Initially, on Point Loma’s BALLAST POINT near the shore Whaling Stations, the CHINESE Fishing Folk lived, but are repeatedly pushed northward, first to La Playa, then finally to downtown San Diego. Several horrendously racist “Anti-Yellow” Laws were enacted to thwart their previously successful coastal fishing business, most specifically the SCOTT ACT and the awful CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT of 1882 (sadly lobbied for as a permanent ban by none other than a California Congressman named Mr. WILLIAM ROSECRANS, the very namesake of Point Loma’s former “Main St.“!). – *Circa 1892 the amount of fish caught and PICKLED for EXPORT and fresh fish caught for local markets are about equal, 50% each, with exports going mostly to the Chinese population of the “Sandwich” or Hawaiian Islands.
“Chinese junks were formerly much used by the Chinese fishermen of San Diego County. In 1888 thirteen (13) junks of various sizes were engaged in fishing. Year by year the Chinese have been withdrawing from the business, deeming it too hazardous on account of the danger of seizure by the Mexican Government for ‘illegal fishing‘, and the possibility of not being permitted to re-enter the United States. The junk fishermen, sailing under no flag, have been obliged to PAY ALIEN PORT CHARGES, which materially reduced the profits of their business. In a few cases the junks have been sold to American fishermen, the numbers by which they were known to the Customs officials being supplanted by names. The junks used in SAN DIEGO COUNTY declined from 13 in 1888, to just 6 in 1889, to just 1 in 1893.” – (*Source: Pacific Coast Fisheries, pg 188-’89)
*Meanwhile (Pg 189) – “A small camp of PORTUGUESE fishermen is found in LA PLAYA, on the side of the bay opposite SAN DIEGO. These fishermen man their boats singly; and cure all of their catch, most of which is pickled for the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) trade. Of the quantity pickled, about 75% are ALBACORE, one-eighth (12.5%) BONITO, and one-eighth (12.5%) YELLOW-TAIL TUNA (i.e. 87.5% tuna fish – ed.). The entire catch is taken by trolling. When fishing each boat used four 15-fathom lines, each provided with a single hook. Just above the hook is a decoy bait that is fastened consisting of a piece of bone sometimes cut to resemble a small fish; but in most cases simply a narrow fragment without a definite shape. — The lines are fished from the sides of the vessels, being rigged on poles in a manner similar to that employed in the MACKEREL FISHERY of the ATLANTIC COAST many years ago.”