ber, it was estimated that fully nine thousand fish were thrown back into the river, thus wasted, 

 for want of purchasers. 



An unusual circumstance, this season, connected with iishing on the Sacramento River, has 

 been a large run of salmon during the present month (December), boats averaging from forty 

 to fifty fish per day, when from five to ten were the catch in prior years. As the canneries are 

 all closed, and an abundant supply salted for the present year, a very large number of these 

 salmon will probably reach their sijawniug grounds, at the head waters of the Sacramento 

 River. 



During the close season, between August 1, and September 15, the law was openly violated 

 by the fishermen, who defied arrest and conviction for the offenses. The few persons who were 

 arrested were taken to Suisiui City, Solano County, where no conviction could be had, it being 

 stated that public opinion there was adverse to the law. That the close season was openly and 

 persistently violated by the fishermen on the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers was a matter 

 of notoriety, and parties, well informed, stated that the numherof salmon taken, in violation of 

 law, and salted and smoked, was in excess of those supplied to the canneries and city markets, 

 during the legal season. As an illustration of the large number thus taken, a person of credi- 

 bility, engaged in the canning business, stated to me that he knew of two fishermen (owning 

 one boat between them) selling, since the close season expired, two hundred barrels salted sal- 

 mon, which is equal to four thousand salmon, or more than the united catch of three average 

 boats before August 1. 



Another party informed me that salmon were taken frequently in sight of Collinsville on the 

 Sacramento River, and also in the San Joaquin River, during the close season, in daylight, with- 

 out any attempt at concealment. The same person stated that he saw lying on the wharf at 

 mid-day, during the close season, at Webb's Landing, on the San Joaquin River, from five 

 hundred to six hundred salmon, the fishermen cleaning and salting the same, regardless of who 

 might see them. 



Though the price of salmon ruled low (from one dollar and five cents to one dollar and ten 

 cents per dozen) all the canneries in this State, except one at Black Diamond Landing, Contra 

 Costa County, were actively employed during the jaast season. The canneries were as follows: 

 One each, Washington, Courtland, Chipp's Island, Smith's River, and Eel River; two at Collins- 

 ville, and four in San Francisco — eleven in all employed. From what I can learn, a similar 

 number will probablj' be employed during the coming season, action having already been taken 

 for that purpose. A canning factory at Benicia, during 1881, is also among the probabilities. 

 Unforeseen adverse circumstances excepted, it seems probable that more salmon will be canned 

 in this State during 1881 than in any previous year, as should the catch justify it, other can- 

 neries in this city may engage in the trade. The city canneries have greater advantages, they 

 emi^loying skilled labor continuously during the larger portion of the year, Avhile the time of 

 the canneries on the rivers is not only limited, but is broken by the close season, after which it 

 is difficult to engage workmen for so few days work as the run offish may last. 



As all information connected with the taking of salmon is of interest to the Commissioners, I 

 deem it rigiit to advise you of the feeling of canneis with whom I have conversed, regarding 

 the present law of this State. These j^arties complain that the six weeks' close season in the 

 height of the run of salmon puts them to large additional expense, as compared with thecanners 

 on the Columbia, and other salmon rivers north; that at present, on the Sacramento and San 

 Joaquin Rivei's, the canneries have a supply of salmon for about six weeks only, as during the 

 greater part of June and July the run is very uncertain; during which, they have to be at the 

 same expense as if there was full work for their employes; that nothing is saved to the State 

 by the close season, as salmon are taken in large quantities by the fishermen, in defiance of the 

 law; that the fishermen, after having gone to the expense and labor of salting the salmon so 

 taken, receive a less price for them than what would be paid them if it were lawful to sell them 

 to the canneries; that while the canneries i)ay thirty-five cents for the fish delivered to them, 

 the fishermen sell their salted salmon, delivered in this city, at from fifteen to twenty-five cents 

 •each; that allowing for salt, labor, and freight, the salted salmon net the fishermen from ten to 

 fifteen cents, instead of thirty-five cents paid at the canneries. 



The canners clainr that while the present law against taking salmon in the close season is a 

 dead letter, from inability to enforce it, that modifications can be made for their benefit without 

 injury to the best interests of the State. Their desire is to have the close season for taking 

 salmon limited to thirty-six hours each week, extending from Saturday noon to Monday morn- 

 ing, claiming that this time being observed, sufficient spawning fish will reach the head waters 

 of the Sacramento River to furnish all the eggs required to keep up the supply. They ask that 

 this may be done, pledging theuiselves to aid in enforcing the law, which they will be able to 

 do by refusing to take any fish taken during the close time ; that if this change is made, and 

 the result is not satisfactory, after trial, to the Commissioners, they, the canners, will not oppose 

 a reenaetment of the present law, if the former desire it. To aid in keeping up the supply of 

 salmon, the canners propose to have all the boats taking salmon licensed, and if need be the 

 canners also ; that the sum so collected be paid to the Fish Commission as a fund to be expended 

 in hatching out salmon to keep up the supjjly ; that the boats being licensed will keep out 

 poachers, who will be easily detected if the licensed boats are properly marked with lai'ge 

 figures to insure identification; that at the present time all fishing boats being of the same 

 model, and painted of the same color, it is practically impossible to identify them, and they 

 can be and are loaned to otiier jiarties who violate the law without liability to confiscation. 



I have taken the liberty of writing thus fully the views of the canners, so that the Commis- 

 sionei-s may be advised of the same before the meeting of the State Legislature, next month. 



