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Fish Bulletin 185. The Use of Low-Tech Process-Based Stream Habitat Restoration

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This Fish Bulletin discusses low-tech process-based restoration of riverscapes and draws extensively from the work of Wheaton et al. (2019) to describe low-cost restoration techniques that can improve riparian, floodplain, and instream habitat in many California streams.

Fish Bulletin 184. The Use of Large Wood in Stream Habitat Restoration

Mon, 5 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This Fish Bulletin updates the previous description of large wood projects, describes the assessment and planning required, and the construction techniques needed for the implementation of large wood projects in California. This report combines a review of current literature on the subject with input from California Department of Fish and Wildlife scientists and engineers, and others with experience and expertise in the restoration of large wood in California’s streams and rivers.

Fish Bulletin 183. The Use of Log and Boulder Weirs in Stream Habitat Restoration

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This Fish Bulletin describes the methodology for the use of log and boulder weirs in California rivers and streams. This report does not replace Part XII Fish Passage Design and Implementation of the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual (Flosi et al. 2010). The intent of this report is to supplement Part XII and describe the use of log and boulder weirs to improve instream habitat, beyond the need for fish passage. This report provides a review of current literature on the subject, combined with input from California Department of Fish and Wildlife scientists and engineers, and others with experience and expertise in the subject.

Fish Bulletin 182. Integration of Steelhead Viability Monitoring, Recovery Plans and Fisheries Management in the Southern Coastal Area

Fri, 26 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

California’s Coastal Monitoring Plan (CMP) is a design-based plan to collect statistically valid, ecologically meaningful data on the status of salmonid fishes inhabiting California’s coastal watersheds. Statistical validity comes from formal development of a sampling frame and sampling scheme for stream reaches and fish. Ecological meaning comes from a conceptual basis in high-level indicators of fish stock viability: abundance, productivity, spatial structure and diversity (McElhany et al. 2000). However, in the original technical formulation by Adams et al. (2011), monitoring methods for the northern coastal area were considerably more developed than for the coastal area from the Pajaro River southward. Key impediments in the southern area stemmed from (1) the episodic flow regime characteristic of the area’s river systems, (2) the sparse distribution of the salmonid Oncorhynchus mykiss, and (3) the need to distinguish...

Fish Bulletin 181. California Marine Fish Landings for 1987-1999

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Fish Landing bulletins provide basic records of amounts and values of marine resources taken by California's commercial fisheries, and summaries of catches by the passenger-carrying fishing industry. These figures are of local, national, and international significance tothose interested in the wise utilization and management of California's living marineresources.This report for 1987 through 1999 is the 38th in a series stemming from the firstgathering of commercial fisheries landing data by the California Department of Fish and Game (Department) in 1916 and the subsequent first publication of those landings data for the years 1926 and 1927 (Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, 1929).

Fish Bulletin 180. California Coastal Salmonid Population Monitoring: Strategy, Design, and Methods

Thu, 7 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

California’s salmon and steelhead populations have experienced marked declines leading to listing of almost all of California’s anadromous salmonids under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and Federal Endan-gered Species Act (ESA). Both CESA and ESA listings require recovery plans that call for monitoring to provide some measure of progress toward recovery. In addition, there are related monitoring needs for other management activi-ties such as hatchery operations and fisheries management.

Fish Bulletin No. 5. A Key to the Families of Marine Fishes of the West Coast

Wed, 6 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This key treats of the families of marine fishes that are represented by species that have been found within a depth of 100 fathoms on the western coast of the United States, exclusive of Alaska. The characters here used do not define the families as a whole; but they serve as a means of identification of the families as restricted by the fishes that happen to occur within the limits of the locality here considered. For instance, "Body tapering backwards to a point" is not a character that defines the family Soleidae, but it is a character of the only member of that family that is found on our coast. Hence this key is in most cases useless for the identification of these same families as represented in other localities.

Fish Bulletin 166. California Marine Fish Landings For 1974

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Landing bulletins provide basic catch records of amounts and values of various marine resources taken by California's commercial fisheries plus summarizations of catches of the partyboat sportfishing industry. Small quantities of freshwater fish taken commercially in inland areas also are detailed. These figures are of local, national, and international significance to fishery scientists and others interested in the wise utilization and management of California's living marine and freshwater resources.

This report for 1974 is the 34th in a series stemming from the first gathering of commercial fisheries landing data by the California Department of Fish and Game in 1916 and the subsequent first publication of these catch data in 1929 for the years 1926 and 1927.

California's fishery statistics are based on a system where fish dealers, processors, and operators of sportfishing partyboats send duplicate copies of their landing records to the department. Fish Bulletin...

Fish Bulletin 173. California Marine Fish Landings For 1977 – 1986

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Landing bulletins provide basic catch records of amounts and values of marine resources taken by California's commercial fisheries plus summarizations of catches by the passenger-carrying fishing industry. These figures are of local, national, and international significance to those interested in the wise utilization and management of California's living marine resources.

This report for 1977 through 1986 is the 37th in a series stemming from the first gathering of commercial fisheries landing data by the California Department of Fish and Game in 1916 and the subsequent first publication of these catch data in 1929 for the years 1926 and 1927.

California's fishery statistics are based on a system where fish dealers, processors, and operators of passenger-carrying fishing vessels send duplicate copies of their landing records to the department. Fish Bulletin 86 (Bureau of Marine Fisheries 1952), which reported the catch for 1950, describes fully the system and methods...

Fish Bulletin 163. California Marine Fish Landings For 1973

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Landing bulletins provide basic catch records of amounts and values of various marine resources taken by California's commercial fisheries while summarizing catches of the partyboat sportfishing industry. Small quantities of freshwater fish taken commercially in inland areas are also detailed. These figures are of local, national, and international significance to fishery scientists and others interested in the wise utilization and management of California's living marine resources.

This report for 1973 is the 33rd in a series stemming from the first gathering of commercial fisheries landing data by the California Department of Fish and Game in 1916 and the subsequent first publication of these catch data in 1929 for the years 1926 and 1927.

Fish Bulletin 160. Observations On Fishes Associated With Kelp Beds in Southern California

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin is meant to be a guide to the fishes of the west-central coast of North America that commonly occur in kelp beds and adjacent areas. The fishes described are common species, and this report is not meant to include all species that occur in the kelp environment and adjacent zones. In all, 97 species are described; key identification features are given. Colors listed for each species refer to how that specimen would appear in the live and/or recently captured state; underwater behavioral characteristics are given wherever possible to aid the underwater diving enthusiast. Description of the kelp environment is given, which includes a brief explanation pertaining to the three major ecological zones within the kelp ecosystem. A brief explanation and description of the kelp bed flora is included, along with geographical considerations. The kelp environment as a habitat type for fishes is discussed; three habitat regions in the kelp bed are given special attention, these...

Fish Bulletin 164. Trout and Salmon Culture (Hatchery Methods)

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This volume has been prepared at the request of many of the Department's fish hatchery personnel. A hatchery treatise has long been needed to acquaint the beginning employee with the rudiments of fish culture, and also to act as a handy reference for those already experienced in the work. In addition, it should lead to greater uniformity in operations and to increased hatchery efficiency. It will also be helpful to the growing number of private trout hatchery operators.

Even though the art of trout culture dates back to the year 1741, when Stephen Ludwig Jacobi started artificial propagation in Germany, advances in methods and techniques were slow until shortly before World War II. Applied science and mechanics have revolutionized fish hatchery operations. The uses of new chemicals in treating diseases in hatcheries, eradicating undesirable fish populations, spawning, and transporting fish, and the employment of labor-saving devices such as fish loaders, self-graders,...

Fish Bulletin 165. The Marine Resources of Anaheim Bay

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This report describes 4 years of marine research in Anaheim Bay, Orange County. The history and oceanographic studies describe the background for biological work on marsh plants, invertebrates and fishes. This bulletin attempts to describe what species were present during the study period, their relative abundances, and in some cases a more detailed account of their life histories and population dynamics. The studies were centered on that portion of Anaheim Bay that is landward of the Pacific Coast Highway, within the U.S. Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach; however, annotated checklists are included on invertebrates and fishes of the outer harbor, seaward of the highway. There are 51 species of marsh plants and algae reported. The invertebrates are noted in annotated checklists, with most attention being centered on the polychaetes and parasitic crustaceans. Some detailed data is given and discussed on polychaete distribution and abundances. Comparisons are given of polychaete...

Fish Bulletin 178. History And Status of Introduced Fishes In California, 1871 – 1996

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Unlike previous histories on the subject (the last being in 1976), this one is fully documented by primary references to the original publication or other sources. There are also explanations as to why some of the previous errors occurred.

The detailed history of each introduction, including the primary references, is given. The subsequent history and status of each species in California is given. The attitude of administrators, ichthyologists, fish culturists, fishery biologists, fishermen, and the public toward each introduction is given, and there is a discussion of their value. There is, with respect to California, a review of the present regulations concerning introduced fishes, and a prognostication of the future concerning them.

Approximately 111 full species of freshwater and euryhaline fishes occur in California. (Salton Sea fishes are excluded.) of these, 53 have been introduced from without the state and have been established successfully. Another five...

Fish Bulletin 159. California Marine Fish Landings For 1971

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Landing bulletins provide records of amounts and values of various living marine resources taken by California's commercial fisheries, and summarize catches made by the partyboat sportfishing industry. They also detail the small quantities of freshwater fish taken commercially in inland areas. These data provide the basic background for managing California's marine fishery resources. The published figures are of local, national, and international significance, and are used by fisheries scientists, legislators, educators, members of the fishing industry, and others interested in California fisheries.

This report for 1971 is the 31st in the series of landing bulletins. The first, published in 1929, contained the records of the 1926 and 1927 commercial fish landings.

California's fishery statistics are based on a system whereby fish dealers, processors, and partyboat operators send duplicate copies of their landing records to the Department. The statistical system...

Fish Bulletin 174. The California Halibut, Paralichthys californicus, Resource and Fisheries

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This Fish Bulletin, "The California Halibut, Paralichthys californicus, Resource and Fisheries," is the result of a 3-year process which began with an idea to hold a workshop to update management strategies. It soon became apparent that a diverse and relatively large group of academic, private, and government (state, federal, and local) scientists independently were either already conducting research or interested in developing, from historical databases, a better understanding of some aspects of the biology of, or fisheries for, California halibut. Because of the breadth of research and the level of interest, the California Department of Fish and Game developed the concept of holding a symposium to help fisheries managers better understand the status of current research, to identify areas where additional research is needed, and to publish this information in one peer-reviewed document. At this point, a committee of volunteers was formed and we began a timely team effort to...

Fish Bulletin 172. Life History, Environment, and Mariculture Studies of the Dungeness Crab, Cancer Magister, With Emphasis on The Central California Fishery Resource

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This report describes the results of the California Department of Fish and Game's Dungeness Crab Research Program (1974–1980) plus several related studies and provides a detailed history of the California fishery. The Dungeness Crab Research Program was developed in response to a severe and sustained decline in central California Dungeness crab landings; this decline is the primary focus of the investigations presented in this report. Research results are presented for life history, environmental, and mariculture studies relating to egg, larval, juvenile, and adult stages of the Dungeness crab. Specific areas of study include stock identification; larval and juvenile dynamics focusing on movement, distribution, relative abundance, age and growth, and predation; impacts of commercial trawl fishing; ocean climate and its effects on life cycle stages and fishery landings; reproduction; pollution such as chlorinated wastewater, toxic trace elements, pesticides and PCB's, and hydrocarbons;...

Fish Bulletin 162. Pelagic Fish Surveys In The California Current

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The California Department of Fish and Game started routinely acoustically surveying the smaller schooling pelagic fish resources in the California Current System in 1966. This report covers the first 6.5 years of these surveys (1966–1973).

The purpose of these surveys was to determine the abundance, distribution, availability, and other pertinent biological information of the commercially important northern anchovy, jack mackerel, Pacific sardine, and Pacific mackerel. Latent resource species including Pacific saury, Pacific hake, squid, and pelagic red crab also were surveyed. The principal technique consisted of running acoustic transects with a horizontal ranging sonar and vertical echo sounder during daylight hours and fishing a midwater trawl at night.

Results show the northern anchovy grossly dominates all other species in terms of biomass and abundance with the southern California-northern Baja California region containing most of the total population. Although...

Fish Bulletin 167. Climatic Variation and Exploitation In The Pacific Mackerel Fishery

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin provides an in-depth analysis of the California Current Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fishery. It includes descriptions of the fishery and the species population biology, a cohort analysis, density and environmental-dependent spawner-recruit models, and yield simulations. The cohort analysis (1928–1968), using an instantaneous natural mortality rate of M = 0.5, shows a fluctuating stock size with a maximum total biomass of 965 million pounds (438,000 MT) in 1933 and a minimum of 3.3 million pounds (1500 MT) in 1968. The number of recruits-per-spawner shows large fluctuations with considerable coherence between adjacent years. There was no marked downward trend in recruits-per-spawner over the 1928–1968 period. Density-dependent spawner-recruit models accounted for a maximum of 24 percent of the observed variation in recruitment. Multiple regression models, including both population and environmental variables, were fitted to the data available for two time...

Fish Bulletin 170. California Marine Fish Landings For 1976

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Landing bulletins provide basic catch records of amounts and values of marine resources taken by California's commercial fisheries plus summarizations of catches by the passenger carrying fishing industry. Small quantities of freshwater fish taken commercially in inland areas also are detailed. These figures are of local, national, and international significance to those interested in the wise utilization and management of California's living marine and freshwater resources.

This report for 1976 is the 36th in a series stemming from the first gathering of commercial fisheries landing data by the California Department of Fish and Game in 1916 and the subsequent first publication of these catch data in 1929 for the years 1926 and 1927.

California's fishery statistics are based on a system where fish dealers, processors, and operators of passenger carrying fishing vessels send duplicate copies of their landing records to the department. Fish Bulletin 86, which reported...

Fish Bulletin 176. The Marine Recreational Fishery In Northern and Central California : A Historical Comparison (1958–86), Status of Stocks (1980–86), and Effects of Changes In The California Current

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Our study focused on the status of the marine recreational fishery along the northern and central California coast, where surveys of recreational fishing effort and catch were conducted from 1958–61 and from 1981–86. Between the two surveys, annual recreational fishing effort rose from 1.6 million fishing days to 2.7 million fishing days. Nearly all the increase was due to increases in fishing from boats (commercial passenger fishing vessels and private/rental boats). Annual recreational catch rose from 3.9 million fish weighing 2700 metric tons to 6.5 million fish weighing 5400 metric tons. The average number of fish caught per day decreased for fishing from piers (1.9 to 1.6), other shore areas (1.7 to 1.1), and private/rental boats (2.8 to 2.4), and increased from commercial passenger fishing vessels (5.4 to 6.0). The variety of different fish species caught in a typical day of fishing from boats decreased, but variety from shore increased. Direct expenditures in the fishery...

Fish Bulletin 169. Biological, Oceanographic, and Acoustic Aspects of The Market Squid, Loligo Opalescens Berry

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This report describes the results of 3 years of research on the market squid, Loligo opalescens. A number of questions concerning this species were addressed by this research program; particularly those concerned with fisheries management. Areas of study included spermatogenesis and oögnesis; age and growth; feeding dynamics and prey of market squid; marine fish, bird, and mammal predators of this species in Monterey Bay; assessment of total population size and structure (number of stocks), and possible morphological indicators of stocks; the properties of market squid with respect to acoustic identification and quantification; and the relationship of the availability of this species to the commercial fishery in relation to the physical oceanographic conditions in Monterey Bay.

Fish Bulletin 157. Guide To The Coastal Marine Fishes of California

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This is a comprehensive identification guide encompassing all shallow marine fishes within California waters.

Geographic range limits, maximum size, depth range, a brief color description, and some meristic counts including, if available: fin ray counts, lateral line pores, lateral line scales, gill rakers, and vertebrae are given. Body proportions and shapes are used in the keys and a statement concerning the rarity or commonness in California is given for each species.

In all, 554 species are described. Three of these have not been recorded or confirmed as occurring in California waters but are included since they are apt to appear. The remainder have been recorded as occurring in an area between the Mexican and Oregon borders and offshore to at least 50 miles. Five of California species as yet have not been named or described, and ichthyologists studying these new forms have given information on identification to enable inclusion here. A dichotomous key to 144...

Fish Bulletin 156. The Venom Apparatus of California Rockfishes (Family Scorpaenidae)

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The family Scorpaenidae contains more known venomous fishes than any other bony fish family. The venom apparatus of an American representative of this family, the California sculpin or scorpionfish, has been described previously by several authors.

The rockfish genus Sebastes is represented in California waters by over 50 species. Several species of Sebastes from European and Asiatic waters are known to possess a venom apparatus, but no previously published literature describes such an apparatus in American rockfishes. The gross anatomy of the spines, pelvic girdle, and musculature and the microscopic anatomy of the spines, associated venom glands, and integument in the brown rockfish, Sebastes auriculatus, are described.

The microscopic anatomy of the spines and venom glands in five other species of Sebastes is described and compared to that of the brown rockfish. The presence of venom tissue in at least one dorsal spine of eight additional species of Sebastes...

Fish Bulletin 155. Population Size, Mortality Rates, and Growth Rates of Northern California Ocean Shrimp, Pandalus jordani, 1965 Through 1968

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Sea surveys were initiated in the spring of 1965 to obtain estimates of population size, mortality rates, and growth rates of the northern California ocean shrimp population. From March 1965 through September 1968, nine surveys were conducted in a 270-square-mile area from off Mad River, California, north to Smith River, California. Four surveys were conducted in a 105-square-mile area off southern Oregon during 1967 and 1968. Estimates of the California population ranged from a low of 2.2 million pounds in the fall of 1966 to a high of 8.1 million pounds in the fall of 1967.

Survival rates, derived from natural mortality rates for ocean shrimp during their second winter of life, for the 1964 and 1965 year classes were 0.68 and 0.55 respectively. Lowest survival rates were obtained from the 1963 and 1964 year classes during their third winter of life. The highest fishing mortality rates were observed for shrimp during their third summer in the fishery. Survey data indicate...

Fish Bulletin 158. Summary of Blue Rockfish and Lingcod Life Histories; A Reef Ecology Study; And Giant Kelp, Macrocystis Pyrifera, Experiments In Monterey Bay, California

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin presents results of several studies related to marine sportfish in central and northern California. Since 1957, Dingell-Johnson funds have been used in central California to conduct life history studies of blue rockfish and lingcod, several sportfishing assessment studies, a reef ecology study, and a pilot kelp canopy harvesting study. Results of a blue rockfish study were published in 1967, however, important additional life history and catch data have been collected subsequently and a collation of all blue rockfish findings is presented.

Lingcod data have been collated with published lingcod life history data collected in British Columbia and Washington. Our studies emphasized maturity, age and growth, food analyses, and evidence of a vertical spawning migration.

In the reef ecology study, 727 underwater fish transect tallies were made over a 3 year period yielding seasonal variations, relative abundance between stations, and relative abundance between...

Fish Bulletin 154. California Marine Fish Landings For 1970

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This report for 1970 is the 30th in the series of landing bulletins. The first, published in 1929, contained the records of the 1926 and 1927 commercial fish landings.

Fish Bulletin 151. Migrations of Adult King Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha In The San Joaquin Delta As Demonstrated by the Use of Sonic Tags

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Each fall, king salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, bound for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River systems, pass through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Starting in 1961, salmon runs of the San Joaquin, but not of the Sacramento, suffered a disastrous collapse, probably due to water conditions in the San Joaquin part of the Delta. A partial recovery started in 1964. An annually recurring oxygen block caused by pollution in the south-eastern part of the Delta, plus reversal of direction of flow in all three major north-south channels of the San Joaquin (southern) part of the Delta, were believed responsible for the collapse. In the eastern channel, flow reversal which lasts into the salmon migration period occurs only in exceptionally dry falls such as 1961; in the other channels it occurs annually. Reversal is caused by operation of a 4,600 cfs capacity pumping plant which pulls Sacramento River water south through channels that normally carry San Joaquin water north. From...

Fish Bulletin 143. Southern California Marine Sportfishing Survey: Private Boats, 1964; Shoreline, 1965–66

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Effort, catch, and catch rates for southern California sportfishing from private boats and from the shoreline were estimated for one-year periods. These categories represent two of four major types of marine sportfishing; the others are fishing from party boats and from piers and jetties.

Probability sampling plans employing fisherman interviews were used in obtaining the basic data for the surveys. Shoreline surveys were supplemented by aerial progressive counts of fishing poles.

Private boat sportfishing activities during 1964 were estimated at 2.8 million man hours (mh) of fishing. The catch of almost 1 million fish was composed primarily of five species, Pacific bonito, California halibut, white croaker, sand bass, and kelp bass.

A 12-month survey, 1965–66, revealed that surf fishermen expended an estimated 1.7 million mh of effort in taking 0.5 million fish. More fishing effort was expended from the bay shoreline, 869,557 mh, than from the open coast,...

Fish Bulletin 144. The California Marine Fish Catch For 1967

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Catch bulletins provide records of the amounts and values of various living marine resources taken by California's commercial fisheries, and summarize the catches made by the partyboat sportfishing industry. They also detail the small quantities of freshwater fish taken commercially in inland areas. These data provide the basic background for managing California's commercial fishery resources. The published figures are of national and international significance, and are used by fisheries scientists, legislators, educators, members of the fishing industry, and others interested in the State's fisheries.

This report for 1967 is the 27th in the series of catch bulletins. The first, published in 1929, contained the records of the 1926 and 1927 commercial fish catches.

Fish Bulletin 136. Ecological Studies of The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Part II: Fishes of The Delta

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

In July 1961 the Delta Fish and Wildlife Protection Study began an investigation of the ecology of the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary in California. Our investigations were designed to answer specific questions raised by water development plans proposed for the estuary, and to provide a background of information that could be used to evaluate these plans.

We have annually prepared a progress report, and more recently published the first volume of our ecological studies; a series of eight papers on fishes of San Pablo and Suisun bays, and of zooplankton and zoobenthos of the Delta and San Pablo and Suisun bays.

This is the second volume of our ecological studies. It consists of 12 individual papers about the distribution, relative abundance, food and spawning habits of fishes in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Fish Bulletin 131. The Structure, Development, Food Relations, Reproduction, and Life History of the Squid Loligo opalescens Berry

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The squid, Loligo opalescens Berry, is abundant along much of the west coast of North America. They often congregate where a light is suspended over the water at night, and at certain seasons, individuals that are spent by spawning may be seen swimming aimlessly near the surface. Great schools spawn in shallow waters like those adjacent to Monterey, California, where they support a valuable fishery. This squid is also important as food for many fishes, sea birds, and marine mammals.

Fish Bulletin 148. Effects of Artificial Destratification on Distribution of Bottom Organisms in El Capitan Reservoir

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The bottom fauna of El Capitan Reservoir, San Diego County, California, was sampled during 1964, under normal conditions, which included prolonged stratification. The lake was then destratified artificially for 2 years. The benthic organisms, including midge larvae and pupae, oligochaete worms, nematode worms, and freshwater clams, rapidly invaded the profundal zone. They had previously been absent there in summer. Their total numbers in the lake increased dramatically. A combination of anoxia and toxic conditions in the hypolimnion had presumably excluded them from the deeper parts of the lake when it was stratified.

In 1967 the lake was permitted to stratify again. By August the normal summer distributional pattern of bottom organisms was beginning to reappear.

Extending the distribution of midges throughout the lake by artificial destratification should increase the amount of food available to game fish. This is not so with oligochaetes, clams, and nematodes,...

Fish Bulletin 140. The Marine Environment offshore From Point Loma, San Diego County

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This is the third in a continuing series of marine environment surveys conducted by the California Department of Fish and Game in cooperation with the State's Regional Water Quality Control Boards.

During February and March, 1965, Department scuba diving biologists made an ecological investigation off the western shore of Point Loma, San Diego County (into water depths of 100 feet). Data from this study, conducted for the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, are to be used in evaluating the effects of a submarine outfall discharge on the marine life in the area.

Twenty diving and four intertidal stations were occupied along four transects run perpendicular to shore. A modified transect-quadrat method of survey was employed to sample the biota both quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, three orange-peel grab samples were taken near the outfall terminus (200-foot depth) primarily to determine sludge build-up.

The animal and plant assemblages...

Fish Bulletin 150. A History of California's Fish Hatcheries 1870–1960

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this bulletin is to document the development of fish culture in California from 1870 through 1960. During this period, 170 hatcheries and egg collecting stations were constructed, and brief descriptions of many of these are given. Since only 25 installations were operating in 1960, the reasons for closing the other sites were determined when possible. Detailed descriptions of each of the major hatcheries operated in 1960 are presented.

Fish Bulletin 146. Man-Made Reef Ecology

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This report discusses in detail findings and observations made during more than 4 years of study on three experimental multi-component man-made reefs, and one "production" model reef, in Santa Monica Bay, California (August 1960–January 1965). The multi-component replication reefs were each constructed of 333 tons of quarry rock, one streetcar, 14 automobile bodies, and 44 concrete shelters. The "production" model reef was 1000 tons of quarry rock. The study was designed to investigate various aspects of man-made reef ecosystems and to determine the optimum material for reef construction in southern California.

Observations made and sampling conducted at each reef included: (i) enumeration (by estimate) of the fishes, invertebrates, and plants, (ii) sediment analysis, (iii) water temperature, (iv) water clarity, and (v) encrusting growths on each reef material.

Quarry rock was determined to be the preferred reef building material (based upon cost and ease of handling),...

Fish Bulletin 141. Artificial Destratification of El Capitan Reservoir By Aeration. Part I: Effects on Chemical and Physical Parameters

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Most lower elevation California lakes experience one yearly cycle of stratification. Thermal stratification generally starts about March and extends through November, greatly influencing chemical and biological stratification. The metalimnion and hypolimnion of eutrophic lakes often are devoid of oxygen. Concomitant with the oxygen deficit is the build-up of anaerobic decomposition products and the exclusion of biota from the oxygen deficient zones.

Artificial destratification by aeration reduces or eliminates thermal stratification. Oxygen is distributed to all depths and products of anaerobic decomposition are oxidized. Barriers to biotic distribution are minimal.

The diffuse aeration system is probably the most effective for destratifying large lakes. Other methods are discussed.

Artificial lake destratification increases the lakes's heat budget. The winter temperature regime is not affected by destratification. Summer surface temperatures during stratified...

Fish Bulletin 139. Utilization of Kelp-Bed Resources in Southern California

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin is one of three large publications summarizing kelp investigations at the University of California's Institute of Marine Resources. The general objective of the bulletin is to assess the impact of man's past, present, and future activities on the kelp-bed environment. Possibilities for future improvement are examined in the opening chapters which describe the life history of the giant-kelp plant and show how this knowledge can be used for culturing and transplanting. Ecology of kelp-bed fishes is treated in detail as a background for evaluating influences of human activities. The distributions and ranges of physical parameters important to fishes are outlined with emphasis on temperature, wave action, visibility, and topography. Diets, behavior, preferred habitats, abundances, and life histories of kelp fishes are described, showing the ecological roles played by kelp as a food source, shelter, attractant, and vehicle for making phytoplankton productivity more...

Fish Bulletin 147. The Northern Anchovy (Engraulis Mordax) And Its Fishery 1965–1968

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

In 1964 scientists of the California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, and the University of California proposed an ecological experiment to assist the return of the Pacific sardine (Sardinops caeruleus) by imposing pressure on its chief natural competitor, the northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) . Bitter controversy followed but in late 1965 the California Fish and Game Commission authorized a closely regulated anchovy reduction fishery. The controversy did not cease, but a modest fishery with a 75,000 ton quota was initiated.

Reduction landings during the 1965–66, 1966–67, and 1967–68 seasons were 16,800, 37,600 and 6,500 short tons, respectively. Landings were from an anchovy population conservatively estimated as between 4 and 5 million tons, 50% of which occurs off California, and consequently do not reflect a lack of abundance but low processor demand as dictated by declining world fishmeal prices. Landings were primarily by purse...

Fish Bulletin 145. The California Partyboat Fishery 1947–1967

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

At the beginning of the 20th century, marine partyboat fishing in California was a wealthy man's sport, but 30 years later, the nucleus of the present day fleet of about 400 partyboats was forming. The development of the fleet from 1936 to 1967 is traced in brief, including mention of the influence of governmental agencies on safety, food handling, communications, employment, records of catch, and taxes. A study of fleet activities for one year, 1963, is presented and reveals some economic facts of partyboat life.

During the 21 year period, 1947–1967, the statewide marine partyboat fleet reported a catch of over 71 million fish. Annual totals ranged from 2.0 to 5.4 million fish.

Salmon, striped bass, rockfish, and lingcod have been the primary species sought and taken from Oregon to Point Arguello, whereas off southern California the California barracuda, kelp and sand bass, California yellowtail, Pacific bonito, and California halibut were the most important species.

Of...

Fish Bulletin 153. The California Marine Fish Catch For 1969

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The tables in this bulletin summarize the statistics of the various fishery operations in California during 1969. Five types of activity are being reported this year: landings of commercial fishermen in California; imports of tuna from other states or foreign countries destined for processing in California; sport catches of the partyboat fleet; landings of inshore species used for bait; and catches of boats supplying live bait for sportfishing. In addition, Appendix A shows the species composition of the salmon catch for 1969.

The statistics presented in this publication do not encompass all of the fishing activities in the State since not all of these activities are reported. For example: sportfishing from private boats or from shore is not reported, nor is the importation of fish for use in a fresh state. Department biologists do sample some facets of the sportfishery, but since this is part of specific studies, most of the results are not reported here.

The Department...

Fish Bulletin 124. Artificial Habitat in the Marine Environment

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

It has long been known that greater numbers and kinds of fishes inhabit rocky coasts, reefs, and banks than smooth, unbroken sandy or muddy bottoms, and that shipwrecks provide excellent fishing in otherwise non-productive areas. On this basis, various state and private agencies have placed old automobile bodies and other objects in areas generally barren of sportfish. Reports have indicated greatly increased sportfish yields in these areas, but to our knowledge, no full-scale scientific evaluation of artificial reefs has been made. The Japanese have done some work in this field, but their results are unpublished. With these facts in mind, the California Department of Fish and Game instituted a study of artificial reefs in April 1958. Many flat, sandy or muddy areas occur along the southern California coast, often near small-boat harbors. While large party, charter, and private boats can travel long distances to offshore islands and productive headlands, these fishing grounds...

Fish Bulletin No. 112. Relationships of Some Marine Organisms of the Northeast Pacific to Water Temperatures Particularly During 1957 Through 1959

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

It is generally known that the waters off our coast warmed up in 1957. It is also common knowledge that for many species, fishing improved dramatically at the same time. In fact, there has become a general awareness that ocean climate can strongly affect fishing — a concept not too prevalent prior to 1957. During the preceding decade there was a strong feeling that "overfishing" alone was responsible for any decline in fishing success for a given species.

Careful consideration of the problem reveals all factors are pertinent; some may dominate for a period becoming secondary or tertiary later. An important parameter may be completely masked by interplay of one or more others so that a researcher may be unable to find the relationship for which he is searching. It is obvious that no single phenomenon can explain all the variations observed in a fishery.

This paper attempts to explore a single oceanic feature, temperature, and its effect on some marine organisms....

Fish Bulletin No. 110. A Study of The Yellowtail Seriola Dorsalis (Gill)

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The yellowtail enjoys an unique position among California marine fishes. As a sportfish it is highly favored and one of the most sought-after. The beginner and veteran angler both hold it in high regard for its fighting ability. As a commercial species, yellowtail definitely take a back seat, being relegated to at least a second-rate position in desirability.

It is the largest member of the jack family, Carangidae, found in California waters. Their geographical distribution at one time or another has covered the area from southern Washington, (Hubbs, 1948) to Mazatlan, Mexico. In the Gulf of California it ranges only as far north as the vicinity of Los Angeles Bay, Baja California. The present economic range is from Los Angeles County, California to Cape San Lucas, Baja California.

Decreased catches in the area fished by California anglers during the years immediately following World War II caused considerable apprehension and led directly to the establishment of...

Fish Bulletin No. 105. The Marine Fish Catch of California For the Years 1955 and 1956 with Rockfish Review

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This is the seventeenth in the series of fish bulletins dealing with fish catch. The first published in 1929, contained records of the State's commercial fish catch for 1926 and 1927. Data for subsequent years have been published annually or biennially.

Fish Bulletin No. 107. Trout and Salmon Culture (Hatchery Methods)

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Even though the art of trout culture dates back to the year 1741, when Stephen Ludwig Jacobi started artificial propagation in Germany, advances in methods and techniques were slow until shortly before World War II. During the past 10 or 12 years, applied science and mechanics have revolutionized fish hatchery operations. More advances have probably occurred during this period than since the very beginning of trout culture. The uses of new chemicals in treating diseases in hatcheries, eradicating undesirable...

Fish Bulletin No. 118. California Abalones, Family Haliotidae

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Abalones provide a unique fishery in California. It is the only fishery in which the fishermen use diving gear and the catch cannot be exported. Because they are taken both by sportsmen and commercial fishermen, abalones have almost always attracted considerable attention and interest. A lack of early life history and other quantitative information has caused almost continuous dispute between the sport and commercial fisheries. Several previous abalone studies were concerned primarily with the early fishery and fishing methods or discussed nomenclature and geographical distribution. Limited biological studies yielded inaccurate conclusions because of insufficient data.

In 1939, the commercial abalone industry was asked to offer suggestions for regulating the fishery, and a crew supervised by a Fish and Game biologist surveyed the coastline from Monterey to San Miguel Island. Thirty-four dives were made and 16 1/2 hours were spent on the bottom; however, this survey (Bonnot,...

Fish Bulletin No. 104. A Review of The Rockfishes of California (Family Scorpaenidae)

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The rockfishes and scorpionfishes (family Scorpaenidae) form one of the most important fish families in the ocean waters of California. At present, in California waters, this family is represented by 49 species in the genus Sebastodes, two in the genus Sebastolobus, and one in the genus Scorpaena.

Not only does this family contain more species than any other marine or freshwater fish family known to inhabit our waters, but most of the species are highly desirable for food. Only a few are too small to be of direct value for human consumption. Even these, however, are utilized as food by other fishes, often by larger species of rockfishes. The pygmy rockfish for example, which barely reaches a size of eight inches, has been taken only from the stomachs of other rockfish.

Various rockfishes were of commercial importance in California as early as 1875 and, as a group, the rockfish have continually increased in importance not only in California but along the Pacific...

Fish Bulletin No. 120. Estimating Absolute Age Composition of California Salmon Landings

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Drawing valid inferences about parent populations is directly dependent upon the precision or reliability of estimated parameters. Self-evident as this statement is, however, situations frequently arise wherein unwarranted conclusions may be drawn from sample information whose reliability is imperfectly known. Thus it is clear that wherever possible, estimates of any sort should be supplemented with some measure of their precision. This implies, of course, that assumptions underlying any application of modern sampling theory have been reasonably satisfied.

The present paper represents an attempt to assess estimates that permit delineating the absolute age structure of fish catches, assuming the appropriate attributes are observed in a manner that at least approximates probability sampling. Such procedure further provides a basis for modifying sampling designs so future estimates derived therefrom will possess some a priori degree of precision imposed in accordance with...

Fish Bulletin No. 106. Age and Length Composition Pacific Coast Catches, Sardines and Pacific Mackerel 1955–56 and 1956–57 Seasons and the Northern Anchovy 1954–55 Through 1956–57 Seasons

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The age and length composition of the catches of three of the more important pelagic marine fishes of California are included in this bulletin.

The age and length composition of the sardine catch has been determined annually since the 1941–42 season. Data previous to the 1955–56 season have appeared in nine reports. Age determinations of sardines are made from scale samples.

The report on age composition of the Southern California catch of Pacific mackerel is the sixth in a continuing series since the 1939–40 season. Age determinations of Pacific mackerel are made from otoliths.

Age and length composition of the northern anchovy catch has been determined since the 1952–53 season. The present report is the second in a continuing series. It includes length and age data for the commercial catch and the live bait catch. Age determinations are made from scale samples.

Fish Bulletin 128. An Analysis of California's Albacore Fishery

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The United States ranks with the world's foremost fish-producing nations, and California's tremendous fisheries head the list of states in both production and value. Albacore, Thunnus alalunga, are highly desirable to both sport and commercial fishermen, sharing honors with the state's three most important species.

Over the past 20 seasons (1942–1961), the commercial albacore fleet, plying azure waters from central Baja California to British Columbia, has landed 310,000 tons in California. This harvest brought an estimated $115 million to the fishermen, excluding its large additional value to those engaged in processing and distribution. Records for the 15-year, post-war period (1947–1961) show the southern California partyboat industry, which operates primarily between northern Baja California and Point Conception, California, has taken multitudes of recreation-seeking men, women, and children sportfishing for albacore. These enthusiasts boated more than 900 thousand...

Fish Bulletin No. 116. Fitting A Von Bertalanffy Growth Curve By Least Squares Including Tables of Polynomials

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Historically, the growth of animals has been described by a variety of functions which relate size increase to a unit of time. These functions vary from a straight-line relationship to the more complex asymptotic-type curve. Fish growth is often represented by a function which is asymptotic to some average maximum size the fish will attain. A useful regression formula for representing these curves has three parameters, with a representing the asymptotic value of y. Stevens (1951) showed the utility of this basic curve by writing Gompertz's law, the logistic curve, and Mitscherlich's law in this form. It is also possible to write the growth curves of von Bertalanffy (1938) in this way.

The objective of this paper is to present a useful method for fitting Beverton's (1954) modification of the von Bertalanffy growth-in-length curve, but the method is adaptable to any curve which can be written in the basic form of equation. The tables in the Appendix, and the worked example...

Fish Bulletin No. 89. The Commercial Fish Catch of California For the Year 1951 with An Evaluation of the Existing Anchovy Case Pack Requirements

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This publication presents the total landings of commercial fish and shipments into California in the year 1951.

All catch statistics are influenced by economic demand as well as by the abundance of the supply. In using and interpreting the statistics of 1951, at least two economic factors must be considered.

The year 1951 was one of crises in the tuna industry. The phenomenal growth in the post-war years of the tuna fleet with its augmented catch, in conjunction with increased imports of canned and frozen tuna from abroad, gradually piled up a surplus of unsold goods. Early in 1951 the industry was forced to call a halt, and throughout the year the local fleet was either idle or fishing on a rotation basis. Whereas 193 regular tuna boats made 887 deliveries in 1950, 227 tuna boats in 1951 made only 818 deliveries. The average number of deliveries in 1951, 3.6 per boat, compares with 4.6 per boat in 1950. The decrease in catch was not proportionate. The explanation...

Fish Bulletin No. 93. The Life History of the Cabezon Scorpaenichthys marmoratus (Ayres)

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

During the past 15 years the cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, the largest of the North American Cottidae and a species of minor economic importance, has gained considerable popularity in the California sport fishery. Its commercial status, however, has changed but little during this time. Jordan and Evermann (1898) remarked that the cabezon is used but not esteemed as a food fish, and, although the commercial landings have increased somewhat, this sentiment still prevails.

The enthusiasm of the sportsman and the apathy of the marketman are easily understood. To the former, the cabezon is a relatively large and quite edible prize. To the latter it is, although large enough, considered inferior in quality to most other market fishes. Of course the attitude of the marketman is, in part, a reflection of customer preference, and unfortunately the customer may be repelled by nothing more than the allegedly unattractive appearance of this species.

Nevertheless, the...

Fish Bulletin No. 102. The Marine Fish Catch of California For The Years 1953 and 1954 with Jack Mackerel and Sardine Yield Per Area From California Waters 1946–47 Through 1954–55

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin includes records of the pounds of fish landed in the different areas of the State and their value to the fishermen. It is prepared to meet the numerous requests for such data received throughout the year from members of the fishing industry, harbor commissions, scientists, and persons in other related fields for use in their studies and reports.

This is the sixteenth in the series of fish bulletins dealing with fish catch. The first, published in 1929, contained records of the State's commercial fish catch for 1926 and 1927. Data for subsequent years have been published annually or biennially. Due to the growth of and interest in the marine sport catch and the live bait fishery, additional tables on sport and live bait catches were included with the 1950 figures and these have appeared in succeeding bulletins. In 1947 all available records of commercial catch for the years 1916–1947 were summarized. Although this bulletin carries the title "Marine Fish Catch,"...

Fish Bulletin No. 86. The Commercial Fish Catch of California For the Year 1950 with A Description of Methods Used in Collecting and Compiling the Statistics

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this bulletin is to present with the current statistics a record of the changes that have been made in the forms and in the routine of collecting and processing the statistics of California's fish catch. While these changes in themselves are often trivial, they are nonetheless of vital importance in using and interpreting the past statistical record, and it is imperative to have a historical record of such changes and the dates they took effect.

Fish Bulletin No. 96. California Fishing Ports

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this publication is to give some explanation, fragmentary though it may be, of the 270 ports where commercially caught fish have been landed in California during the 21-year period 1931 through 1951. For each port of any consequence, we have attempted to indicate its location, history, fish handling facilities, volume of landings, species delivered and brief notes on its sport fishing opportunities. Notes were gathered in 1952 and the first half of 1953.

Fish Bulletin No. 92. Studies on Fish Preservation at the Contra Costa Steam Plant of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Contra Costa Steam Plant of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, engineered and constructed by the Bechtel Corporation, was confronted with a need for large quantities of water from the San Joaquin River and at the same time a method for preserving the fish life present.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company believed both natural resources, the fisheries and water, could be utilized without sacrifice of one or the other and assigned the development of a solution to the Bechtel Corporation.

The purpose of this report is to make available to the industry the details of the investigation, the information gathered, and the things learned from a research and experimental project lasting more than a year.

The monograph is divided into parts following a chronological order of events.

The one on "Historical Background" describes the locale, the fisheries of the area, the Contra Costa Steam Plant and its condenser cooling water system, the original design...

Fish Bulletin No. 97. A Descriptive Study of Certain Tuna-like Fishes

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This project was undertaken in response to an inquiry concerning the relationship of certain species to the tunas. While the original intent was merely to supply a sound biological basis for a definition of the term "tuna", the ultimate scope of the work and the content of this report covers a relatively complete description of the numerous species investigated.

In order to have a factual basis upon which to evaluate relationships, the present report includes a description of two species of Sarda and of the Pacific mackerel, Pneumatophorus diego, representing, respectively, Kishinouye's families Cybiidae and Scombridae. While this admittedly affords an insufficient foundation upon which to build a solid structure of classification, it suffices to appraise the validity of Kishinouye's order Plecostei.

The writer's interest lies primarily in a separation of the valid species of the Thunnidae and Katsuwonidae and a description of each that will enable a positive identification...

Fish Bulletin No. 88. A Revision of the Family Embiotocidae (The Surfperches)

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The viviparous surfperches (family Embiotocidae) are familiar to anglers and commercial fishermen alike, along the Pacific Coast of the United States. Until the present, 21 species have been recognized in the world. Two additional forms are herein described as new. Twenty species are found in California alone, although not all are restricted to that area.

The family, because of its surf-loving nature, is characteristic of inshore areas, although by no means restricted to this niche. Two species are generally found in tidepools, while one, Zalembius rosaceus, occurs in fairly deep waters along the continental shelf.

Because of their rather close relationships, the Embiotocidae have been a problem for the angler, the ecologist, the parasitologist, and others, to identify and even, occasionally, have proved to be difficult for the professional ichthyologist to determine. An attempt has been made in this revision, to remedy this situation by including full descriptions...

Fish Bulletin No. 87. Surveys Through 1951 of the Distribution and Abundance of Young Sardines (Sardinops caerulea)

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The sardine population along the Pacific Coast of North America is subject to large fluctuations in the survival of sardines from each season's spawning. This results in some very abundant year classes, some very sparse and some of intermediate strengths. The relative abundance of each year class can be measured in its second or third year when it is first taken in the commercial fishery but it is of material help to the industry and to the biologist to know the abundance of each year class as early as possible. The California Department of Fish and Game has attempted to measure such abundance by surveys along the coast in the late summer and fall months when a new year class of sardines is about six months old.

The first exploratory surveys were conducted in California and Mexican waters during the fall months of 1938, 1939 and 1940. These were discontinued because the correlation between the observed abundance of young fish on the nursery grounds and the subsequent...

Fish Bulletin No. 101. Age Determination of the Northern Anchovy, Engraulis mordax

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

With the rapid decline of the sardine fishery beginning in 1946–47, California fishermen and processors turned to substitute species. One of these was the northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax). Until 1947, anchovies had been used for bait almost exclusively and the annual catch had seldom exceeded 5,000 tons. Between 1947 and 1951 these fish were canned in moderate amounts and the landings varied from 5,000 to 12,000 tons. In 1952 the tonnage increased to 34,000 and in 1953 to 49,000.

The major part of the anchovy canning has been done by the processors at Monterey. In this Central California area anchovies are also used in small quantities for dead bait. Along the Southern California coast for many years there has been a thriving live bait anchovy fishery. This bait is used chiefly by sport fishermen and in more limited amounts by the commercial men. The live bait anchovy catch of Southern California increased from about 2,000 tons in the early forties to more than 6,000...

Fish Bulletin No. 98. The Life Histories of the Steelhead Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri gairdneri) and Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) with Special Reference to Waddell Creek, California, and Recommendations Regarding Their Management

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Steelhead Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri gairdneri Richardson, and Silver Salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), are two of the most important fishes found along the Pacific Coast of North America. A considerable amount of published material regarding their biology, distribution, systematic status, propagation, and management already exists. However, up to the present time, and especially to the start of the experiments described in the present paper, there has been a notable lack of quantitative data regarding both species, particularly with regard to their life histories.

Because of this lack of quantitative data, so necessary for sound regulatory, stocking, and other management programs, the California Trout Investigations, a cooperative unit of the California Division of Fish and Game (now the California Department of Fish and Game) and the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries (now a part of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) in 1932 initiated a program of study at Waddell...

Fish Bulletin No. 90. Common Marine Bivalves of California

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin was written with three objectives in mind. First, it is designed to provide authorized names for the more common edible marine bivalve mollusks of California in the hope that these names will be used not only by the sportsmen but by the fishing industry. Secondly, it is an attempt to assess the economic importance to the State of these bivalves by putting on record the extent and location of the available bivalve-producing grounds, the number and abundance of the edible species, and, by contributing to a knowledge of their life histories, lay the foundation for such protective legislation as may in the future be found necessary. Thirdly, it proposes to make available to the amateur clam digger and amateur naturalist a means of identifying the more common and important bivalves. It is meant as a guide for any person interested in bivalve mollusks regardless of his technical knowledge and background, so scientific terminology is avoided wherever possible.

Fish Bulletin No. 103. Trolling Gear In California

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Trolling may be conducted from a small boat thereby requiring a low original investment and the gear used is relatively inexpensive compared with netting operations. As a result, this manner of fishing has attracted hundreds of commercial fishermen along the 1,000 miles of California coast. In recent years, commercial men are being outnumbered by the host of sport fishermen, many of whom do trolling at some time during the year. Sport fishermen pioneered ocean trolling in California and have initiated several of the improvements that have been adopted during the 75 years since ocean trolling started in this State.

An account, from time to time, of the gear and methods of operating is desirable for each of our important fisheries. Not only may changes be noted, but gear and methods of fishing have a direct bearing when appraising the records of catch per unit of fishing effort in attempts to determine changes in the supply of fish in the ocean.

The following descriptions...

Fish Bulletin No. 100. Catch Localities for Pacific Albacore (Thunnus germo) Landed in California, 1951 through 1953

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The California albacore fishery is highly seasonal, being pursued only in the summer and fall. Catches are extremely variable from year to year. The more that is learned about this species, the better are chances for stabilization and expansion. When the albacore investigation was expanded in 1951, the gathering of data on commercial catch localities was intensified. Also under study are migrations, racial relationships, size at maturity, exploratory fishing methods, environment, and all the factors that bear upon a continued harvest at a high level.

This report describes the results of one of the lines of investigation into the life history of the albacore, a study being made with the objective of improving the fishery. Basic to any survey of this sort is an understanding of the location of the most productive fishing areas in both time and space. Summarized herein are the available data which delineate the fishing areas exploited by the California fleet.

Fish Bulletin No. 99. A Description of Two Species of Bonito Sarda Orientalis and S. Chiliensis And a Consideration of Relationships Within the Genus

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This paper represents the final portion of a series of descriptions of the tunas and tuna-like fishes of the Pacific. It describes two species of bonito, the Peruvian and the Oriental, whose relationship to the two previously described species, the California and the Mexican, was obscure.

One of the most abundant sources of protein food is found in the "Scombroid" group of fishes, including such fish as the tuna, skipjack, bonito and mackerel. These are streamlined, pelagic, schooling fishes distributed, in greater or less abundance, in almost every ocean of the world. Although widely distributed and generally similar in appearance, there is reason to suspect that in some instances individual species are confined to a given ocean or to a restricted portion of that ocean, and that the stocks of the world are made up of such distinct groups. In other instances it appears that species are in reality cosmopolitan. If our fishery resources are to be intelligently exploited,...

Fish Bulletin No. 91. Common Ocean Fishes of the California Coast

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin is designed as a guide to those marine fishes of California which are likely to be caught by commercial and sport fishermen. While the species included represent only a fraction of the total recorded from the State, those remaining are mostly either deep-sea forms or small fishes of inshore waters which rarely, if ever, enter the fisherman's catch. The guiding precept of likelihood of capture by fishermen results in the inclusion of some species which are actually rather rare in California and the exclusion of some common varieties.

Fish Bulletin No. 85. The Biology of the Dover Sole, Microstomus pacificus (Lockington)

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Dover sole, Microstomus pacificus (Lockington) is a fairly large flatfish belonging to the family Pleuronectidae. It is not a true sole, but a flounder. However, through continued common usage of the term "sole" for most of the flounders along the Pacific Coast, this appellation has become recognized by the fishing industry and the different government agencies concerned. It has been known along the Pacific Coast under several different common names, such as slippery sole (California and Puget Sound), lemon sole (Vancouver), smear dab (Puget Sound), rubber sole and short finned sole (San Francisco), slime sole (California and Puget Sound), tongue sole, and Dover sole (Pacific Coast).

The common name of Dover sole was first suggested by Mr. Stewart, employee of the New England Fish Co., Astoria, Oregon, around 1939 according to the Eureka fishermen. He probably associated Microstomus pacificus, the only representative of its genus along the eastern Pacific Coast, with...

Fish Bulletin No. 75. California Sharks and Rays

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

In all, 29 species of sharks, 17 rays and one ratfish are on record from California. The sharks and rays represent a very muddled group as far as scientific understanding of the species is concerned. Particularly with the larger sharks, it is hard to preserve specimens in museums, and a proper comparison of similar individuals from different parts of the world is very difficult. The literature is confused and much remains to be done in determining just what kinds do exist. It may well be that some kinds which we now regard as species separate from, say, their Atlantic counterparts actually do not differ from them at all. Conversely, some of those species now credited with a world-wide distribution may prove to be divisible into several species each with a limited range.

All of the species reported from California are described in the pages which follow. Some are very common, while others are known from only one or two specimens. Anyone who catches one of the rare ones—or,...

Fish Bulletin No. 77. A Comparison of the Bluefin Tunas, Genus Thunnus From New England, Australia and California

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Bureau of Marine Fisheries has been fortunate in obtaining specimens of tuna from the Atlantic Coast and from Australian waters. The fish in both samples belong to the genus Thunnus. The Atlantic form is generally accredited to the species Thunnus thynnus, and the Australian southern bluefin is Thunnus maccoyii. The Australian northern bluefin, Kishinoella tonggol, does not enter into this discussion. The bluefin tuna of the Pacific Coast of the United States is also included in the species Thunnus thynnus. The Pacific Coast bluefin was extensively described by Godsil and Byers (1944), and the acquisition of the Atlantic and Australian specimens afforded an exceptional opportunity to make a thorough comparison of the three varieties. The present study was therefore modelled on the procedure outlined by Godsil and Byers, and the same characters were investigated. The measurements used, the technique and the nomenclature adopted throughout are identical.

The present...

Fish Bulletin No. 78. The Life History of the Starry Flounder Platichthys stellatus (Pallas)

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The order Heterosomata, the great group of the flatfishes, has long been of major economic importance in the marine fisheries of the world. Its multiform representatives are the subject of a very extensive and diverse literature which, however, is but a brief prologue to what research can bring to light. This paper is an attempt to contribute to the knowledge of one member of the group, and it is hoped that it may be of some value to intelligent management of the fishery in the future. The specimens of starry flounder for this study were taken during the last four months of 1946 and throughout the years 1947 and 1948 from the waters of Elkhorn Slough, the mouth of the Salinas River and at various localities in Monterey Bay. In Elkhorn Slough the fish were caught in a bobbinet seine 255 cm. long and 94 cm. deep, with hexagonal meshes of 3 mm. diameter. At the mouth of the Salinas River a minnow seine was used for monthly collections made from September, 1946, to February,...

Fish Bulletin No. 80. The Commercial Fish Catch of California For the Years 1948–1949 With Yield Per Area of the California Sardine Fishing Grounds 1937–1949

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This is a fourth report on the fishing areas for the sardine, Sardinops caerulea, off the California coast. Previous accounts described the areas in detail from shortly after the industry's inception (investigation records date from 1919), through the period of rapid expansion (1920's), and terminated with the peak season of production (1936–37). During the twenties the fishing grounds were extended from the localities near port to greater distances both offshore and north and south along the coast. By the end of that decade the fishermen were operating from Pt. Reyes to the Farallon Islands and southward to Pt. Sur, and by the mid-thirties the San Francisco fishermen were catching sardines as far north as Pt. Arena. In Southern California the fishing grounds extended from Pt. Conception to San Diego and around all the Channel Islands. The present study covers the 12 seasons 1937–38 through 1948–49. In this time interval the maximum boundaries of the fishing grounds remained...

Fish Bulletin No. 81. Purse Seines and Other Roundhaul Nets in California

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The construction and operation of roundhaul nets in this State have been observed and described by various staff members of the Bureau of Marine Fisheries during the past 30 years but nearly all of our published material is now out of print. This bulletin attempts to summarize the history and development of these nets in California and to describe the numerous improvements which have occurred since any of us last published on the subject.

Fish Bulletin No. 79. A Key to Some Southern California Fishes Based on Vertebral Characters

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The identification of larval forms of marine fishes, of fish fragments found in stomach contents and of fossil fish is often difficult. As an aid to such work a study is being made of the vertebral characteristics of adult marine fishes found off the coasts of Mexico, California, Oregon and Washington and a key based on these characteristics is being constructed.

The possibility of such a key was suggested by Ford (1937), who described at considerable length and with the aid of some excellent photographs the differences in the vertebral columns of several teleostean fishes, approaching the subject from the "functional" angle without any attempt to form a key.

Work was begun on the present study in 1938 and has been continued as material and time were available. Because of the large number of species involved it has been found necessary to divide the study into geographical units. The first unit, covered in this paper, comprises 163 species of fish, omitting the...

Fish Bulletin No. 72. Trawling Gear in California

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The name trawl is derived from the manner of operating the net rather than from any peculiarity of the net itself. The net is essentially a flattened bag which is towed or trawled over the ocean floor and this manner of fishing has shown itself to be very efficient in taking deep water fishes in large quantity at low operating cost. The capture of demersel fishes by means of hand lines, set or long lines and submerged gill or trammel nets requires more men, working longer hours for a smaller catch than does the dragging of a bag net along the ocean bottom. Another factor contributed to the success of trawling as a method of fishing. The dragging of a deeply submerged net could be continued after the weather became too rough to permit fishing operations by setliners or trammel netters. Trawling vessels averaged larger than set line boats and put to sea in weather that kept smaller craft port bound. Thus in spells of bad weather it frequently happened that no fish was delivered...

Fish Bulletin No. 74. The Commercial Fish Catch of California for the Year 1947 With an Historical Review 1916–1947

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin is the eleventh in a series begun in 1929, designed to present the detailed records of the commercial fish catch of the State. Continuing the practice of the former issues in this series, the statistical records for 1947 are here presented in considerable detail.

The current records are of interest but occasionally a review of the statistics is necessary to show the over-all picture and the trends in the minor fisheries for which no intensive program of study has been inaugurated. In 1937, Fish Bulletin No. 49 was published and gave such a review covering the period from 1916, when the record was begun, through 1935. The information gathered for that bulletin has proven of great value to the administrators, the patrol officers, the research workers in the field and the people in the industry.

During World War II the staff of the Bureau of Marine Fisheries was limited and although the statistical program was maintained it was only possible to follow...

Fish Bulletin No. 73. Tagging Experiments on the Pacific Mackerel (Pneumatophorus diego)

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Prior to 1928, the Pacific mackerel fishery was of minor importance, the catch being almost wholly absorbed by the fresh fish trade. Since that year, a large scale canning industry has developed in Southern California with an almost unlimited demand for fish. The bulk of the catch is processed in the Los Angeles Harbor area though large tonnages are handled at Newport Beach, some thirty miles to the south. Small amounts are canned at San Diego and at Ensenada, Mexico, the southern limit of the fishery. In Central California, mackerel are sometimes landed mixed with sardines (Sardinops caerulea) caught by the San Francisco and Monterey purse seine fleets. The quantity taken is rarely sufficient to warrant segregation for canning, and the mixed loads are for the most part reduced as "sardines." As a result, there is no record of the actual tonnage of mackerel handled at these ports.

The Southern California fishery for the canneries was at first prosecuted largely by net...

Fish Bulletin No. 70. A Preliminary Population Study of the Yellowfin Tuna and the Albacore

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

In "A Systematic Study of the Pacific Tunas" it was shown that specimens of yellowfin tuna, (Neothunnus macropterus), and albacore (Thunnus germo), obtained from Japan and the Hawaiian Islands are individually indistinguishable from those taken in the eastern Pacific. In the present study the relationship of the foreign to the local specimens is more closely investigated. In the two sections of this report an effort is made to determine, firstly, whether fish (of the two species discussed) from Japan and from the Hawaiian Islands are of the same or different populations from those taken by the California fishing fleet off this coast; and secondly, whether the yellowfin tuna in the eastern Pacific constitute a single, homogeneous and intermingling population or an aggregate of separate and recognizable groups, each confined to a specific geographic area.

Fish Bulletin No. 64. The Biology of the Soupfin Galeorhinus zyopterus and Biochemical Studies of the Liver

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The use of fish liver oils as a dietary supplement has been practiced for hundreds of years but not until a comparatively recent date has it been known that the virtue of these oils lies in their vitamin content. Because of this increased knowledge of vitamins, manufacturers of pharmaceutical products analyzed many species of fish in a search for new sources of this much desired food fortifier. Additional stimulus to the search for vitamins in other fish was also furnished by the second World War which curtailed the production of cod liver oil and eventually cut off European supplies. Laboratory tests showed that the soupfin shark along the Pacific Coast of North America has a liver richer in vitamin A than any other fish yet analyzed. As a result, the California fishery for this shark increased at a spectacular rate.

By 1942 an investigation of the fish and its fishery was deemed necessary. This required study of the biology of the fish to determine if the population...

Fish Bulletin No. 68. Common Marine Fishes of California

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This bulletin is written with two objectives in mind. First, it is designed to provide authorized names for the more common marine fishes of California, in the hope that these names will be used in the fishing industry and by sportsmen. Second, it is designed to provide a ready reference from which the fisherman or the buyer can identify those species seen most often in the commercial and the sport catch. It is not presented as a treatise on our marine fishes, for it describes only a fraction of the species known from California. It is meant as a guide for any person interested in fish regardless of his technical background, so scientific terminology is avoided wherever possible.

There have been two other bulletins of this sort published by the California Division of Fish and Game. The first, Number 28, was very broad in scope. It included both fresh-water and marine fishes, sharks, rays, and some invertebrates. The second,Number 45, treated sharks and rays in considerably...

Fish Bulletin No. 62. Catch per-Unit-of-Effort in California Waters of the Sardine (Sardinops caerulea) 1932–1942

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

As is recognized by all fisheries students, the total catch of any species does not usually measure the size of the population available to the fishermen. The size of the total catch depends on the relation between the numbers of fish in the available population and the amount of effort expended. To measure changes in this relationship, the catch per-unit-of-effort has been devised by fisheries workers. Variations in this measure may result either from variations in the size of the total population, from differences in availability of all or a portion of the population to the fishermen, or from changes in the amount of effort expended. For an interpretation of the influence of these factors other sources of information must be drawn upon. The catch per-unit-of-effort is an essential tool, however, in the solution of the vexing problems of fisheries management.

For the sardine several measures of the catch per-unit-of-effort have been calculated. The first to be published...

Fish Bulletin No. 66. Drift and Set Line Fishing Gear in California

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this publication is to describe the types of multiple-hook lines (drift, set and hand lines) used in ocean fishing along the California coast and to point out the principal variations in the gear and its operation as commonly used by our fishermen.

Fish Bulletin No. 67. The Commercial Fish Catch of California for the Years 1945 and 1946

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This is the tenth fish bulletin of a series begun in 1929 for the purpose of presenting detailed records of the State's commercial fish catch as well as other statistical information compiled by the Bureau of Marine Fisheries.

Fish Bulletin No. 63. The Commercial Fish Catch of California for the Years 1943 and 1944

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This is the ninth fish bulletin of a series begun in 1929 for the purpose of presenting detailed records of the commercial fish catch of California as well as other statistical information compiled by the Bureau of Marine Fisheries.

Fish Bulletin No. 69. Age and Length Composition of the Sardine Catch off the Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada, 1941–42 through 1946–47

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Since November, 1919, the California Division of Fish and Game has been gathering data to contribute to the understanding of causes underlying changes in abundance of the sardine,Sardinops caerulea. A knowledge of the relative proportions of the various age groups of fish in the population is an important element in such studies.

Prior to 1924, an attempt was made by Thompson and assistants to read the age marks on the scales and otoliths of this species, but results did not prove satisfactory. However, an indirect method of assessing age by tracing dominant size groups through the fishery was continued. During the period 1928–1933, a study of otoliths of sardines taken in the California fishery was made by H. C. Godsil, but this also proved unsatisfactory. In March, 1938, Walford and Mosher of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service started examination of the scales and otoliths of sardines, commencing with the young and later including older fish. This study established...

Fish Bulletin No. 59. The Commercial Fish Catch of California for the Years 1941 and 1942

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This is the eighth fish bulletin of a series begun in 1929 for the purpose of presenting detailed records of the State's commercial fish catch as well as other statistical information compiled by the Bureau of Marine Fisheries.

Fish Bulletin No. 57. The Commercial Fish Catch of California for the Years 1936–1939, Inclusive

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Sixth in a series of bulletins dealing with the commercial fish landings in California, this issue is designed to make public these statistical records for the years 1936 to 1939, inclusive. Added to its scope are notes on the marine sport catch, records for which were available for the first time in 1936.

Fish Bulletin No. 58. The Commercial Fish Catch of California for the Year 1940

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Seventh in a series of bulletins dealing with the commercial fish landings in California, this issue publishes the monthly and yearly totals for 1940. Also included are the values of the catches for 1939 and 1940.

Fish Bulletin No. 60. A Systematic Study of the Pacific Tunas

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The classification of the tunas throughout the world has remained unsatisfactory for many years due chiefly to the difficulties involved in comparing large specimens from many localities. On the eastern side of the Pacific are found several species which have not been clearly separated from those of the Western and Mid-Pacific. of these forms four play an important role in the fisheries of California, Mexico and Central America. The present study was undertaken in March 1940, to determine the geographical range of these species and the relationships between them and similar ones occurring in the Central, Western and Equatorial Pacific. This was the first essential step in a comprehensive investigation of the tuna populations supporting the California industry. In particular, it was necessary to explore the differences between the bluefin and the oriental tuna and to know whether or not the yellowfin tuna, the skipjack and the albacore are of the same species as those taken...

Fish Bulletin No. 61. Results of Tagging Experiments in California Waters on the Sardine (Sardinops caerulea)

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The three papers included in this Fish Bulletin constitute a summary of the work which has been done by the Bureau of Marine Fisheries of the California Division of Fish and Game between 1936 and 1944 to measure movements and abundance of the sardine population by means of a tagging program:

Movements and Abundance of the Sardine as Measured by Tag Returns. By Frances N. Clark, and John F. Janssen, Jr.

The Effect of Internal Tags upon Sardines. By John F. Janssen, Jr. And J. Alfred Aplin.

Measurement of The Losses in the Recovery of Sardine Tags.

By Frances N. Clark and John F. Janssen, Jr.

Fish Bulletin No. 54. The Fishes of the Family Sciaenidae (Croakers) of California

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Sciaenidae is quite an extensive and diversified family, including a large number of species, divided, according to Jordan (1923, pp. 201–202), among not less than 84 recent genera, many of which are so closely related that their definitions offer great difficulties. Even the delimitation of the family is fraught with complications.

The family is nearly limited to warm seas, where most of the species occur along sandy shores. A few species extend into relatively cool waters, but none of them tolerates cold water. Occurrence in fresh water is very rare.

Most of the members of the family are capable of producing a peculiar noise, hence their name "croakers." On the west coast of North America, several of the vernacular names are misleading. Such names as herring, sea trout, tomcod, whiting, etc., which should be applied to widely different species, are frequently used for some of the California species. In order to avoid further confusion, these names have barely...

Fish Bulletin No. 109. The Barred Surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus Agassiz) in Southern California

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The surf fishing investigation was begun when a need for more knowledge of the most important surf species became apparent.

Discussions held with surf fishermen and biologists familiar with surf fishing conditions, indicated an apparent decline in fishing success. As a first step, a study was made to determine the most important game species in the fishery. A preliminary survey indicated that these were barred surfperch, Amphistichus argenteus, California corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus, spotfin croaker, Roncador stearnsi, yellowfin croaker, Umbrina roncador, and opaleye, Girella nigricans. The latter was not studied by the project because it is more truly a rocky shore dweller than a surf inhabitant.

The essential life histories of the four remaining species (hereafter designated project species) were studied. A voluntary catch record system and a creel census were used to provide information on the relative importance of each and fishing success along the entire...

Fish Bulletin No. 50. Sizes of California Sardines Caught in the Different Areas of the Monterey and San Pedro Regions

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This paper deals with the sizes of California sardines (Sardinops caerulea) caught in the different areas of the Monterey and San Pedro regions off the coast of California. The present report is a sequel to Fish Bulletin 43, "The sizes of California sardines caught by the different fishing gear and in the different localities of the Monterey and San Pedro regions," except that in the present report no further work dealing with the sizes of sardines caught by different fishing gear was found necessary. The data of five more seasons have been added, allowing more definite conclusions, particularly for the Monterey region, where the data for only two seasons were available for the previous work. Also, a new fishing area has been added to the Monterey region.

This report is concerned only with the fishery as carried on in connection with the canning and reduction of sardines and does not include the fishery for the fresh fish and bait industry. The former phase is the more...

Fish Bulletin No. 47. Interseasonal and Intraseasonal Changes in Size of the California Sardine (Sardinops caerulea)

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

No true understanding of the California sardine fishery or of the sardine population can be reached until the size fluctuations which occur within each fishing season are clearly set forth. These rhythmic size changes, repeated with constant regularity season after season, must be analyzed and interpreted before any measure of other changes in the sardine fishery can be attempted. They result from successive movements of the various size-classes, composing the sardine population, into and out of each fishing area. In addition to these size changes within each sardine fishing season, there also occur significant size fluctuations from season to season. These result from an entirely different cause, the relative success or failure of each season's spawn. A measure of the amount of variation in the success of each season's spawning is as important as is the understanding of the size variations within each season. The size changes within each season are of greater magnitude,...

Fish Bulletin No. 53. Measures of Abundance of the Sardine, Sardinops caerulea, in California Waters

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The proper administration of any fishery must be based on a knowledge of the abundance of the species on which that fishery relies and the variations in that abundance must be measured from year to year. Seldom can the absolute abundance of a population be measured, and for a marine species practically never. The fisheries researcher has, therefore, only one recourse; he must rely on relative measures of abundance. He can not say that a given species consisted of so many individuals in year A and a certain number in year B. He can only measure the abundance of year B in terms of year A and say that the population of year B was a certain percentage more or less than year A.

For measuring this ratio, fisheries workers have set up certain yardsticks and as a rule use that yardstick which is most applicable to the fishery under study. The most commonly used of these measures of changing relative abundance of a population are the return to the fisherman per unit of effort...

Fish Bulletin No. 40. The California Mackerel Fishery

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The word mackerel is a common one in every day conversation. Everywhere we can hear such expressions as, "holy mackerel," "dead as a mackerel," and "cold as a mackerel." Undoubtedly the fish called mackerel, from which these terms have arisen, must be universally popular and well known. It is hoped that the following pages will give some idea of the popularity and economic importance of this fish.

The irregular habits and the unheralded periods of scarcity or abundance of the common Atlantic mackerel are subjects of great concern to the fishermen of Europe and America. The occasional failure of the mackerel to appear spells hardship and privation for many fishermen and dealers, and when its does appear in the vast shoals that are eagerly awaited each spring, adverse economic conditions sometimes prevent the fishermen from making a living. In California the mackerel is always present, summer and winter, year in and year out, but because of economic factors the fishery...

Fish Bulletin No. 95. The Commercial Fish Catch of California For the Year 1952 with Proportion of King and Silver Salmon in California's 1952 Landings

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

It has been the purpose of the Catch Bulletins to present consistent tables of the commercial fish landings in California continuously from year to year. This bulletin is the fifteenth in the series which carries the historic record of the fisheries from 1926 through 1952. There is included in text and tables relevant information on such subjects as the marine sport catch, the live bait fishery and the census of the fleet and fishermen.

Fish Bulletin No. 111. The Marine Fish Catch of California For the Year 1959

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Catch Bulletins provide records of California's commercial fishery landings and their value to fishermen. This report for 1959 is the 19th in the series. Prior records have been published regularly beginning with those for 1926 and 1927.

Bulletin titles have varied slightly through the years, reflecting the increasing importance of marine species as fresh water catches dropped to insignificance. The first 15 bulletins, for the years 1926 through 1952, were entitled, "The Commercial Fish Catch of California" but since 1953 they have been entitled, "The Marine Fish Catch of California."

In recent years, a need has arisen for faster publication of catch statistics. Consequently, figures will henceforth be published annually instead of biennially.

The statistical system and methods used to collect the records were fully described in Fish Bulletin 86, which reported the catch for 1950. In the intervening 10 years, methods and equipment have been modified to accelerate...

Fish Bulletin No. 84. A Racial Study of the Pacific Mackerel, Pneumatophorus diego

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Pacific mackerel (Pneumatophorus diego) is one of the more important commercial fishes found in California waters. It is fished intensively off Southern California, the great bulk of the catch being delivered to canneries located at Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors and at Newport Beach. Landings at San Diego are erratic, though appreciable quantities have been delivered there in past years. Small amounts of mackerel are caught off Central California, but over 95 percent of the state-wide catch is made between Point Conception and the Mexican border.

The Southern California mackerel canning industry started in 1928, but demand was limited until 1933. Since that time, a virtually unlimited market has existed but the total catch has fluctuated widely and the trend has been downward since 1936. About 130,000,000 pounds were landed in the Los Angeles-Newport Beach area during the best season, 1935–1936, and some 32,000,000 pounds during the worst season, 1950–1951.

Mackerel...