132 FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
valued at $54,429, were albacore, the greater part of the remainder 
consisting of rockfishes, rock bass, and yellowtail. 
The rockfish fishery is one of the most important in this county, as . 
well as in Los Angeles County, the catch being all by lines and es- 
ecially good. A great deal of the fishing is done about San Clemente 
Tabard located 65 or 70 miles off San Diego. The rockfishes are often 
taken in 100 fathoms or more of water. The season for fishing is 
mostly in winter, though the fish may be found in these waters 
practically the entire year. It is said to be almost impossible to work 
the gear durmg summer because of the presence of the sharks which do 
considerable damage to the lines. Hither a ‘“‘hand line” or “‘set. | 
line” is used. The former has about 125 hooks, which are attached 
to snoods hung from the main line at intervals of about 9 inches. 
The line is laid out on the bottom with a stone made fast to 
one end, and tothe other end is attached a line which extends up to 
the boat. The crew usually consists of three men, and one man is as- 
signed to tend a single line. The main line is No. 156 hard-laid cot- 
ton, and the snoods are No. 24 cotton twine. If the fish are not 
biting readily, the lines are sometimes buoyed, and the men move 
about in search of more productive grounds. 
The set lmes are much more extensive and are made of a number of 
lengths of 200 hooks each, tied together to make one string. Some- 
times as many as 15 to 20 of these pieces are fished as one line. 
The line is weighted at each end with a stone or piece of iron, and a 
buoy line attached. When fishing a bottom that is especially rocky, 
or when the water is rough, additional buoys are attached between 
the end ones to prevent the line becoming entangled. The main line 
is No. 240 hard-laid cotton, and the snoods are No. 24 cotton twine. 
The snoods are about 34 feet long and are attached to the main line at 
intervals of from 5 to 54 feet. The buoy lines are manila. It is often 
difficult to raise these set lines, especially if the water is rough, 
and it sometimes requires the combined effort of two or three men 
to accomplish this. The bait for the lines is sardines or fish cut- 
tings. These lines are practically the same as those used in the other 
counties of southern California. 
The lobster pots ranked next to the lines in importance. The 
catch, which consisted entirely of spiny lobsters, amounted to 
500,313 pounds, valued at $84,726. Spiny lobsters are not taken 
north of, Santa Barbara County, but are found in considerable 
numbers from that county southward. The State law prohibits — 
fishing for them in California waters during the summer when they~ _ 
are spawning, but there seems to be no State prohibition against 
the importation of the Mexican lobster during that period, and 
as aresult of this lack of restriction many of the fishermen from San 
Diego have been going to the coast of Lower California during recent 
years, establishing camps for the summer season, and sending great 
quantities of lobsters to the California market. Many are opposed 
to this practice, because they are of the opinion that the lobster 
should Ba protected when spawning in Mexican waters as well 
as in California, and are anxious to have legislation to prohibit 
importing them during the closed season. The best lobster-fish- 
ing grounds in the early fall are on the kelp beds near the shore, 
where the lobsters seem to gather for protection, but as cold weather 
advances they go out to deeper water. It is often very difficult to 
raise the pots because of the heavy swell, and at times the men 
