CLII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



eacli line, and tlie line further relieved by a glass float at each 100 

 fathoms. The glass floats are excellent if properly made; those sup- 

 plied seemed to be thin and not well sealed — about half becoming 

 "drunken" under the pressure, and therefore useless. 



The positions were obtained by sextant angles on shore objects and 

 compass bearings, yet in several instances some difficulty was exi)eri- 

 enced in recovering the buoys. Large buoys can not be used without 

 increasing the gear very much in weight, and it is probable if the size 

 were very much Increased the jump of the buoy in a seaway would move 

 the moorings. A very small metal nun-buoy painted red and white, 

 fitted with a socket for thfe staff of a small white flag, would be most 

 suitable. It is true that a vessel could lie near the nets, but some 

 method would have to be adopted to light the buoys for night work. 

 This course would, however, be frequently defeated by the weather. 



The weather on the Pacific Coast is not favorable for these investi- 

 gations. The prevailing northwest winds, while not blowing a steady 

 gale, at times approach it and send in a sea too heavy for work of this 

 nature. When the winds slacken the fogs relieve them. Moderate and 

 smooth seas are necessary to work the nets and use the beam trawl 

 successfully, and clear weather to locate the positions. 



The greatest enemies to the nets were found to be sharks, for which 

 the gilled fish no doubt formed a tempting bait. A bite of the net was 

 usually taken with the fish. In sonie instances the nets came up almost 

 in ribbons, and one set was always under repairs. From 15 to 20 nets 

 are needed in these investigations. When detained at an anchorage on 

 account of unfavorable conditions outside, the drag seine was used, 

 surface gill nets and hook trawls set, and boats employed in trolling 

 and hand-line fishing. 



Many fish taken by hook trawl and gill nets were found completely 

 hollowed out, nothing remaining but the head, vertebra, and skin. 

 This is the work of the slime eel, which, introducing itself inside the 

 fish, sucks out the fleshy portion. A few specimens taken in the beam 

 trawl have been preserved. 



The fishermen of Santa Cruz and Monterey state that they took 

 salmon in the bay every month during the winter of 189G-97; that the 

 salmon follow the bait, anchovies, and sardines, and can be taken when 

 the bait is. inshore; that no salmon are taken in gill nets, but that 

 during the summer when the run is large they take several tons a day, 

 and all by trolling. During our visit no salinou were taken. 



Keferring to the investigations by deep-sea gill nets it will be seen 

 that at every station occupied there was good live bottom, and at every 

 set, except No. 6, fish were taken, showing that the nets were doing 

 their work; but in no instance were any anadromous fishes captured. 

 Judging from the forms of the bottom fish taken in the nets, the hauls 

 of the beam trawl, the general nature of the bottom, and considering 

 the subject of structure and pressure, it is my opinion that anadromous 

 fishes will not be found in ocean depths. 



