UC San Diego Library – Scripps Digital Collection

In 1879 commercial fishing was of small concern to the West; yet in this year was fostered a venture which was the pioneer of a vast new fishery which has grown to take a superior place in the interest of both commercial and sport fishermen. First in 1879 and then again in 1882 striped bass yearlings, totaling 435 in all, were planted in San Francisco Bay, California. These fish, members of the sea-bass family, Serranidae, were removed from their native waters on the Atlantic seaboard and shipped across the country in one of the early transcontinental trains. These few fish were evidently readily adapted to San Francisco Bay, for since their planting they have flourished there beyond expectation. As early as 1889, only ten years after the first plant, they were being caught in the gill nets and offered for sale in the markets. By 1895 they had formed a recognized fishery, and fishermen constructed special small-mesh nets for their capture. These commercial net men were quick to realize that a ready market awaited these new and tasty fish. During this same period the anglers began to hook these game bass and it was not long before every hook-and-line fisherman had recognized this introduced species as a new field for sport, for their gameness was discovered to be second only to the wary steelhead that migrate in and out of our coastal streams.

To illustrate the enormous and almost unbelievable increase in abundance of these fish, figures compiled by the United States Bureau of Fisheries reveal that in 1899, twenty years after their introduction, the commercial net catch alone was 1,234,000 pounds. In 1915 the greatest catch was recorded when 1,784,448 pounds were delivered to the markets. The total commercial catch continued at this high level until the close of the World War, when a general economic slump occurred throughout the country. Since then the total catch has varied between about 500,000 pounds and 1,000,000 pounds annually.

Because the striped bass have had only fifty years of existence in this region, one might be led to believe that the annual toll of the commercial nets, as well as the increase in angling activities which are generally conceded an annual total catch of several hundred thousand pounds, will lead to the extermination of the species. The casual observer may refer to the total catch as an index to such a

condition. To the contrary, however, we find the abundance of this species on the increase. A report by Craig bearing out this statement is based on the catch per boat over a period of years. As Craig points out, the decrease in the total catch is due to economic conditions brought about mainly by an increase in stringent conservation measures.

Though the results of Craig's analysis show an increase of the striped bass from 1920 to 1928, it is not at all improbable that depletion might occur in future years. In order to prevent such an occurrence, a thorough understanding of the prime factors responsible for the yearly abundance, as well as the life history of the species, is essential. The abundance is dependent upon two factors, namely, natural and artificial conditions. Because man holds no control over the former, then the latter must be submitted to detailed study. This study may involve many problems such as commercial netting, angling, influence of obstructions such as dams and land reclamation, pollution, and others. If the fishery is doomed as a result of any or all these artificial influences, then proper regulation and conservation lie within the power of man, provided he is familiar with the life history of the species.

As the relative abundance of the striped bass has been determined by Craig, the present report deals with the next two important studies necessary in building a solid foundation upon which conservation measures may be based. These are the life history and an analysis of the commercial fishery. To simplify its comprehension, the report is divided into three sections: the first deals with a brief resume of the fishery including fishing gear and methods, the second with a detailed account of the life history of the striped bass, and the third with a study of the commercial catch including general conclusions and recommendations.

The striped bass investigation began late in 1925. From then to late in 1928, the entire program was given over to the collection of life history data, and the sampling of the commercial catch. The period from 1928 to the present time (July, 1930) has been spent in working up the available data which have culminated in the present report.