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REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



year 1916, been gathering data regarding the prices paid the fishermen 

 and the prices paid by the retailer and consumer for the different 

 varieties of fish in representative towns in the state. Since the appoint- 

 ment of the State Market Director we have given him the results of our 

 work and have cooperated with and aided him in every possible way. 

 Practically all of the recent data on California fisheries which are 

 available are the result of the work of this department of the Fish and 

 Game Commission. Now that he has taken up the fish marketing prob- 

 lem, we will be relieved of much of that part of the work, as it more 

 properly belongs to him. We will probably continue, at his request, 

 to aid in certain lines where our facilities for obtaining information are 

 better than his. 



We have been appointed a member of the Northern California Fish 

 Exchange Committee as organized by the State Market Director. This 

 exchange consists of five members, the fishermen, the wholesalers, the 



Fig. 52. Sole and sand-dab steam trawlers working out of San Francisco and a Santa Cruz 

 gasoline trawler hauling in catch. Photographs by H. B. Nidever. 



retailers, the State Market Commission and the Fish and Game Com- 

 mission each being represented by a member on the committee. The 

 last two named members are to represent the people of the state. The 

 object is to unite the producer, the dealer and the people for their 

 mutual benefit and fix each day the maximum price the consumer shall 

 pay. Under the arrangement a certain per cent will be collected from 

 the business for advertising, by which means it is expected to induce 

 the people to use fish every day of the week and thus increase con- 

 sumption, lessen the cost to the consumer and help develop our fisheries. 

 The working rules of the Fish Exchange Committee provide for the 

 adjustment of differences or disputes between the fisherman, wholesaler, 

 retailer or the public. They provide the first good opportunity the 

 fishermen have had of presenting their side of the case and decisions 

 reached by the committee should have great weight with the legislature. 

 It will be the particular duty of the representative of the Fish and 

 Game Commission to represent the fish themselves; in other words, to 

 see that our fishery resources are conserved. 



