The Traditional Central California Setnet Fishery

EDWARD UEBER

Introduction the importance of setnet revenues to other outer wall. This loop of small fishermen's total income. Two other mesh forms a pocket and the fish are Setnets, curtainlike fishing gear de­ areas of legislative interest were fuel trapped (Clark, 1931). signed to entangle fish or catch them by consumption and safety conditions Suspender nets are legally designated the gills, have been under study in re­ aboard setnet vessels. as trammel nets in CFG Code 8700 and cent years. In 1984, the California The foremost objective of this study are identical to gill nets except that lines Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) was to determine the number of active (suspenders) are attached between float­ began a study of the central California setnet fishermen and to provide an eco­ rope and footrope (Fig. lC). The sus­ setnet fishery to determine its scope and nomic and descriptive proftle of the set­ penders cause the single-wall net to bag the incidence and magnitude of captured net fishery. Secondary objectives were or become slack. Suspender nets both birds and mammals. Concurrent with to assess the costs of setnet fishing and gill and entangle fish. Fishermen who this study was a continuing project con­ the ex-vessel revenues attributable to it, use suspender nets claim that they are ducted by the national Sea Grant Pro­ and to gather information about vessel easier to empty, less expensive, and gram and the National Marine Fisheries fuel use. catch a wider range of species. Tram­ Service to develop methods less contro­ The setnet fleet was known to consist mel net users say that the three-wall net versial than setnet fishing and, where of Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese (tra­ is better for catching Pacific halibut, possible, to introduce new gear which ditional) fishermen. Due to language Hippoglossus stenolepis, and that sharks' would capture the desired fish but not difficulties, the author was unable to ob­ and other fishes do not fallout of the birds and mammals. tain information from Vietnamese fish­ net as easily as from suspender or gill Another reason for the study was a ermen. This report, therefore, repre­ nets. desire by industry and the CDFG for an sents only the traditional sector of the In 1982, the Pacific Coast Groundfish economic assessment of the fishery. The central California setnet industry. Plan, developed by the Pacific Fishery California legislature wanted to learn the Management Council (PFMC) and ap­ number of active setnet fishermen and Background proved by the Secretary of Commerce In California, setnets include gill nets as prescribed in the Magnuson Fisheries and trammel nets. Trammel nets include Conservation and Management Act of the traditional three-wall trammel nets lCJ77, became law. This plan prohibits ("trammel" nets) and suspender gill nets fishing for groundfish with set trammel ("suspender nets"). A gill net is a or gill nets north of lat. 38 1/2°N (Point ABSTRACf-In 1984, the central Califor­ single-walled net which is hung taut Reyes) in the U.S. fishery conservation nia traditional (non-Vietnamese) setnet fishery was calculated to consist of 266 (without slack) (Fig. lA). Fish are gen­ zone (FCZ). In areas south of lat. fishermen fishing from /33 different vessels. erally caught in such nets by having their 381h oN, Article 5 of the CFG Code, These men fished with set gill, trammel, and gill covers hooked on the netting; this Section 8680 through 8693, is the gov­ suspender nets predominantly for Pacific is called gilling. erning regulation in California ocean halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis; rockfish, Sebastes spp.; white croaker, Gengonemus Trammel nets (Fig. lB) are three­ waters and the FCZ (PFMC, 1982). lineatus; shark (Squaliformes); lingcod, walled nets with a slack inner wall of In 1983, 1984, and 1985, Article 5 was Ophiodon elongatus; and sablefish, Anoplo­ small mesh and two outer walls of taut changed, and in 1986 new CFG permit poma fimbria. The estimated capital value large mesh, one wall on each side of the regulations were instituted. The new Ar­ ofthe traditional setnet vessels and the set­ inner wall. Fish swim through the larger ticle 5 does not apply to setnetters fish­ net gear in 1984 was $JJ,OOO,OOO. Fixed and variable costs (excluding crew wages) were outer mesh, strike the small inner mesh, ing in the FCZ). The 1986 permits are estimated at around $3,500,000, and ex­ and push the small mesh through the nontransferable and obtainable by qual­ vessel revenues were about $4,000,000. ified fishermen only. The new regula­ Results in this report pertain only to the tions limit the number of permits to 135 traditional setnet fishery and should not be Edward Ueber is with the Tiburon Laboratory, extrapolated to include either the Vietnamese Southwest Fisheries Center, National Marine fishermen or the fishery in which Vietnamese Fisheries Service, NOAA, 3150 Paradise Drive, 'Carper, H. A. 1986. Letter to Joseph C. Greenley, setnetters fish. Tiburon, CA 94920. 6 March 1986, Sacramento, Calif.

40 Marine Fisheries Review TRAMMEL NET GILL NET Floatline Float B Float , A ~- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~" ~ Floatline \ ~X ~ lli .Xil ,X X ~ ,t f:.. f :l< X ~ X 1 "'" Large Mesh ~ ~ ~ ? ~ X ~ X X Mesh 'f.. ~U ~Small , Y X X Mesh U ~~ ~ ~ i\ ~ ~X ~ X :I X

Leadline X ~ ~~~ rJ,~ ~ ,.... Side view "=-' Side view ~ \. Leadline Lead Lead Flag Flag Radar Radar Reflector Reflector

." ",'

SUSPENDER NET r Float Flat me ~ c X X ~

X Figure I.-Three methods Suspender of setnetting in central Cali­ ! X fornia in 1984: A = gill < net, B = trammel net, and Xx C = suspender net. X < X X ~ X ~ X X Leadline X X X Side view \. \. - Leadline Lead

Flag Radar Reflector -;::.- - --~:::;:-""""'----::.-::::-_- ­- ----=-:::;;------~------;:.-

50(2), 1988 41 also exist from west coast North Ameri­ can native societies. Native Americans of Washington, Oregon, and Canada constructed setnets from line made of stinging nettle. The use of nettle to make line for fishing nets was also known in early Europe. "In fact the word 'net' is derived from 'nettle'" (Stewart, 1

42 Marine Fisheries Review CALIFORNIA

37'

36'

35' 1230 1220

Figure 2.-The study area. Gillnet on reel, Berkeley, Calif., 1984. Photograph by the author.

There has been a change in Califor­ the fishery. Attempts to interview Viet­ fleet in 1984. nia in the public's perception of the namese fishermen were unsuccessful To determine the annual mortgage deployment, quantity, location, and because of language difficulties; there­ cost associated with this fleet required species which are exploited with set gill fore, survey results pertain only to the three steps. The first and second steps and trammel nets. Although fishermen traditional component of the fishery and determined the sampled fleet's value and have been using trammel nets to catch should not be used to generalize for the expanded this figure to the entire fleet. halibut and sharks continually since the entire fishery. The third step required assigning one 1880's, gillnetting of white croaker, Phone numbers, addresses, and other mortgage rate to the entire fleet value. rockfishes, and lingcod, Ophiodon elon­ information, such as vessel locations or This assumed that this value would pre­ gatus, has mostly occurred since 1980. fishing companies, were gathered for vail for all vessels, and that all vessels Much of this increase has been by ex­ traditional fishermen from the CDFG, would have a 10-year mortgage. After salmon trollers using trammel nets processors, harbor masters, and fisher­ discussion with persons familiar with (Anonymous, 1986) and Vietnamese men's associations. Attemptc; were made marine vessel mortgages and lending in­ fishermen using gill nets. This expan­ to contact fishermen by phone or in per­ stitution mortgage rates in central sion has caused public concern because son at their home port or buyer. California, a rate of 12 percent2 was of the incidental catches of marine birds Vessel values were obtained from the felt to be a usable estimate. and mammals reported in the media. vessel captains. Some captains felt their current wooden vessels could be re­ Results Methods placed more cheaply with new steel A list of all set gillnet permits was ob­ vessels. When a captain stated the Who Was Contacted tained from CDFG offices in Monterey above, the lesser cost of a steel vessel As mentioned, attempts were made to and Menlo Park. These two offices was used to represent replacement contact only the traditional, non-Viet­ issued over 95 percent of the permits to value. The sample was expanded by the namese fishermen. Of these 80, 16 per­ fishermen who fished from Point Sal (10 formula: Total number of permits (586) mittees (20 percent) could not be miles west of Santa Maria) to Point times the percentage of traditional fish­ located; 64 (80 percent) were contacted. Reyes (30 miles west-northwest of San ermen in the sample (80/120) times the Thirty-seven fishermen (46 percent) Francisco) (Fig. 2). In 1984, 586 setnet percentage of active traditional fisher­ were not fishing setnets in the ocean permits for fishermen were issued from men (Zl/80) in the sample [(586) (0.67) between Point Sal and Point Reyes in Monterey and Menlo Park. From these, (0.34) = 132.51 rv 133] equals the num­ 120 permits were randomly selected and ber of active traditional permittees in the classified by surname as belonging to study. The vessel price actually paid was 'Personal communication with George Grundig, George M. Grundig and Assoc., 61 Moraga Way, either the Vietnamese (40 permits) or adjusted by the Consumer Price Index 5, Orinda, CA 94563; and Michael Penzer, Bank traditional (80 permits) component of to represent the value of the 133-vessel of America, Box 37000, San Francisco, CA 94137.

50(2), 1988 43 1984. Twenty-seven fishermen (34 per­ 50 -,------, 50 Captain cent) were active in that area; however, rn 40 40 iOO Crew 0; - only 23 (85 percent) of the T7 active rn rn -'-' fishermen were interviewed. One fish­ ~ 30 c 30 u erman declined to be interviewed, and '"<­ three were unavailable due to location C 20 0.. '" 20 or health. The following results and '"~ comments are based on the products of 0..'" 10 10 these 23 interviews and may not be representative of the entire traditional 1 2 0-9 10-1920-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-79 Age (Years) fleet nor are they in any wayan indica­ Crew Size tion of the magnitude of the Vietnamese Figure 3.-Crew size (includes cap­ Figure 4.-Ages of captains and crew setnet fishery in proportion, size or tain) of traditional central California members on traditional central Cali­ value. setnet vessels in 1984. fornia setnet vessels in 1984. Demographics of Fishermen

All except one of those interviewed 80 60 Captain were vessel captains. Three-fourths of 70 Captain 50 - Crew them (17) were sole owners of their ves­ 60 """ - Crew 40 """ sels, 8 percent (2) partly owned their ..., 50 ..., c vessels, and 17 percent (4) were non- ~ OJ 40 u 30 ~ <­ owners. Crew size (including captain) OJ 0- 30 0­ averaged two people per vessel (range 20 one to five). Vessels without crews (cap­ 20 10 tain only) represented 30 percent of the 10 fleet, 48 percent had two people, 18 per­ G.S. J.H. H.S C 8. M. P. 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 cent had three, and 4 percent of the Education Experience (Years) vessels had five people (Fig. 3). Captains and crews of the vessels ex­ Figure 5.-Education of captains and Figure 6.-Experience of captains and hibited differences in age, education, crew members on traditional central crew members on traditional central and fishing experience. Captains aver­ California setnet vessels in 1984. G.S. California setnet vessels in 1984. aged 45 years of age, with 14 years of = 3rd-8th grade; J.H. = 9th-11th grade; H.S. = high school; C. = education and 20 years of fishing ex­ some college; B. = bachelor's perience. Crewmen averaged 31 years degree; M. = master's degree; P. = 26 ~ doctorate. 24 of age (Fig. 4), with 12 years each of 22 education (Fig. 5) and fishing experi­ 20 ence (Fig. 6). Over 80 percent of cap­ 18 ~ 16 tains and crews were high school grad­ Cll 14 uates. Forty-four percent of the captains cousins 9 percent. All related crew ~ 12 Cll 10 had a post-high school education and 18 members' fishing experience was gained Q.. 8 percent had a postgraduate education. with their relative and this experience 6 Thirteen percent of the crewmen had averaged 10 years. The 78 percent of the 4 2 post-high school education and none crewmen not related to the captain aver­ o o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 had postgraduate education. aged 6 years experience. Unrelated crew One of the interesting aspects of the members who had fished with only one Years Together setnet fishery is the relationship between captain (17 percent of the total) averaged crew and captain. Most crewmen ob­ 2 years fishing experience. The unre­ Figure 7.-Years captains and crew members on traditional central Cali­ tained the majority of their fishing ex­ lated crew members who had fished fornia setnet vessels have fished perience with their current captain and with more than one captain (61 percent together through 1984. averaged 7 years with this captain. Time of the total) averaged 8 years fishing spent with current skipper ranged from with their current captain. 1 to 26 years (Fig. 7), with 65 percent having had between 1 and 6 years with Gear Characteristics men's experience. Less than 10 percent the current captain. The remaining 35 Fishermen often fish with different of the fishermen stated that they fish percent had been with the captain over nets during a given year. Neither the with different types of nets during one 10 years. Sons of captains represented type of nets used nor the combination trip. Seventy percent of the fishermen 13 percent of the total crewmen, and of nets appears to be related to fisher­ fish gill nets, 35 percent with trammel

44 Marine Fisheries Review nets, and 43 percent with suspender size from size 8 (0.038-inch diameter, .0 . wood nets. The total percentage exceeded 100 75-pound test) to size 16 (0.056-inch u; 70 L + steel co 80 because some used more than one gear. diameter, 135-pound test). Ninety per­ W C fiberglass Sixty-one percent used one gear only: cent of all suspender-net mesh was con­ 50 • w Gill (35 percent), trammel (13 percent), structed of monofIlament line from size OJ 40 . ... 69 (19-pound test) to size 139 (28-pound « and suspender (13 percent). Dual gear ..... 30 W use was: Gill and trammel, 9 percent; test). Roughly half of the gill-net mesh UJ UJ 20 gill and suspender, 17 percent; trammel was monofilament and the other half W > 10 • and suspender, 4 percent; and all three twisted three-strand nylon. Monofila­ .... 0 •• net types, 9 percent. ment size was from 19-pound to 60­ 0 2' 40 Gill nets were grouped into three pound test line, while three-strand was Vessel Length (ft) mesh-size categories: Small, 2Ys-3 between 50-pound and 170-pound test. Figure 8.-Age of vessels vs. length inches; medium, 4\4-4% inches; and Anchors varied in type and weight relationship in the traditional central large, 6-9 inches. The small-mesh nets among and between net types. The California setnet fishery in 1984. are used to fish white croaker. The aver­ fishermen reported choice of type and age effective fishing height of these nets weight to be a function of depth of water, (distance from floatrope [corkline] to length of net, time of year, and area of All fishermen assembled their own footrope [leadline] when set) is 12 feet. fishing. nets. This generally requires the fisher­ The medium-mesh nets have an effec­ Gill nets had the largest variety of an­ men to attach premade netting or web tive fishing height of between 12 and 18 chor types (seven) and the largest weight to the footrope and floatrope and to at­ feet and are used to fish rockfish, range (24-90 pounds). The seven anchor tach bridles to the net for anchor, buoy, lingcod, and sablefish. Gillnets with the types were Danforth3 (35 percent), and flag. The fishermen's average an­ largest mesh have an effective fishing stock (23 percent), Northrop (12 per­ nual assembly time for gill nets was 150 height of 16-22V2 feet, and are used to cent), rocks (12 percent), cement blocks hours and for suspender and trammel catch rockfish, lingcod, starry flounder, (6 percent), window heights (6 percent), nets 185 hours each. The gill net takes Platichthys stellatus; and other flat­ and kedge (6 percent). Anchors used by less time because only one item is at­ fishes. These nets also can catch halibut trammel-net fishermen were the most tached to both foot- and floatropes. and sharks, but are not considered op­ homogenous: Danforth (80 percent), Although obvious correlations were timal for these species. Northrup (10 percent), and kedge (10 not found between types of setnet gear Trammel nets have 8- to lO-inch mesh percent). and fishermen's experience, age, or edu­ in the inner walls (81 percent were 8­ Weight of trammel-net anchors ranged cation, the gear used and the construc­ inch) and 14- to 36-inch outer wall mesh from 40 to 55 pounds (chain included). tion material of the vessel appeared to en percent were 24-inch and T! percent The average anchor weighed 51 pounds be correlated. Vessels were constructed were 32-inch) .. The effective fishing and 60 percent of the anchors weighed of three materials: Wood (52 percent), height of these nets range from 6 to 18 55 pounds. fiberglass (30 percent), and steel (18 feet (45 percent fished 18 feet). These Suspender-net fishermen used Dan­ percent). Three-fourths of the wooden nets are used to catch halibut, soupfin forth or Northrop anchors 87 percent of vessels were equipped with trammel and shark, Galeorhinus zyopterus, and other the time and stock anchors the rest of suspender nets and 58 percent with gill sharks, but rockfish, lingcod, and crabs the time. Anchors averaged 44 pounds nets. Fiberglass and steel vessels were are also caught. and weights ranged from 30 to 80 equipped with gill nets 82 percent of the Suspender nets have mesh sizes rang­ pounds. time and trammel and suspender nets 55 ing from 7V2 to 9 th inches, with 63 per­ It appears that trammel-net fishermen percent. Vessel construction material cent either 8 or 8 V2 inches. Effective have developed a coastwide consensus was also correlated to vessel age. Wood­ fishing height ranges from 6 to 16 feet on the type and range of weights most en vessel ages ranged from 3 to 70 years, (30 percent fished 10 feet and 20 per­ suited for that gear. Suspender-net fish­ with an average of 31 years and a mode cent fished 15 feet). These nets are used ermen have the second smallest variance of 35. Fiberglass vessel age ranged from to catch halibut, sharks, and rockfish, in anchors and appear to be adopting 5 to 14 years, with an average of 8 years but other large fish are also caught. two types of anchors which weight about and a mode of 7 years. Steel vessel ages Setnet netting is monofilament nylon 40-45 pounds. Gill-net anchors, on the ranged from 3 to 14 years with an and three-strand twisted nylon. Braided other hand, show no trend in type or average of 7 years and a mode of 6 years nylon was not being used, nor was multi­ weight. Fishing experience of the cap­ (Fig. 8). No significant correlation (r = filament nylon, although some fisher­ tain appeared to have little to do with 0.36; P = 0.08; n = 23) was found be­ men indicated that they were going to either the anchor type or weight. tween vessel age and horsepower, but build some multifilament nets, because roughly three-fourths of the wooden and of reports of less loss of captured fish. fiberglass vessels had diesel engines; the 'Mention of trade names or commercial finns does All trammel nets were constructed of not imply endorsement by the National Marine remainder were gasoline. All the steel twisted three-strand nylon ranging in Fisheries Service, NOAA. vessels had diesel engines.

50(2), 1988 45 600-,--- ~ ____, 10 in the area where the nets were set; the L • wood QJ 500 60 ~ remaining fishermen (80 percent) set ~ s t ee 1 • (I) o their nets and returned to port. Nets Q) ~ • fiberglass (I) 50 400 >. >. >. >. were generally set one day and pulled UJ 0 0 0 Q) CD CD CD " a c ~ ~ the next. Less than 10 percent of the >40 g, u 0 0 300J + ~ 0 0 • ~ :r: .~ g' :::E vessels intentionally soaked the net 0 " ~ • + I~ '" :g "­ ~ 200 + ~ 30 ~ "0 N ~ :x: e ...... longer than a day. When weather was c 2 .3 ~ c UJ U ~ Q) 0 UJ • ~ Ul 0 ClJ 100 bad, some nets would remain set until ~ 20 '" > Q) it was safe to retrieve. Fishermen gen­ 0... '" 20 40 60 erally avoided setting the net if the '0 Vessel Length (ft) weather was too bad to retrieve or was Figure 9.-Horsepower of vessels vs. believed to be turning bad. Trip length Port of Landing length relationship in the traditional varied from 3 to 120 hours. A break­ Figure lOo-Percentage of setnet ves­ central California setnet fishery in down of trip length showed that almost sels making landings in central Cali­ 1984. two-thirds of the fishermen made trips fornia in 1984. Percentages do !,lot ofless than 2 days (0-12 hours = 18 per­ equal 100 because vessels landed in cent; 12-24 hours = 23 percent; 24-48 more than one port. Engine horsepower averaged 155 for hours = 23 percent). Eighteen percent wooden, 2T7 for steel, and 256 for of the fishermen made 3-day trips, 13 fiberglass vessels, but horsepower was percent made 4-day trips, and 5 percent not significantly correlated with vessel made 5-day trips. mackerel, Scomber japonicus (13 per­ length (r = 0.28; P = 0.19; n = 23) Kinship is often an important aspect cent), trolling for Pacific salmon, On­ or engine used (Fig. 9).4 The hold of a fishery and 70 percent of the cap­ corhynchus spp. (30 percent), trapping capacity varied by construction ma­ tains in the setnet fishery had relatives for Dungeness crab, Cancer magister terial, with wooden vessel capacities in the fishing industry. All were male. (22 percent), and drift gillnetting for averaging 13 tons (range from 0 to 30), Almost all of these relatives were fisher­ swordfish, Xiphias gladius (4 percent). fiberglass vessels 6 tons (range from 0 men, and most of them fished in cen­ Other gear used by 96 percent of the to 18), and steel vessels 28 tons (range tral California. The remaining kin setnet fishermen was hook and line (70 from 15 to 30). No other obvious corre­ worked in the processing, wholesaling, percent-troll, longline, or pole), lam­ lations between vessel characteristics, or retailing sectors of the industry. Some para net (30 percent), pots (20 per­ personnel, or gear were observed. fishermen purchased fish from other cent-crab), and trawl (4 percent). fishermen, and a few of these also pro­ Setnet vessels not only fish in other Characteristics of cessed fish for resale. A few purchased fisheries and use other types of gear, but Fishing Operations fish from other fishermen for another they also land at many different ports. Many things affect the fishing opera­ buyer, and some worked for a particular Setnet fishermen in 1984 landed fish at tions of the setnet fishery. Included in processor. only one port (22 percent of the these are fishing methods, kinship Mobility among fisheries and with a fishermen), two ports (35 percent), among fishermen, coastal mobility, and single fishery may decrease economic three ports (31 percent), four ports (4 costs of fishing. risk, allowing owners to fish where they percent), five ports (4 percent), and six Fishermen using setnets off central believe economic returns will be the ports (4 percent). Landings were re­ California vary the length of time the largest. Fishermen were asked to name corded in all ports from Bodega Bay to nets are soaked, trip time, number of their three most important fisheries. Avila Beach. Seventy percent of the nets, length of nets, and method of Seventy percent reported three fisheries, vessels made landings in San Francisco, fishing. These differences are in while 26 percent of the fishermen had twice the percentage of any other port response to the species of fish being participated in only two fisheries, and in the study area (Fig. 10). sought, weather conditions, vessel size, 4 percent-in only one. Eleven fisheries and time of the year. Most fishermen were mentioned and the three most often Cost and Earnings (96 percent) do not combine fishing reported were setnet fisheries for halibut The costs of fishing are divided into methods during one trip. The remain­ (65 percent), Pacific herring, Clupea two categories-fixed and variable. ing fishermen would use setnet and harengus (48 percent), and rockfish (42 Fixed costs here include only the mort­ other gear, such as hook and line or percent). A total of six setnet fisheries gage cost of the vessel. Variable costs traps. About one-fifth of the fishermen was reported; the other three were shark include annual maintenance, repair and interviewed tended their nets and stayed (13 percent), white croaker (9 percent), replacement of fishing nets, food, fuel, and Pacific ocean perch, Sebastes alutus ice, insurance, vessel repair, vessel im­ (4 percent). Other fisheries reported provements, moorage, bookkeeping, 'When one observation was excluded, a signifi­ cant correlation was found between vessel horse­ were round haul fishing with a lampara and miscellaneous services. Crew re­ power and length (r = 0.49: P = 0.02, n = 22). net for squid (13 percent) and chub muneration could not be calculated from

46 Marine Fisheries Review the data available. Table l.-Mlnlmum IIxed and variable costs' attributed cost should be considered a minimum. to setnettlng In California, 1984. Vessels' fixed costs were obtained by Minimum variable costs for 1984 would asking captains how much they actual­ Item Costs be about $1.8 million and total costs, ly paid for their vessels, how much they Fixed cost of vessel: variable plus fixed, would be about $3.5 lo-year mortgage at would sell their current vessel for, how 12 percent $1,750,000 million. much they would pay for a similar Variable cost of fishing Ex-vessel Revenue vessel, and how much it would cost to Moorage $ 67,000 replace their vessel with a similar new Insurance 264,000 Three problems exist due to the in­ Repair and other 158,000 one. The actual price and the willing­ Improvements 115,000 compatibility of the data base used to to-pay and willing-to-sell prices were all Fuel 355,000 determine ex-vessel revenue and the area estimated to be near $10,000,000. This $959,000 and scope of the study. One problem Net material 1984 550,000 price is used as the surrogate for the Labor: 31,000 hr @ was caused because the ex-vessel values total value of the 133 vessels in the $8.07/hours 250,000 in PacFIN6 for 1984 were not accurate­ calculated traditional fleet. The replace­ ly differentiated by gear. Only 19 per­ ment price for the same vessels was esti­ Minimum variable cost 1,759,000 cent of the fish from the study area in Minimum 1984 setnet the "net" and "other gear" categories mated to be $15,000,000. fishing costs $3,509,000 Fifty-seven percent of the surveyed were attributed to the "net" category. 'Variable costs not included are crew remuneration and vessels are mortgaged. Mortgages are miscellaneous costs. In 1985, 59 percent of the fish in these held by private institutions (17 percent two categories were net-caught. There­ of all vessels), backed by government­ fore, the species breakdown from the guaranteed loans with private institu­ 1985 report rather than 1984 was used tions (13 percent), or entail personal to determine catch by species. loans from relatives (17 percent) (no Seventy-eight percent of the captains Ex-vessel value estimates from 1984 response 10 percent). Interest rates made their entire income from fishing. data were not considered reliable be­ ranged from 8 to 13.2 percent, but 26 The remaining captains earned between cause the "other gear" category ac­ percent of all loans had no interest 40 and 80 percent of their income from counted for over 90 percent of the land­ charge. These zero-interest loans re­ fishing. Setnetting earnings comprised ings in the Monterey area. How much quired repayment in 2-4 years on a pre­ from 2 to 100 percent of captains' earn­ of this could have been landed by set­ determined payment system. As previ­ ings, with 30 percent earning between nets is not known. However, the total ex­ ously noted, the traditional setnet fleet 2 and 19 percent, 26 percent between vessel values of the "other gear" and is valued at $10,000,000. If the entire 20 and 39 percent, 13 percent between "net" categories for 1984 and 1985 were fleet were mortgaged at 12 percent with 40 and 59 percent, 13 percent between only 8 percent apart and I believe that a 10-year loan, the vessel owners would 60 and 79 percent, and 18 percent be­ the 1985 ex-vessel value breakdown is have an annual fixed cost of $1,750,000. tween 80 and 100 percent. similar to the 1984 value. Although the total amount of the The 1984 variable costs to the setnet Another problem existed because the crews' remuneration could not be evalu­ fleet which I could attribute to moorage, study site area was different from the ated, the method was determined. Re­ insurance, repair, improvements, and PacFIN data. PacFIN uses the Pacific muneration of setnet fishermen was fuel was nearly $1 million dollars (Table Marine Fishery Commission areas generally on a lay (share) basis, which 1). Nets owned by the fleet were valued designated Conception and Monterey. varied by vessel, area, ownership, fish­ at $850,000. The cost of materials used This covers the area from the Mexican/ ery, and value of landing. Sixty percent to build or repair these nets in 1984 was California border north to lat. 40 'h °30' of the fishermen were paid on a share $550,000. Building and repairing the N (roughly Cape Mendocino, Calif.). of gross revenues, 36 percent on a shore setnets owned by the fleet took an esti­ This northern boundary of the Monterey of net revenues, and 4 percent were mated 31,000 hours of labor. This work area is 150 n.mi. north of the study area, salaried. Crewmen receiving a shore of is estimated to be worth $250,000 and the southern border of the Concep­ the gross revenue averaged 25 percent ($8.07/hour).5 Other variable costs, tion area is 260 n.mi. southeast of the of the gross (range from 12 to 40 per­ such as ice, food, crew remunerations, study area. cent). Those receiving a share of the net bookkeeping, and miscellaneous serv­ A third problem was that only the revenue averaged 24 percent (range ices, could not be estimated from avail­ traditional fishermen were sampled and from 7.5 to 40 percent). Net revenue able data and, therefore, the variable PacFIN data covers both traditional and was determined by subtracting fuel and Vietnamese fishermen. The final prob­ food from gross revenue. One vessel 'Blend of four 1984 hourly rate values. Hourly rate lem entailed combining price and quan­ divided the food costs among owner and for a moderately-skilled government worker: GS-6 ($7.45), GS-7 (8.28). Weekly Federal Employers tity information for the "other gear" crew. Some crewmen received a higher News Digest, Vol. 33, No. 36, 16 April 1984, Wash­ percentage of the agreed-upon gross or ington, D.C. Hourly rate for manufacturing total all categories: Humboldt County ($7.62), and San 6PacFIN is the Pacific Fishery Information Net­ net share when the revenues for the trip Francisco County ($11.38). 1985 County Business work data report published by the Pacific Marine were low. Patterns, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Wash., D.C. Fishery Commission, Portland, Oreg.

50(2), 1988 47 Table 2.-Cellfomla landings 01 "net" and "other gsar" lor the Pacific Marine Fishery Table 3.-Eatlmated' ax-ve...1revenue attributed to tredltlonalaetnet "shennen In Commlaalon Monterey and Conception areas, 1984 (PacFIN' Report 1009 and 054, cantral California, 1985. 14 February 1985). Value of Combined Landings by Landing values traditional Other gear Net total other gear setnet fishery Other Total Oly. Price Value Oty. Price Value Oly. Value Value' Setnet Gear net setnet % Species (mt) ($Ikg) ($K)' (mt) ($Ikg) ($K) (mt) ($K) Species ($1<) (%) ($K) ($1<) ($K) Tota"

Flatfish 60 $.93 $56 52 $1.00 $52 112 $108 Calif. halibut $300 100 $300 $1,700 $2,000 100 $2,000 Rockfish 1,804 .91 1,632 2,893 .84 2,425 4,697 4,057 Flatfish 56 80 45 52 97 90 87 Lingcod 171 .73 124 99 .69 68 270 192 Rockfish 1,632 50 816 2,425 3,241 50 1,621 Sablefish 307 .68 210 33 .46 15 340 225 Lingcod 124 50 62 68 130 50 65 Other 1 .71 1 1 .63 1 2 2 Sableflsh 210 50 105 15 120 35 42 Misc. Other 1 50 1 100 1 groundfish 37 1.76 65 128 1.55 198 165 263 Misc. California groundfish 65 50 32 198 230 70 161 halibut 73 4.11 300 421 4.04 1,700 494 2,000 Total $3,977 Total $2,388 $4,459 $6,847 'Author's estimate; S99 text for other estimates. 'K = 1,000. 'K = 1,000. 3Percentage of PacFIN report estimated to be made by setnets In study area from the "other gear" category. 'Percentage of adjusted landings attributed to traditional setnet fishermen.

category. Precision is lacking because ex-vessel revenues of $4,309,000, vided me with the data. This study only some of the fish in the "other gear" $4,174,000, $4,070,00, and $3,776,000. would not hve been possible without the category were believed to be net-caught, following MAP personnel: Constance and a price differential may have existed Conclusion Ryan, Karen Worcester, and Edward among gears within the "other gear" The traditional sector of the central Melvin. category. California setnet fishery was calculated Literature Cited The incompatible PacFIN and study to support a highly educated and experi­ data were adjusted after discussions with enced group of 266 fishermen, fishing Allison, M. J. 1985. Chile's ancient mummies. groundfish biologists7 and industry Nat. Hist. 94(10);74-80. from 133 vessels for many different Anonymous. 1986. Of platfonns and playgrounds. people familiar with the breakdown of kinds of fish. The estimated cost, ex­ pcffa Friday 14, no. 11 (30 May 1986);1-7, 10-11. landings. The largest adjustments were [Avail. from Pacific Coast Federation of Fish­ cluding crew remuneration and miscel­ ennen's Associations, Inc., P.O. Box 1626, to the rockfish in the PacFIN "other laneous costs of the setnetting, is in Sausalito, CA 94966.] gear" category north of Bodega Bay and excess of $3.5 million and the fishery Clark, G. H. 1931. The California halibut (Para­ the sablefish and rockfish caught south lichthys californicus) and an analysis of the boat produces an ex-vessel revenus of around catches. Calif. Dep. Fish Game, Fish. Bull. 32. of Santa Maria. Total value for these $4 million. Setnet revenues represented Collins, Capt. 1. W. 1882. Gill-nets in the cod­ areas before adjustments was $6,847,f.XXJ an estimated 41 percent of the captain's fishery; A description of the Norwegian cod­ (Table 2). Final estimates which have nets, with directions for their use, and a history total earnings from fishing in 1984. The of their introduction into the United States. Bull. been adjusted for area, other gear land­ value of vessels and setnet gear was U.S. Fish Comm. 1;3-17. ings, and Vietnamese landings resulted Collins, 1. W. 1892. Statistical review of the coast about $11 million. fisheries of the United States. In Rep. Comm. in an ex-vessel value for the traditional 1888, p. Z71-378. U.S. Comm. Fish Fish. setnet fishermen of central California of Acknowledgments PFMC. 1982. Final fishery management plan and $3,977,000 (Table 3). Due to the many supplemental environmental impact statement The author would like to thank Cali­ for the Washington, Oregon and California adjustments, this figure was rounded to fornia Department of Fish and Game for groundfish fishery. Pac. Fish. Manage. Counc., $4,000,000. Other scientists and fisher­ 526 SW. Mill St., Portland, OR 97201. their direction, advice, and assistance, men were also contacted and their Scofield, N. B. 1915. Recent fish legislation: The especially Paul Wilde, Chuck Haugen, districting bill. Calif. Fish Game 1;164-173. suggested adjustments resulted in total Stewart, H. IfJ77. Indian fishing; Early methods Frank Henry, and Tom low. A special on the Northwest Coast. Univ. Wash. Press, thanks goes to the California Marine Seattle. 7F. Henry, personal communications, California Advisory Program (MAP) which de­ Whitehead, S. S. 1930. Analysis of boat catches Department of Fish and Game, Menlo Park, Calif. of white sea bass (Cynoscion nobilis) at San K. Worcester and 1. Richards, Sea Grant Advisors, signed the survey document, conducted Petro, California. Calif. Div. Fish Game Fish Port San Luis, Calif. the interviews, and then graciously pro- Bull. 21, 26 p.

48 Marine Fisheries Review