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DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



A short paper detailing the differences between jack mackerel (T ra- 

 diums symnit tricus) and Mexican scad (Decapterus hypodus) was pub- 

 lished in 1952. This paper was needed to relieve the confusion among 

 fishery workers on the status of these two genera in California and to 

 clear the way for future population studies. 



Fecundity and food analysis studies on the jack mackerel require many long and 

 tedious hours at the microscope. 



OCEAN SPORTFISHERY 



Creel census work which commenced in 1947 was completed in the 

 latter part of 1951. The catches of 11,175 fishermen on 588 boats were 

 checked. The records as rendered by these boats were determined to be 

 within 4 percent of the actual number of fish counted on the checks. 

 The more important species of game fish were generally listed on the 

 catch records in numbers much closer to the actual than were the less 

 desirable fish such as mackerel and kingfish. The average throughout the 

 five years that the creel census work was carried on has indicated that 

 bag limits imposed on ocean sportfishing must be related to the area 

 where the catches are made. Bag limits in Southern California should, 

 and do, vary from the limits that are imposed in Central and Northern 

 California. Creel census work has been the basis of the liberalization of 

 the Southern California catch limits. 



Ocean sportfishing still continues to rise in popularity. Boat records 

 indicate that during 1948-1950 an average of 525,000 fishermen per year 

 were carried on sport boats operating for hire, not including San Fran- 

 cisco Bay striped bass boats. During 1950-1952, the state-wide average 

 increased to 577,000 fishermen passengers. 



