46 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
gill-net and line fishing about the islands of Santa Rosa and Santa 
Cruz. 
Fishermen . — There are only 15 persons in this county, including the 
seal and sea-otter hunters, who may properly be called fishermen. Of 
these 8 are natives of foreign countries (including 1 Chinaman) and 7 
are native Californians. 
Boats . — The little fleet of fishing boats sailing from Santa Barbara 
are all less than 5 tons burden. They are mostly sailboats, as follows : 
1 sloop, worth $600 $ 8 lateen-rigged feluccas, averaging about $112 
each ; and 8 sprit-rigged boats with an average value of $100. Besides 
these there are 7 small rowboats with a total value of $75. 
Apparatus of capture . — Gill nets are employed chiefly in winter time, 
when the fish have moved off into comparatively deep water. They are 
set at the islands and along the shores of the mainland. The nets are 
commonly about 40 fathoms long, 15 feet deep, and have a mesh vary- 
ing from less than 2 inches to 3 inches. Thirty-five nets are used, of 
which 10 are classed as bass nets, 11 as smelt nets, and 14, with a mesh 
of 3 inches, have no special classification. 
Fourteen trammel nets are used. They are preferred for some kinds 
of fishing, because fish of varying sizes can be taken in them. 
Three small shore sweep seines, with an average value of $100, are 
used at Santa Barbara. These average 50 fathoms in length, 2 fathoms 
in depth, and have a £ inch mesh. They are operated in the shallow 
water along the beaches. 
Trawl lines are used for rockfish about Richardson’s Rock, on the 
ground west of San Miguel Island, and also south of Anacapa Island. 
(See map, plate I.) 
Troll lines similar to those already described (page 30) are used to 
capture barracuda, bonito, mackerel, etc., in Santa Barbara Channel. 
In winter a hook-and-line rig is often operated from the wharf at 
Santa Barbara, and sometimes this gear is used in the kelp beds. 
In summer, when the crayfish are abundant near the shore, a hoop 
net or bag net (locally called a 11 crayfish trap”) is used. But in winter, 
when the u rock-lobster” is farther offshore in deep water, the regular 
crayfish pot, made of laths, is preferred. The “ trap” is essentially the 
same form of apparatus as the “hoop net” formerly used in the New 
England lobster fisheries. It consists of a net bag hung to an iron hoop, 
so that it will have a depth in the center of about 3 feet, which is equal 
to the diameter of the hoop. Crossing this hoop at right angles, and 
arching above it with a moderate curve, are two wooden hoops seized 
together where they intersect, and having their ends securely fastened 
to the iron. Attached to the wooden hoop at the point of intersection 
is a string for fastening the bait, and sometimes this is provided with 
a hook. A triangular bridle of line is attached to the iron hoop and the 
buoy line is bent to the bridle where the several parts unite. This bridle 
is so arranged that when the fisherman pulls upon the buoy line the 
