460 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
San Pedro Point, but without success, probably on account of its small 
extent. Soon afterwards I accompanied Mr. Larco in the dingey for 
the purpose of testing the various grounds about Anacapa Passage and 
vicinity. Crayfish and fresh sardines were taken as bait. We com- 
menced fishing in 30 fathoms, the SE. end of Anacapa Island bearing 
E. by X. J N., San Pedro Point NW. | W. After remaining there about 
15 minutes we shifted to the south and west into ‘27 fathoms, the above- 
mentioned points bearing E. by N. f N. and N W. \ W., respectively. In 
these two drifts of short duration, 20 red rock-cod and fatheads were 
captured. 
Two other trials were subsequently made on the following bearings: 
In 28 fathoms, San Pedro Point, NW. by W. £ Wq south and eastern 
end of Anacapa Island, E. by N. In 27 fathoms, the former point bear- 
ing NW., the latter ENE. The result of these trials was as follows: 
Twenty- two whitefish ( Caulolatilus princeps), 4 fat-heads ( Trochocopus 
pulcher ), 26 red rock-cod, 8 black rockfish ( Sebastodes mystinus). A 
short distance to the eastward of Anacapa Passage the botcom is sandy 
and comparatively barren. 
Early in the evening an anchorage was made by the ship in Smug- 
gler’s Cove, where a large-mesh gill net was set for 2 hours among the 
rocks and kelp close by the shore. This was done about dark, a little 
too late to expect a large catch, such species as*are generally taken in 
a gill net usually meshing just before dark or before sunrise. Only one 
crayfish was secured. The next morning the net was set in the same 
place and at the time several sea lions were observed upon the rocks, 
apparently watching our movements. The net was hauled after break- 
fast and contained 90 fish, of which «the greater number were vivi- 
parous perch. The sea lions had been there before us, however, as was 
made manifest by the number of large holes in the net caused by their 
efforts to steal the fish. Sea lions are still found scattered about the 
Santa Barbara Islands, where they greatly annoy the fishermen, not 
only by devouring the fish taken but also by injuring and often entirely 
destroying their nets. 
The remainder of the morning was spent in seining along the sandy 
beach of Smuggler’s Cove, an excellent locality for that purpose, as there 
are no sharp rocks or other obstacles in the way. Notwithstanding its 
advantages, however, only a few perch, sharks, etc., were collected. 
During the afternoon several hauls of the beam trawl were made off 
the southern side of Santa Cruz Island, one of which yielded several 
black-cod from a depth of 264 fathoms. These specimens were found 
to be nearly equal in flavor to those taken in more northern waters, and 
they were far superior to any fish which now find their way to the mar- 
kets of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. As the black -cod is an active 
fish, the capture of several in the slow-moving beam trawl would seem 
to indicate their abundance in this region in suitable depths, but fur- 
ther observations are necessary to prove the fact. This could probably 
