FORTY-SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT 



71 



Iii Southern California, catches of kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) , 

 a very popular and relatively abundant fish, gave some indication that 

 overexploitation was taking place in specified areas. A tagging program 

 was started in 1950, lagged during 1951, but was renewed in 1952. A total 

 of 4,000 kelp bass has been marked, mostly in Southern California, 

 although more than 400 bass have been released in Mexican waters. At 

 the present time, evidence shows that kelp bass grow slowly, are not 

 inclined to move to a great extent and are, of course, subject to high 

 fishing pressure in localized areas. The sportfishing industry in Southern 

 California has already responded to this information, as some fishermen 

 and boatmen are now releasing small bass. On the other hand, some "meat 

 fishermen" are proclaiming that a mess of bass six to eight inches in 

 length makes the finest eating to be found. An education program will 

 undoubtedly follow the conclusion of the tagging program. 



'H "  



^ 



The life of the biologist cannot all be spent in the field. This man is keeping books on the 

 number of fish taken by marine sport fishermen. 



LIVE BAII FISHERY 



The live bait fishery studies are designed to procure records of the bait 

 catch with respect to species, area, and effort involved. The records are 

 made out on the boat and do not come to the attention of an official weigh- 

 master as do the regular commercial fish catches; therefore, their 

 accuracy is dependent upon the cooperation of the fisherman. This neces- 

 sitates that good relationships be maintained. To do this, a member of 

 the laboratory staff attempts to accompany as many of the live bait boats 

 as feasible during the fishing season. On such trips, several scoops of bait 

 are weighed to determine a factor for converting scoops of bait to pounds. 

 All records are submitted in scoops ; the conversion to pounds is made 

 by the Department of Fish and Game. 



