FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
187 
List of the principal food-fishes obtained in the vicinity of the Santa Barbara Islands. 
[Prepared by Charles H. Townsend.] 
Serranus clathratus, Rock bass. 
nebulifer, Bass. 
Sphyrcena argentea, Barracuda. 
Abeona minima, Perch, Shiner. 
Micrometru8 aggregatus, Shiner, Sparada. 
rosaceus. 
Amphisticus argenteus, Surf-fish. 
Trocliocopus pulcher , Fat-head. 
Caulolatilus princeps, Whitefish. 
Anoplopoma fimbria, Black -cod, Beshowe. Only 
obtained in the deeper water and taken only in 
the beam trawl. 
Sebastodes vex illaris, Rockfish. 
chlorostictus, Rockfish, Vermilion fish. 
Sebastodes miniatus, Vermilion rockfish. 
elongatus, Rockfish. 
prorig er, Rockfish . 
entomelas, Rockfish. 
flavidus, Yellow-tail rockfish. 
crassus, Rockfish. 
notospilotus, Rockfish. 
Sebastolobus, Rockfish. Taken only in deep water. 
Parophrys vetulus, Flounder. 
Citharichthys sordidus, Flounder. 
Hippoglossoides exilis, Flounder. 
Microstomas pacificus, “Deep-sea sole.” 
Glyptocephalus zacliirws, “Long-finned sole.” 
Pleuronichthys verticalis, Flounder. 
Notes on the fisheries of the Santa Barbara region . — The following notes on the 
fisheries of this region are extracted from the report of Mr. Alexander made in 1889 : 
Mackerel “Strike in at the Santa Barbara Islands and Channel about the 1st of March and remain 
until October. Mr. Larco has never seen any fat mackerel on the coast and doubts if they ever become 
fat. They sometimes school in small “pods” during the summer months in Santa Barbara Channel, 
but he has never seen them school in the vicinity of San Pedro or farther south. They are caught by 
trolling and in gill nets, but chiefly by the former method. 
The herring accompany the mackerel, but remain much longer in this region. Strong westerly 
winds drive them offshore, where they remain until the wind changes. They are taken in gill nets 
and drag seines. 
Sardines ( Clupea saga x) are found here the year round in considerable numbers, and are captured 
in gill nets and drag seines, chiefly for bait. They are affected by westerly winds in the same manner 
a a the herring. 
Fat-heads, yellow-tails, red rockfish, black rockfish, and whitefish are similar in their habits to 
the shore cod and pollock of the Atlantic coast. 
Rock-lobsters or crayfish, sardines, and herring make the best bait, although whitefish and perch 
are very good. Squid are sometimes caught in great numbers in nets and drag seines, but it is said 
that the fish will not bite at them. 
Sea bass, of which no specimens were taken by the Albatross, are said by Mr. Larco to be first 
seen some time in March. After remaining upon the coast about two months they suddenly leave, 
reappearing in July and August. They have been known to strike the coast three times during a 
season, but as a rule they appear only twice. The customary method of fishing for them is with gill 
nets. The net is 40 fathoms long and 3 fathoms deep, with a 6-inch mesh. A southeast wind causes 
them to seek deeper water and very few are taken at such times. 
Sharks and dogfish give the fishermen much trouble in the summer, when they are very abun- 
dant, playing sad havoc with the nets and all other kinds of fishing appliances. There are many 
excellent places on the Santa Barbara Islands where try works could be built at slight expense in 
localities where these fishes might be captured in large numbers within half a mile of the shore. 
During January, February, and March only hand-line fishing is resorted to. Through the four 
succeeding months no attempt is made to catch any fish but barracuda and mackerel. During the last 
months of summer but little attention is given to fishing of any kind, there being little demand for 
this kind of food. The poor demand for fish at that season arises from the fact that the fishermen 
have not the means of preserving and marketing their catch in suitable condition. The price of ice 
is so high that its use would increase the cost of fish beyond the means of the majority of the people. 
Most of the fish are now sold at from 10 to 15 cents per pound in the Santa Barbara market, but 18 
cents is sometimes paid for fat-heads, whitefish, red rockfish, and yellow-tails. 
