Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-02

completed for the deep sea Investigations
of the United States Fish Commission, is
equipped with 3 novel search light which
may result in a revolution in sea fisheries.
It consists of three electric lights, each of
sixteen-candle power, inclosed IN her.
medically sealed glass case. It is expected
that when this lantern is sunk in the water
its glare will attract the fish, which can
then be taken by net drawn from beneath
it. The continuance is designed solely for
use in securing rare fish from the bottom of
the ocean for scientific purposes, but why
might it not be employed in taking fish for
food? The charm of brilliant light for
fish is well known, and fishing at night
with torches has been practiced from the
earliest times. If the large fish of the
ocean are affected by brilliant light as the
fish of rivers and small streams are, the
electric light may play an important part
in the great industry of procuring fish from
the sea for food.
THE FISH COMMISSION.
J. B. Redding, Chairman of the Fish
Commission, states that some of the vio-
Eaters of the fish law have recently been
arrested at Martinez, and that the evidence
was so conclusive against them that the
owners of six boats at once paid their fine
of 500 each, and two more are still in jail.
Some five hundred fishing boats are en-.
gagged in catching salmon between San
Quentin and Rio Vista. Nearly all of these
boats violate the fish law, which forbids
the catching of salmon from the dawn of
each Saturday until he following Sunday
noon. There has been great difficulty in
capturing any OF these violaters of the
law, for the reason that no owner of q
boat dare let it to the Constables or
Fish Commissioners for that pur-
pose, as the irate fishermen would surely
scuttle it at the first opportunity. After
considerable difficulty yacht was secured
in this city last Saturday and sent up to
Martinez, where w. A j. Gift, Constable
of Martinez, with posse of officers, made
use of it, and succeeded in capturing six
teen nets full of fish and eight boats. It
was understood that the fishermen have a
code of signals by which they communicate
to each other the approach of danger. A
| few peculiar blasts upon horn will set the
whole feet of fishing boats scudding away
from the danger threatening, and it is
usually easy for them to escape from craft
sent out to overhaul them. This expert.
ence has convinced the Fish Commissioners
that in order to properly enforce the laws a
small launch must be provided. This they
propose to secure, and in future steam
launch will be sent up the bay each week.
| Professor Beard has informed Mr.. Red.
ding that Mr.. Livingstone will be here in
June or July. The McCloud river hatch
cry will be operated this year, as usual
Professor Beard says that the effort to in.
troduce salmon into Eastern streams has
failed. California salmon do not thrive in
Eastern waters, and the United States
Fish COMMISSIONS efforts on this coast will
be confined to the stocking of the Sacra.
mento river only. About $40. 900 per year
is expended by the United States Fish
Commission at the McCloud hatchery, and
in future this State will reap the full bene-
fit of the work done. California will,
therefore, be more indebted than ever to
the United States Fish Commission.
The State Board of Fish Commissioners
is building trout hatchery near Grass
Valley, and in few months will have a
supply for distribution. Commissioners
Dibble has gone to Truckee to prosecute
Indians who are violating the law by spear.
ing fish. A band of Indians will get into
a stream near It's mouth, and will spear OF
net nearly every trout entering it. In
Lake county persons are slaughtering myr-
lads Of fish by exploding giant powder
cartridges in the water. The District At.
torney of that county has been informed
of this violation of the law, and has prom.
ised to prosecute all persons caught so do.
ing. The Commission ia DESTROYS of calling
the attention of the public to the necessity
of its cooperating with the Commissioners
in their efforts to enforce the laws. The
attitude taken by the public in many places
where persons have been prosecuted for
violation of the fish laws has caused such
prosecutions to fail Should such be always
the result, the efforts of the Commission to
protect the fishing interest would be with.
out avail, If the people in the fishing dis
tricts would look into the matter little
more closely, they would see the absolute
necessity for the vigorous enforcement OF
the laws if the fishing business is to con.
tinue.
The people living along the Eel river
have petitioned for the establishment of q
salmon hatchery there, and have repre-.
sented to the Commission the Importance
of some action in the matter.
The Commission will meet at Sacramento
Monday, June 4th, when all suggestions
will be gladly received, and all persons who
are interested in fab culture will be gladly
heard. -San Francisco Bulletin.