long and has an average width of 15 miles.
North of the shoal the water deepens suddenly to 70 and 80 fathoms. The
bottom is largely coarse sand, gravel, pebbles, and rocks and is rich in
animal life. The area of the bank is approximately 1,370 square
geographical miles.

Tides here are quite as strong as on the eastern side of Georges Bank,
the ebb having an average strength of 1 1/3 miles an hour and the flood
is somewhat stronger. The greatest strength of the flood tide sets W.
the ebb in nearly an opposite direction.

Haddock, cod, cusk, halibut, pollock and hake are the principal food
fishes procured from this bank, ranking in volume in the order named. In
value, however, halibut takes third place in the list. Cod are plentiful
here in winter, though fewer vessels fish here than on Georges Bank, at
that season. At other seasons the codfishery on Browns Bank compares
favorably with that of other banks in the vicinity. Cod are present the
year around, in May and June feeding in depths of about 40 fathoms,
going into 80 fathoms in August, and into depths of about 100 fathoms in
cold weather.

Haddock, also, are present all the year, the period of greatest
abundance being usually January and February. In March and April they
are most abundant in 27 to 30 fathoms; at other seasons they are in 50
fathoms and deeper, especially in winter, when generally they can be
found in 80 to 100 fathoms. Cusk are present in the deep water all the
year.

Older reports say (1880-81): "Halibut were formerly found here in
abundance, but at present the fishery is limited to an occasional trip
off the southern and western edge." It will be noted that a fair amount
of halibut was taken here during 1923, when this bank ranked third in
volume of halibut taken, which seems a good showing when the
comparatively small size of the ground is considered. Fairly good
catches have been made SW from the Northwest Peak of Browns, about 66 deg.
50' west longitude and 42 deg. 40' north latitude, along the 100-fathom
curve and following eastward to the southward of La Have and beyond,
perhaps to 63 deg. west longitude. The Southeast Peak is perhaps the most
productive of the halibut grounds here, "setting" off from the shoaler
parts into the narrow deep-water channel between this and Georges
perhaps 20 miles distant.

A considerable part of the fish listed under the heading "Miscellaneous"
are swordfish, which come upon this bank during their summ