What happens when war is declared In the case of WWII, and the Santa Cruz Wharf, it meant nearly a month where sport fishermen, commercial fishermen, and the sea gulls were all affected —Three days the municipal wharf has been under war condition rulings. No boats have yet gone out. The fishermen are still awaiting orders from the government. Crab nets are in the bay, having been set on Saturday, but the orders made it impossible to go after them. Lawrence Zolezzi set 10 pieces for the Cottardo Stagnaro company toward Moss Landing. About 10 pieces were set by Ward Wilbur, his own nets. He fishes for the Cottardo Stagnaro company. Policemen are at the approach to the wharf and on the wharf on guard. Yesterday the Ship café, whose business is mainly with those fishing off the wharf, was closed as was the place of Walter Cartwright, who rents poles and sells bait. No fishing allowed means no patrons. As business only is allowed, the aquarium also closed. Only three automobiles were parked in the large parking space at the end of the wharf… Some of those who were usually fishing along the municipal wharf, on account of the taboo there were fishing from off the pleasure pier and from San Lorenzo point and Lighthouse point. (December 10, 1941) The crab nets, which owing to emergency conditions had not been brought in for five days are now in. Permission was granted on Wednesday and at noon Lawrence Zolezzi and Ward Wilbur left on the Cottardo Stagnaro company fishing launch “Bueno Madre: to the southern end of the bay off from Moss Landing. They were back at 6 o’clock. They came back with the nets piled high on the boats. Nine pieces were those which had been set by Zolezzi and five belonged to Wilbur. Fortunately, owing to water conditions during the five days little damage was done to the nets. Zolezzi found in his nets 12 dozen crabs which were immediately placed on the market at Stagnaros. Wilbur had set his nets for sharks and had two soup fin sharks which weighed 96 pounds and three leopard sharks which weighed 50 pounds. Zolezzi and Wilbur had a job clearing from the meshes sticks, seaweed and other pieces of small debris… A half dozen were fishing off the pleasure pier yesterday. These are mainly those who had frequented the municipal wharf. On Wednesday afternoon there were three, William Washburn, among them, reported only a few small jack smelt were landed. With no fish cleaning sea gulls are very hungry these days and go inside the doors of the fish houses on the wharf seeking foods. (December 12, 1941) William Raymnet, one of the regulars to fish for jack smelt off the end of the wharf, has been fishing from off the pleasure pier. Yesterday he took to San Lorenzo point, where large jack smelt are caught at times with a chance of a steelhead. The pleasure pier continues to be sought by some who have been fishing in the past off the municipal wharf. (December 14, 1941) The rain kept practically all from the beach Sunday. No visitors were there from outside cities and the beach was practically deserted. The beach limit of 20 minutes for wharf patrons keeps off those who are buyers. The sea gulls, depending much on what is dropped from the fish cutters’ tables are very hungry these days. The gulls are very tame when hungry and walk directly into the markets. A single piece of fin or entrails means a half dozen fighting for it, all taking hold and grabbing it until it almost pulls apart. (December 16, 1941) War Hits The Sea Gulls—They Are In Desperate Need—The war has brought threat of starvation to one of Santa Cruz’ best-known colonies—the sea gulls along the waterfront. The Santa Cruz County Humane society announced that the usual supply of food has been cut off at the municipal wharf, pleasure pier and along the Seabright and Twin Lakes beaches. Simultaneously the society, in its attempt to alleviate the conditions, appealed to Santa Cruzans to save every meat scrap, crust of bread or other usable food from their tables to aid in feeding the birds at the several points. Although the birds thrive only on fish, the above are eaten. Fish scraps have been on the menu of the gulls. The society announced that information may be obtained by calling headquarters at 2677-W. (December 17, 1941) Fishermen are getting ready to go into the bay to fish, now allowable, but before permission is granted all will have to go to Monterey custom houses with the necessary papers. The aliens here number around 15. The rest will be allowed to fish on furnishing a certificate of birth, naturalization papers and their commercial fishermen’s licenses… Alien owned boats are not allowed to go out. On account of the latest orders there is much activity on the wharf. Lawrence Zolezzi and Willard Wilbur were engaged in repairing the nets town when after crabs and sharks… A member of the Humane Society went to the wharf yesterday morning to feed the hungry sea gulls. He brought a lot of beans and bread. The gulls fed on the bread but rejected the beans. John Loero of the General Fish Corporation dumped on the wharf a box of shrimp trimmings which were grabbed eagerly by the gulls. R. Born brought some corn and wheat which he fed to the pigeons which frequent the wharf. (December 18, 1941) Cottardo Stagnaro Company has received a letter from H. R. Dunbar, chief of bureau of licenses at Sacrament of the fish and game department of natural resources. It was against the issuance of any licenses for fishing or hunting on account of conditions brought about by the war. They are instructed that it is unlawful for license for any nationalists or citizens of Japan, Italy or Germany. It is unlawful to grant licenses even if the aliens have registration cards… With fishermen getting ready to make fishing trips, places that were closed on the wharf are reopening. The aquarium has been reopened and had a few visitors. Look’s Den closed for some time has again opened. (December 21, 1941) The locals who spend so much of their spare time fishing are scattering now that none are allowed to fish off the wharf. Yesterday some were on the pleasure pier and others on McNeill’s point, Lighthouse point and on San Lorenzo point. (December 23, 1941) The wharf was deserted on Christmas day. Not a place of business was open for trade. Walter Cartwright, who has been closed since the ban on fishing went into effect, goes down daily to water some plants… The fishing boat “Ocean Queen” which came from San Francisco to fish is still moored in the bay and has not gone out since its arrival about four days ago. Not a local fisherman who has checked up at the custom house at Monterey and is entitled to fish has yet gone out. (December 27, 1941) Sea gulls did not want for food yesterday as several hundred loaves of bread was the response to appeal for the gulls. There were between 300 and 400 loaves. A great lot came from the Hotel Palomar coffee shop. Most of them with the food stopped on the Cottardo Stagnaro company fish market. The Stagnaros aided in the feeding by opening the window and throwing the bread on the water. The bread cast on the water did not sink and the big flocks of gulls could easily grab it. One came with a barrel of bread and as late as 4 o’clock a woman appeared with seven loaves of bread. … Sea gulls are going inland where they feed on angle worms. Hundreds were at the edge of the water, which almost covered the high school athletic park. They were feeding on worms… Three weeks since the last boats went out from here to fish for the local market, the day before war was declared. Several had made all plans to go out this morning but the heavy storm and rough sea came rolling in… New rulings fix the hours of fishing from 7 a.m. to sunset. The hours for fishing before the rulings were net boats which went out about daylight and came back about 10 a.m. The crab boats with nets went out the same time and the nets would be set and remain for two days. The trawl fishing boats would leave at 5 a.m. and fish to about 5 p.m. the new hours are almost too short, especially for trawl fishing, as the reefs are 10 to 12 miles out. (December 28, 1941) Movement Starts To Install Cans For Gull Food—LaMar Cureton Monday started a movement for collecting stale bread to save the Santa Cruz flock of sea gulls from starvation, which is now threatening due to the inactivity of fishing crews. “The city could very easily place receptacles for bread on school grounds and in some of the prominent downtown location,” said Cureton. “The bread could be picked up daily by a truck from the wharf.” Malio Stagnaro has volunteered to pick up the bread each day. A waterfront spokesman said: “If we didn’t have the gulls here, there would be an acute health problem on the beaches. As natural scavengers, the sea gulls keep the beaches and water cleared of refuse matter. Each year they save the city hundreds of dollars.” In the meantime, while a collection system is being worked out, Santa Cruzans are urged to deliver their stale bread to Malio Stagnaro at the wharf. (December 30m 1941) Sea gulls in flocks from the beach keep flying in off from shore, especially to plowed fields. Many have been feeding on angle worms in fields near Pacheco avenue. (December 30, 1941) Two great events on the waterfront since war was declared was the opening again of the municipal wharf to the general public and the allowing of fishing off the wharf and the unloading of timbers for wharf repairing. At 10 o’clock both gates were wide open for automobile travel. Only a half section of the gate had been open during the día. At 10 a.m. the other gate was opened and the watchman and guard departed and the door of the house, their headquarters at the entrance, was closed. The wharf will now be open to the general public daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The wharf had hardly been open before local people who enjoy fishing were on the wharf and at noon five were fishing and trying their luck. The opening means much to the retail fish dealers and concessionaires along the wharf. Not a crab fisherman had gone out since the opening of the crab season. The first crab fishermen went out Saturday from Eureka… The Santa Cruz Fisheries is the first to black out their market on the wharf. Bobbie Ghio was busy yesterday covering all the windows with bl ack paper. It is necessary as much of their work of handling fish is at night. (December 31, 1941) All articles from the Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 21:16:18 +0000
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