REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXLIX 



Harbor — in tbe vicinity of Dakin Cove (Avalon) to 86 fathoms, off the 

 southeast end to 50 fathoms, ami off the south end to 132 fathoms. The 

 results are appended in detail by stations. The largest catches were 

 made with the drag seine, large numbers of smelt and small herring 

 being taken; with other gear the results were disappointing. 



At Avalon, one morning, some 25 or 30 wall-eyed mackerel {Scomber 

 coiias) and about a dozen rockflsh [Sebastodes) were taken with the 

 triple mesh gill-net; a few yellow- tails had also recently been taken. 

 Hand-line fishing off the eastern end of the island did not meet with 

 much success, but south of the island, off what is known locally as Silver 

 Canon, where the chart has character of bottom marked "rocky," we 

 took by hand lines, in depths ranging from 90 to 132 fathoms, a large 

 number of rockfish {Sebastodes), the largest weighing 8 pounds. 



The fishing here is entirely in spots: As the vessel drifted over a 

 favorable locality, probably a small, exposed rock area, as many as five 

 rockfish would be taken on one line. A few minutes afterwards the 

 place would be passed, and then a long wait until we drifted over 

 another spot. All the places were visited that are known locally as 

 good fishing-grounds around the island, but so far as could be ascer- 

 tained there are no large fishing-banks on the shore shelf of this island. 

 On the south and southeast sides are a few small, rocky patches in deep 

 water, 80 to 130 fathoms, where if one knows the exact ranges — a ship's 

 length makes a difference — a person desiring to handle 100 or more 

 fathoms of line can obtain several varieties of fish in large numbers. 

 The visitor to the winter resort at Avalon can go to these spots and get 

 a " good day's fishing," and the small village at that point can also be 

 supplied, but the grounds could not be relied upon for large markets. 



Migratory fishes come to these shores during the spring and summer 

 in large numbers for spawning, and the summer visitor finds many 

 different species in abundance. During our visit, smelt, small herring, 

 and anchovies were ijleutiful, the seine bringing in large numbers; and 

 the local authorities stated that a little later all the fishes so well known 

 in these waters would be abundant, such. as mackerel {Scomber coiias), 

 yellow-tail {Seriola dorsalis), bonito {Sarda cJiilensis), albacore {Germo 

 alalunga), barracuda {Sphyrwna argentea), etc. 



The fisheries around Santa Catalina Island are not vigorously pros- 

 ecuted; there are a few fishermen at Avalon who supi)ly the local 

 demands, and a few more at Isthmus Cove who ship occasionally to San 

 Pedro. These latter were engaged in setting pots for the spiny lobster 

 during our visit, and making some preparations for summer fishing. 

 The demand for fresh fish by neighboring cities on the mainland is easily 

 met by local fishermen, and as the demands become greater this island 

 may supply a larger amount during the summer season. When the 

 sardine cannery at San Pedro is running, large hauls are made on this 

 side of the channel, and no doubt fish of different species can be 

 taken here in sufficient numbers for canning or salting, but the supply 

 near the large cities is ample to meet their wants. 



