22 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



great variations, were nearly double those of the previous biennium. The 

 foregoing species are utilized principally in canneries. The most impor- 

 tant fish handled by the fresh fish markets is the salmon, catches of which 

 were 80 percent greater than in 1942 and 1943. 



Figure 1. Value of California commercial fish catch, 1939-1945. Value represents 

 amount paid to the fishermen at time of delivery 



Spectacular increases were made in several hitherto minor fisheries. 

 Development of a canning process for Pismo clams resulted in heavy 

 shipments of these shellfish from Lower California. Within the short 

 space of two years the Pismo clam rose from a position of insignificance 

 to seventh place in the fisheries. This species of clam has been so seriously 

 depleted on California beaches that severe restrictions have been placed 

 on the diggers, and canning of local clams has been prohibited for many 

 years. 



Heavy wartime purchases of fresh and frozen fillets by the govern- 

 ment, coupled with the great demand for liver oil, stimulated the Northern 

 California trawl fishery. Development of a modified type of otter trawl 

 permitted great increases in the catches of rockfish and sablefish. Rock- 

 fish showed a fivefold increase in landings, and the value was more than 

 three times as great as in the previous biennium. The sablefish catch 

 doubled, with a more than twofold increase in value. Sole, formerly the 

 mainstay of the trawl fishery, experienced only moderate increases, and 

 was far behind the rockfish and sablefish. 



Another fishery to make great gains wa^ the squid. In both 1944 and 

 1945 large quantities were canned at Monterey. Most of the squid was 

 packed for government or United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation 

 Administration order for export. 



In contrast to the above fisheries, the shark catch showed a decline. 



