FORTIETH BIENNIAL REPORT 



21 



The total commercial catch dropped in 1946, and tumbled further 

 in 1947 (see Figure 5) . The decline was due almost entirely to the collapse 

 of the sardine industry. With an expanded fleet fishing intensively, 

 catches dropped because of lowered abundance of the sardines. The 

 demand for this fish for canning was better than ever, and most of the 

 fish was canned. Prices for oil and meal were low, and there was little 

 inducement for the reduction industry, even if sardines had been avail- 

 able. By contrast, the tuna industry continued to expand, and catches 

 reached record proportions. The mackerel fishery showed good gains, 

 with the jack mackerel replacing the Pacific mackerel in a sensational 

 rise. Anchovy and squid catches increased markedly as canners sought 

 to augment slim sardine landings. The salmon fishery continued in a 

 health}^ condition, and catches of bottom fishes remained on a high level. 

 (See Table 2.) 



A general increase in the prices paid to the fishermen for all species 

 of fish, plus the increase in landings of high-priced tuna, resulted in a 

 continued rise in value of our fisheries. (See Figures 5 and 6.) Value 

 records of $36,000,000 and $39,000,000 set in 1944 and 1945, and at the 

 time deemed impressive, were left far behind as 1946 saw catches valued 

 at $45,000,000 brought into California ports. This figure was in turn 

 eclipsed by the tremendous valuation of $60,000,000 for 1947 catches. 

 Of this amount, the yellowfin tuna alone accounted for $23,000,000. (See 

 Table 2.) 



Figure 6. Value of California's two leading fisheries, compared to all others. Tuna 

 includes albacore, yellowfin, bluefln, skipjack, and bonito. The great rise in total value 

 shown in the chart on Figure 5 is accounted for in great measure by the tuna fishery. 

 Because of increased prices, the decline in the value of the sardine fishery is not nearly 



so great as tlie drop in tonnage 



