PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES. 



191 



operated along tbe beacli from small boats. There being no harbor of 

 shelter, in stormy weather the boats and fishing gear are hauled high 

 np on the beach. Fish are generally abundant and in large variety, and 

 the fishermen have no difficulty in speedily filling their dories. 



At Ballona, located S miles north of Redondo Beach, four American 

 fishermen plied their vocation in 1889, 1890, and 1891, but abandoned 

 the business the following year. The catch averaged about 30,000 

 pounds annually. Two other small fishing-camps are located 2^ and 6 

 miles, respectively, to the south of Eedondo Beach. 



The fishing business of Santa Monica is limited, the annual ship- 

 ments and local consumption aggregating only 75,000 to 100,000 pounds. 



From Long Beach 30,000 to 35,000 pounds of fresh fish are annually 

 sent by express to Los Angeles by fishermen living at San Pedro and 

 Wilmington, but taking their fish off Long Beach. San Pedro, with 

 its safe harbor and good rail and steamboat facilities, as well as its 

 nearness to the fishing-grounds, continues to be the chief fishing center 

 in Los Angeles County. The fisheries have shown a steady increase, 

 largely on account of reduced rates for railroad transportation. 



Large shipments of fresh, pickled, and dry fish are sent from this 

 point to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other points. The total 

 quantities of fishery products sent from this place during the four 

 years ending 1892 were as follows: 



Wilmington, by virtue of its shipping advantages, is the second 

 point of fishing importance in Los Angeles County. The quantities of 

 fresh and salt products distributed from this point during the years 

 named were as follows : 



The shipments by express and team consisted of fresh fish sent to 

 Los Angeles. The shipments by freight were salt fish, abalones, and 

 sea-lion pelts. In March, 1891, a firm located at this place began the 

 extensive curing of fish. The business consisted chiefly in pickling 

 mackerel and barracuda and in packing sardines in kegs and small 

 packages. In March, 1892, the curing establishment was burned and 

 not rebuilt, this fact accounting for the diminution in the catch of this 

 county in 1892 as compared with 1891. 



