FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 59 
have a deleterious effect upon the food fishes, and it frequeutly # happeiis that two and 
three weeks will elapse ere fish will again he found in paying quantities. 
The day I arrived at Monterey the fishermen had just finished taking up their 
nets, and they did not put them down again while I was there, but occupied their 
time in mending and generally overhauling all their fishing gear. 
In summer, when the most valuable species are abundant, and when 
the weather favors their pursuit, the local fishing grounds are utilized 
to their full extent; but in winter only a small amount of fishing is 
done, chiefly in the sheltered coves and about the rocky ledges along 
the shores of Monterey and Carmel Bays. An important trawling 
ground frequented by the Chinese is near the shore from Point Alones 
around to Point Cypress. But u all is fish v that comes to these thrifty 
and industrious gleaners of marine products, and the shores as well as 
the sea bottom furnish a field for their enterprise. At low tide the 
coves and uncovered ledges are searched for sea moss, abalone, sea- 
urchins, or any other products for which a market can be found. 
Fishermen . — The fishermen of this county are wholly natives of south- 
ern Europe and China, more than half of them being Chinese. The 
Europeans are chiefly Portuguese and Italians, and a considerable per- 
centage of these have become naturalized citizens of the United States. 
The Chinese, however, appear to have no desire for citizenship. They 
live, as a rule, in miserable squalor, in rude board shanties, but never- 
theless seem content, and are satisfied with conditions that would be 
unbearable to white men, particularly those of American birth. The 
whites work on shares — one share going to the boat. They make a good 
living and appear thrifty and contented. 
Boats . — The boats used by the white men are built in San Francisco, 
and are less than 5 tons burden; 4 of the largest are feluccas, and 17 
carry sprit-sails. The average crew is two persons, but often only one 
man goes in a boat, while the larger craft usually carry three. There 
are also 7 rowboats, worth $25 each. The Chinese at Carmel Bay em- 
ploy a junk of 11 or 12 tons, and 22 skiffs, or sampans, with an average 
length of about 21 feet. 
Apparatus, methods of fishing , etc . — The white fishermen use drag 
seines, gill nets, and hand lines. Drift nets and set nets are chiefly used 
in summer, but to a less extent in winter, when hand lines are in most 
favor. Trawl lines are prohibited. 
Alexander says : 
The Chinese pay but little attention to any of the established rales, but persist- 
ently fish with trawls and all other gear known to the race ; and in consequence of 
this constant violation of fishing laws there exists a very bitter feeling between the 
two classes, and frequently severe altercations take place. Notwithstanding com- 
plaints are continually being made, no person of influence has ever interested himself 
enough to try to rectify the wrongs or alleviate the sufferings of the injured class. 
The trawl lines, used by the Chinese in Monterey and Carmel Bay 
are rigged with 200 small hooks on each section of ground line, which 
is coiled in a basket. Each boat carries eight baskets of trawl. 
