conditions, indications point to greater production 

 and possible re-establishment of oyster culture in Cali- 

 fornia waters. 



California oyster industry' is aimed primarily toward 

 production of the Pacific giant oyster, which has 

 yielded far less during the postwar years than before 

 hostilities. Importation of seed from japan was cut ofT 

 and the landings decreased accordingly. Expected in- 

 crease in oystering activity after the war failed to 

 materialize, because large acreages of oyster land \\ ere 

 being held and not planted, although sefed was then 

 available. During the past biennium the more progres- 

 sive oystermen have become active, augmented b\- 

 new additions to the field. 



Since 1952 the importation of larger shipments of 

 oyster seed from Japan has resulted in the enlargement 

 of oystering areas within California bays. Morro Bay 

 operators have taken the lead in progressive ovster cul- 

 ture by the introduction of methods \ielding greater 

 landings per unit of area. The most modern and effi- 

 cient oyster handling plant in California now is located 

 there. 



Many Young Oysters 



Oystering activity in Marin County has recently led 

 to the construction of several small oyster houses to 

 handle harvests from increased plantings. In Humboldt 

 County test plantings by oy.stermen have shown such 

 rapid growth that very complete allocation of available 

 oyster lands has resulted. There are now young oys- 

 ters in California waters in sufficient abundance to 

 bring Pacific o\ster production \\ ell toward the degree 

 of opulence enjoyed during 1938-1941. 



Consumer demand for oysters in San Francisco and 

 Los Angeles represents the greatest in the West. These 

 demands are far from being met and a still greater 

 market is appearing for canned oyster meats and oyster 

 stew, leading to production attempts on all potential 

 oyster lands. 



Experimental plantings have yielded Pacific oysters 

 of marketable size within 1 1 months, a size normally 

 attained in three to four years in Japan. A variety of 

 oysters from Southern Japan was planted in several 

 Central California bays and the Salton Sea. This par- 

 ticular oyster, which produces a small meat suitable for 

 the cocktail market, grew very well and produced 

 marketable oysters 18 months after planting in the 

 marine waters of bays and the Imperial Valley as well. 



Increased importations of Pacific oyster seed from 

 Japan and of full-grown eastern oysters from New 

 York have increased the possibility of infestations of 

 oyster drilling snails. Loss of oysters attributed to oys- 

 ter drills in other states amounts to millions of dollars 

 each year. California law requires the inspection of all 

 shellfish destined for planting in waters of the State. 

 It was necessary to condemn 500 cases of Pacific oys- 

 ter seed imported during the 1952-1953 season because 

 of the presence of drills in the shipment. 



BOTTOM FISHERIES 

 Trawl 



The otter trawl fishery, leading producing unit in 

 Northern California, has registered new highs in bot- 

 tom fish production during the last biennium. Trawl 

 landings have risen to over 30,000,000 pounds of fish 

 per \'ear in spite of stiff competition from low-priced 

 foreign imports of fresh and frozen fillets. This in- 

 creased trawl production, Hearing the ultimate poten- 

 tial of the fishery, makes imperative adoption of addi- 

 tional constructive conservation measures to insure its 

 future existence. 



In the Northern California area 40 to 60 trawlers 

 have fished each month, and in the Central California 

 area the number fishing each month has increased from 

 about 8 to 18. In the Central California area bottom 

 fishing is undergoing a change from the historic long- 

 line type of fishing gear to the use of the more efficient 

 otter trawl. 



Dover sole again leads in total poundage landed, 

 with English sole and petrale sole following in im- 

 portance. ^ 



For many years several species of rockfish, hake, 

 skates, and rays were little utilized due to low market 

 demand. This nonutilization has long been a problem 

 in the trawl fishery, but it is being partially solved by 

 the use of several of these species in mink food, cat 

 and dog food, and the use of skates, rays, ratfish, and 

 fillet offal in a new liquid fertilizer product. Several 

 species of rockfish are now being used in a new fried, 

 frozen fishstick product that has received nation-wide 

 acceptance. With the development of these new mar- 

 kets and products, the practice of selective utilization 

 is being reduced in this important segment of our 

 State's marine resource. 



Conservation Method 



One of the most practical methods of conservation 

 in the trawl fisheries is to allow the escape of under- 

 sized and immature flatfish from the otter trawl net 



An oyster bed recently established in Morro Bay. 



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