FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST, 
25 
since it was originally founded as a Franciscan mission in 1769. ''Its 
development has been quite remarkable since 1880, due to the estab- 
lishment of railroad communication and the reputation which the city 
has attained as a health resort. In the last census year (1880) its pop- 
ulation was only 2,637, but in recent years (1887-89) it has been esti- 
mated at 30,000 arid upwards, though these estimates may have varied 
somewhat from the actual facts. 
With the growth of the population and improvement in facilities for 
transportation it naturally followed there would be an increase in the 
local demand for fishery produ.cts and consequent improvement in the 
fisheries. The change in the fishing population since 1880 has been 
noticeable, not only in the increased number but also because Ameri- 
cans and Europeans constitute a much larger percentage than at that 
time, when the industry was controlled almost entirely by the Chinese. 
The fisheries.— The fisheries of San Diego are of three distinct classes : 
The offshore vessel fishery, the junk fishery prosecuted by the Chinese, 
and the inshore fishery carried on in boats of less than 5 tons burden 
which are not documented. The development of the fisheries of San 
Diego has largely resulted from the increase of wealth and population 
in the city and surrounding country. The demand for fish has improved 
with the growth of the place, and the local supply has often not been 
adequate to meet it. With the continued advancement of the section, 
with improvements in vessels, methods, and facilities for shipment, new 
fishing grounds may be resorted to and larger quantities of fish taken 
and utilized. 
Species , abundance , seasons, etc. — The species chiefly sought in this 
region are barracuda (Sphyrcena argentea) ; bonito (Sarda cliilensis), com- 
monly known among the local fishermen as the “ Spanish mackerel”; 
eel; flounders, commonly called “halibut”; mackerel ( Scomber colias ); 
herring ( Glupea mirabilis ); sardine (Clupea sagax ); jewfish ( Stereolepis 
gigas ), locally known as the “sea bass”; mullet (Mugil mexicanus ); 
rock-cod or “rockfisli” (numerous species of Sebasticlithys ); sea bass 
(Serranus clathratus) ; smelt ( Atlierinopsis californiensis and A. affinis ); 
and yellow-tail (Seriola dorsalis ). 
Uf the two species of smelt, A. californiensis is locally known as the 
“bottom smelt” and is the most abundant and one of the most impor- 
tant of the food-fishes during the winter and spring. The other (A. 
affinis ), called the “top smelt,” occurs in San Diego Bay throughout 
the year. It is said to be abundant, but not so highly prized as the 
other. 
There are several other varieties which are caught in smaller quanti- 
ties or are less highly valued as food-fish. Among these may be men- 
tioned the lady-fish ( Albula vulpes ); anchovies ( Stolephorus ), of which 
there are three species that are extensively caught and dried by the 
Chinese, one of which [S. ringens) will perhaps in time become an impor- 
tant species for canning; and the Spanish mackerel. The pompano is 
