“THE FISH INDUSTRY – A Profitable Business for Men Without Capital – ‘There need be no idle men about the streets of San Diego if they can only be made to realize the money to be made in fishing and then go at it,’ said Mr. GEORGE MAGLY of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company yesterday. ‘It is the only business,’ he continued, ‘in Southern California paying a good profit which requires little or no capital. From $50 to $75 (equivalent to $1,722 and $2,584 today – ed.) with which to purchase a boat and tackle is all that is required. Take that LA PLAYA (PA! – ed.) Colony as an illustration. There are about 15 men, heads of families, engaged in the business and their total profits for the season will average from $1,000 to $1,200 per man (equivalent to $34,448 and $41,338 today – ed.). Now here are some figures showing the growth of the industry, and represents shipments by our steamers.’
Months | 1889 | 1890 | 1891 | 1892 |
January | 2,100 | 25,290 | 26,410 | 13,310 |
February | 18,710 | 16,050 | 12,670 | 19,940 |
March | 48,620 | 60,780 | 64,660 | 66,600 |
April | 23,210 | 27,460 | 44,660 | 51,900 |
May | 57,240 | 18,580 | 43,160 | —– |
June | 45,430 | 23,180 | 26,100 | —– |
July | 26,820 | 47,810 | 26,200 | —– |
August | 41,520 | 73,980 | 79,910 | —– |
September | 26,830 | 49,590 | 65,970 | —– |
October | 39,470 | 43,630 | 28,250 | —– |
November | 40,420 | 29,300 | 17,460 | —– |
December | 21,540 | 51,190 | 36,300 | —– |
TOTAL | 392,000 | 466,840 | 471,750 | —– |
You can readily see how this season is starting out. The first four month’s catch of this year is 3,350 pounds over that of the first four months of last year, 12,170 pounds more than the same time in 1890, and 59,020 pounds more than the same period in 1889. Now these figures represent mainly the catch of the La Playa colony, and some from Roseville. The market for dried and pickled fish from these waters is constantly increasing, and there is not the slightest danger of glutting the market. Other companies are shipping fish, both fresh and cured, all over the coast, and cannot begin to supply the demand. The catch nets the fisherman about 3 cents per pound, and it is a very poor day when one cannot catch 100 pounds of fish. I know of no more profitable business, without capital, and it is a constant source of surprise to me why more men are not engaged in it.” –
(*Source: San Diego WEEKLY UNION newspaper – Thursday, May 5, 1892 – Pg. 8)
*Editorial Note: May God forever bless Mr. George Magley (another spelling – ed.) for his essential aide in noting and recording the shipping numbers for the PA fishermen of La Playa and Roseville, many of whom were illiterate in their own language, much less English, and who likely would not have understood so quickly exactly how profitable their newly formed enterprise was, and could be, with increased shipping to a much broader market. Thank You George!!!