The Chinese fishermen who immigrated to Monterey launched the first commercial fishing industry in Monterey. By 1853 there were some 500 to 600 Chinese fishermen working the deep waters off Monterey. Taking first abalone and later other varieties of fish including cod, halibut, flounder, yellowtail, and sardines. Their squid fishing was also very successful. Chinatown rapidly became the center of a fish-curing and abalone-shell shipping industry.