Marine Resources 



i^mm I \i mm :^f>.i" 



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Department skindiving biologists C. H. Turner, Jack Carlisle and Jerry Sexsmiffi prepare to check artificial reefs in the department's newest project, 



ocean habitat development. 



— Fish and Game Photo by Jack W. Schott 



Fewer vessels are participating in the sportfishing 

 industry. The count was down to 500 during 1956 

 and 1957, as compared to 600 boats in 1953. 



The industry shows signs of settling down to a well 

 organized and well financed status. Some independent 

 operators are finding that competition and costs are 

 strong arguments for retirement. Furthermoie, the 

 need for safety regulations was recognized by the Fed- 

 eral Government several years ago, and as a result. 

 Public Law 519 was enacted and put into effect June 

 1, 1958. This law sets safety requirements for vessels 

 carrying six or more passengers and, as many boats 

 cannot meet the specifications, their owners are being 

 forced out of the sportfishing industry. 



On the other hand, a number of new boats have 

 been built, specifically for sportfishing. These boats 

 are equipped with single or dual diesel engines, plenty 

 of bunk space, galley service, fishfinders, and all of 

 the latest safety devices. 



In 1956, party boat fishermen accounted for more 

 than 314 million fish of many species. In 1957, the 

 total catch was 3 '/z million, but the composition of the 

 catch was markedly different. Most of the difference 

 occurred in Southern California where almost unprec- 

 edented numbers of barracuda, bonito, and yellowtail 

 moved into range. Along the central and northern 



coastline, salmon made a very weak showing, the 

 poorest since 1949. The sudden appearance of barra- 

 cuda, bonito, and yellowtail in the southland appears 

 to be a result of physical changes in oceanographic 

 conditions, primarily increased ocean temperatures 

 over a wide area. Their abundance gave the rockfish a 

 chance to rest from the increasing angler pressure of 

 the last several years. 



In March, 1956, the California Fish and Game Com- 

 mission increased the minimum size limit of sport- 

 caught kelp bass from lO'/a inches to 11 inches. In 

 March, 1957, the commission again increased the mini- 

 mum-size limit to 1 1 Yz inches. These increases are in 

 line with the management plan proposed by the De- 

 partment of Fish and Game and supported by ocean 

 anglers to protect the kelp bass fishery. 



Near the end of the biennium, in the area between 

 San Clemente and Oceanside, anglers were boating 

 from 8 to 10 kelp bass per day, two of which were 

 legal. (The sublegal fish had to be returned to the 

 sea.) In 1952 and 1953, a day's angling in this area 

 yielded only two or three fish per fisherman. 



The California halibut is a welcome addition to the 

 party boat angler's bag, but is seldom the object of 

 deliberate search. Its importance as a market fish far 

 outweighs its importance as a game fish. Nevertheless, 



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