COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 35 



ifornia mainland and Catalina Island. This seems to form a basi n 

 in which they live from May mitil the later part of November, du e, 

 no doubt, to the even temperature of the water. After they leave 

 these waters we have no definite knowledge as to their whereabouts. 



"The four varieties are known as the Leaping Tuna, Bonita, 

 Skipjack and Albacore, the latter being the one preferred by the 

 packers, owmg to the tenderness and larger quantity of white meat. 

 The name Albacore is derived from two Latm words, Alba (White) , 

 and Cor (Heart). Though if the four above-mentioned fish were 

 of even size and laid side by side, no one but the experienced could 

 denote any particular difference. There is very little difference in 

 the shape, but the fin of the Albacore is blue, while the Leaping Tuna 

 has a yellow fin. 



"The Leaping Tuna has probably done more to make Catalina 

 Island famous as a resort than anything else. Anglers from all 

 over the world visit Catalina to fish for tuna. The fish is an unusually 

 game one, and the tuna clubs offer a gold button to the angler who 

 catches a 20-lb. or larger tmia, on a regulation rod and reel. The 

 possessors of these buttons are not numerous, and it is considered 

 an honor to own one of them, at least it is so considered by men who 

 enjoy fishhig for tmia. Flying fish is preferred as a bait by tuna 

 anglers. 



"This brings me to the subject of baiting for tuna. We have 

 no known fish in these waters that are more particular as to their 

 eating. They are not scavengers in the slightest sense of the word, 

 but, on the contrary, are unusually particular regarding their diet. 

 They prefer sardines, small mackerel, herring and anchovy. This 

 must be live bait, nothing dead will tempt them. The tuna boats 

 are therefore all equipped to carry live bait, and, although fishermen 

 sometimes school the fish by attractmg their attention with com- 

 meal, all of the tuna that is caught for the tuna canneries of the 

 Pacific Coast is caught with hook, line and live bait. 



"Up to this time the Japanese have rather monopolized the fishing 

 end of the industry. I know of no reason why this should be so, as 

 any thrifty fisherman of any other nationality would receive con- 

 siderable encouragement from the tuna packers, if he cared to come 

 into this lucrative field. It is nothing miusual for one of these fishing 

 boats to brmg in five or six thousand pounds of tuna after fishing 

 several hours. 



