FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1899. 569 
of fresh fish, sold locally; 332,427 pounds of spiny lobsters, most of 
which were shipped to San Francisco; 56,125 pounds of abalone meat, 
and 96,635 pounds of abalone shells. These amounts have varied but 
little from year to year during the past ten years. 
Sea lions are numerous around the several islands of Santa Barbara 
County, but they have very little commercial value. Each season a 
number of them are captured alive by lassoing them as they leave the 
rocks for the water. The capture of sea lions from small open boats 
is exciting and dangerous. The animals make a hard fight for free- 
dom, but after being severely choked they are dragged ashore and 
placed in strong boxes for shipment. The demand for sea lions is 
small, and prices have declined from $50 each to as low, in some cases, 
as $10. Of those captured in 1899, five weighing 1,180 pounds were 
sent by express to the Atlantic coast. Seven yearlings of 780 pounds 
ageregate weight were shipped to Pacific Grove, Monterey County, 
to be tamed for exhibition purposes. 
BULL’S-EYE OR CHUB MACKEREL (Scomber colias). 
Los Angeles County. —The several reports on the Pacific coast fish- 
eries by the U. 8S. Fish Commission since 1889 have called attention 
to the opportunities for a large increase in the fisheries of this section, 
and an increase is now shown by the following account of the agere- 
gate yield of fishery products: 910,531 pounds in 1889; 1,155,168 
pounds in 1892; 2,905,988 pounds in 1895; 38,960,062 pounds in 1899. 
The fisheries are carried on from small boats used near the several 
fishing stations of the county. The products are mostly shipped by 
express to Los Angeles, a small amount being used for the home 
demand. The weights as shown are largely from the books of the 
railroad and express companies. 
The several fish stations of the county, and the amount of the fishery 
products of each in 1899, were as follows: San Pedro, 2,690,000 
pounds; Redondo, 630,890; Santa Monica, 144,666; Wilmington, 
120,939; Long Beach, 136,333; Clementus, 137,234; minor stations, 
100,000; a total of 3,960,062 pounds. The value to the- fishermen 
amounted to $82,371, the increase over the business of 1895 being 
1,054,074 pounds, worth $27,506. 
