FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 
153 
Street market alone in 1879-80 at $2,000. The local consumption of 
shrimp amounts to about 300,000 pounds annually. In 1888 it reached 
290,000 pounds, worth $23,200. 
Exportation . — The export trade is entirely within the control of the 
Chinese merchants, who ship to the Hawaiian Islands and to Hong- 
kong as a distributing center for China. It is impossible to determine 
accurately the amount of each species shipped from San Francisco by 
the Chinese, for many kinds are classed under one head. For instance, 
Alexander says that which comes under “codfish” in the records of the 
customs house is made up of cultus cod, red rockfish, flounders, scul- 
pins, and various other species. That which is marked “other small 
species, shrimp, etc.,” is composed of. all kinds of small fish which the 
various devices known to those people will capture. Nor is it easy to 
tell precisely from what source the material is drawn ; though it is less 
difficult to ascertain this, since certain species are taken in only partic- 
ular localities and the records of transportation agencies are an im- 
portant aid in solving this problem. 
The tables showing the exportation of fishery products from San Fran- 
cisco include such information as could be obtained from the custom- 
house records. A large percentage of the material exported is the result 
of the Chinese fishery, but includes the product of various other locali- 
ties besides the region considered in this chapter. 
The exports of shrimp should properly be credited to this region, and 
their consideration is a matter of' interest. In 1887, 525,638 pounds of 
shrimp meats, valued at $58,698, and 1,752,718 pounds of shrimp shells, 
worth $16,468, were exported. In 1888 the exportations were 769,660 
pounds of meats, valued at $76,966, and 3,842,200 pounds of shells, 
valued at $38,482. 
THE OYSTER FISHERY. 
Although the oyster business centering in San Francisco is thought 
to be only in its infancy, it has nevertheless assumed important propor- 
tions, the total value of the output in 1888 amounting to $509,175. It 
has naturally attracted attention, but, while its future is believed to be 
assured, its development is limited by conditions, natural or otherwise, 
tending to make the growth slow and to keep down the production to 
the actual needs of the market. At present there are only two firms 
employed in the business, and these were practically the pioneers in 
the trade. 
The supply of edible oysters up to date is, according to the best 
authorities, largely dependent upon importation of “seed” from the 
Atlantic States. The native oyster ( Ostrea rnfa) of California is small, 
and has such a strong coppery flavor that it is comparatively little valued 
as food, and is not extensively eaten* 
Soon after the opening of direct rail communication with the East, 
