REPORT OP THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. bb 



A STATE FISHERIES LABORATORY. 



As stated toward tlie beginning of tliis n'i)ort, tin; ti.slu!rirs (-onserva- 

 tion work of any state or government, tn be adequate must be based 

 upon detailed and accurate data of the catch. These data gain in 

 value as the years progress and in oidn- that they may be properly 

 Itreserved and kept available for the in\'estigators, they should be kept 

 in a permanent depository where they will be safe from fire or other 

 destructive agencies. This depository should be in the building where 

 the fisheries work is being carried on. It is also necessary that the in- 

 vestigators have suitable quarters in which to carry on the work upon 

 the biology of the specias upon which the principal fisheries depend. 



AVitliin these quarters there should be space for a working library 

 dealing with fisheries subjects. Space should also be provided for the 

 collection of specimens and ])iological material. Storage room is needed 

 for nets and other apparatus used in connection w itli the investigations 

 and finally it is very desirable that space be had to exhibit to those 

 interested the extent and methods of the fisheries and more especially 

 to show in graphic form the progress and achievements of the investi- 

 gation work. 



So far we have rented quarters wherever we could find them and 

 this has proven to be very unsatisfactory. In fact, it has been impos- 

 sible to rent anything that even approaches our needs in the locality 

 where such a laboratory should be located. The laboratory quarters 

 have had to be moved frequently and the workers are now scattered 

 so that it is difficult to systematize or to supervise the work. 



In order that the records of the fisheries may be safe from destruction 

 by fire we have had to store them where they can be referred to only 

 with great difficulty. There has been no room for the library which is 

 being accumulated nor is there space for the collections. 



To meet this need for adequate and permanent quarters plans have 

 been made to build a state fisheries laboratory. We have secured from 

 the City of Los Angeles free of charge, a long term permit to occupy a 

 site at Fish Harbor, San Pedro, situated at the intersection of Seaside 

 avenue and Tuna street. This location is central to the canneries, mar- 

 kets and docks of the most important fisheries center in the state. Ten- 

 tative plans for a fire proof building have been approved and placed 

 in the hands of the State Architect for the final draft and specifiications. 

 The estimated cost of the building is $20,000. We quote in the follow- 

 ing from a statement of the aims of this institution by W. F. Thomp- 

 son and published in California Fish and Game for October, 1920 : 



"It will be well to state now as clearly as possible those ideals to which the 

 Commission is planning to dedicate a unique institution. Such a statement may save 

 misunderstandiiiff and opposition, ond should give to those interested an appreciation 

 of the underlying purposes such as will enable them to comprehend the reasons for 

 the choice of site and for the plans adopted. The site was chosen because of its 



