4 REPORT OF THE STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



Mr. Josselyn, as to whose right to the office no question existed, refused, 

 and still refuses, to act with the majority of the Board. 



These actions practically destroyed, for a time, the usefulness of the 

 Board, and makes it impossible for us to lay before you any extended rec- 

 ords of its labors. Discouraging as have been the obstructions thrown in 

 our way, we have endeavored to protect and advance the interests of the 

 State committed to our care, and believe that we have not been altogether 

 unsuccessful in our efforts. 



FISHING INTERESTS IN GENERAL. 



The fishery interests of the State are in a comparatively satisfactory 

 condition. 



The salmon spring run of 1887 was quite small, as was also that of 1888. 

 The fall run of 1887 did not show any improvement. The August run of 

 this year was abundant. The supply of shad has been very large, and will 

 increase materially each year. The supply of carp has been enormous, 

 being found in all the rivers and waters of the State. The catch of sturgeon 

 during the last and present year has been small. This must be attributed 

 to the continued indiscriminate and criminal slaughter made by the China- 

 men and other fishermen. Special efforts have been made to stock the 

 rivers and lakes with the various species of trout. In these efforts we have 

 been quite successful, as evidenced by the astonishment of many at finding 

 them abundant in streams to which they had for years been strangers. 

 Black bass have been distributed in different places throughout the State. 

 The increase of this fish at Crystal Springs, San Mateo County, has been 

 rapid, and is the source from which our supply has been obtained. 



PATROL AND PROTECTION. 



As in previous years, the patrol boat has been maintained upon the rivers 

 and bays. That its work has been effective has been shown by the large 

 number of arrests and convictions for violations of the fish laws of the State. 

 The service, however expensive, is absolutely necessary to the protection 

 of the fish interests of the State. Jhe receipts into the State Treasury from 

 fines for violations of fish laws amounted during the thirty-eighth fiscal 

 year to $183 66, and for the thirty-ninth fiscal year to $1,751 98. 



SEALS AND SEA LIONS. 



We respectfully repeat the recommendations of the last report of the Fish 

 Commissioners, as follows: These aquatic animals are a serious detriment 

 to the fish interests of the State. They sit at the entrance of Golden Gate 

 as royal toll gatherers, and take the lion's share of the schools of the finny 

 tribe, as they pass from the broad Pacific into the bay of San Francisco, 

 preparatory to an ascent of our rivers. In the opinion of the Commission, 

 they are great destroyers of the salmon. They appear to be more numerous 

 at Seal Rock, and around the entrance of San Francisco Bay, than in former 

 years, owing, no doubt, to the fact that the fishermen have driven them with 

 their nets from Suisun and San Pablo Bays. They not only guard the 

 entrance of San Francisco Bay, but are found at the entrance of Monterey, 

 Bolenas, Point Arena, Tomales, and Shoalwater Bays. This and former 

 Commissions and the public press have repeatedly invoked legislative 

 action to prevent the immense destruction of fish constantly going on and 

 increasing by these worthless animals. It is highly important to our citi- 



