C ALIFORNIA (Cont. ) 



conditions which may affect yellowtail distribution and movements are recorded. 

 Various experiments are being conducted to determine the type of tags best 

 suited for yellowtail. These include testing the tags in a high speed water tunnel, 

 aquarium observations, and testing the physical effects on the tags of a pro- 

 longed period on the bottom of a vessel. 



Studies of age, rate of growth, maturity, fecundity and food habits are car- 

 ried on. Morphometric n-ieasurements and meristic counts are taken. A statis- 

 tical analysis of the commercial catch is in preparation to deternnine the relative 

 availability of yellowtail throughout the history of the fishery. 



Southern California and Baja California; hdqrs. Terminal Island; began 

 January 1952, to close December 1955; $25, 000 per year; Robert D. CoUyer, 

 Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: State Fisheries Laboratory, as in No. 14 above. 



17. Rockfish (Scorpaenidae) Investigation. 



The first approach to the investigation of the rockfish in California is a 

 proper definition of the various species. There are approximately 50 species 

 of this family of fishes in California marine waters and none in fresh water. 

 About one-half of the total number of species are of some importance, either 

 from a sportsman's or from a commercial standpoint. Life history studies 

 on the most important species will be conducted. 



Coastwise; indefinite; J. B. Phillips, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: J. B. Phillips, Marine Fisheries Branch, Hopkins 

 Marine Station, Pacific Grove, Calif. 



University of California 



1. Sagehen Creek Project. 



Long-term studies of the abundance, distribution and survival of trout, and 

 other fishes. 



Fifteen nriiles north of Truckee; began June 1951, indefinite; $15,000; Paul 

 R. Needham, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: Dr. Paul R. Needham, University of California, 

 Department of Zoology, Berkeley 4, Calif. 



2. Beaver -trout Interrelationship in a Sierra Nevada Mountain Stream. 



Objectives of the project are: (a) A physical factor comparison between 

 beaver pond and typical stream environments; (b) a quantitative and qualitative 

 comparison of the bottom organisms occurring in beaver pond and typical stream 

 habitats; (c) a comparison of the composition, number, and weight of fish popu- 

 lations in beaver pond and stream habitats; (d) a trapping and tagging program to 

 determine the effect of beaver dams upon the spawning migrations of trout in the 

 fall; (e) a comparison of the species and sizes of trout caught in beaver pond and 

 stream habitats. 



Sagehen Creek, Nevada County; began February 1954, indefinite; $2,000; 

 Richard Card, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: Paul R. Needham, as in No. 1 above. 



3. Age, Growth, and Mortality Rates of Cottus beldingi. 



The objective is to determine the reasons for the abundance of this fish in 

 Sagehen Creek, and the effects of such abundance on trout populations. This is 

 to be accomplished through age analysis of samples of fish collected from 

 May 1953 to January 1954; population estimates for different areas of the creek; 

 fecundity; spawning season; and mortality rates. 



Sagehen Creek, Nevada County; began May 1953, to close June 1954; $50; 

 Albert C. Jones, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: Paul R. Needham, as in No. 1 above. 



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