PlSHERtES OF CALIFORNIA FISHEBMEN IN MEXICAN WATERS. 3 



have materially changed. Nets consist of as many as 52 pieces, and 

 plans are laid, if not already utilized, for still larger ones. Their 

 cost ranges from $3,000 to $4,000 per net. The linen thread of 

 which they are made is brought from the Eastern States, but the 

 weaving is usually done by the fishermen, this occupation employing 

 quite a few men. When properly cared for, nets last as long as three 

 years, and boat owners aim generally to replace about one-third of 

 their gear each year. Proper tanning is the chief factor in the life 

 of a net, barring, of course, loss by storm or tearing by sharks. The 

 cost of gear is therefore a serious item of expense to the fishermen. 



The number of boats operating in these waters may be placed at 

 60 or 65, but during the tuna season only about half that number 

 engage in fishing in Mexican waters. This number may be largely 

 increased in the future, as it is known that many fishermen from San 

 Francisco, Puget Sound, and Alaska are considering the transfer of 

 their operations to Lower California. In September, 1918, the F. E. 

 Booth Co., of San Francisco, sent the Ituna, a fully equipped otter 

 trawler of Scotch build, 201 gross tons, carrying a crew of nine men 

 and six fishermen, to the south to test the possibilities of successful 

 operation. After trials carried on for several months in both south- 

 ern and Lower California waters the results were so indifferent that 

 the vessel was withdrawn. It is understood that much of the trouble 

 arose from rough bottom, with consequent tearing of the nets. 



In the latter part of 1918 the average take of fish in Mexican 

 waters by California fishermen was 700,000 pounds per month, on 

 which an export duty of $3,500 was paid, boat charges, clearances, 

 etc., beinw additional. The take of fish varies much from time to 

 time and is probably much larger at present. 



There has been some attempt to carry on canning operations in 

 the south. The Van Camp Sea Food Co., of San Pedro, in 1917 and 

 1918, sent a floating cannery, the John G. North, with a tender and 

 fleet of small boats to Magdelena Bay and Cape San Lucas, at the 

 tip of the peninsula, with some success, packing mostly yellowtail, 

 yellow-fin tuna, etc. The North was unfortunately destroyed by 

 fire, and no further operations have been carried on.^ A cannery, 

 which is "packing lobsters, shrimps, and sardines, and also canning 

 turtle soups and steaks,"^ has been in operation for some time near 

 La Paz, in the lower part of the Gulf of California. Consideration is 

 now (1920) being given to the establishment of other canneries along 

 the Mexican coast. 



The governor of the northern Province has projected a railroad to 

 extend from Mexicali, where it connects with the railway systems of 

 the United States, to San Felipe, the most northerly harbor on the 

 Gulf of California, which will probably be built within a few years. 

 This road is meant to tap the fisheries and other resources of the 

 Gulf, which are known to oe very great. 



It is estimated that of the important food fishes now (1920) being 

 brought into southern California the following proportions are taken 

 in Mexican waters, the balance being secured north of the line : 



Percent. 



Halibut (so called) 80-90 



Barracuda 75 



Sea bass (white) 60 



Rockfishes 10 



» The Van Camp Co. operated a floating cannery in the same waters during 1921 and 1922. 

 'Item in San Diego newspaper. 



