Saltwater fishing in California has been a source for food most likely since the first natives arrived in the location. However, in the early 1900s the California Department of Fish and Game began tracking fishing statistics and the types of species fished in the state.
In the past, the species fished consisted of sardines and tuna, comprising nearly 70 percent of the total amount of commercially fished species.
There are several popular types of saltwater fishing on the coasts of California. Deep-sea fishing from commercial boats and personal craft is popular in the area, and a variety of species teem in the ocean in proximity to the Californian coast with a large commercial industry thriving in the smaller species of fish such as mackerel and sardines.
Coastal and dock fishing attract a large number of anglers because of the large amount of game species that can be caught from the shore and shallow waters. It is possible to catch halibut, corbina and sand bass species in the shallow waters from the shore or pier.
The saltwater fishing industry brings a large amount of tourism to the coastal cities along with a decent amount of trade. Many commercial companies fish the Californian waters for the plentiful tuna and hake, bringing a large income and food supply to the state.
As companies and anglers fish the waters, they leave a wake of pollution and often times careless destruction of habitats and other marine creatures. Many species in the area also suffer from overfishing and are in danger of over thinning and in worst-case scenarios, extinction.
The barracuda is just one of the species affected by overfishing, having been severely affected by overfishing in the 1940s. Through the work of the California Department of Fish and Game, the state was able to protect the species and revitalize its growth.
Saltwater fishing in the state of California will be ever popular because of the state's appetite for omega-3 rich foods and the amount of income generated from tourism and trade. The only things that threaten the fishing in the area are pollution and the increasing threat of mercury poisoning from eating tainted seafood.
