CALIFORNIA (Cont. ) 



$25,000; Leo Pinkas, Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: California Department of Fish and Game, Marine 

 Fisheries Branch, 511 Txina Street, Terminal Island, California. 



9. Ocean Salmon Sportfishery Investigation 



The primary objectives of this project are to obtain reliable estimates of 

 the number of king and silver salmon landed by the off-shore sportfishery; to 

 estimate the annual value of this fishery to the State; to determine age and 

 size composition of the catch; and to evaluate the effect of present regulations 

 in regard to efficient utilization of the resources. Intensive creel censuses 

 are being conducted at the several areas where the sportfishery is concen- 

 trated. 



Secondary objectives of this project are to estimate the numerical size 

 of each major river's spawning population; to determine size, sex composi- 

 tion, and spawning success of individuals in these populations; to establish 

 optimum numerical size of each watershed's population; and to keep account 

 of conditions inimical to salmon. 



Central and Northern California coast; began July 1954, indefinite; 

 $22, 000; H. H. McCully, Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: Marine Fisheries Branch, California Department 

 of Fish and Game, Museum Building, Stanford, California. 



10. Surf Fishing Investigation 



Four surf species, the corbina, the spotfin and yellowfin croakers, and 

 the barred perch are under study to evaluate the fishery and study pertinent 

 life histories and make recommendations for management. Statistics are 

 obtained from surf fishermen's voluntary records and from surveys and 

 creel censuses. These data are the basis of a statistical analysis by species, 

 area, time interval, and catch per unit of effort as well as importance of 

 each species. 



Fish for biological studies and tagging are obtained by beach seine, drag 

 net, and gill net. Observations are made by aqua lung diving. Biological 

 studies include age and rate of growth, food habits, maturity and fecundity, 

 and spawning. 



Coast of Southern California; began March 1952, to close April 1958; 

 $26, 000; John G. Carlisle, Jr. , Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: John G. Carlisle, Jr. , California State Fisheries 

 Laboratory, Terminal Island Station, San Pedro, California. 



11. Yellowtail Study 



Yellowtail, a fish of considerable recreational value, heavily exploited by 

 Southern California anglers at the northern extremity of its range, are being 

 studied to determine what can be done to maintain the best possible fishing. 

 Through tagging, the contribution of Baja California fish to California is being 

 sought. Plastic tubing tags, developed in cooperation with the Department 

 of Fish and Game tuna investigation, have been highly satisfactory. Anesthe- 

 tizing yellowtail for easier handling was tried with very promising results. 

 Studies of age, rate of growth, maturity and fecundity are in progress. Com- 

 mercial catch statistics have been kept. 



Southern California and Baja California; began Janiiary 1952, to close 

 June 1957; $35,000; Robert D. Collyer, Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: As in No. 7 above. 



