Southern California marine sport fishing: private-boat catch and effort during 1981

An extensive study of fishing activity stemming from privately-owned boats was conducted during 1981 in order to determine the magnitude and impact of this segment of southern California's marine sport fishery. Anglers and divers returning from fishing trips were interviewed at launch ramps, boat hoists, and boat-rental facilities from Pt. Conception to the Mexican border. Information on fishing catch and effort was used to calculate statistical estimates of total catch, total effort, catch of preferred sport fish species, and compliance rates for legal minimum size limits. An estimated 1,013,000 organisms were landed during 355,000 fishing trips. The major components of this year's catch were 1) Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus, 231,000 landed; 2) Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis, 157,000 landed; 3) white croaker, Genyonemus lineatus, 148,000 landed; and 4) rockfish, Sebastes spp., 142,000 landed. These fishes contributed two-thirds of the total catch. This year anglers were favored by mild weather and the summertime appearance of migratory game fishes, resulting in higher than usual effort levels and above average catch rates for favored game species. (81pp.