PORTY-PIRST niKNNTAL REPORT 



51 



Figure 10. Landings of Pacific and jack maclierel for the past 10 seasons. Tiie 

 mackerel season is considered to start in May and end in April. 



catch in the 1948-49 season was nearly 56,000,000 and in 1949-50 about 

 60,000,000. Los Angeles region landings produced by far the greatest 

 tonnage: about 43,000,000 pounds in 1948-49 and over 54,000,000 in 

 1949-50. The Monterey region reported landings of approximately 

 9 and 4 million pounds in the two seasons and the Santa Barbara region 

 roughly 4 and 1 million. 



Investigations of the jack mackerel, begun on a limited basis in 1947, 

 were gradually intensified. The original program included studies of 

 the size and age composition of the commercial catch. This work is being 

 continued on a routine basis. In 1948, a study of the populations in the 

 Central and Southern California areas was inaugurated. This led to a 

 broader study of the distribution of the species along the entire Pacific 

 (Joast. A considerable body of data bearing on these problems was ob- 

 tained and was being analysed at the close of the bienuium. Maturity 

 studies were started in 1949. These must be continued for at least another 

 year before any conclusions can be reached. Finally, a survey of fishing 

 localities is being made as time permits. 



BOTTOM FISH 



The otter trawl fishing for sole, sand dabs, flounder, turbot, rockfish, 

 and other bottom fish takes a greater tonnage of fish than any other fresh 

 fish industry of the State. The landings of flatfish and rockfish for the 

 last ten years are shown in Figure 11, but this graph does not tell the 

 entire story. Rockfish used to be taken primarily by means of hook and 

 line, but a type of trawl was developed which was quite satisfactory 

 for catching theme in quantity. This, combined with the almost unlimited 

 demand for fish products during AVorld War 11, resulted in the boom 

 of the rockfish fishery which reached its peak in 1945. The subsequent 



