106 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
the black-cod inhabits the deeper waters, half-grown individuals also 
being found in moderate depths, together with the ling or Pacitie whit- 
ing. Large red prawns of excellent quality are likewise very abundant 
and widely distributed, having been captured frequently in consid- 
erable numbers in the beam trawl. 
Although gales are of rare occurrence in this region during the sum- 
mer months, yet the coast winds blow constantly from the northward 
and maintain a boisterous sea and strong currents. During the fall 
and winter southeasterly storms are frequent. Owing to the scarcity 
of good harbors, the fishermen have, therefore, many hardships to con- 
tend with, and the lack of sufficient markets to handle a large catch 
interferes at present with the rapid development of the fishery. 
Cape Mendocino to Point Conception, California.a—Dwing March and 
April, 1890, the coast waters between Point Arena and the Santa Bar- 
bara Channel, including the important fishing-grounds off San Fran- 
cisco, were surveyed by the Albatross, and in September of the same 
year the region from Cape Mendocino to Point Arena was examined, 
thereby completing the preliminary investigations on the California 
coast. Capt. Tanner reports that he found the slope very abrupt near 
Cape Mendocino, but it gradually widens toward the south, the 200- 
fathom curve off Point Arena being distant about 12 miles from shore. 
There are no fishing-banks properly so called within these limits, but 
the same fishes which are commonly met with farther north are distrib- 
uted also through this district, and the beam trawl may be used off 
Point Arena, although some rocky patches occur in places. 
Between Point Arena and Point Conception the width of the conti- 
nental platform into depths of 200 fathoms varies considerably, the 
extreme range being from less than 14 to 26 miles. Within these boun- 
daries the most active fisheries on the California coast are now being 
conducted. The character of the bottom is generally very uniform, 
the area between the Golden Gate, Point Pillar, the Farallones, and 
Point Reyes being sandy and free from rocks, except in the immediate 
vicinity of the islands or of the shore. South from Pillar Point rocky 
patches frequently occur near the shore, with fine gray sand farther 
off, finally merging into green mud at varying distances from the land. 
Rocky spots also exist in depths of 30 to 70 fathoms on sand and mud - 
bottoms. 
One hundred and eleven trawling and fishing stations were made in 
this region, and a very large variety of fishes was obtained, many being 
of excellent food quality. FJounders, including several choice edible 
species, composed the principal features of every haul. The beam 
trawl and other corresponding forms of drag nets are the only appli- 
ances by which these forms can readily be secured. Several species of 
rockfish were also common. 
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