6 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHEHIES. 



The meats are turned frequently and when very dry and hard are 

 packed in sacks for shipment. Some dried fish was also observed. 



Before the war large quantities of the abalone shells were shipped 

 to the Orient and to Europe, principally to England, whence they 

 were distributed to button makers, etc., throughout the continent. 

 Since the war put a stop to the industry the trade has languished, 

 although it is showing signs of reviving. The quantity now (1920) 

 being Drought from Lower California amounts only to 20 or 25 

 tons per year, its value ranging from $60 to SI 20 per ton, according 

 to quality. The shells are distinguished as the blue, sometimes 

 "green" {Haliotis splendens), the red, the pink, and the black — the 

 blue or green being the most valued. It is said that the best green 

 shell on the market comes from New Zealand. Occasionally a 

 shell is found that yields the so-called "pholas," or blister pearls, 

 which are sometimes of considerable value. Many shells are polished 

 for ornaments or curios, pieces of shell being used for shell jewelry, 

 etc. The larger proportion, however, is used for other commercial 

 purposes. 



On account of the frequent changes in the fiscal policy and the 

 methods of collecting boat and other charges on the part of the 

 Mexican authorities, it is not easy to present a complete or satis- 

 factory statement of conditions. However, as an indication of the 

 conditions under which fishing in Lower California waters is carried 

 on, the charges in March, 1918, upon a 5-ton boat that fished below 

 the border wall serve to illustrate. They were as follows: 



Security deposit ($50 returnable at end of year) $75. 00 



Operation charges, each boat per month 15. 00 



Boat clearance 15. 00 



Broker ' 8 fee 10. 00 



Clearance at Ensenada, each trip 12. 00 



Export duty payable: Per kilo. 



Fresh fish $0. 01 



Salt fish 015 



Driedfish 015 



Cooked lobster 03 



Live lobster 025 



Live turtle 015 



Dried turtle 03 



These items, duty not included, brought the annual expenses per 

 boat to $600 or more. It was also demanded that the duty be paid 

 in "papel infalsificable," the depreciated currency of one of the 

 Government issues, which the dealer had to purchase for the pur- 

 pose. Later these charges were increased about 100 per cent. An 

 attempt is now (1920) being made to stabilize and simplify these charges 

 and to have a commissioner appointed with an office at San Pedro, in 

 order to bring about closer cooperation. 



It is suggested that fishing might be carried on with success at the 

 island of Guadalupe, which lies 120 miles off the coast of Lower 

 Calif omia. In 1916 yellowtail, barracuda, mackerel, and smelt 

 were observed in great schools, and it is said they spa^vn there. It 

 would seem that an occasional boat, at least, should find it profitable 

 to visit the locality. 



