which has been used exclusively since 1953. Three 

 hundred kelp bass were transplanted from San Cle- 

 mente Island to Santa Catalina Island in November, 

 1953. More than a quarter of these fish were recovered 

 at the latter area, with no recoveries from the trans- 

 planted group at San Clemente Island. 



An experiment, conducted beginning in September, 

 1953, on removal of starfish from the outer break- 

 water of Los Angeles harbor, revealed several bene- 

 ficial developments. Twelve tons of starfish were re- 

 moved with the aid of more than 200 skin divers. The 

 fish were found to yield a meal product of some value, 

 and could possibly form the basis of a new fisherv. 

 Later observations in the area indicated among other 

 benefits a heavy survival of young mussels. 



Development of underwater breathing apparatus, 

 for observation of fish in their native environment, 

 has contributed much basic knowledge and facts about 

 the life history of sports fish. 



LIVE BAIT FISHERY 



As pressures in marine sport fishing continue to 

 grow, the demand for live bait increases correspond- 

 ingly, especially in Southern California. Boats devoted 

 almost exclusively to supplying this bait have met the 

 increased demand not by expanding in numbers but 

 through increased efficiency. During the past two 

 years at least 10 new boats have replaced older craft. 



In the sheltered waters of Los Angeles-Long Beach 

 Harbor, lights suspended from skifl^s and powered bv 

 gasoline generators are anchored at nightfall. When 

 sufficient fish, measured by the use of echo sounders, 

 have collected under these lights a bait net is set around 

 the school, pulled by a power gurdy, and the bait 

 tanks and receivers filled. Thus a steady supply of bait 

 is available to the party boats of Los Angeles Harbor 

 and vicinity w hich leave for the fishing grounds at or 

 before dawn. 



Prior to these innovations the bait fishermen located 

 the fish visually about daybreak, and pulled the nets 

 by hand. Many times the part\' boats had to wait for 

 bait and could not leave for the fishing grounds until 

 long after daylight. 



Operate in North 



Until 1952 the live bait fishery was confined to the 

 waters south of Ventura. Then with the expanded use 

 of live bait on the sport fishing boats of. Santa Bar- 

 bara and northward, a fishery developed to meet the 

 new demand. Now live bait fishermen are operating as 

 far north as Morro Bay. 



Anchovies always have been the mainstay of the live 

 bait fishery, but prior to the catastrophic disappearance 

 of the sardine, 15 to 20 percent of the bait consisted of 

 sardines. In 1952 less than 2 percent of the catch was 

 made up of this species and in 1953 less than 1 percent. 

 Other species, such as white croaker, kingfish, queen- 



Some o/ the electronically equipped bait vessels of the Bait Haulers' 

 Co-op in Los Angeles Harbor. 



fish and smelt, occur in the fishery, but anchovies con- 

 tinue to dominate the catch. In 1952 and 1953 it com- 

 prised 95 percent of the take and during the past seven 

 years has supplied over 80 percent. The anchovy pop- 

 ulation in Southern California waters has so far been 

 able to supph' a demand that has increased almost two- 

 fold in seven years. 



THE TUNA PICTURE 



Growth was the dominant characteristic of the tuna 

 industry during the biennium. Signs of this growth 

 were evident in all segments of the industry through- 

 out the period. An important milestone was the open- 

 ing of the world's largest tuna processing plant at 

 Terminal Island, Los Angeles Harbor, in November, 

 1952. This plant has operated continuously since its 

 dedication. To keep pace, other companies modernized 

 their plants or regrouped for strength. 



Perhaps the growth of the industry is best reflected 

 in the statistics of the period. A new high in produc- 

 tion was attained in 1953 and preliminary^ figures for 

 the first six months of 1954 indicate that the case pack 

 is 22 percent above the like period of 1953. The Cali- 

 fornia fleet contributed the major portion of the raw 

 product but importations grew steadily in volume with 

 no signs of a let-up at the biennium's close. 



The price of raw fish, further exemplifying growth, 

 increased from 1320 to 1350 per ton for yellowfin, 

 from 1350 to $400 for albacore, from 1310 to 1350 for 

 bluefin, and from $260 to $310 for skipjack. In each 

 instance the latter price was being paid at the end of 

 the biennium. 



Potential Not Realized 



This growth of the tuna industry followed the U. S. 

 Government's decision not to increase the tariff or 

 import duties on raw or processed fish. In some quar- 



