36 , FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



The fishery for sablefish has been essentially a line fishery and a 

 considerable proportion of the catch it still made by set liners. The line 

 fishery at Santa Cruz and Monterey accounted for over 2,400,000 pounds 

 of the 1945 landings, and substantial catches were made by long-line 

 fishermen operating in the Eureka region. An undesirable effect of the 

 expansion of the trawl fishery in Northern California is that the drag 

 nets take large quantities of immature sablefish which will result in 

 damage to the breeding stock. The Eureka line fishery concentrates on 

 the large mature fish inhabiting the deeper waters. Sablefish are valuable 

 as fresh and frozen fillets, and as a smoked product. The livers are high 

 in vitamin potency and command a good price. 



The cultus, formerly of minor importance in the line fishery, has 

 also shared in the expansion of the trawling industry, but not to the 

 extent of the rockfish and sablefish. 



Investigation of the Trawl Fishery: The trawl investigations, 

 which were commenced when the sole and sand dab fisheries first showed 

 signs of overfishing, suffered a temporary setback when personnel losses 

 following the outbreak of the war curtailed our activities. However, 

 information was collected on fishing methods and intensity and some 

 biological data was collected. At the close of the biennium it was possible 

 to assign adequate personnel to the problem. Our bottom fish resources 

 are far from inexhaustible and it is necessary to formulate a sound con- 

 servation policy in order to perpetuate them. 



OTHER INVESTIGATIONS 



Abalones: The abalone fishery has continued at the maximum 

 level of production. Increased numbers of divers, many of them return- 

 ing veterans with naval diving experience, have entered the industry. 

 The fishery remains centered along the San Luis Obispo County coast. 



Changes in diving methods and areas and in the abundance of 

 abalones have been followed by the Bureau. Recommendations for 

 improved regulatory measures have been formulated. 



Oysters: The oyster industry has been at low ebb since the impor- 

 tation of Japanese seed oysters came to an abrupt end in 1941. Only 

 limited production has been possible. Resumption of shipments, which 

 is expected in early 1947, will find both the growers and the Bureau of 

 Marine Fisheries ready for the rebirth of the industry. 



Pismo Clam: The Pismo clam, choicest delicacy of Central and 

 Southern California beaches, has become so scarce throughout the State 

 that commercial and amateur diggers alike now have difficulty in obtain- 

 ing worthwhile quantities. The local commercial take in 1945 was only 

 26,000 pounds. Nothing short of the most severe regulation can bring 

 the Pismo clam back to even a semblance of its former great abundance. 



During the war, when canned foods were in heavy demand. Southern 

 California canners imported Pismo clams from Mexico. The clam is 

 abundant along the beaches of Lower California and a heavy production 

 was possible. Shipments of shucked Pismo clams amounted to approxi- 

 mately 1,470,000 pounds in 1944 and increased to 6,680,000 pounds in 

 1945. The latter figure represents a harvest of over 53,000,000 pounds in 

 live weight. 



