32 



DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



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NORTHERN ANCHOVY 

 Engraulis mordox 



Relationship: Belongs to the anchovy family, Engraulidae, as do the deep-bodied 

 and slough anchovies. There are two subspecies of this fish. One, Engraulis mordax 

 mordax, is found along the entire coast. The other, Engraulis mordax nanus, is a 

 smaller, brackish water form found in San Francisco Bay. 



Distinguisiiing Characters: The short single dorsal fin; the lack of a lateral 

 line ; the extremely large mouth, the maxillary extending almost to the edge of the 

 gill cover ; the head length being greater than the depth of the body (separating it from 

 the deep-bodied and slough anchovies). Length to about 7 inches. Color: Metallic 

 bluish or greenish above becoming silvery on the sides and belly. 



Distribution: British Columbia to Cape San Lucas, Lower California. A 

 schooling fish. 



the bait fishery reaching a peak in the 



Fishing Season: Throughout the yeai 

 summer and the market fishery in the fall. 



Importance: By far the most valuable of our anchovies, but not the object of 

 a major fishery. Used largely as bait, both live and dead. The bait catch in 1946 was 

 over 5,000,000 pounds compared with about 2,000,000 pounds delivered to the markets. 

 The market catch is sold fresh for the most part though small amounts are salted. It 

 was not canned to any extent until 1947 when considei-able quantities were packed, 

 especially at Monterey. Fished chiefly off Southern and Central California. 



Fishing Gear: Round haul nets. 



Unauthorized Name: California anchovy. 



