A seagull is flying at an elevation of 15 3/8 feet above the sea, and then descends 23 1/6 feet to catch a fish in the ocean. What was the elevation of the fish

The initial elevation of the seagull is at 15 3/8 feet. ( + 15 3/8 feet)

The seagull then descended 23 1/6 feet to catch the fish. ( - 23 1/6 feet)

Therefore the elevation of the fish is:

elevation of fish = 15 3/8 - 23 1/6

elevation of fish = 123 / 8 - 139 / 6

elevation of fish = - 374 / 48 = - 187 / 24 = - 7 19/24

negative sign means it is below sea level