THIRTY-NINTH BIENNIAL REPORT 21 



REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF MARINE FISHERIES 



The Bureau of Marine Fisheries is responsible for the conservation 

 and administration of the marine fisheries of California, both commercial 

 and sport. In order to provide a basis for its recommendations to the Fish 

 and Game Commission and ultimately to the Legislature, the bureau 

 conducts biological and statistical research on the fisheries. Trends in 

 fishing conditions, abundance, and availability of fish, economic factors 

 influencing the industry, fishing methods, and related matters are fol- 

 lowed closely. These studies are based on a comprehensive system of catch 

 records which was instituted more than 30 years ago. Correlation of the 

 statistical information with the biological data provides a background 

 for the enactment of wise conservation measures which should result in a 

 continued 3'ield of fisheries products. 



THE COMMERCIAL FISH CATCH 



The commercial fisheries of California maintained their high level 

 of production in 1944 and 1945. Heavy buying of fillets and canned fish 

 by governmental agencies provided a stable outlet for marine products. 

 With foreign sources of fish oil, meal, and vitamin oil cut off by the 

 war, the demand for these products continued. 



Total fish landings, and production of canned fish, oil, and meal 

 for 1944 and 1945 are presented in Table I. (See appendix, page 102.) 



The total landings of fish showed an increase of 275,000,000 pounds 

 over the previous biennium. The pack of canned fish increased by 18 

 percent over the previous two years. The production of fish meal and 

 oil was also greater. The value of the processed products was the highest 

 on record. 



On the whole the prices received by the fishermen remained at about 

 the same level as in the previous biennium, although some upward revi- 

 sions in price ceilings were made. Increased catches of some of the higher- 

 priced species resulted in record total value figures. Table II (see appen- 

 dix, page 102) presents the catches and value of the most important spe- 

 cies of fish handled by California canneries, reduction plants, and fresh 

 fish markets in 1944 and 1945. The values represent the prices paid to the 

 fishermen at the time of delivery. 



For the past several years the total value of the California fisheries 

 has shown a steady rise (see Figure 1, page 22). The increase reflects 

 a rise in prices, and a concentration on the more valuable species, both 

 due in large measure to wartime expansion of markets. 



Of the most important species, such fish as the sardine, albacore, 

 skipjack, and mackerel maintained positions very nearly the same as in 

 the previous biennium, both in quantity and value. The yellowfin tuna, 

 which is second in total value only to the sardine, has shown a consistent 

 increase in catch and value during the last four years, with landings 

 nearly back to prewar levels. Catches of bluefin tuna, which often show 



