186 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Anacapa Passage and Island . — Investigations were made in this region on Feb- 
ruary 6 and 12, 1889. On the former date dredging stations No. 2943, 2944, and 2945 
were made directly in the passage, in depths of 30 to 31 fathoms, rocky and pebbly 
bottoms; while station No. 2946 was to the southward of Smuggler Cove, Santa Cruz 
Island, in a depth of 150 fathoms, coarse gray sand. It was found that the eastern 
or Anacapa side of the passage has a live bottom, and is a favorite fishiug-ground, 
while on the opposite side the bottom consists of clean sand with little or no life. 
The following account of the fishing operations is by Mr. Alexander : 
We commenced fishing in 30 fathoms, the SE. end of Anacapa Island bearing E. by N. £ N., 
San Pedro Point NW. f W. After remaining there about fifteen minutes we shifted to the south and 
west into 27 fathoms, the above-mentioned points bearing E. by N. f N. and NW. | W., respectively. 
In these two drifts of short duration, 20 red rockfish and fat-heads were captured. 
Two other trials were subsequently made on the following bearings : In 28 fathoms, San Pedro 
Point NW. by W £ W. ; south and eastern end of Anacapa Island, E. by N. In 27 fathoms, the 
former point bearing NW., the latter ENE. The result of these trials was as follows: 22 whitefish 
( Caulolatilus princeps), 4 fat-heads ( Trochocopus pulcher), 26 red rockfish, 8 black rockfish ( Sebastodes 
mystinus). A short distance to the eastward of Anacapa Passage the bottom is sandy and compara- 
tively barren. 
Early in the evening an anchorage was made by the ship in Smuggler Cove, where a large- 
mesh gill net was set for two 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. The net 
was hauled after breakfast and contained 90 fish, of which the greater number were viviparous 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 Cove, 
an excellent locality for that purpose, as there are no sharp rocks or other obstacles in the way. Not- 
withstanding its advantages, however, only a few*perch, sharks, etc., were collected. 
On February 12 the following dredgings were made entirely with the beam trawl : 
No. 2975, 36 fathoms, in Anacapa Passage; No. 2976, 31 fathoms; No. 2977, 45 fathoms, 
and No. 2978, 46 fathoms, directly off the south side of Anacapa Island; No. 2979, 
388 fathoms, about 4 miles south of Anacapa Island, and No. 2980, 603 fathoms, about 
11 miles south of Anacapa Island. At the last two stations the bottom consisted 
of green mud; at the preceding ones of sand, gravel, pebbles, and broken shells. Mr. 
Alexander describes the results of fishing trials as follows : 
On the morning of February 12 many hauls were made with the beam trawl in Anacapa Passage 
and off the southern end of Anacapa Island. A haul 11 miles south of the island in 603 fathoms (station 
2980) was one of the richest made in this region. Two trials were also made for bottom fish on the 
southern side of Anacapa. The first was in 52 fathoms, 11 miles south of Arch rock ; the second 
was in 36 fathoms, 1 mile north of the same rock. Six red rockfish were captured. A strong breeze 
was blowing at the time, which caused the ship to drift rapidly, and consequently a large catch could 
not be expected, but a sufficient number were secured to demonstrate the presence of fish in this 
position, and they might have been taken in abundance under more favorable circumstances. 
