FISHERY BULLETIN: VOL. 82, NO. 1 



ferences in sampling strategy. They sampled within 

 blocks defined by depth contours whereas we sampled 

 at specific isobaths. Thus, part of their block D (be- 

 tween the 22 and 45 m isobaths) is located at a depth 

 where we found high densities (22 m) and part of it 

 where we found low densities (36 m). All of their 

 block B (between 9 and 12 m) is located at depths 

 where we did not sample. Their block A (between 6 

 and 9 m) is located in a zone where our data suggest 

 lower densities. 



Our trawling data also support this narrow band as 

 important for the young stages of white croaker. 

 Almost all of the juvenile white croaker taken during 

 our study were collected at stations located between 

 the 18 and 27 m isobaths (Fig. 2). 



In summary, these data suggest that adult white 

 croaker migrate shoreward (larger adults were taken 

 at deeper depths; Fig. 2) and spawn in a narrow band 

 along the coast. This band has its shoreward boun- 

 dary located between the 8 and 12 m isobaths, and its 

 seaward boundary located between the 22 and 36 m 

 isobaths. Furthermore, the pelagic stages remain pri- 

 marily within this band. At the end of the pelagic 

 phase young white croaker move into 3-6 m and take 

 up residence near the bottom. As these juvenile fish 

 mature, they migrate to deeper waters (Fig. 2). 



Based on this hypothesis, we believe that a realistic 

 evaluation of the spawning activities of the white 

 croaker can be based on data collected from the 

 shore to the 36 m isobath. We have done this and 

 found that about 9% of the spawning by white croaker 

 occurred along the coast from San Onofre to the 

 international border, about 55% from Laguna Beach 

 to Redondo Beach, and around 36% from Playa del 

 Rey to Point Conception. If this represents the typi- 

 cal annual pattern, the portion of the Southern 

 California Bight from Laguna Beach to at least Point 

 Conception is important for white croaker, especially 

 the region around the Palos Verdes Peninsula from 

 Redondo Beach to Laguna Beach. However, that 

 portion of the bight from San Onofre to the border is 

 relatively insignificant. The only remaining coastal 

 zone in the U.S. portion of the Southern California 

 Bight is around the Channel Islands. We have not 

 investigated the coastal zones of these islands and 

 cannot appraise their significance to the spawning 

 activities of white croaker in the Southern 

 California Bight. 



Fishery 



Historically, the commercial white croaker fishery 

 has been minor, rarely exceeding 1 million lb/yr (Frey 

 1971). Most fish were caught and landed in the Long 



Beach-San Pedro region and Monterey Bay. 

 Southern California accounted for about two-thirds 

 of the catch and Monterey one-third, although during 

 World War II, Monterey produced over one-half the 

 total catch. Until recently, white croaker were taken 

 commercially by otter trawl, round haul net, mul- 

 tifilament gill net, and hook and line. However, in the 

 past few years, significant changes have occurred in 

 the fishery. Gill nets, particularly monofilament nets, 

 have almost entirely supplanted other methods. 



The ubiquity of white croaker along the southern 

 California mainland makes this species accessible to 

 small boat sportfishermen. The ease with which it 

 may be taken, using minimum skill or equipment, 

 ensures that this species will be caught in consider- 

 able numbers. We commonly found two fishermen 

 with at least 50 or more white croaker after a half 

 day's effort. Though traditionally scorned by many, 

 we found that the species is popular with a number of 

 ethnic groups. 



The Monterey fishery has been revived in the past 

 2-3 yr by newly arrived Vietnamese fishermen. 14 

 White croaker are fished throughout Monterey Bay, 

 over the entire year, in 12-24 m (40-80 ft), 

 occasionally to 37 m (120 ft) with 1.6-2.4 km (1-1.5 

 mi) long monofilament gill nets [6.3 cm (2.5 in) 

 stretch mesh]. Nets are tended daily, and 450-900 kg 

 (1,000-2,000 lb) catches are common with maximum 

 catches to 1,800 kg (4,000 lb). Depending on catch 

 size and fish condition, payment to fishermen ranges 

 from 6 to 22C/kg (15 to 50C/lb). These white croaker 

 are sold principally within central California (par- 

 ticularly the San Francisco area), although a small 

 amount is shipped to southern California. Demand is 

 increasing, particularly among various Asian com- 

 munities. 15 



SUMMARY 



In this study, white croaker was the most abundant 

 species in nearshore (18-27 m) otter trawl collections 

 in southern California. This species dwelled prin- 

 cipally in shallow water and juveniles were restricted 

 to the shallower (<27 m) parts of the species depth 

 range. Living to 12 yr, white croaker grew at a nearly 



l4 D.J. Miller, California Department of Fish and Game, 2201 Gar- 

 den Road, Monterey, CA 93940, and T. Keating, Moss Landing 

 Marine Laboratory, P.O. Box 233, Moss Landing, CA 95039, pers. 

 commun. August 1981. 



"Though most white croaker are retailed fresh, there is reason to 

 believe that a potential market exists for them as surimi (fish cakes). 

 A fish cake plant existed in Ventura during 1979, processing 3,000- 

 4,000 lb (1,360-1,800 kg) of white croaker per day. All cakes were 

 sold to the Asian community in Los Angeles. Demand for the pro- 

 duct was very strong and the plant closed for reasons unrelated 

 to profitability. 



196 



