REPORT OP THE PISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



51 



Increased demand for potrisli ^\llit'll formerly was imported from 

 Germany has led to the establishment of a new industry. The immense 

 beds of kelp found along the California coast are now being cut and 

 the kelp converted into potash. Four companies are operating at 

 San Diego, five at Long Beach and one at Wilmington. Several new 

 factories are under construction. It is believed that this industry will 

 not have a serious effect on any of our fisheries. Many have feared that 

 cutting of kelp would destroy the breeding grounds of the barracuda 

 and the spiny lobster. Preliminary investigations do not support this 



Fig. 35. Hauling 3-ton catch of fish aboard steam trawler off Point Reyes. Monterey fish- 

 ermen hauling in rock cod off Point Sur. Note fish on line floating on surface. 

 Photographs by H. B. Nidever. 



view. There are other allied questions awaiting solution. For instance, 

 it is important to know how the present operations may be regulated in 

 order to assure a future supply. Already there is talk of county ordi- 

 nances. Kelp and like products come under the jurisdiction of the Fish 

 and Game Commission and regulatory legislation is being planned. 



Many of our sea fisheries have not been fully developed. The rapid 

 growth of the sardine and albacore fisheries in the past few years is 

 evidence of this. The albacore, formerly an unappreciated food 

 fish, now takes rank as the most valuable of all. Were people made 

 acquainted with several other species of fish other new fisheries might 

 be developed. The shell fisheries of this state have been largely 



