “ cohoes ” by the natives predominates during September, and in Octo- 
ber there are several species running. 
There are now fifteen canneries on the river, three having been built during the present season. 
The sizes of mesh in the salmon nets are 6, 7f , and 8 inches. The 6-inch mesh is used for the suk-kegh 
salmon. About 2,000 men are engaged in the fishery this year. 
On May 13, 1890, while on the passage to Alaska, Oapt. Tanner notes that 
“ schools of herring were seen in the Gulf of Georgia during the eyening, pursued 
by sharks and porpoises. Among the latter several were observed with peculiar 
markings, the head, back, and sides being black or very dark; belly, tips of fins, and 
tip of tail, white.” 
Alert Bay. — Stops were made at this place both going and coming in 1888. 
There is an Indian village here and also a salmon cannery, where, up to September, 
46,000 cases had been put up. Salmon are sometimes very abundant about the bay 
and neighboring islands, being chiefly fished for by means of seines and gill nets. A 
large number of suk-kegh salmon (O. nerka) were observed at the cannery on July 11. 
The Indians of the village are mainly occupied in fishing for the cannery. 
Fort Rupert. — The Albatross stopped at Fort Rupert, or Beaver Harbor, on July 
12, 1888, for the purpose of obtaining a supply of clams for use as bait on the Alaskan 
fishing-grounds. Clams are unusually plentiful in this locality, and with a force of 
fifteen sailors 10 bushels were secured during a single low tide. Three species are 
said to occur here in about equal abundance. The large gaper clam ( Schizothcerus ) 
burrows deeply in the bottom at very low tide level, while the Saxidomus nuttallii 
(quahog) and the smaller Tapes staminea are usually only 6 or 8 inches below the 
surface, and may be found anywhere between high and low water mark. During 
unfavorable seasons for salmon the cannery at Alert Bay has preserved clams, obtain- 
ing its supplies from Fort Rupert. 
Dredgings. — On the way south through the inland passage, in September, 1888, 
dredging stations were made in Queen Charlotte Sound, off the southern entrance to 
Goletas Channel, depth 238 fathoms (No. 2862) ; and in the Gulf of Georgia, off Fraser 
River, depth 67 fathoms (No. 2863). 
Black-cod. — Much information was obtained at Victoria respecting the black-cod 
and the attempts made to establish a regular fishery for this highly prized species. 
References to this subject will be found in the several reports of Capt. Tanner and Mr. 
Alexander. In October, 1888, the schooner Theresa , of Victoria, completed a success- 
ful trip, having secured about 3,000 of these fish, many of which weighed from 20 to 25 
pounds apiece. They were taken principally in a depth of 210 fathoms, about 5 miles 
off the Queen Charlotte Islands, trawl lines being used for their capture. A part of 
the cargo, however, was purchased from the Indians. According to Mr. Alexander, 
the great depth at which these fish generally live, 150 to 200 fathoms, has undoubtedly 
had much to do with hindering the establishment of this industry, as the north- 
western coast fishermen had never been obliged to go beyond a depth of 50 fathoms 
for their cod and halibut, and are totally unused to deep-water fishing. 
In June, 1889, Mr. Alexander wrote that he had received information of only one 
trip subsequent to that mentioned above off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. 
The fish were caught in the vicinity of Gold Harbor, in a depth of 250 fathoms. He 
takes exception to the customary manner of dressing the fish, by splitting them down 
the back and leaving the head and backbone attached, which he thinks causes them 
to rust very quickly, and considers that if prepared like the true cod, or even mess 
mackerel, they would be in much greater demand. 
