180 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Monterey Bay to Point Conception . — The examination of this region was begun on 
April 3, 1890, off Cypress Point, just south of Monterey Bay, and was carried thence 
southward, the beam trawl being frequently used in connection with the sounding 
operations. A depth of 245 fathoms was found within a mile and a half of Cypress 
Point, below which place the 200-fathom curve gradually leaves the coast until west 
of Point Sur, where it is distant between 9 and 10 miles from shore. Five miles south- 
west from this point, however, a depth of 293 fathoms was' indicated by the lead, with 
36 fathoms a little more than a mile inside. Thence to Lopez Bock the shore is 
exceedingly bold, the 200-fathom curve approaching within 2 miles or less. Subse- 
quently it diverges slightly until off Piedras Blancas, where it is between 6 and 7 miles 
from the point. The coast from Carmel Point to Piedras Blancas is entirely open and 
exposed to the full force of the ocean swell, which causes a tremendous surf, even with 
the ordinary coast winds. Slight protection may be found under Point Sur, but even 
that can not be depended on in bad weather. 
Southward from Piedras Blancas the character of the coast line changes materially, 
and there are various points where fairly good anchorage may be found, San Simeon 
Bay affording the best protection north of San Luis Obispo. As the shore line 
becomes less abrupt, shoal water extends farther seaward, 200 fathoms being found 7 
miles off San Simeon Point, about 10 miles off Point Esteros and Point Buchon, and 
between 13 and 14 miles off Point San Luis. Then sweeping a little seaward, off 
Points Sal and Purisima, it approaches within about 8 miles of the bold headland of 
Point Arguello and 10 miles from Point Conception. 
Stations 3183 to 3197, with the beam trawl, were made between Monterey Bay 
and Point Conception, in depths of 41 to 328 fathoms, the bottom consisting chiefly of 
sand and mud, with rocks in some places. Poor success attended the trials with the 
beam trawl and hand lines off Cypress Point. The fishermen do not resort to this 
locality in the winter, but fish are said to be abundant there during the summer 
months. Very large “ deep-sea sole” ( Microstomus pacificus) were taken in considerable 
numbers in deep water off the entrance to Monterey Bay, while the same and other 
species of flatfish, together with black-cod, red rockfish, whiting, etc., were obtained 
at most of the beam-trawl stations southward from the bay. Large quantities were 
never captured at a time, but these forms were found to range over an extensive area. 
Windy weather, unfortunately, prevented successful work with the hand lines. 
A cod trawl was set off the northern entrance to San Simeon Bay, on a sharp, 
rocky patch of ground, and seining was carried on along the beaches, but neither mode 
of fishing gave satisfactory results. San Simeon Bay has been for many years one of 
the principal whaling stations on the Pacific coast, and very little attention is paid to 
other kinds of fishing. During the winter of 1889-90 ten boxes of smelts, weighing 
160 pounds each, were caught in gill nets by one man. This iS the largest catch 
recorded for a single season in this locality. 
Seven whales were captured during 1888 and the same number during 1889. The 
former yielded 180 barrels of oil, the latter 260 barrels, this difference being chiefly 
due to a difference in their size. December, January, and February are the principal 
.months during which whales frequent this locality, but sometimes a few are seen as 
late as the middle of March. During these months they are making the “down run,” 
and they are then said to contain about 50 per cent more oil than during the return 
