STATISTICAL REVIEW OF TIIE COAST FISHERIES. 375 
There has been a material advance in the vessel fisheries of the State, 
the fleet having increased from 49 to 94 vessels, while the average ton- 
nage is now 128.82 against 107.08 in 1880. The whale fishery has grown 
to large proportions, and this State is slightly in advance of any other 
in this industry, so far as value of products is concerned, though the 
margin of difference over Massachusetts is so small that the relative 
positions of the two States may be changed at any time. In 1880 there 
were only 5 whaling vessels in California, but in 1888 the fleet num- 
bered 27 sail. In value of products, this branch of the fisheries has in- 
creased more than 300 per cent, since 1880. 
Among other conspicuous changes the following may be mentioned : 
The shrimp fishery has increased* 125 percent.; the oyster industry, 
which was not reported in 1880, now amounts to over a half million dol- 
lars in value of products ; the clam fishery has also undergone a great 
advance, while the abalone fishery has seriously declined. 
146. Table of persons employed, 1888. 
How engaged. 
No. 
On fishing vessels 
1,396 
147 
On transporting vessels 
On heats - _ _ _ _ . , . 
3, 188 
Onshore in nanneries, factories ete 
607 
Total 
5, 338 
147. Table of apparatus and capital, 1888. 
Designation. 
Number. 
• Value. 
Vessels fishing (tonnage 9,544.49) 
69 
$741, 650 
372, 175 
304, 850 
75, 300 
245, 010 
256, 465 
14, 735 
57, 625 
4, 420 
21, 430 
323, 050 
267, 500 
Outfit 
Vessels transporting (tonnage 2,564.32) 
25 
Outfit 1 
1, 354 
2, 367 
329 
1,629 
1,490 
Apparatus of capture: 
Gill nets 
Trammel nets 
Seines, bag nets, etc 
Traps, pots, and fykes 
Hand lines and trawl lines \ . . 
Shore property 
Cash capital 
Total 
2, 684, 210 
