THIRTY-NINTH BIENNIAL REPORT 23 



COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN 



The numbers of commercial fishermen licensed in California during 

 the years 1944-45 and 1945-46 are given in Table III. (See appendix, 

 page 103). 



The number of fishermen licensed in 1944-45 was approximately 

 one thousand less than the previous year. Part of this drop probably 

 reflects the elimination of persons who had obtained commercial fishing 

 licenses in 1943-44 merely to help qualify for Coast Guard passes or extra 

 rations of gasoline. During the following season the license sales returned 

 to approximately the 1943-44 figure of nearly 12,000, In 1945-46 fisher- 

 men returning to the fishery from military service swelled the figures. 



The region of residence of commercial fishermen operating in Cali- 

 fornia is shown in Table IV. (See appendix, page 103.) 



SARDINES 



The sardine catch during the 1945-46 season was the smallest on 

 record since the poor season of 1937-38. Landings showed a considerable 

 drop from those of the 1944-45 season, which was above average. 



Because of the great demand for canned fish, particularly for the 

 armed forces and for United Nations Belief and Rehabilitation Adminis- 

 tration, a large proportion of the sardine catch was canned. The 1945-46 

 case pack has been exceeded only by that of the 1941-42 season. (See 

 Table V, appendix, page 104.) 



Figure 2. Tons and numbers of sardines landed at all California ports during the 

 past 10 seasons. The figures include deliveries to floating plants from 1936-37 through 

 1938-39, when the floaters ceased operations. Although the greatest tonnage was landed 

 in 1936-37, the greatest number of fish was taken in 1941-42. 



