FORTIETH BIENNIAL REPORT 41 



catch was made to fill government orders for canned squid for relief 

 exports. The pack exceeded 640,000 cases, which was more than double 

 the sardine pack at Monterey for the same period. With relief purchases 

 tapering off in 1947, the catch dropped to the 1945 level which was still 

 far greater than earlier seasons. The 1947 catch of 14,500,000 pounds 

 produced a pack of 230,000 cases. 



To determine whether the expanded fishery might endanger the 

 squid population, a biological study of the Monterey fishery was insti- 

 tuted in 1946. This investigation, carried on by Stanford University in 

 cooperation wdth the bureau, includes length frequency samples, spawn- 

 ing and breeding habits, life-history of early stages, and assessment of 

 possible damage to the eggs by the net fishery. 



ABALONE 



Abalone landings continued to increase during this biennial period. 

 The area about the Channel Islands, which could not be effectively 

 worked during the war, has added an appreciable quantity to the usual 

 take along the coast of the mainland. 



A great many divers entered the fishery and caused something of 

 a patrol problem. Many of these aspirants were construction divers, 

 ex-navy men with some experience in shallow water rigs, or individuals 

 w^ith no experience, attracted to the fishery by what seemed to them to 

 he very remunerative returns. 



It requires a year or 18 months to make a proficient abalone diver ; 

 and most of the tyros were financially unsuccessful. Under normal con- 

 ditions 12 to 15 abalone crews supply the market, but during the 1946-48 

 period 40 to 50 crews were operating. Most of the novices have been 

 eliminated by their inexperience and consequent financial insolvency, 

 and by the Bureau of Patrol which apprehended them trying to augment 

 their earnings by taking undersized abalones. 



Because of the expansion in this fishery, and the seriously over- 

 fished condition of the beds, the Legislature authorized drastic regula- 

 tions to control the industry. Although illegal practices have been cut 

 appreciably, there has been no general improvement in the stock of 

 abalones ; and it may be necessary to impose further restrictions which 

 have already been authorized by the Legislature. 



OYSTER 



Our oyster industry, which is based on an exotic species (Ostrea 

 gigas) from Japan, suffered during the war from a lack of seed. We have 

 not so far been able to obtain a natural set of these oysters, and the seed 

 supply from Japan w^as, of course, not available. The stock of marketable 

 oysters was practically exhausted by the end of the war. 



An intermittent set of these oysters is obtained in the Puget Sound 

 area, and some seed was imported shortly before shipments were resumed 

 from Japan. The four oyster companies are building up their beds with 

 yearly shipments of seed from Puget Sound and from Japan, and in a 

 year or 18 months should again be producing a considerable quantity 

 of desirable food. 



