California Commercial Landings

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California Commercial Landings Database

This database (Mason (2004)) includes only fish and invertebrates caught off California and landed in California. It includes neither offshore foreign fisheries landed outside California, nor tropical tuna fisheries landed in California. It does include commercial freshwater catches in California through but not after 1971. It includes some but not all maricultured shellfish such as oysters through 1980. It has spatial resolution only to the extent that fish caught off California and landed in a port region were presumed to be caught in that region. This assumption may not be valid for boats traveling long distances to fish.

Geographic Regions

Only landings caught off California appear in this data series, not landings of species caught north or south of the state boundaries.

These are the 6 regions we have used throughout the time series: - Eureka (Del Norte, Humbolt and Mendocino Counties) - San Francisco (Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, and San Francisco Counties, San Francisco Bay) - Monterey (Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties) - Santa Barbara (San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties) - Los Angeles (Los Angeles and Orange Counties) - San Diego (San Diego County)

The only region that is not consistent is San Francisco. Landings from a 7th region called Sacramento were combined with San Francisco in our tables from 1928 to 1971. Sacramento region included landings from San Pablo and Susuin Bays, Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and Delta and inland lakes. Sacramento region also included river caught salmon and some marine fish (primarily sardine) caught in the San Francisco marine region but transported to Sacramento canneries from 1931 to 1950. This plus the merger of Sacramento landings with San Francisco in published tables after the Sacramento River closed to gill nets in Sept 1957, led to our including Sacramento in the San Francisco landings. Sacramento landings and freshwater species in general are not in our data series from 1972 onward.

Species Names and Grouping

Landings can be accessed using two different lists. The short list of 57 names combines some later categories to match the earlier groupings to produce as many long time series as possible. The long list of 336 names, on the other hand, tries to maximize the distinction of different species.

Common names are used for types of fish sold to fish markets in California, also called market categories. More than one species may be present in a market category. If the species are known, they will be listed in the information about that market category. The number of categories has increased over time as more species were separated by the markets. Categories for rockfish are particularly mixed.

Short list of names

The following short list of 57 names combines some later categories to match the earlier groupings to produce as many long time series as possible (i.e. sole on the short list includes all species that were grouped together before 1953, even those species sold seperately after 1953). The short list does not include some less abundant categories and does not sum to the total California landings.

Species Grouping Description
CRAB, DUNGENESS Crustatcean All crabs landed as market crab or Dungeness crab, includes some rock crabs from Santa Barbara south.
CRAB, ROCK Crustatcean All crabs landed in any of the rock crab categories (not differentiated until 1995).
LOBSTER, CALIFORNIA SPINY Crustatcean All lobster called either California spiny or Pacific spiny lobster.
PRAWN Crustatcean All types of prawns landed
SHRIMP, BAY Crustatcean Almost all shrimp before 1952 were bay shrimp from SF Bay, separate category after 1951
SHRIMP, PACIFIC OCEAN Crustatcean Fishery on Pacific Ocean shrimp began in 1952.
CUCUMBER, SEA Echinoderm California and warty sea cucumbers. Sea cucumber fishery began 1978.
URCHIN Echinoderm All types of sea urchins but primarioy red sea urchin.
BLACKFISH, SACRAMENTO Fish, Freshwater Freshwater fish Included with hardhead until 1969, also called greaser Orthodon microlepidotus (Fish Bulletin 74, p47.).
CARP Fish, Freshwater All carp landed until 1971, some large quantities remove from Clear Lake 1931-36, Cyprinus carpio.
CATFISH Fish, Freshwater All freshwater catfish landed, includes Forktail or channel catfish (Ictalurus catus) and and square-tail,Sacramento catfish or bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus)
HARDHEAD Fish, Freshwater All freshwater fish landed as hard head Mylopharodon conocephalus, includes blackfish in most years.
PIKEMINNOW, SACRAMENTO Fish, Freshwater All freshwater fish landed as pike Ptychocheilus grandis (not true pike) (1928-1951)
SPLIT-TAIL Fish, Freshwater All freshwater fish landed as split-tail, Pogonichtys macrolepidotus 1928-67)
ANCHOVY, NORTHERN Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as anchovy EXCEPT deepbody anchovy and slough anchovy
BARRACUDA, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as barracuda
BASS, GIANT SEA Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as black seabass (1928-1960) or giant seabass (1961)
BASS, ROCK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Group name includes kelp bass, barred sand bass, and spotted sand bass
BONITO, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as bonito or bonito tuna
CABEZON Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as cabezon
CROAKER, WHITE Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as king fish or croaker or as queenfish, which was included with white croaker through 1971
FLOUNDER Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as flounder or as starry flounder, but NOT arrowtooth flounder which was included with sole before 1951
FLYINGFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as flyingfish
GREENLING, KELP Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as kelp greenling or as greenling
GRENADIERS Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as grenadiers after 1971, they were part of the miscellaneous trawl category through 1971
HALIBUT, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Fish landed as California halibut, possible mixing of Pacific with California halibut, see Fish Bulletin 74, p75. 1947
HERRING, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as Pacific herring or as herring roe (meaning herring containing roe), not round herring
LINGCOD Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as lingcod, called Pacific cultus before 1947.
MACKEREL, JACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as jack mackerel, plus proportion based on sampling of unspecified mackerel 1977-85.
MACKEREL, PACIFIC (CHUB) Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as Pacific mackerel, plus proportion based on sampling of unspecified mackerel 1977-85
MACKEREL, UNSPECIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as mackerel from 1978-80, plus later mackerel landings if not identified by species on fish receipt or by sampling
PERCH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Mixed species group containing just surfperches in northern Calif, but in southern Calif. also including blacksmith, halfmoon, opaleye and zebraperch - separable after 1976
ROCKFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Mixed species group containing all species of rockfish (plus thornyheads until 1977)
SABLEFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as sablefish or blackcod
SALMON Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as salmon including, king or chinook, silver or coho, pink, and chum - separable after 1976
SANDDAB Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as sanddabs, including Pacific, longfin and speckeled
SARDINE, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed in California as sardine, some were mixed with mackerel schools and calculated from sampling 1981
SCORPIONFISH, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as scorpionfish or as sculpin used as common name for scorpionfish until 1978
SHARK Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed under various shark names separable from 1977 on
SHEEPHEAD, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as California sheephead
SKATE Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as skate, California skate, big skate
SMELT Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as smelt, whitebait, or silversides, including topsmelt and jacksmelt.
SOLE Fish, Marine and Anadromous All landed as combined sole until 1954, primarily English, petrale, and rex before 1948, then Dover as well. Includes other soles and some turbot and small Calif.halibut as well.
SWORDFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as swordfish or broadbill swordfish
THORNYHEAD Fish, Marine and Anadromous Included as part of the rockfish catch until 1978, all fish landed as longspine, shortspine or combined thornyhead.
TUNA, ALBACORE Fish, Marine and Anadromous All albacore from California waters
TUNA, BLUEFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous All bluefin tuna from California waters
TUNA, SKIPJACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous All skipjack and black skipjack tuna from California waters.
TUNA, YELLOWFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous All yellowfin tuna from California waters
TURBOT Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as turbot, curlfin, diamond, C-O, and sharpridge or hornyhead. Some included in soles before 1931.
WHITEFISH, OCEAN Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as ocean whitefish, or whitefish.
WHITING, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as Pacific hake or Pacific whiting.
YELLOWTAIL Fish, Marine and Anadromous All fish landed as yellowtail (a member of the jack family).
ABALONE Mollusk All types of abalone. Just red abalone until 1943, but all were groped together until 1972. See California Living Marine Resources, p91.
CLAMS Mollusk All types of clams, included pismo clams until 1947, also cockles or littlencks (Chione sps.)., gaper, razor, washington, jackknife, and softshell.
OCTOPUS Mollusk All types of octopus.
SQUID, MARKET Mollusk All market squid (Loligo opalescens)
No matching items

Click to view long list of species names

The following long list of 336 names tries to maximize the distinction of different species. Scientific names are provided when known. Categories are combined only if no resolution is lost. This produces shorter time series for some categories but the most differentiation of species available. Categories in the long list should sum to the total California landings for each year.

Species Name Grouping Description
BARNACLE Crustatcean Barnacles 1980s. presumably goose barnacles
BOX CRAB Crustatcean Box crab 1981+
CRAB, CLAWS Crustatcean Claws from rock crabs before 1991 and sheep or spider crabs (Loxorhynchus grandis), 1986+
CRAB, DUNGENESS Crustatcean Dungeness or market crab (Cancer magister) all years, may include some rock crabs from Santa Barbara south especially in 1940s
CRAB, KING Crustatcean King crab, presumably Paralithodes species, 1977+
CRAB, PELAGIC RED Crustatcean Pelagic red crabs. 1974-88, 1999
CRAB, ROCK Crustatcean Rock crabs, unspecified, all years, however some may have been recorded as market crab before 1950.
CRAB, BROWN ROCK Crustatcean Brown Rock crabs (Cancer antennarius) 1997+
CRAB, RED ROCK Crustatcean Red rock crabs (Cancer productus) 1996+
CRAB, YELLOW ROCK Crustatcean Yellow Rock crabs (Cancer anthonyi) 1995+
CRAB, SAND Crustatcean Sand crabs (Emerita analoga ) harvested for live bait, not in database before 1979
CRAB, SHORE Crustatcean Shore crabs (Hemigrapsus oregonensis or Pachygrapsus crassipes) harvested for live bait, not in database before 1978
CRAB, SPIDER Crustatcean Sheep or spider crabs (Loxorhynchus grandis) 1968+
CRAB, TANNER Crustatcean Crab landed as tanner crab, presumably Chionocetes species 1983+
CRAYFISH Crustatcean Crayfish caught in rivers and Delta (Pacifastacus leniusculus or Procambarus clarkii) 1969-71, Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
LOBSTER, CALIFORNIA SPINY Crustatcean California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) all years
PRAWN, GOLDEN Crustatcean Prawns landed as Golden prawns, 1999+
PRAWN, RIDGEBACK Crustatcean Ridgeback prawn (Sicyonia ingentis) fishery first developed in 1965
PRAWN, SPOTTED Crustatcean Spot prawn (Pandalus platyceros) taken in the ocean 1952+.
PRAWN, UNSPECIFIED Crustatcean Probably Spot prawn (Pandalus platyceros) taken in the ocean at least until 1960s, then maybe mixed species.
SHRIMP, BAY Crustatcean Bay Shrimp (Crago franciscorum and C. nigricauda) caught in San Francisco Bay, recorded in shrimp unspecified until 1952
SHRIMP, BRINE Crustatcean Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) taken in bays
SHRIMP, COONSTRIPE Crustatcean Coonstripe or dock shrimp (Pandanlus danae) 1986+
SHRIMP, GHOST Crustatcean Ghost shrimp (Callianassa californiensis) harvested for bait from bays 1978+
SHRIMP, PACIFIC OCEAN Crustatcean Pacific ocean shrimp (Pandulus jordani) 1952+
SHRIMP, RED ROCK Crustatcean Red rock shrimp (Lysmata californica) for live bait fishery developed in late 1950s but not in database until 1979.
SHRIMP, UNSPECIFIED Crustatcean Bay Shrimp (Crago franciscorum and C. nigricauda) until 1952, may be various unspecified species after.
CRUSTACEAN, UNSPECIFIED Crustatcean Assorted unspecifid crustaceans. 1969+,
CUCUMBER, SEA Echinoderm Sea cucumbers giant (Parastichopus californicus) and warty (P.parvimensis) 1978+,
ECHINOD, UNSPECIFIED Echinoderm Unspecified echinoderms 1971-1993,
SEA STARS Echinoderm Sea stars unspecified 1971+,
URCHIN, LYTECHINUS Echinoderm Sea Urchin landed as lytechinus 1983+,
URCHIN, PURPLE SEA Echinoderm Purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purperatus) 1985+,
URCHIN, RED SEA Echinoderm Red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) 1986+ ,See Unspecified sea urchins 1971-85
URCHIN, UNSPECIFIED Echinoderm Unspecified sea urchins, probably red urchins. 1971-1985”,
BLACKFISH, SACRAMENTO Fish, Freshwater Freshwater fish Included with hardhead until 1969, also called greaser (Orthodon microlepidotus) (Fish Bulletin 74, p47.). Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
CARP Fish, Freshwater All carp landed until 1971, some large quantities remove from Clear Lake 1931-36 (Cyprinus carpio). Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
CATFISH Fish, Freshwater (1928-52)All freshwater catfish landed, includes Forktail or channel catfish (Ictalurus catus) and square-tail,Sacramento catfish or bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus). Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
HARDHEAD Fish, Freshwater All freshwater fish landed as hard head (Mylopharodon conocephalus), includes SACRAMENTO BLACKFISH in most years. Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
HITCH Fish, Freshwater All fish landed as hitch (Lavinia exilicauda) 1967-71. Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
PIKEMINNOW, SACRAMENTO Fish, Freshwater All freshwater fish landed as pike or Sacramento squawfish (Ptychocheilus grandis) (not true pike) 1928-1951. Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
SPLIT-TAIL Fish, Freshwater All freshwater fish landed as split-tail (Pogonichtys macrolepidotus) 1928-67. Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
SUCKER, WESTERN Fish, Freshwater All freshwater fish landed as Sacramento or Western sucker (Catostomus occidentalis and other species) 1928-63. Freshwater catch not in database after 1971
ANCHOVY, NORTHERN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Norhtern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) all anchovy landed EXCEPT deepbody anchovy, all years
ANCHOVY, DEEPBODY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Deepbody anchovy (Anchoa compressa) mostly in bays and estuaries, 1978+
BARRACUDA, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California barracuda (Sphyraena argentea) all years
BASS, BARRED SAND Fish, Marine and Anadromous Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) 1978+, included in BASS, ROCK category before 1978
BASS, GIANT SEA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Giant or black sea bass (Sterolepis gigas) all years
BASS, KELP Fish, Marine and Anadromous Kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) 1978+, included in BASS, ROCK category before 1978
BASS, ROCK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Group name includes kelp bass, barred sand bass, and spotted sand bass, 1928-53 then sport only after 1953, some years 1978+
BASS, SPOTTED SAND Fish, Marine and Anadromous Spotted sand bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus), small component of BASS, ROCK category before 1978
BASS, STRIPED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Striped bass (Roccus saxatilis), Sport only after 1935
BLACKSMITH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis) included in Perch category before 1963
BONEFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bonefisn (Albula vulpes), 1983 only
BONITO, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific Bonito or bonito tuna (Sarda chiliensis) all years
BUTTERFISH, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific butterfish also called California pompano (Peprilus simillimus) all years
CABEZON Fish, Marine and Anadromous Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) all years
CABRILLA, SPOTTED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Spotted Cabrilla (Epinephelus analogus) a sea bass, 1930, 1983+
COD, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous 1977+ Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) 1977+
CORBINA, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California corbina (Menticirrhus undulatus), a croaker 1981+
CORVINA, SHORTFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous (1928-41, 1995+)Shortfin corvina or shortfin seabass (Cynoscion parvipinnis), a croaker caught and sometimes landed mixed with white croakers 1932-41 and 1995+
CROAKER, BLACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Black croaker (Cheilotrema saturnum) 1979+
CROAKER, VARIOUS SPECIES Fish, Marine and Anadromous Croakers of various unidentified species 1978+, probably inclded in CROAKER, WHITE before 1978
CROAKER, WHITE Fish, Marine and Anadromous White croaker also called kingfish (Genyonemus lineatus) may include other croakers especially queenfish (Seriphus politus)
CROAKER, YELLOWFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Yellowfin croaker (Umbrina roncador) 1995+
CUSK-EEL, SPOTTED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Spotted cusk-eel (Chilara taylori) 1994+
DOLPHINFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Dolfpninfish (Coryphaena hippururs), Fish NOT Mammals, occasional 1930-62, yearly 1972+
EEL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Various unspecified eels including moray, wolfeel, blennies and pricklebacks.
EEL, BLENNY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Blennies, unidentified, 1931 only, probably pricklebacks
EEL, CALIFORNIA MORAY Fish, Marine and Anadromous California Moray (Gymnothorax mordax) 1931-32, 1981+
ESCOLAR Fish, Marine and Anadromous Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) 1994+
EULACHON Fish, Marine and Anadromous Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) 1987+
FLOUNDER, ARROWTOOTH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) 1955+, included with sole before 1951
FLOUNDER, STARRY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus), in unclassified flounder some years or ports, combine with FLOUNDER, UNCLASSIFIED 1930-46 and 1978+
FLOUNDER, UNCLASSIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Flounders, almost entirely starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus), combine with FLOUNDER, STARRY. most years
FLYINGFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Probably mostly California Flyingfish (Cypselurus californicus), all years
GARIBALDI Fish, Marine and Anadromous Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus), Not a commercial species, small amounts 1979+
GOBY, BLUEBANDED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bluebanded goby, (Lythrypnus dalli) 1985+
GOBY, YELLOWFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Yellowfin goby (Acanthogobius flavimanus), 1990+
GREENLING, KELP Fish, Marine and Anadromous Kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) most years
GRENADIERS Fish, Marine and Anadromous Various grenadiers, Pacific grenadier (Coryaphaenoides acrolepis) and giant grenadier (Albatrossia pectoralis) and possibly others, 1972+
GROUPER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Various species of grouper (Mycteroperca) 1931, 1978+
GROUPER, BROOMTAIL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Broomtail grouper (Mycteroperca xenarcha) 1985+
GRUNION, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis), not a commercial species, some 1978+
GUITARFISH, SHOVELNOSE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Shovelnose guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus), 1977+
HAGFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Hagfish (Eptatretus spp.) 1983+
HALFMOON Fish, Marine and Anadromous Halfmoon (Medialuna californicus), included in Perch category before 1954
HALIBUT, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California halibut (Paralicthys californicus), may include some Pacific halibut landings, all years
HALIBUT, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), some landings may have been recorded as California halibut, most years
HALIBUT, UNSPECIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Unspecified halibut, may be either California halibut (Paralicthys californicus), or Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in Northern California 1978+
HERRING ROE ON KELP Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific herring roe laid on kelp, 1987+
HERRING, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) all years, combine with HERRING, WHOLE FISH WITH ROE
HERRING, WHOLE FISH WITH ROE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) containing roe, 1993+, combine with HERRING, PACIFIC
HERRING, ROUND Fish, Marine and Anadromous Round herring (Etrumeus teres), may be some mislabled Pacific herring included 1962, 1985, 1992+
JACK CREVALLE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos), 1992+
JACKS Fish, Marine and Anadromous Various species of jacks, family Carangidae 1992+
KAHAWAI Fish, Marine and Anadromous Kahawai or Australian Salmon (Arripis spp), 1989 + 1999
KELPFISHES Fish, Marine and Anadromous Giant kelpfish (Heterostichus robustus) and other kelpfishes 1979+
KILLIFISH, CALIFORN Fish, Marine and Anadromous California killifish (Funduous parvipinnis) 1993
LINGCOD Fish, Marine and Anadromous Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) called Pacific cultus before 1946, all years
LIZARDFISH, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California lizardfish (Synodus lucioceps) 1980+
LOUVAR Fish, Marine and Anadromous Louvar (Luvarus imperialis) 1984+
MACKEREL, BULLET Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bullet mackerel (Auxis fochei) 1976+
MACKEREL, JACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus) a jack, called Horse mackerel before 1945, see unspecified mackerel 1977-85.
MACKEREL, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), see unspecified mackerel 1977-85.
MACKEREL, UNSPECIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Mixture of jack mackerel and Pacific mackerel landed as mixed mackerel 1977+, for breakdown see Californias Living Marine Resources, p312-313.
MARLIN, STRIPED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax), not commercial after 1938
MIDSHIPMAN, PLAINFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Plainfin midshipman (Porichthys notatus) 1954, 1983+
MOLA, COMMON Fish, Marine and Anadromous Mola or Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) 1982+
MONKEYFACE EEL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Monkyface-eel or monkeyface prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus) 1981+
MUDSUCKER, LONGJAW Fish, Marine and Anadromous Longjaw mudsucker (Gilllichthys mirabilis) used for bait, 1971+
MULLET, STRIPED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Mullet (Mugil cephalus), some landings are from the Salton Sea in 1940s.
NEEDLEFISH, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Needlefish (Strongylura exilis) 1954+
OILFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus) 1996+
OPAH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Opah (Lampris regius) 1976+
OPALEYE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Opaleye (Girella nigricans) included in perch category before 1954
PERCH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Market category includes surfperch in northern Calif. and other perch-like species in Soutnern Calif. included opaleye, halfmoon and sargo until 1954, blacksmith until 1962. see Fish Bulletin 149 table 17
PERCH, PACIFIC OCEAN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus) 1977+, species identification required 1984+
POMFRET, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Fish landed as Pacific Pomfret (Brama japonica)
QUEENFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Queenfish (Seraphus politus) a croaker, included with white croaker before 1972.
RATFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei), occasional years
RAY, BAT Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bat ray (Myliobatis californica) 1977+, may be included with skates in earlier years.
RAY, PACIFIC ELECTRIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific electric ray, (Torpedo californica) 1977+
RAY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rays not identified to species 1977+
ROCKFISH, AURORA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category aurora (Sebastes aurora) may include other species, 1993+
ROCKFISH, BANK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category bank (Sebastes rufus) may include other species, 1980+
ROCKFISH, BLACKGILL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category blackgill (Sebastes melanostomus) may include other species, 1980+
ROCKFISH, BLACK-AND-YELLOW Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category black-and-yellow (Sebastes chrysomelas) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, BLACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category black (Sebastes melanops) may include other species, 1977+
ROCKFISH, BLUE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category blue (Sebastes mystinus) may include other species, 1977+
ROCKFISH, BOCACCIO Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bocaccio rockfish (Sebastes paucispinus),1977+, species identification required from 1991+
ROCKFISH, BRONZESPOTTED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category bronzespotted (Sebastes gilli) may include other species, 1991+
ROCKFISH, BROWN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category brown includes widow (Sebastes entomelas) and copper (S. caurinus) as well as brown (S. auriculatus) 1977+. Also see Bolina
ROCKFISH, CALICO Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category calico (Sebastes dallii) may include other species.
ROCKFISH, NOMINAL CANARY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category canary (Sebastes pinniger) may include other species before 1998, Canary Rockfish also in ROCKFISH, GROUP CANARY/VERMILLION 1994+
ROCKFISH, CHAMELEON Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category chameleon (Sebastes phillipsi) may include other species, 1985+
ROCKFISH, CHILIPEPPER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category chilipepper (Sebastes goodei) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, CHINA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category china (Sebastes nebulosa) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, COPPER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market categories copper (Sebastes caurinus) and whitebelly (S. vexillarius) may include other species, 1977+
ROCKFISH, COWCOD Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category cowcod (Sebastes levis) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, DARKBLOTCHED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category darkblotched (Sebastes crameri) may include other species, 1996+
ROCKFISH, FLAG Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category flag (Sebastes rubrivinctus) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, GROUP BLUE/BLACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category blue/black includes (Sebastes mystinus and S. melanops) may include other species, 1994+
ROCKFISH, GROUP BOCACCIO/CHILIR Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category bocaccio/chillipepper (Sebastes paucispinis and S. goodei) may include other species 1980-93
ROCKFISH, GROUP BOLINA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category bolina includes brown (Sebastes auriculatus), copper (S. caurinus) and other species 1980+
ROCKFISH, GROUP CANARY/VERMILLROCK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category canary/vermillion 1994+. may include other species. See also ROCKFISH, NOMINAL CANARY and ROCKFISH, VERMILLION.
ROCKFISH, GROUP DEEP RED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category deep reds may include various species of rockfish 1982+
ROCKFISH, GROUP GOPHER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category gopher group includes gopher (Sebastes carnatus) and other species 1985+, see also ROCKFISH, GOPHER
ROCKFISH, GROUP RED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category group red may include various species of rockfish 1980+
ROCKFISH, GROUP ROSEFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category group rosefish, primarily splitnose (Sebastes diploproa) and aurora (S. aurora) 1982+
ROCKFISH, GROUP SMALL RED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category group smallred may include various species of small rockfish 1980+
ROCKFISH, GOPHER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category gopher may contain black-and-yellow (Sebastes chrysomelas), kelp (S. atrovirens) and others as well as gopher (Sebastes carnatus) 1979+
ROCKFISH, GRASS Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category grass (Sebastes rastrelliger) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, GREENBLOTCHED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category greenblotched (Sebastes rosenblatti) may include other species, 1990+
ROCKFISH, GREENSTRIPED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category greenstriped (Sebastes elongatus) may include other species, 1978+
ROCKFISH, GREENSPOTTED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category greenspotted (Sebastes chlorostictus)probably single species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, HONEYCOMB Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category honeycomb (Sebastes umbrosus) may include other species, 1993
ROCKFISH, KELP Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category kelp rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) may include other species, 1980+ see ROCKFISH, GOPHER
ROCKFISH, MEXICAN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category Mexican Rockfish 2002+
ROCKFISH, OLIVE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category olive (Sebastes serranoides) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, PINK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category pink (Sebastes eos) may include other species, 1987+
ROCKFISH, PINKROSE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category pinkrose (Sebastes simulator) may include other species, 1987+
ROCKFISH, QUILLBACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category quillback (Sebastes maliger) may include other species, 1994+
ROCKFISH, REDBANDED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category redbanded (Sebastes nigrocinctus) may include other species, 1989+
ROCKFISH, ROSETHORN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category rosethorn (Sebastes helvomaculatus) may include other small species, 1991+
ROCKFISH, ROSY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category rosy (Sebastes rosaceus) may include other small species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, SHORTBELLY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category shortbelly (Sebastes jordani) may include other species, 1979+
ROCKFISH, SPLITNOSE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category splitnose (Sebastes diploproa) may include other species,1977+
ROCKFISH, SPECKLED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category speckled (Sebastes ovalis) may include other species,1979+
ROCKFISH, SQUARESPOT Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category squarespot (Sebastes hopkinsi) may include other species,1994+
ROCKFISH, STRIPETAIL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category stripetail (Sebastes saxicola) may include other species
ROCKFISH, STARRY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category starry (Sebastes constellatus) may include other species,1977+
ROCKFISH, SWORDSPINE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category swordspine (Sebastes ensifer) may include other small species,1996+
ROCKFISH, TREEFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category treefish (Sebastes serriceps) may include other species,1980+
ROCKFISH,UNSPECIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category unspecified rockfish, includes various species,1928+
ROCKFISH,UNSPECIFIED NEARSHORER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category unspecified rockfish nearshore, from 2000
ROCKFISH,UNSPECIFIED SHELF Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category unspecified rockfish shelf, from 2000
ROCKFISH,UNSPECIFIED SLOPE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category unspecified rockfish slope, from 2000
ROCKFISH, VERMILLION Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category vermillion (Sebastes miniatus) may include other species,1977+, see also ROCKFISH, GROUP CANARY/VERMILLION,1977+
ROCKFISH, WIDOW Fish, Marine and Anadromous Widow rockfish (Sebastes entomelas),1977+, identification required from 1983+
ROCKFISH, YELLOWEYE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rockfish landed as market category yelloweye (Sebastes ruberrimus) may include other species,1977+
ROCKFISH, YELLOWTAIL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Yellowtail rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) identification required from 1994+
SABLEFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Sablefish or blackcod (Anoplopoma fimbria) all years
SAILFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) 1982 only
SALEMA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Salema (Xenistius californiensis) 1971 and 1992 only
SALMON Fish, Marine and Anadromous All species of salmon were recorded together before 1977, some unspecified landings 1978-85.
SALMON, CHUM Fish, Marine and Anadromous Chum salmon (Oncorhycus keta) 1977+, see before 1977
SALMON, KING Fish, Marine and Anadromous King or chinook salmon (Oncorhycus tshawytscha) 1977+, see before 1977
SALMON ROE, KING Fish, Marine and Anadromous The roe from king or chinook salmon. 1994+
SALMON, PINK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pink salmon (Oncorhycus gorbuscha) 1977+, see before 1977
SALMON, SILVER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Silver or coho salmon (Oncorhycus kisutch) 1977+, see before 1977
SANDDAB Fish, Marine and Anadromous All species of sanddabs before 1990, and most of sanddab landings after 1990
SANDDAB, LONGFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Longfin sanddab, (Citharichthys xanthostigma) 1999+
SANDDAB, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) 1990+
SANDDAB, SPECKLED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Speckled sanddab (Citharichthys stigmaeus) 1997+
SARDINE, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific sardine also called Pacific pilchard (Sardinops sagax) all years
SARGO Fish, Marine and Anadromous Sargo (Anisotremus davidsonii),1954+, included in perch category until 1953.
SAURY, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific saury (Cololabis saria) occasional landings.
SCORPIONFISH, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Spotted scorpionfish commonly called sculpin (Scorpeaena guttata), all years
SCULPIN, PACIFIC STAGHORN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) 1935, 1950s, 1978+
SCULPIN, YELLOWCHIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Yellowchin sculpin (Icelinus quadriseriatus) 1994
SEABASS, WHITE Fish, Marine and Anadromous White seabass (Atractoscion noblis), all years
SENORITA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Seniorita (Oxyjulis californica) 1973, 1994+
SHAD, AMERICAN Fish, Marine and Anadromous American shad (Alosa sapidissima) Sactamento River delta fishery 1928-51, small amounts from 1986+
SHAD, THREADFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Threadfin shad, (Dorosoma petenense) San Francisco Bay, 1987+
SHARK Fish, Marine and Anadromous All shark landings until 1976, unspecified sharks, 1977+
SHARK, PACIFIC ANGEL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific angel shark (Squatina californica), 1977+
SHARK, BLUE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Blue shark (Prionace glauca), 1977+
SHARK, BONITO (MAKO) Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bonito or short fin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), 1977+
SHARK, BROWN SMOOTH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Brown smoothound shark (Mustelus henlei), 1977+
SHARK, BASKING Fish, Marine and Anadromous Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), 1991+
SHARK, BLACK TIP Fish, Marine and Anadromous Black tip shark presumably (Carcharhinus limbatus), 1984, 1993, 1999
SHARK, COMMON THRESHER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), 1977+
SHARK, COW Fish, Marine and Anadromous Cow sharks group sixgill (Hexanchus griseus) and sevengill (Notorynchus maculatus), see also Sevengill shark, 1977+
SHARK, SPINY DOGFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), 1977+
SHARK, DUSKY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus), 1977+
SHARK, SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD Fish, Marine and Anadromous Smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena), 1977+
SHARK, HORN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci), 1977+
SHARK, LEOPARD Fish, Marine and Anadromous Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata), 1977+
SHARK, SALMON Fish, Marine and Anadromous Salmon shark (Lamna ditropsis), 1977+
SHARK, SEVENGILL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Sevengill shark (Notorynchus maculatus) see also Cow shark, 1977+
SHARK, SIXGILL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) see also Cow sharks,1979+
SHARK, GRAY SMOOTHHOUND Fish, Marine and Anadromous Gray smoothound shark (Mustelus californicus), 1977+
SHARK, SOUPFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Soupfin shark (Galeorhinus zyopterus), in general shark category prior to 1977 include high landings 1936-44 for vitamin A in livers, separate category 1928-29, 1977+
SHARK, SWELL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum), 1978+
SHARK, BIGEYE THRESHER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Big eye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus), 1980+
SHARK, PELAGIC THRESHER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) sometimes confused with common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), 1977+
SHARK, WHITE Fish, Marine and Anadromous White shark (Carcharodon carcharias), 1979+
SHEEPHEAD, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher), all years
SIERRA Fish, Marine and Anadromous Sierra (Scomberomorus sierra), 1987 only
SKATE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Skates unspecified, may include rays also, all years
SKATE, BIG Fish, Marine and Anadromous Big skate (Raja binoculata), 1983+
SKATE, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California skate (Raja inornata), 1978+
SKATE, THORNY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Thorny skate, probably Thornback (Platyrhinoidis triseriata)
SMELT Fish, Marine and Anadromous Included all silversides and all smelts except those landed as whitebait until 1976, dominated by jacksmelt.
SMELT, ATHERINID Fish, Marine and Anadromous Group called silversides, includes Jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) and Topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) 1978+, overlaps with individual species landings
SMELT, JACKSMELT Fish, Marine and Anadromous Jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) a silverside 1986+ Majority in Smelt before 1977, in SMELT, ATHERINID 1976-85+
SMELT, NIGHT Fish, Marine and Anadromous Night smelt (Spirinchus starski), may include surf smelt as well 1976+, see also SMELT, TRUE
SMELT, SURF Fish, Marine and Anadromous Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) may include night smelt as well 1976+, see also SMELT, TRUE
SMELT, TOPSMELT Fish, Marine and Anadromous Topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) a silverside. 1986+ Included in Smelt before 1977, in SMELT, ATHERINID 1976-85+
SMELT, TRUE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Combined market categoty of surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) and Night smelt (Spirinchus starski) 1976+, overlaps with individual species landings
SMELT, WHITEBAIT Fish, Marine and Anadromous Combined market categoty of Whitebait smelt (Allosmerus elongatus) plus Night smelt (Spirinchus starski) F&G Fish Bulletin 74 p142
SNAPPER -MEXICO- Fish, Marine and Anadromous Unknwn species landed as snapper, 1994 only
SOLE, BIGMOUTH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Big mouth sole (Hippoglossina stomata), 1979+
SOLE, BUTTER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Butter sole (Inopsetta isolepis), 1977+
SOLE, C-O Fish, Marine and Anadromous C-O sole or C-O turbot (Pleuronichthys coenosus)
SOLE, CURLFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Curfin sole or curfin turbot (Pleuronichthys decurrens), 1994+. May have been in either sole or turbot before 1994.
SOLE, DOVER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) included with sole unspecified 1948-1954.
SOLE, ENGLISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous English sole (Parophrys vetulus) dominated the sole unspecified category before 1955. See F&G Bulletin 149, p65.
SOLE, FANTAIL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Fantail sole (Xystreurys liolepis), 1977+
SOLE, PETRALE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) 1954+, about 20% of sole unspecified before 1950. See F&G Bulletin 149, p65.
SOLE, ROCK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata), 1977+
SOLE, REX Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) 1954+, less than 10% of unspecified soles before 1954. See F&G Bulletin 149, p65.
SOLE, SAND Fish, Marine and Anadromous Sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus), 1954+
SOLE, SLENDER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis), 1979+
SOLE, UNCLASSIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous All soles, dominated by English sole through 1948. Dover sole dominant 1949-53. Only unspecified soles after 1954. See F&G Bulletin 149, p65.
SURFPERCH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Unclassified surfperch 1977+. Included in perch category before 1977.
SURFPERCH, BARRED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Barred surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus) 1977+. Included in perch category before 1977.
SURFPERCH, BLACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Black surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni) 1977+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, CALICO Fish, Marine and Anadromous Calico surfperch (Amphistichus koelzi) 1980+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, DWARF Fish, Marine and Anadromous Dwarf surfperch (Micrometrus minimus) 1983, 1996. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, PILE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pile surfperch (Damalicthys vacca) 1979+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, PINK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pink surfperch (Zalembius rosaceus)
SURFPERCH, RAINBOW Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rainbow surfperch (Hypsurus caryi) 1980+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, REDTAIL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Redtail Surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus), 1979+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, RUBBERLIP Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rubberlip surfperch (Rhacochilus toxotes), 1979+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, SHINER Fish, Marine and Anadromous Shiner surfperch (Cymatogaster aggregata) 1979+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, WALLEYE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Walleye surfperch (Hyperprosopon argenteum) 1977+. Included in perch category before 1977
SURFPERCH, WHITE Fish, Marine and Anadromous White surfperch (Phanerodon furcatus) 1977+. Included in perch category before 1977
STICKLEBACK, THREESPINE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus auleatus), San Francisco Bay, 1976+
STINGRAY Fish, Marine and Anadromous Unspecified rays, 1928 and 1977+
STURGEON Fish, Marine and Anadromous White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) not a commercial species, 1978+
SWORDFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), all years. Also called broadbill swordfish, landings are recorded as dressed weights, multiply by 1.45 to convert to weight of whole fish.
THORNYHEAD Fish, Marine and Anadromous Market categories thornyhead and thornyhead rockfish (Sebastolobus spp.), may include other species, 1977+, included in rockfish before 1977.
THORNYHEAD, LONGSPINE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Longspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis) 1995+, in Thornyhead 1978-95, in rockfish before 1977.
THORNYHEAD, SHORTSPINE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) 1995+, in Thornyhead 1978-95, in rockfish before 1977.
TOMCOD, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific tomcod (Microgadus proximus) many years
TRIGGERFISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Triggerfish - possibly any of these triggerfish: finescale (Balistes polylepis), black (Mellichthys niger) or redtail (Xanthicthys mento) 1980+
TONGUEFISH, CALIFORNIA Fish, Marine and Anadromous California toungefish (Symphurus atricauda) 1982+, included in sole unspecified before 1982.
TUNA, ALBACORE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) only landings from California waters catch, all years
TUNA, BIGEYE Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) only landings from California waters catch, 1977+
TUNA, BLACKFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Tuna landed as Blackfin tuna, presumably from common name (Thunnus atlanticus) which is a Western Atlantic species, 1985-93
TUNA, BLUEFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) only landings from California waters catch, all years
TUNA, SKIPJACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Skipjack tuna (Euthynnus pelamis) only landings from California waters catch, most years.
TUNA, SKIPJACK, BLACK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Black skipjack (Euthynnus lineatus) only landings from California waters catch,1972+
TUNA, YELLOWFIN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) only landings from California waters catch, most years.
TUNA, UNSPECIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Any species of tuna unspecified, presumably landings from California waters catch, 1978+
TURBOT, DIAMOND Fish, Marine and Anadromous Diamond turbot (Hypsopsetta guttulata) 1992
TURBOT, HORNYHEAD Fish, Marine and Anadromous Hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) 1995+
TURBOT, SPOTTED Fish, Marine and Anadromous Spotted turbot (Pleuronichthys ritteri) none
TURBOT, UNSPECIFIED Fish, Marine and Anadromous All species of turbot before 1992, unclassified turbot after 1991
WAHOO Fish, Marine and Anadromous Wahoo (Acanthocybium solanderi) only landings from California waters catch, 1975+
WHITEFISH, OCEAN Fish, Marine and Anadromous Ocean whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps) all years
WHITING, PACIFIC Fish, Marine and Anadromous Pacific whiting, also called Pacific Hake (Merluccius productus) all years
WOLF-EEL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Wolf-eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) 1977+, included in the category eels befoe 1977.
WRASSE, ROCK Fish, Marine and Anadromous Rock wrasse (Halichoeres semicinctus) 1984+
YELLOWTAIL Fish, Marine and Anadromous Yellowtail (Seriola dorsalis) only landings from California waters catch, all years.
ZEBRAPERCH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Zebraperch (Hermosilla azurea) 1977+, included in perch category before 1977
UNSPECIFIED TRAWLED FISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Unspecified trawl caught groundfish, in the 1960s, this was sold for animal food to fur breeders.
UNSPECIFIED FISH Fish, Marine and Anadromous Unspecified marine fish for which identification was not made or in question, and those totaling small amounts before 1980.
ABALONE, BLACK Mollusk Black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii), 1972+“,
ABALONE, FLAT Mollusk Flat abalone (Haliotis wallensis), 1972+ “,
ABALONE, GREEN Mollusk Green abalone (Haliotis fulgens), 1972+“,
ABALONE, PINK Mollusk Pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata), 1972+“,
ABALONE, WHITE Mollusk White abalone (Haliotis sorenseni), 1972+“,
ABALONE, THREADED Mollusk Threadded abalone (Haliotis assimilis), 1972+. now believed to be a southern sub-species of pinto (H. kamtschatkana) Calif.Living Mar.Res.p89”,
ABALONE, PINTO Mollusk Pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana), 1972+“,
ABALONE, RED Mollusk Red abalone (Haliotis ruffescens), 1972+“,
ABALONE, UNSPECIFIED Mollusk All abalone (Haliotis spp.) until 1972, all red abalone until 1950, red and pink 1950-1970, unspecified abalone after 1971. Calif.Living Mar.Res.p89
CHITON Mollusk Unspecified chitons 1983+.
CLAM, GAPER Mollusk Pacific gaper clam (Tresus nuttalli) and fat gaper (T. capax). 1931+
CLAM, CALIFORNIA JACKKNIFE Mollusk Jackknife clam (Tagelus californianus) 1931+, used for bait F&G Fish Bulletin 74 p161
CLAM, NATIVE LITTLENECK Mollusk Littleneck clams, cockles or chiones (Chione fluctifraga, and C. undullata., Protothaca staminia, and Tapes philippinarum)
CLAM, NOTHERN RAZOR Mollusk Pacific razor clam (Siliqua patula), sport only after 1949.
CLAM, PURPLE Mollusk Purple clam, 1983 and 1994
CLAM, PISMO Mollusk Pismo clam (Tivela stultorum) sport only after 1947, F&G Fish Bulletin 74 p165
CLAM, ROSY RAZOR Mollusk Rosy rasor clams, 1987+
CLAM, SOFT SHELLED Mollusk Soft shelled clams (Mya arenaria) before 1950
CLAM, COMMON WASHINGTON Mollusk Washington clams (Saxidomus nuttalli) until 1983.
CLAM, UNSPECIFIED Mollusk Unspecified clams
LIMPET, UNSPECIFIED Mollusk Limpet unspecified, 1980+
MOLLUSK, UNSPECIFIED Mollusk Unspecified mollusks 1954+
MUSSEL Mollusk Mussels Californian (Mytilus californianus), Mediterrranean (M. galloprovincialis), and Bay (Mytelus edulis) primarily for bait 1928-1978,
OCTOPUS, UNSPECIFIED Mollusk Octopus unspecified (Polypus spp), all years
OYSTER, CALIFORNIA Mollusk California native oyster (Ostreola lurida or O. conchaphila)
OYSTER, EASTERN Mollusk Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) maricultured.
OYSTER, EUROPEAN FLAT Mollusk European flat oyster, maricultured.
OYSTER, GIANT PACIFIC Mollusk (Crassostrea gigas and C.sikamea) maricultured 1933+
OYSTER, UNSPECIFIED Mollusk Oysters unspecified 1995+
SCALLOP, UNSPECIFIED Mollusk Scallops unspecified specied.
SEA HARES Mollusk Sea hares
SEA SLUG Mollusk Sea slug
SNAIL, SEA Mollusk Sea snails unspecified
SQUID, JUMBO Mollusk Jumbo squid (Dosididicus gigas) 1978+
SQUID, MARKET Mollusk Market squid (Loligo opalescens) all years
WHELK Mollusk Welks, probably Kellets Welk, 1930s and 1979+
FROGS Other, Non-Fish Freshwater frogs 1934-35 and 1971
INVERTEBRATES, COLONIAL Other, Non-Fish Colonial Invertbrates, sponges and tunicates
WORMS, MARINE Other, Non-Fish Marine worms unspecified, 1986+
TURTLES, FRESHWATER Other, Non-Fish Fresh or brackish water turtle (or terrapin) species 1928-1931
TURTLES, MARINE Other, Non-Fish Primarily green sea turtles, 1928
No matching items

Source of Data

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is the ultimate source of all the California commercial landings information. The data come form receipts or “fish-tickets” filled out by the markets and packing facilities as required by the state for all commercial landings. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife published tables of monthly commercial landings beginning with 1928 in their Fish Bulletin series. The Fish Bulletin series continued to provide monthly landings through 1976. From 1977 to 1986 only a summary of annual catches was published in the Fish Bulletin series no. 173. Comparable monthly landings for 1977 through 1980 were obtained by personal communication from California Department of Fish and Game Statistical Division. Landings for 1981 to present, collected by California Department of Fish and Game, were obtained by request from Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) to duplicate the parameters of the previous tables (only landings caught off California were included, not north or south of the state boundaries, and landings were grouped into the 6 port regions by month). There is considerable information in the California Fish and Game’s Fish Bulletin Series that is useful in interpreting the landings. Certain Bulletins give an overview of the various categories at the time, especially Fish Bulletins 49 (1936), 74 (1949), 149 (1970). Fish Bulletin 161 contains designated common names and their scientific equivalents. Other bulletins treat a particular fishery in depth. The Fish Bulletin Series is being digitized and will soon be online. Some of this fishery information has been brought up to date in California’s Living Marine Resources: A Status (Leet (2001))

References

Leet, William S. 2001. California’s Living Marine Resources : A Status Report. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/38672.
Mason, J. E. 2004. “Historical Patterns from 74 Years of Commercial Landings from California Waters.” In CalCOFI Reports 45:180-190. https://www.calcofi.org/publications/calcofireports/v45/CalCOFI_Rpt_Vol_45_2004.pdf.

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