276 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
The next important fishing-ground south of Point Reyes is Drake 
Bay. Drag seines are used exclusively, as the species which inhabit 
this locality are most readily captured by this method. Large boats 
engage in the fishery in this bay, from three to five going in company 
and each taking its turn in carrying the catch to market. 
Ballenas Bay, not far from the Golden Gate, is a favorite locality for 
the use of the trammel net. Red rockfish, sea bass, and cultus-cod are 
the species chiefly taken. 
Directly south of the Golden Gate, between Point Lobos and Point 
San Pedro, is a stretch of barren coast, about 11 miles long. The fish- 
ermen account for the scarcity of fish in this region by the presence of 
sea lions, which inhabit the ledges and all available places along the 
shore. From May to September trawl and hand-line fishing is carried 
on between Point San Pedro and Point Ano Nuevo, mainly for red » 
rockfish. As before mentioned, the San Francisco fishermen do not 
work farther south than Point Aiio Nuevo, but below that place other 
fishermen pursue their calling in close proximity to the coast. 
About the Farallon Islands is located one of the chief fishing-grounds 
off the coast of California. Fishing is actively carried on in this region 
from September to May. The principal anchorage is off the south side 
of the South Farallon. The ground surrounding this island is, as < 
rule, more productive than that adjacent to either the Middle or North 
Farallones. The bottom is exceedingly rough and rocky, and much 
fishing gear is frequently lost upon it. 
Fanny Shoal is a small spot of fishing-ground, on which large catches 
are sometimes made. The center of the shoal lies 34 miles northwest- 
erly from the North Farallon. 
Cordell Bank is located some 16 miles northwest of Fanny Shoal, and 
during the winter months it is resorted to by a few of the large boats 
from San Francisco, which fish for cultus-cod and red rockfish. The 
fishermen, however, have very little knowledge respecting the size and 
characteristics of the bank, and take no pains to increase their stock of 
information regarding it. 
The ground examined by the steamer Albatross during the early 
spring of 1890 extends from Point Arena to Santa Barbara. Time 
would not permit of an investigation of all the small bays and indenta- 
tions, but attention was chiefly paid to localities of greatest importance. 
The fishing-grounds south of the Golden Gate, exclusive of the bays, do 
not differ greatly from those along the northern coast of California. 
The 30-fathom curve is about 13 miles from the shore off Bodega Head, 
and at Point Reyes above 24 miles. Its distance from the land in- 
creases rapidly from this point, and it turns abruptly seaward to inclose 
the Middle and South Farallones. At Pigeon Point, 38 miles south of 
the Golden Gate, it is again only about 24 miles from shore, and thence 
to Santa Cruz it continues nearly parallel with the coast. The 100- 
fathom curve passes close to Cordell Bank and the Farallon Islands, and 
from the latter locality to off Point Aiio Nuevo it runs nearly parallel 
