REPORT OP THE PISH AND GAMK COMMISSION. 11 



COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. 



Tliis department is under the immediate direction of Mr. N. B. Seo- 

 field, a trained scientist wlio has devoted twenty years to the service of 

 the state in the study, development and control of the commercial food 

 fish industries. lie is assisted by a thoroughly organized and efficient 

 office and patrol force, and also by a corps of able scientific investiga- 

 tors headed by Mr. W. F. Thompson. Highly important discoveries 

 have been made and valuable papers furnished, all tending to make of 

 this department one of the most important maintained in this class of 

 of work by any state or country. 



Mr. Scofield's contribution to our report is a valuable document. 

 "We draw particular attention to that portion of it referring to the 

 operations of the canneries along our coast, with special reference to 

 the vexatious problems of fertilizer plants. 



To assist in furtlier development of this work and to preserve the 

 valuable records and the statistical data already secured we have, with 

 the approval of your Board of Control, set aside $25,000 for the con- 

 struction of a fisheries laboratory to be located at San Pedro, adjacent 

 to the large fish canning establishments. 



With commendable foresight the city of Los Angeles granted free of 

 cost a splendid building site for a period of thirty years, with the 

 privilege of renewal for a like period on the same terms. Plans are now 

 being drawn and we hope that this valuable addition to our scientific 

 work will soon be an accomplished fact and performing, under more 

 favorable conditions, still greater work than has been accomplished in 



the past. 



MOUNTAIN LION BOUNTIES. 



The increasing number of does and fawns that can be seen in a day's 

 journey through the deer country, and which are being continually re- 

 ported by hunters and those living in the mountains, is conclusive evi- 

 dence of the wisdom of continuing to pay a bounty to encourage the 

 killing of these marauders, who not only prey upon deer of all ages, but 

 upon the farmers' livestock. He seems to have a fondness for colts, 

 calves, sheep or goats. This has been confirmed many times although 

 the presence of deer meat in the stomach contents strongly indicates 

 his preference. 



The Commission began to pay the bounty in November, 1908, and has 

 to this time paid for the pelts and scalps of 3170 lions, all of which 

 were sent to this office accompanied by the applicant's sworn statement 

 showing where the animal was killed and by whom, and further sup- 

 ported by the signatures of two witnesses. In addition, the claim must 

 be accompanied by an account of the pursuit and killing, together with 



