FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
189 
The fishing for red rockfish is carried on in a manner not unlike that for grouper in the Gulf of 
Mexico. When the ground is reached, the boat is luffed up into the wind and a sounding made with 
a baited hook attached to the lead. If no fish are found on two trials, the boat is again given head- 
way, and a new berth taken a short distance from the first one.' This operation is repeated until a 
place is found where the fish are abundant, when the jib is hauled down, the main boom guyed out, 
and the boat allowed to drift a short distance. If the fish continue to bite, the anchor is lowered. 
The fish feed upon small spots and ridges covered with kelp, and, as they can not he tolled away from 
their feeding-ground, an anchorage has to he made as nearly as possible over these localities; other- 
wise very poor results may he expected. Fishing is actively continued until the place is exhausted, 
when a new berth must he sounded out. Frequently one or two boats will have excellent fishing 
while a dozen or more may meet with no success. These fish appear to move about from place to 
place, and the good fishing-grounds of one day may he entirely deserted the next. 
Most of the boats belonging to San Pedro that fish on South Bank and vicinity are sloop-rigged 
and keeled. They average 20 feet long, and 6-J to 7 feet wide. Their accommodations are as good as 
could he expected on boats of their size, and are far better than on similar boats farther south. 
Herring and salt-water crayfish or rock-lobster (• Panulirus ) are used for bait. 
The fishermen of San Pedro and adjacent places are mostly Scandinavians, Portuguese, and Ital- 
ians, the Scandinavians being in the majority. Many of the Italians fish about San Clemente and 
Santa Catalina Islands, while those of other nationalities pay little attention to those islands, resort- 
ing chiefly to South Bank. The Italians have .a few fish-houses and a flake-yard on Santa Catalina, 
where they dry fish in summer. No attempt is made to split and dry fish in the winter, and during 
that season the fishermen remain mostly on the inshore grounds. A favorite spot for summer fishing 
lies H miles from the eastern end of Santa Catalina Island. Large quantities of red rockfish are 
taken there, and also whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps) and fat-heads ( Trochocopus pulcher) at certain 
seasons. 
Hand lines only are used for bottom fishing in this region. Trawl lines would be of little service 
on the rocky patches, as the fishing areas are of small extent and much of the trawl would he spread 
out over barren ground. The gear is rigged in the same manner as that of the hand-line fishermen of 
San Diego. 
The San Pedro fishermen state that bonito strike this part of the coast the first of March and 
mackerel a month later. The method of catching them here, as previously explained, is by means of 
troll lines and gill nets. The fishermen also affirm that they have never seen mackerel schooling in 
the vicinity of South Bank, although herring and sea bass frequently school in large bodies. This is 
however, the region from which most of the schools of mackerel have been reported by passing 
vessels. These reports are not unnatural, in view of the fact that even an experienced eye is often 
deceived in attempting to distinguish between schools of mackerel and herring, and it is sometimes 
impossible to determine the species until specimens have actually been taken in the nets. 
Alamitos Bay and Newport Harbor. — These two inlets were examined by Prof. C. 
H. Gilbert on January 12 and 13, 1889, with reference to their adaptability for oyster- 
raising, the density and temperature of the water being carefully determined.* 
Santa Catalina Island. — This island was visited by the Albatross on February 14 
1889, but unfavorable weather prevented an investigation of the fishing-grounds. The 
fisheries in its vicinity, however, have been referred to in the last extract given above, 
from the report of Mr. Alexander. 
Santa Barbara Island. — The only dredge haul made in this vicinity was at station 
No. 2982, about 5£ miles southwesterly from Santa Barbara Island, depth 178 fathoms, 
the bottom consisting of sand, gravel, and mud. Mr. Alexander describes the fishing 
trials close by the island as follows : 
An anchorage was made in the afternoon on the northern and eastern side of Santa Barbara 
Island, where the naturalists were landed. A crab net, baited with fresh whitefish, was put over the 
side, but nothing was captured in it. The hand lines did better, although during the first hour no 
*Report upon certain investigations relating to the planting of oysters in southern California. 
By Charles H. Gilbert. Bull. U. S. F. C., ix, 1889, pp. 95-98, 3 maps, 1 plate. 
