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(BCF-Alaska photo: J. M. Olson) COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review A comprehensive view of United States and foreign fishing industries--including catch, processing, market- ing, research, and legislation--prepared by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. SIN SHIPS: |W 1623- - 4923 Fishermen's Memorial Gloucester, Mass. II Managing Editor: Edward Edelsberg Asst. Managing Editor: Barbara Lundy Production: Jean Zalevsky Alma Greene The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife make up The Fish and Wildlife Service of The United States Department of the Interior. Throughout this book, the initials BCF stand for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Address correspondence and requests to: Commercial Fisheries Review, 1801 North Moore Street, Room 200, Arlington, Va. 22209. Telephone: Area Code 703 - 557-4246. Publication of material from sources outside the Bureau is not an endorsement. The Bureau is not responsible for the accuracy of facts, views, or opinions of these sources. Although the contents have not been copyrighted and may be reprinted freely, reference to source is appreciated. Use of funds for printing this publication was approved by the Director, Bureau of the Budget, April 18, 1968. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S$. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. Price 60 cents (single copy). Subscription Price: $7.00 a year; $2 additional for foreign mailing. CONTENTS UNITED STATES BVentouandudirend SE tists, 6 vile eele lele le SiO O16 al0-0 6 StateSmes iso tel setts Gaon aGo acon 6 siisite. (el ieiierce ARTICLES Anchovy--Small Fish, Big Problem, by James D, IMIESS GrgSritle aa omememeW oi elielie terete seieiten sien sy clea Oyster Culture in Long Island Sound 1966-69, by Clyde wViacIwenziegdis.u ies «se sis) s\« (ee) es) Snappers of the Western Atlantic, by Luis R. EVIiVclS iment eteMelcMtct tel ei sills) steele, = 'es) tei tsieiians teyael 6 Fishery Oceanography--VI - Ocean Food of Sockeye Salmon, by Felix Favorite ........ Otter Trawling Introduced to Columbia River Smelt Fishery, A Progress Report, by Ian E, MilisrandkEhinthSvOclsleva smear et sieeon seicltenelene es BOOKS eee ailekerc.e selteyienialvotte lie) foiled oifetns cC eats TIN ARRAN AVEO NATE Wy ices soe ane cilel okeWartouleltoeleeitens ES UIGOP Clara! ei es ets Good do coo 6 Glo O6 oO 600 oo 6 Matin Aimer Caltareteien ecko lobe me versie SHioulte (outers Prete SOuUthpleaCth Chasen aan aems bled Betnn 680.0 O66 DIS INS PAE ME deh Sr asl Wa Gtr) at ang Mele gi vel set ok oites ate pemmetneias TINO ects GiottyO: 0 01010... Git OLty Gg EDL OroKD.0'0 a10 UI aK Axel ire i. Sth “a ry ae abc afm} = SS pd ddd). id U. S$. 1969 CATCH OF FISH & SHELLFISH IS 4.2-4.3 BILLION POUNDS U.S. fishermen caught between 4.2 and 4.3 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 1969. The catch brought them a record income ex- ceeding $475 million and approaching $480 million. The previous record year was $472 million. These preliminary data were re- ported by BCF's Division of Statistics and Market News. In 1968, 4.1 billion pounds sold for $471.5 million, The 1969 catch was only slightly larger than the two previous low-volume years and the third smallest domestic catch since 1942. (Record catch--5.4 billion pounds in 1962.) Some Sharp Declines Landings declined sharply for haddock, sea herring, whiting, and sea-scallop meats at New England ports. Inthe Pacific Northwest, the salmon harvest ranked with the smallest of the 20th Century. Fishing for menhaden along the Atlantic Coast generally was poor, but the Gulf of Mexico catch was a record. Some Good Increases There were good increases in landings of anchovies, cod, halibut, jack mackerel, and tuna, Shrimp Slips in Gulf of Mexico Production of shrimp in the Gulf slipped below 1968 but, for the first time, fishermen received more than $100 million. The catch dropped also in the South Atlantic States, but the developing shrimp fisheries off New Eng- land and the Pacific Northwest kept the U.S. shrimp catch at about the 1968 level. Total Supply Drops The supply of all fishery products (round weight) was 12.6 to 13 billion pounds--about 25% below 1968's record 17.3 billion pounds. The loss was entirely innonedible products- - resulting from a 40-45% decrease in fish- mealimports, The supply for food was a little higher than 1968's 53 billion pounds. Of all fishery products, domestic fisheries account- ed for 33% (24% in 1968); imports were 67% (76% in 1968). Per-Capita Use & Consumption It was predicted that per-capita utilization of all products (round weight) would drop 28%: from 87 pounds in 1968 to 63 pounds in 1969. Per-capita consumption would remain near the high 1968 level of 11 pounds per person. PHILIP M. ROEDEL NAMED BCF DIRECTOR Philip M. Roedel, Chief of California's Marine Resources Program, has been named Director of the Bureau of Commercial Fish- eries. He succeeds H, E. Crowther, recently appointed Deputy Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife. Roedel, 56, an internationally known fish- ery scientist and administrator, hasbeen ac- tively engaged in the fishery world for more than 30 years. Secretary of the Interior Walter J. Hickel said: ''Mr. Roedel is eminently qualified to head the Bureau. We know he will bring to this position the same talent andenergy which has earned him such an enviable reputation in the fishing industry as well as in the sci- entific community." He Sees Opportunity Mr. Roedel said it was a great opportunity to join BCF at this time to help strengthen all aspects of the U.S. fishing industry. 'Many problems face both government and industry. We must help the industry and, at the same time, make the best use of the resources available to us. We have to take a hard look at what we are doing now--to chart a course that will provide the best service in the future to our Nation and its people. We must select our goals and priorities carefully."' He said he looked forward to working at the national level with all segments of the fishing business to achieve the goals selected. Mr. Roedel, who had close professional associations with BCF for many years, em- phasized his great respect for the organiza- tion and his pleasure at joining it. Background The new director received an AB from Stanford University in 1935, In 1936, he began his professional career asa marine biologist with California's State Fisheries Laboratory. During World War II, he served in the Army 4 years,firstas an enlisted man in the Med- ical Department, and later as acommissioned officer in the Medical Administrative Corps. He resumed his professional career in 1946 andearned his master's degree in biological sciences at Stanford in 1952, State, U.S., World Duties Roedel held positions of increasing re- sponsibility in California, specializing in marine fisheries. He served on U.S. delega- tions to internationalfishery conferences and as consultant to FAO. He represented California at national fish- ery meetings and, in 1967 and 1969, on the U.S. State Department Fishing Industry Advi- sory Council. He is the author of many scientific papers, a Fellow of American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists, anda member of fishery societies and other scientific groups. Director Roedelis married to the former Geraldine Harney. They have two children: David, 20, and Deborah, 18. BCF SCUBA TEAM STUDIES LOBSTER BEHAVIOR Studies of lobster behavior by a SCUBA team of BCF's Boothbay Biological Labora- tory (Maine) show relative abundance of lob- sters in the inshore waters remains constant throughout the year. This suggests that these lobsters do not make extensive seasonal on- shore-offshore migrations. Active At Night Small-scale movements do occur during stormy weather and strong vertical turbulence in the water. During stormy weather, the divers saw lobsters occupying relatively shallow burrows in 40 feet of water or less move to greater depths. The movements generally involved horizontal distances of 100 yards or less, and an increase in depth of 20 to 30 feet. Lobsters were nocturnally active throughout the year. Theyleft their burrows at about sundown and returned just before sunrise. Lobsters less than 45 mm. were not active at night. SB 5 GREAT LAKES STATES CONDUCT PESTICIDE MONITORING PROGRAM The natural resources agencies of Mich- igan, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wis- consin have mobilized a $300,000 pesticide monitoring program inthe upper Great Lakes. Their targets: "Tributary streams to pin- point major sources of pesticide pollution along this big body of water." The states acted after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seized more than 30,000 pounds of Lake Michigan coho salmon con- taining too much DDT. DR. A. R. LONGHURST HONORED BY LONDON UNIVERSITY The Senate of the University of London has conferred the Degree of Doctor of Science on Dr, Alan R. Longhurst, Direc- tor, Fishery-Oceanography Center, BCF, La Jolla, Calif. The degree honors his work in marine biology. Dr. Longhurst earned his Ph, D. at London, SAFE-BOATING BILL PROPOSED BY TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT The Secretary of Transportation has sent toCongress a Federal Safe Boating proposal. It would allow the Department to establish minimum safe standards for boats and equip- ment. The proposal includesa 5-year finan- cial assistance program to encourage States to increase their safe-boating efforts. Ss. INTERIOR ASKS CHANGES IN FISH PROTEIN CONCENTRATE RULES The Department of the Interior has asked the U.S. Foodand Drug Administration to per- mit the use of fish species besides hake in the making of fish protein concentrate (FPC). The notice was published inthe 'Federal Register! Dec. 24, 1969. Under current regulations, FPC may be manufactured only from "hake or hakelike" fish. Continuing research has shown that a safe and wholesome product also can be made from fatty fish, suchas herring and menhaden. Closer to Commercial Reality Dr. Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Marine Resources, said: "Permission to use fatty fish, which are found in abundance off our shores, and small, bony, or other unused fish, will put industry into a more favorable position to get into the FPC business. "We believe the United States must assume leadership in researchto increase the world food base. The FPC researchof our Depart- ment, which has had the benefit of advice from the National Academy of Sciences, is a firm step in the direction of that leadership." ROYAL-RED SHRIMP CONCENTRATED The royal-red shrimp (Hymenopenoeus robustus) is an underused species. Although it is a typical penaeid, it differs from com- mercial penaeids of the genus Penaeus be- cause it prefers deep, cold water. It inhabits the upper Continental Slope from as far north Tiymenopenaeus robuatue as Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to as far south as the coast of the Guianas in South America. But it is abundant in only a few areas. Little is known of its biology, partic- ularly its reproduction and early life history. 3 Potential Commercial Areas Royal-red shrimp concentrations in the Gulf of Mexico were discovered in 1950. Since then, BCF's Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base, Pascagoula, Miss., has made periodic trawling surveys along the Continen- tal Slope from North Carolina to Brazil to evaluate the commercial potential. The re- sults indicate that three grounds off the U.S. coast support commercial quantities of royal- red shrimp: east of St. Augustine, Florida, in the western Atlantic; south-southwest of the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Straits; and southeast of the Mississippi River Delta in the Gulf of Mexico. How Catch Divided Preliminary records indicate the 1968 U.S. commercial catch of royal-red shrimp was less than 120,000 pounds (heads-off). Of this total, 53% came from the Mississippi River Delta area, 39% from off St. Augustine, and 8% from Dry Tortugas area. Soft Bottom, 8°-12° C, The distribution of royal-red shrimp is restricted to soft-bottom types and to water temperatures of 8° to 12° C. The highest shrimp concentration is in 9° to 10° C. water. Shrimp densities vary seasonally on all three grounds. Late summer and fall are periods of high density on the St. Augustine and Mississippi Delta grounds; late spring and summer for the Dry Tortugas grounds. Depth Distribution Varies Seasonally The depth distribution of shrimp also varies seasonally: the shrimp move offshore in summer and inshore in winter. Shrimp occur at 255 to 550 meters on St. Augustine grounds; 275 to over 550 meters on Dry Tor- tugas; and at 275 to over 550 meters on Mis- sissippiDelta area. Within each range, sea- sonal variation in concentration is consider- able. BLUE CRABS ABOUND IN CHESAPEAKE BAY Blue crabs are more abundant in Chesa- peake Bay now than at any time in the past 90 years. Notsince commercial fishing started in the 1870s have so many been reported. This bountiful supply was predicted in Oc- tober 1968by W. A. Van Engel of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and Robert L. Lippson of Maryland's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. The 2 scientists predicted a Virginia-Maryland catch--barring trouble from weather, labor, and markets--of over 100 million pounds from September 1969 through August 1970. The previous 12-month high was 973 million pounds in 1966. They also predicted the catch could remain high through December 1970. Hatched In 1968 Many of the crabs hatched in 1968 had reached mature size by September 1969; these will support the commercial fishery until early summer 1970. Crabs hatched late in 1968 will reach maturity in early summer 1970, supporting the fishery until the end of the year. Catch Doubled in Fall 1969 This abundance follows almost 2 years of scarcity--1968 andfirst two-thirds of 1969-- when production fell to less than half former levels, and prices rose to record highs. Through November 1969, crab potters already had doubled their fall 1968 catches. The win- ter dredge fishing beganon December 1, 1969. Virginia vessels should have been able to take the 25 barrels a day per-boat-catch limits in record time. Hurricane Damage Van Engel warned that the full effect of Hurricane Camille on Virginia stocks may not Blue Crab Crab dredge boat. yet be known. Torrential rains and high run- off caused substantial reductions in river and bay salinities. This resulted in some fresh- water kill of crabs on the James and York rivers. Since experimental trawl and dredge surveys have not located as many crabs as expected, the kill might have been even great- er than originally thought. Poor 1969 Hatch Van Engel and Lippson are pessimistic about the 1969 hatch, which will provide the fishery from September 1970 through August 1971. Surveys made infall 1969 failed to lo= cate more than a few small crabs } to 1} inches wide, about the same number found in fall 1966 and 1967. The small numbers in those yearsresulted inthe scarcities of 1968 and 1969. Both states expect to keepa close watch on the new crop during 1970. The prospects, goodor poor, for the season starting Septem- ber 1970 should be discernible in early sum- mer 1970. ‘DELAWARE II’ MAKES LARGE BUT NOT PROFITABLE SEA-HERRING CATCHES The Delaware II of BCF's Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base (Gloucester, Mass.) conducted industrial-fish investiga- tions in the western Gulf of Maine between Sept. 30 and Oct. 31, 1969. Fifty-nine tows caught 0 to 60,000 pounds of herring per tow. Despite large catches, the scientific personnelemphasize: "At cur- rent market prices for industrial fish species, the fish caught during this cruise would not have equaled the size of catch needed for profitable commercial operations, However, the demonstrated capabilities of the midwater fishing method should be adequate and suitable for commercial use at times and in areas whenever herring canbe found in some abun- dance. The next scheduled industrial fish cruise is planned tocontinue evaluation of the suitability of this fishing method in areas of seasonal herring abundance." Cruise's Primary Purpose The primary purpose of this cruise was to evaluate the commercial potentials of the midwater trawl fishing method for taking fish species of value for reductionto meal and oil. Aclosely associated objective was refinement of the midwater trawling technique. Tows & Catches The tows varied from 20 minutes to4 hours; larger catches were made on fairly short tows on good traces of fish. Fig. 1 - A 55,000-pound catch of sea herring. The two largest catches--60,000 and 55,000 pounds--were taken on 40-minute sets; these short sets were terminated to prevent over- loading the net. A total of 322,188 pounds of fish were caught: 307,627 pounds herring; 12,380 pounds mackerel, 1,380 pounds whiting, 134 pounds cod, and 667 pounds other species. Cruise 69-9 was broken from October 10 tol? for shipyard installation of a transducer for the scientific sounder and to change sci- entific personnel, Fishing Gear Used A medium-sized, West German-type mid- water trawl was fished exclusively. This 4- seam (Herman Engel) net measures 1,400 meshes around the net at the front of the bel- lies. Meshsize is 8 inches (stretched mesh) in the wings and forward part of the bellies. The mesh tapers from 8 inches to 13 inches inthe lower part of the bellies, extension, and cod end, The length of the net (from tips of wing ends to extremity of cod end) is about 380 feet. A set of "beefed-up" 8-foot (height) by 4- foot (width) Suberkrub doors was used to spread this net. Although these doors were very Stable while fishing, it is recommended that larger size (10' x 6') doors should be used, The larger doors should give greater horizontal opening to the net. Improved lifting devices on headrope with heavier chain on footrope Should increase net's vertical opening from 7 fathoms gen- erally experienced during cruise to perhaps 10 fathoms, With higher and wider opening, larger catches could be made in less time. This would be feasible only if straining the extra amount of water did not increase the net's drag beyond vessel's towing capabilities, Fishing Procedure An acoustical search was conducted to find good fish traces before the net was set. During this cruise, the productive areas located were fished much more intensively than during earlier cruises. Fishing was broken off and scouting begun only when good fish targets on oN ies ~ Soh lle SECCRSGOS BECSERERSECESERSRSbeeeeeeeseeeeses Coo rr, tt | iw Es ee es See eS ——s a eee. SS KEY | OCTOBER 1-10 ‘) D Nantucket 5 /( Shoals “AD 4 (fa) oe 7 NY ALAS va AVS al bora 2} x fs Sooo eo | | anese So — OO ——— EE S__ eo ——_] os; 6 om _ wz zt wz sf Fig. 3 - A 20,000-pound herring catch. could no longer be found. While fishing on good signs of fish, the tows were terminated when a fairly goodcatch hadbeen made, The crew avoided making the largest catch pos- sible because of handling difficulty and time lost in bringing very large catches aboard, For the Delaware II's present catch-handling arrangement, 20,000 to 30,000 pounds are fair-sized catches for ready handling. Area Fished Three areas were generally scouted and fished when fish concentrations were found: Jeffreys Ledge, Stellwagen Bank, and eastern offing of Cape Cod and Nantucket Shoals. The most productive area was in offing of Cape Cod between Highlands and Nauset. However, foreign fleets had just recently heavily fished these areas (outside 12-mile Contiguous Zone), Each fleet had departed ina generally successive north-to-southward movement, The foreign fleet was reported concentrated in offing of Martha's Vineyard to Block Island. Near the end of the cruise, a quick look was taken over Jim Dwyer's Ridge (on eastern side of Great South Channel), Only scattered traces of fish were found; samples were mostly whiting. Results and Observations Cruise results were excellent in regard to primary purpose. In areas recently fished heavily by foreign fleets, a daily production rate of 70,000 pounds of herring was main- tained on October 7, 8, and 9. The largest catches curtailed production because of ex- cessive time lost bringing the catches aboard, If herring were available, the midwater trawl probably could catch as many fish during a set as any boat could bring aboard. Each ves- sel's capability would depend on how the ves- sel was rigged. Herring's Behavior Sustained and uninterrupted fishing pro- duction depends largely on the herring's con- tinuous availability. It was found that avail- ability is not simply a matter of supply--but also of the herring's schooling behavior. During bright days, herring were found to be hard onthe bottom during midday hours. They bunched up inthe afternoon, and rose to sur- face inlarge concentrations during late after- noon and early evening. Upon reaching sur- face, the herring spread out and dispersed in a shallow surface water layer. As light in- creased in the morning, the fish gathered in small groups to return to the bottom. The groups that left the surface seemed to con- solidate intolarger schools before dispersing over the bottom. On dark and overcast days, the fish tended to remain in lower levels of water column without settling to bottom. On bright moonlit nights, they were slow in rising to surface. In any case, the fish were most susceptible to capture between bottom and surface, A successful technique for surface trawling at night (when developed) could ex- tend production hours correspondingly. Night Trawling Caught Mackerel Mackerel predominated during nighttime trawling; one tow took 6,000 pounds. It is possible that mackerel may occur at different distances than herring below the surface. So an improved surface-towing technique could increase nighttime herring catch over mack- erelcatch. However, the market value should determine which fish would be primary target. ‘an ANCHOVY--SMALL FISH, BIG PROBLEM James D, Messersmith A small but valuable fish of great inter- est to sports and commercial fishermen has been the subject of considerable con- cern in California recently. This is the anchovy--more properly known as _ the northern anchovy or Engraulis mordax, It might be said that the basic use of the anchovy is as food for larger fish. Sports- men are interested in the anchovy because it is the most desirable live bait available, and they yearlyuse more than 5,000 tons as live bait. The anchovy also supports an important commercial fishery. Some of the commer- cial catch is canned, primarily for export, and a share is used in canned pet foods. In addition, huge quantities of the fish are re- duced for use as a protein supplement in animal and poultry foods and for fertilizer. The controversy is intensified because the anchovy is important as forage for fishes of interest tosportfishermen and because of the history of the overharvested Pacific sardine resource, What happened to the sardine? The sardine fishery reached its peak in California in the thirties and early forties. In 1936 Dr. Frances N, Clark, then director of the State Fisheries Laboratory, predicted a decline of the sardine fishery on the basis of studies she made on the catch-per-effort of fishing boats, It had become increasingly more difficult for the boats to make high catches by that time. A succession of ex- ceptionally good years delayed the decline, but the sardine fishery eventually collapsed. Then, as now, the Fish and Game Com- mission andthe Department of Fish and Game During the past few years a spirited controversy over the anchovy has arisen among special interest groups concerned with fisheries, This controversy revolves around: 1. Recommendations by state, univer- sity, and federal marine scientists that a larger percentage of the available anchovy resource be harvested; 2, Requests by the fishing industry for larger reduction quotas; and, 3. Unyielding opposition to such pro- posals by sport fishermen who use an- chovies for live bait and chum, (DFG photo: Jack W. Schott.) were in favor of scientific management of fisheries, but they were unable to achieve a curtailment in the rate of harvest, and this contributed to the collapse. Although the sardine population was al- lowed todecline, this does not mean now that nothing shouldbe harvested, While scientific management implies that resources must not be overharvested, it also implies that re- sources should be utilized fully. The Department's position is still con- sistent. It is still in favor of management-- in favor of not overharvesting any of the marine resources--and in favor of not ''giving away'' the anchovies, either. Mr. Messersmith is Assistant Chief, Marine Resources Branch, California Department of Fish and Game. Article reprinted from OUTDOOR CALIFORNIA, Sept.=Oct, 1969. 10 Reliable records of commercial anchovy landings used for human consumption, dead bait, feeding in fish hatcheries and mink farms, and reduction to oil and meal date from1916, Average annual landings through 1921 were only 504.5 tons, mostly for reduc- tion to oil and meal, In 1919 a law was passed prohibiting the reduction of whole fish except under permit. Teeth were put intothe law in 1921, resulting in reduced landings averaging 159 tons for the next 17 years. Between 1939 and 1946, landings averaged 1,454 tons, Fig. 2 = DFG biologist inserts a metal tag in an anchovy to re- cord its movements. (Photo: Bill Beebe, Santa Monica Outlook.) Scarcity of sardines in 1946 caused proc- essorsto begin canning anchovies in quantity, andin1947 the catch jumped six-fold to 9,470 tons. The landing capacity of the fishing boats exceeded the canning needs of plants, and ex- cess deliveries were diverted to reduction plants. Tolower the amount of anchovies reduced, the Fish and Game Commission required each processor to place a high proportion of each ton of anchovies in cans, With the temporary resurgence of the sar- dine through 1951, anchovy canning declined. But with the collapse of the sardine fishery in1952, anchovy landings increased to 27,891 tons and to 42,918 tons in 1953. Because of economic conditions and pre- sumably low consumer acceptance of the canned product, landings declined to 19,400 tons in1957 and 5,200 tons in1958. Landings did not again exceed 5,000 tons until 1966 when, for the first time in more than forty years, anchovies were fished solely for re- duction purposes, Anchovies are very important in California as live and dead bait. Records of the live bait catch were initiated in 1939 and, except during World War II, have been submitted voluntarily ever since. These records ac- count for most of the catch, but are not com- plete because some operators do not submit records, When records were first started, live bait landings were 1,074 tons and accounted for 58 percent of the statewide anchovy catch. Since 1950, anchovy live bait landings have fluctuated between 3,800 and6,800 tons, aver- aging 5,570 tons for the past Several years. Why the interest in harvesting anchovies in large quantities? In 1964 the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Commit- tee proposed an ecological experiment to assist the return of the sardine by simul- taneously reducing fishing pressure on the sardine and imposing pressure on the sar- dine's chief natural competitor, the anchovy. 122° 120° ee UF Upper LEGEND & AREAS OF TAG RELEASE V/A MAJOR FISHING AREAS —— NORTHERLY MOVEMENT ——* SOUTHERLY MOVEMENT Fig. 3 - DFG chart depicts gross movements of anchovies tagged and recaptured from March 14, 1966 through May 31, 1969. The proposed experiment consisted of three phases: 1, A controlled anchovy harvest of 200,000 tons with an annual quota for approximately three years. 2. Quota adjustments onthe basis of find- ings during phase 1. 3. Restoring ultimately the predecline balance between sardines and anchovies and maximizing the harvest of both species con- sistent with all uses. CalCOFI noted that if both the sardine fishery and competition from anchovies are affecting the sardine population--and if the objective wastobring back the sardine in the shortest possible time--there should be fish- ing on anchovies and a complete moratorium on sardine fishing. At the time of this proposal the total spawning biomass of anchovies in the Cali- fornia Current was estimated to be between 1.8 and 2,25 million tons based on egg and larva data available through 1958, (The an- chovy population continued to increase since 1958, andin 1962 it reached a plateau rough- ly 2.5 to 4 times greater than the 1958 esti- mate. It remains there today.) In 1965 the Fish and Game Commission adopted regulations providing for an experi- mental fishery totake and use 75,000 tons of anchovies by a reduction process, Thus the anchovy reduction fishery began, and zones were established. A seasonwas Set and fish- ing was prohibited within three miles of the mainland shore. When the Commission authorized the an- chovy reduction fishery, the Department of Fish and Game initiated a project responsible for monitoring the fishery and conducting any biological studies on the anchovy necessary for resource management. Project objectives included determination of migratory habits, estimates of population size and mortality rates, catch locations, catch per unit of effort, number and pounds of anchovies landed, the age-composition of the catch, and other fishery statistics, Initial efforts were directed toward tagging and tag recovery, and fishery monitoring of the com- mercial reduction and live bait fisheries. Jali Fig. 4 - This commercial fish net holds between 60 and 80 tons of sparkling anchovies. The average size is 5ito 6 inches. (DFG photd: The author.) When the Fish and Game Commission es- tablished the reduction fishery, it laid down rules under which the fishery wasto operate, rules based on the state of the Department's knowledge of the resource and of fishing methods. For example, an experimental reduction fishery was authorized because of the con- sensus that there was a large under-utilized resource. Quotas were set and processor permits were required in order to control the growth of the fishery. Declarations of intent were required of fishermen when it became apparent that it would simplify en- forcement problems. Fishing zones were established because, in the absence of migration data, it was thought necessary in order to prevent over- fishing inlocal areas, especially where these areas bordered prime live bait fishing grounds, The concern was that areas bordering the live bait fishing grounds might be depleted and that they may not be replenished, by mi- grations, during the closed season and prior 12 to the critical live bait period of July and August. At a meeting of the Commission in San Diego on July 25, 1969, DFG Director Ray Arnett said, "It is my contention that we now know enough about the anchovy movements and the reduction and live bait fisheries to state that a reduction fishery of the magni- tude proposed has no effect on the live bait fishery." He said the 1968 live bait fishery was the best on record. "To help understand anchovy movement behavior," he said, ''a tagging program was begun in March of 1966. Since then we have tagged nearly 400,000 anchovies and recov- ered 959 tags. ..We have learned that an- chovies can and do move long distances (360 miles, for example, from San Diego to Mon- terey) in a short period of time (129 days, or 2.8 miles per day). "In the light of these data, it is apparent that the zones do not provide the function for which they were created, at least as long as the season remains unchanged and the fishery continues to operatefarther from shore than three miles." Arnett said the three-year experimental program has cost about $285,000, largely li- cense buyers' money. Patroling these zones costs approximately $60,000 each year, and the tagging program runs about $35,000 an- nually. "Therefore," he said, "since the consensus is that zones no longer contribute a useful function to this experimental fishery, we recommend abolishing them." While the Commission at that meeting did not abolish the zones, it referred to the ex- perimentalnature of the fishery and reduced the number of zones from five to three. Arnett called the Commission's action a "workable compromise" between the Depart- ment's proposal and the desire of most sportsmen to retain the five zones. What of the future? Will the controversy over the little anchovy continue ? Top DFG biologists look to the future with confidence. While the ocean is not a bottom- less cornucopia, scientific findings point to- ward the existence of anchovy stocks that could support a commercial fishery greater than has ever been known in this state. And they have no reason to believe that their har- vest would impinge on the legitimate require- ments of sportfishermen, given only realistic controls by reasonable men. The anchovy will not go the way of the sardine. On the contrary, judicious harvest- ing of the anchovy could some day lead the sardine back to a position of prominence in the coastal waters of California. ~ BRAILING ORY{NG AND MENDING = $$$ SQUID RAISED TO ADULT SIZE IN LABORATORY One of the most important animals used in medical research--the squid--has been reared to maturity in the laboratory for the first time. Edward T. LaRoe, a graduate student at the University of Miami, has suc- ceeded in aquarium-rearing the fast-moving, excitable Sepioteuthis sepioides, a member of the family Loliginidae from egg to adult size. Useful in Neurological Research Because squid have the largest nerve fi- bers of any animal (over 1,000 times thicker than human nerves), they are in great demand for neurological research. But the nerve fi- bers must be fresh, and the availability of fresh squid is a critical problem. Seasonal & Easily Damaged The occurrence of squid inthe sea is sea- sonal. Loliginids are found off the northeast U.S.only in summer. During the winter, en- tire research teams must go to Chile and Peru for fresh squid, Squid generally undergo a true physiological shock when captured, and often are damagedby the trawls used to catch them. Once inanaquarium, they tend to swim head-on into the glass walls. Aquaria May Provide Steady Supply Researchers studying behavior, learning, and memory processes also need aquarium- adapted squid. With its well-developed brain and eyes, the squid has great potential for such studies. In demonstrating that labora- tory-reared squid adapt to aquariums, LaRoe may have discovered a way to provide re- searchers a year-round, healthy supply. 13 Squid reared from the egg by Edward T,. LaRoe. At this age, 125 days, the squid is fed small fishes. Benefits Commercial Fishery Squid, valued as food in many parts of the world, is the 5th most valuable fishery pro- duct in Japan. LaRoe is gathering data on growth, food preferences, light requirements, and behavior patterns that, ultimately, will benefit the commercial fishery. He already has proved that the tropical loliginid squid grow much faster than previously believed. His squid reached maturity within 5 months after hatching, disproving a long-held theory that it took 3 years, Laboratory Techniques LaRoe feels his success has been due largely to his discovery of proper types of food for young squid. He feeds them small shrimp-like animals (mysids). By the time a squid is 5 days old, it will eat 50 mysids a day. Constantly studying the behavior pat- terns of the hatchlings, he has found certain things they prefer or like. He has adapted his rearing program to the needs of the squid. Squid 14 1969 PACIFIC COAST ALBACORE TUNA CATCH IS ABOUT 24,000 TONS Fall weather in 1969 settled on the U.S. Pacific Coast in October. It terminated vir- tually all fishing activity in Washington and Oregon waters. But relatively good weather off central California permitted a fleet of about 50 jigboats to continue fishing for alba- core into the first week of December, The 1969 season promises to tally between 48 and 49 million pounds (24,000-24,500 tons), reportsGlenn A, Flittner, Leader of the Fish- ery-Oceanography Group, BCF La Jolla, Calif. Oregon and Washington again led the production race in 1969 with about 343 million pounds (17,250 tons), California landings pulled up from an extremely poor start of 200,000 pounds (100 tons) in July 1969 to an estimated 114 to 12 million pounds (5,750- 6,000 tons) when December totals were in- cluded; nevertheless, the late-season finish failed to equal the 1968 season. The 1969 season was the worst on record in the state since 1942, British Columbia albacore land- ings totaled 2.4 million pounds (1,200 tons). Thus, despite heavy fishing effort again in 1969, the season's totals fell right on the 1963-68 average of 48 million pounds (24,000 tons). Production Centers Dislocated For the third consecutive year, major dis- locations in the centers of production were observed. BCF La Jolla estimated that nearly half the entire season's production originated from waters north of Cape Flattery and off Vancouver Island; less than $ million pounds (250 tons) originated from the district south of San JuanSeamount. Thefarthest northward penetrationof the albacore commercial fish- ery was recorded in 1969: in the district northwest of Dellwood Hills, near 51930'N. latitude, off northwest corner of Vancouver Island. A few albacore were even taken in- side Hecate Strait in late August 1969. Larger Fleet BCF La Jollaestimates the albacore fleet in 1969 was larger than usual. The regular fleet was augmented by an appreciable num- ber of Oregon, Washington, and British Co- lumbia salmon trollers, and a few halibut schooners. Totalfishing effort was estimated tobe higher than normal. The 1969 middling catch was distributed more unevenly among participants than in 1968. Also, the 1969 sea- son lasted appreciably longer than in 1968; this added to production costs that were not offset by other factors. 15 SEA LAMPREY PREYS ON LAKE HURON SALMON Sea lamprey depredation on chinook salmon in Lake Huron is increasing. BCF scientists found 68% of the chinook from a recent catch bore lamprey scars or marks, Michigan Department of Natural Resources biologists report that over 90% are scarred in some areas of the lake. The salmon were planted in 1967. The Lamprey The adult sea lamprey, an eel-like para- site with sharp rasping teeth, feeds on the blood of its victims, weakening and often kill- ingthem. Entering through the St. Lawrence, Lampreys f “4 Lamprey + Mouth it has preyed on fishes in Lake Ontario for centuries. The deepening of the Welland Canal between Lakes Ontario and Erie during 1913-18 apparently provided the means for lampreys to enter the upper Great Lakes. Control Lamprey control, a joint U.S.-Canadian venture, dates from 1965, when a once-pros- perous lake trout fishery had been virtually destroyed. While some trout still remained in Lake Superior, commercial catches in Lakes Huron and Michiganhad droppedtoless than 1% of 1930-1939 levels. About 68 million pounds were taken from the 2 lakes in those years. Lampricide Treatment Lamprey hatch in tributaries, where they remain for several years before transforming intothe parasitic stage and migrating intothe lakes. A chemical lampricide that is highly effective against the young lamprey was discovered in 1958, Properly applied, it is harmless to other fish. Chemical control was extended from Lake Superior to ae Michi- ganin the 1960's; it reducedthe lamprey population as much as 80-90%. While the lampricide has been used in some of Lake Still uns Huron's tributaries, many are treated. nt ey yee OCEANOGRAPHY NEW FILM IMPROVES UNDERWATER PHOTOS A new film "that could help make aerial charting the most efficient method of charting shallow water areas'' has been created by a technologist of the U.S, Naval Oceanographic Office (NOO), The film is insensitive to all blue light. Willard E, Vary, the technologist, has been working in NOO experiments photographing coastlines from aircraft to chart coastal areas, His search for a solutionto the blue-light problem began after NOO's first airborne charting test in March 1967, Torecord ocean- bottom detail at greatest water depths with aerial photography, that test revealed, it would be necessary to filter out all or most blue light. He Explains Problem Mr. Vary explained: Aerial haze is caused by blue light scat- ter inthe air. In the water, the blue light is the most scattered and least absorbed and this is referred to as underwater haze. These effects of blue light result in non-image- forming densities on the photographs and cause veiling or lowering of contrast in the photographs, Yellow filters on the camera partially eliminate the blue light but also de- crease the exposure, often resulting in un- derexposed photography." Since increased yellow filtration was not the answer, Vary thought of eliminating the blue -sensitive layer inthe color film. 'Color films have three layers,''he explained. ''One layer records the red light, one the green light and the other records the blue light. I thought it would be possible to eliminate the blue layer altogether and, with a yellow filter layer coated over the greenand red sensitive layers, blue light would be prevented from affecting those layers." Film Tested Successfully The General Aniline Film (GAF) Corpora- tion deviseda filmto meet his specifications. The new film was first used successfully in 16 February 1968 in the Bahamas to take con- tinuous stereo photographs of the coastal area, Vary reported: ''We recorded ocean bot- tom to a depth of 150 feet. The increased contrast provided by the new non-blue-sensi- tive film showed various underwater features in more detail," Major Charting Method With the new film, NOO believes, ''aerial photography may now be on its way to becom- ing a major method of charting the ocean bot- tom and measuring water depths."' ANTARCTIC TIDES ARE BEING MEASURED Man's first attempt to measure tides in the deep oceans surrounding Antarctica is being carried out along a 2,000-mile track running south from Australia, Three free-falling, deep-sea, tide gauges, or capsules, were launched from the RV 'Eltanin' after her departure from Ade- laide on Dec, 15, 1969. Placed 600 miles apart, at depths of 18,000, 12,000, and 15,000 feet, they will remain on the ocean floor for one lunar month, Sophisticated Instrumentation The gauges were designed by Frank E, Snodgrass, a researchengineer with Scripps Institution of Oceanography and chief scien- tist aboard (Fig.). They are 'free' vehicles, not tethered to the ship. Their capsules, or hulls, are pressure-resistant aluminum spheres. Instruments attached to the cap- sules are measuring water temperature, current, and pressure, The capsules, which communicate with the 'mother' ship through acoustic signals, describe their operations and condition. Commands from the ship will cause them to surface at the end of the ex- periment. Data recorded on magnetic tape in the capsules can be computer-analyzed after recovery. The 3 deep-sea tide gauges are similar to the one shown here, Out of photo at lower right and attached to capsule is set of storage batteries that anchors capsule on ocean floor and pro- vides power for operating instruments and data-recording appara- tus incapsule. Battery pack-anchor remains on sea bottom after capsule is recalledto surface. Frank E. Snodgrass, capsule de- signer, is at left. Current Meters Free-falling current meters also will be installed along the Eltanin's track to supple- ment current measurements made by the tide gauges, Similar metering was done in the Drake Passage (betweenthe tip of South America and the Palmer Peninsula) in Janu- ary 1969, From data recorded by meters placed 24 miles down, it was estimated that 270 million gallons of water a second flow through the Drake Passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic, Studying Flinders Current Australian scientists aboard the Eltanin are studying the Flinders Current south of Australia, They are installing gauges across 17 the 150-mile-wide continental shelf near Ade- laide and making extensive salinity, tempera- ture, and depth measurements. Mapping Sea Floor A scientist from the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory is taking magnetic, seismic, and gravity readings while the ship is underway. This is part of a continuing program to mapthe seafloor and the earth's magnetic and gravity fields. CHARTS LIST OIL-LEASE AREAS IN GULF OF MEXICO The Coast and Geodetic Survey has an- nounced that it will issue nautical charts be- fore the end of 1970 showing virtually all offshore oil-lease areas inthe Gulf of Mexico, The charts will cover an estimated 161,444- square-mile area containing thousands of oil wells andplatforms, They will not show oil- lease areas in river estuaries, bays, inlets, etc. ESSA Coast and Geodetic Survey nautical charts will show loca- tion of virtually all Gulf of Mexico offshore oil lease areas. New overprinted charts, 1115-A and 1117-A, add oil-lease areas to already-exist- ing charts 1115 and 1117, Chart 1115-A shows the area off Mississip- pi and Alabama, Publication was scheduled for December 1969. Chart 1117-Ashowsthe area off Texas, It probably will be published in August 1970. Chart 1116-A shows the area off Louisiana and northeast Texas. It has been available since 1957. Since an oil-lease area is re- 18 ferred to as a lease block, 1116-A has come to be known as the ''Block Chart." Heavy Demand Demand for the Block Chart has increased greatly in recent years. Requests have come from operators of shrimping and fishing craft, tug boats, and other vessels frequenting the area, Originally, the lease blocks were added tohelp maintenance craft locate a lease area or oil rig for servicing. How It Works There are more than 2,400 platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, Each carries a large sign with the owner's name, the area, and the block number. A block is generally 23 miles square, Thechartcarries the block number; any boat operator can determine his position in the square by identifying a platform. Aid to Fishermen The new charts will help fishermen locate fishing grounds and avoid underwater capped wells that could damage their nets. The charts also will assist the Coast Guard in air-sea rescue work, and help commercial shipping and recreational boating. The new charts will sell for $1.50 each. They may be purchased from Coast and Geodetic Survey nautical chart agents, or from the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C44), Washington, D.C, 20235, WHO IS THE MOST FAMOUS OCEANOGRAPHER? This is a difficult question. The scientists best knownfor their exploits on and in the ocean have beenexplorers and aquanauts. Many men who have contributed most to ocean- ography are virtually unknown to the public. One man who was both an explorer and oceanographer was Fridtjof Nansen, a Nor- wegian who froze his ship, the ''Fram," into the Arctic ice off the coast of Siberia to prove the theory that an ocean current would drift a ship across the Arctic Basin. During the 3-year drift he came within 360 miles of the North Pole and then proceeded by sledge to a point 226 miles from the Pole. He is the inventor of the Nansen bottle, which has been the basic oceanographic instrument for decades and is still widely used. A special museum in Oslo housesthe Fram and many other Nansen mementos, awards, and expedi- tion materials. Lt. Matthew Fontaine Maury, USN, often called the father of American oceanography, was the first manto undertake systematic study of the ocean as a full-time occupation and to write an English language textbook on oceanography. The present U.S. Naval Oceano- graphic Office is an outgrowth of the work he started before the Civil War. Two other Americans who contributed much to oceanography were William Beebe and Henry Bigelow. Beebe, although best known for his work with the bathysphere in which he reached a depth of 3,028 feet in 1934, also directed a number of shipboard oceano- graphic surveys. During his long association with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Bigelow contributed greatly tothe coordination of physical, chemical, and geological studies of the oceans, leading to a more complete understanding of the interrelationships of life in the sea, Many men who were famous for other reasons have been interested in study of the oceans. Included in the long list are Alexander the Great, Prince Albert of Monaco, Cap- tain James Cook, Benjamin Franklin, and Commander Scott Carpenter. ("Questions About jezhe Oceans,'' U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office.) FOREIGN FISHING OFF U.S., NOVEMBER 1969 NORTHWEST ATLANTIC (Fig. 1) 105 individual fishing and support vessels sighted (256 in October 1969; 92 in November 1969). USSR: 51 medium side trawlers, 18 fac- tory stern trawlers, 1 factory base ship, 3 refrigerated transports, 2 tankers (about 107 ‘| Fig. 1 - Foreign fishing off 1 southern New England & Georges Bank, November i969. Number of vessels, country of origin, and species fished. ‘GLOUCESTER BOSTON Q Montauk Pt. 70° / | a Vessels (Catch eh ne aia a Polish-17 H Herring x “Go st E. German-6 | Mackerel : a W. German-4 __-“” Be ene Va 40° nye Prag Ke Vessels *2 Vessels Catch Sy al | Soviet -45 Herring Soviet-12 aimee 4%? |Polish-16 Mackerel Mackere E. German-6 + Red Hake W. German-1 GEORGES BANK AND VICINITY (SUB-AREA 5 -ICNAF) Lf) vessels in October 1969; 50 early in Novem- ber 1968 to about 10 at month's end). Side trawlers took moderate-to-heavy catches of herring and mackerel south of Long Island to Nantucket. Limited amounts of red hake ob- served on stern trawlers south of Nantucket. Poland: 9 large side trawlers, 7 stern trawlers, 1 factory base ship (44 in October 1969; 46 in November 1968), Vessels scat- teredeast of Cape Cod and Cultivator Shoals, and southeast of Nantucket, during first 2 NOVA SCOTIA. Rate 44° 68° 20 weeks; south of Martha's Vineyard and Nan- tucket from mid-month. Moderate -to-heavy catches of herring and mackerel. East Germany: 9factory and freezer stern trawlers (45 in October 1969; 14 in November 1968). Principal catch probably herring. West Germany: 4 freezer stern trawlers (28 in October 1969; 7 in November 1968). Herring was principal catch. GULF OF MEXICO & SOUTH ATLANTIC No fishing vessels reported, OFF CALIFORNIA No fishing vessels sighted. (One Soviet medium sidetrawler, 1 Soviet whale catcher en routeto Peru, and 1 Japanese stern trawl- er in October 1969; 4 Soviet vessels near Channel Islands off Santa Barbara in Novem- ber 1968.) OFF PACIFIC NORTHWEST USSR; 11 stern and 2 side trawlers, gen- erally of Oregon from Cape Argo to Columbia River; 2 stern trawlers off Washington near Cape Flattery, Grays Harbor, and Cape Dis- appointment. (In November 1968, 20 vessels, including 14 sterntrawlers.) Modest catches of Pacific hake. In mid-month, one catch by stern trawler off Columbia River estimated at 10,000 pounds, Japan: 4longliners off Washington; 2 long- liners, 4 side trawlers, and 1 support vessel off Oregon, (In November 1968, 1 sterntrawl- er and 3 longliners off Washington.) Long- liners made good catches of 10" to15" black cod, OFF ALASKA (Fig. 2) USSR: 31 vessels by month's end, 2.5 times number in October 1969, most since end of April 1969 (30-34 in November 1968). In November 1968, most fished ocean perch in Gulf of Alaska; remainder fished ground- fishin Bering Sea, Distributionwas reversed in November 1969; most fished groundfish in Bering, and rest fished ocean perch in Gulf, By mid-month, 1 stern trawler and 3 me- dium trawlers exploring for herring north of Pribilofs, 2-3 weeks earlier than previous years, “HERRING : 7 vessels S 4 vessels Sock. GROUNDFISH Be \: 4-8 vessels ~e GROUNDFISH TO vessels- eat O-6 s 8 vessels) 4 vessels tos We Us 4 1907 V3 w 170° tos" fLouTior’ bei ALASKA OCEAN PERCH CS Co 2 vessels 4 vessels ¢ SABLEFISH 2 vessels 1-3 vessels 1 vessel OCEAN PERCH 2-9 vessels 2 vessels @ -- soviet O.-- sapanese ©-- REPUBLIC OF KOREA Fig. 2 - Foreign fisheries off Alaska, November 1969. One medium trawler began flounder ex- plorations in eastern Bering, on Continental Shelf north of Alaska Peninsula, 2-3 weeks earlier than previous years, Japan; 40-45 vessels, about same as Oc- tober 1969 (about 40 in November 1968). 21 fishery along Shelf edge, began fishing herring on Shelf north of Pribilofs, about a month earlier than in 1968, Republic of Korea (South Korea): Late in month, 2 sterntrawlers in Gulf, south of Uni- mak Pass. Catches presumably ocean perch, Alaska pollock, and other bottomfish, (South Korea's first fishing in Gulf since 1967.) By mid-month, 6 stern trawlers and 1 re- frigerated transport, previously in ground- HOW ACCURATELY CAN OCEANOGRAPHERS PREDICT ICE FORMATION, SIZE, AND MOVEMENT ? The accuracy of ice forecasting depends onthe locale, details required, time range of the prediction, and accuracy of the input weather information. Ice formation predictions are based on heat content and salinity of the water mass, currents, and expected heat exchange from water to atmosphere (weather prediction and climatology). The requiredheat, salinity, and current information is obtained by oceanographers aboardicebreaker survey ships when the ice coverage of the sea is at its annual minimum. From ocean data so obtained, the "ice potential" of the water can be determined. With a known ice potential and expected air temperature data applied to the basic laws of thermodynamics one can derive the ice formation "forecast". In the far north, long-range predictions of iceformation are accurate within 2 to 4 days. Farther south, however, where the environmental conditions tend to be more variable, the formation predictions are accurate within 8 to 12 days. Size of the ice pack varies relatively little from year to year in the general area. Vari- ations occur mostly onthe southernmost fringes where shipping must travel; here variations are of critical importance. Predictions of the size ofthe pack are therefore generally quite accurate, but the predictions of ice in the shipping lanes need to be improved. The movement of ice in and out of shipping lanes, or leads, depends substantially on the wind; therefore the accuracy of an ice forecast is dependent on a good wind forecast. An accurate 48-hour to 5-day ice forecast is possible because meteorologists can produce reasonably good wind forecasts. For long-range (seasonal) ice prediction, which must be based in part on the area climatology, the dates for opening or closing of leads onthe Labrador coast may be in error by as much as 6 weeks. Recently the problem of predicting "heavy ice'' and "open" areas in the polar ice pack for submarine operations has been tackled by oceanographers using aerial and submarine surveys and wind climatology. ("Questions About The Oceans,'' U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office.) 22 Man-size halibut are common in Alaska. (BCF-Alaska photo: J. M. Olson) STATES ALASKA 1970 KODIAK PINK SALMON RECORD RUN PREDICTED "The Kodiak pink salmon forecast for 1970 is unique because it projects a record return for the even-year cycle,''reports the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Of further significance, the Department notes, the 1969 return has the highest odd-year run since 1939, although the parent year (1967) return was the poorest, If 1970 forecast is substantially correct, Kodiak catch should approach 15 million. Also, a catch of 563,000 is projected for the Mainland District. This would mark first time since 1945 and 1946 that catches of suc- cessive years exceeded 10 million pinks. These catches are the estimates of the har- vestable portion of a predicted run of 20.2 million fish. Pre-Emergent Fry Densities Forecasting wouldnot be possible without a backlogof pre-emergentfry sampling data. The Department says a relationship exists between pre-emergent fry densities and later totalreturns. Hydraulic sampling of 31 major pink-salmon-producing streams in 1969 yielded the highest fry density in the 6 years of datacollecting. "A ratio of the parent year pre-emergent fry density with the 1970 index for 29 comparable streams indicates the 1970 return at 20,200,000 pink salmon." The Kodiak-Afognak Island 1970 forecasts of returns for the major districts are: 1. Afognak-Kizhuvak: The excellent fry densities in the streams indicate a 1970 re- turnof 1.9 million pinks, Malina River should be primary producer. 2. Westside: The area from Outlet Cape to Rocky Point, including Terror, Uganik, and Uyak Bays, should contribute 3.5 million pinks, 3. Karluk-Red River: An exceptionally highfry density in Red River indicates near- record return of 6,3 million fish. 4, Alitak Bay: Fry densities were above parent-year index in all streams except Humpy River. Returnis projected at 3.3 mil- lion pinks, 5. Eastside-Chiniak: Area from Mona- ska Bay to Cape Trinity should produce 5.2 million fish. Chiniak Bay should produce ex- ceptionally strong return. Chignik Area The Eastern District, Chignik area (Kelo- kak Rocks to Kupreanof Point) is the primary pink-salmon-producing area in this cycle year. Parent escapements in Eastern Dis- trict were good, andfry survival probably was normal. Goodfry densities also were obtained in Western and Perryville Districts. There- fore, 1970 return is forecast above even-year average of 1.7 million. SOUTHEASTERN PINK SALMON FORECAST FOR 1970 Of the 85 salmon streams sampled in Southeastern Alaska in 1969, 39 were in Southern half and 46 in Northern. 27.7 Million Pinks In 1970, a run of 18.7 million pink salmon is expected to return to Southern Southeastern and 9 million to Northern Southeastern. Es- capement indices for Southern area for 1964 and 1966 of about 5 million pinks produced re- turns of slightly over 20 million in 1966 and 1968, Escapement indices for northern area of 2 to 3 million in 1964 through 1967 pro- duced highly variable returns of 5 to12 mil- lion for return years 1966 through 1969. From this information, it is assumed that in 1970 about 5.5 million pinks will be allowed to es- cape to Southern Southeastern streams and 3.5 million to Northern streams. This would leave balance of 13.2 million in Southern and 5.5 million in Northern Southeastern available for harvest--a total Southeastern catch of 18.7 million pinks, The Alaska Department of Fishand Game points out that this 1970forecast is based on cumulative knowledge of the past 6 years! pre- emergent work in Southeastern Alaska. * 23 24 EFFICIENCY OF SHRIMP POTS STUDIED Fishermen in Southeastern Alaska have used shrimp pots (traps) for many years. In the past, the efficiency of shrimp pots was evaluated bycatch analysis. This was indis- pensable for evaluation of fishing gear. How- ever, direct observations answer some ques- tions not apparent from other methods of analysis. Aims of Study The staff of BCF's Exploratory Fishing Gear Research Base at Juneau, Alaska, made the firstuse of the observational technique in studies of shrimp-pot efficiency. Shrimp pots were studied under controlledconditions ina large test tank at Little Port Walter, Alaska. One primary goal was to determine how shrimp escape from the pots. Another was to measure relative efficiency in terms of number of shrimp entering and escaping pots with different types of entrances. 5 Types of Pots Shrimp pots with 5 types of entrances were used: short tunnel, long tunnel, top loader, ramp, and plastic pipe. The long-tunneled pot was found most ef- ficient type because fewer shrimp escaped from it than from all the others. Also, more shrimp entered it than either the ramp or top- loading pot. The ramp pot was least efficient: more shrimp escaped and fewer shrimp en- tered than pots with conical tunnels. Details of these studies are in''Test-Tank Studies of Shrimp Pot Efficiency,’ by Doyne W. Kessler, The report is available from BCF Division of Publications, Bldg. 67, U.S. Naval Air Station, Seattle, Wash. 98115. Fig. 1 - A husband and wife crew unloading day's catch of shrimp at a Wrangell, Alaska, processing plant. Fig. 2 - Shrimp from a peeler passes this team before being canned at a Wrangell, Alaska, processing plant. (BCF-Alaska photos: J. M. Olson) 1969 SHRIMP & TANNER CRAB LANDINGS AT KODIAK SET RECORDS The 1969 shrimp landings at Kodiak, Al- aska, through November were 38.7 million pounds, a new annual record. It was an in- crease of 6.1 million pounds, or 19%, over 1968's record 32.6 million pounds. The 1969 landings were made in 854 trips, or 40 trips fewer than comparable 1968 Fig. 1 - Male and female tanner crab, Fig. 2 - A bucket loadof tanner crab about to be placed in holding tank at a Kodiak, Alaska, processing plant. 25 trips. Average catch per trip of 45,350 pounds in 1969 was 8,793 pounds more than 1968 average. Tanner Crab Landings Most Alaska Tanner crab landings are made inthe Kodiakarea. Through Nov. 1969, landings there were 6.7 million pounds--a rise of 4.2 million pounds, or 168%, over comparable 1968 landings. Fig. 3 - A bucket load of tanner crab being unloaded at a Cordova, Alaska, processing plant. Note larger king crab lying ondeck. Fig. 4 - Tannercrab wait processing at a Cordova, Alaska, pro- cessing plant. (BCF-Alaska photos: J. M. Olson) 26 MASSACHUSETTS APPRENTICE FISHERMEN WILL BE TRAINED BY BOSTON FLEET The Boston fleet is setting up an appren- ticeship training program. Men will be trained aboard large otter trawlers during 3 trips. The trawler owners willpay them $15 for an 8-hour day. Fishermen's training program at New Bedford, Mass. When the training is completed, the men will be ready to be signed on as full-fledged crew members. MICHIGAN RECORD SALMON CATCH IN 1969 Lake Michigan salmon fishermen set a record in 1969 by catching 175,000 cohos and chinooks weighing an estimated 2 million pounds. This was reported by the Depart- ment of Natural Resources. The catch was 75% above 1968's 100,000 fish. The Depart- ment says the increase reflects several plus factors: (1) Bigger plants of cohos. (2) The first substantial returns of adult chinooks: 43,000 of the total catch. (3) More liberal regulations, including relaxed rule on foul-hooking. (4) More "salmon savvy'' by fishermen. Each year they come up with new and better techniques and tackle. How Catch Divided The total catch was about evenly divided between the open waters of Lake Michigan and tributary streams. In the streams, the rule permitting fishermen to keep acciden- tally foul-hooked salmon helped considerably to boost the harvest. The Department of Natural Resources predicts that a record in 1970 seems all but certain. This is because the plants that will produce 1970's salmoncrop were three times the size that yielded 1969'scatch. This year also will see the first runs of four-year-old chinooks that may reach 40 pounds or more. Ay COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO 'STAHL' FINDS MARKET -SIZED FISH OFF SAN JUAN Experimental fishing by the 'Agustin Stahl! has located productive grounds of silk, ver- million, and lane snappers. The grounds are in 35-45 fathoms directly east and west of the entrance to San Juan harbor. The vessel is operated by Puerto Rico's Department of Ag- riculture. Earlier, she found snappers and groupers between Vega Baja and Cerro Gordo. The Catch Production per pot was 10 to 40 pounds. Average size for the 3 species was 13 to 2 per pound. This is considered excellent market size for pan-fry. fish. The Department of Agriculture states: "Considering these results, itis apparent that many areas from Arecibo (north coast) east- ward could be exploited commercially toa much greater degree than is presently done, specifically during the calmer summer sea- son. ; ARTICLES OYSTER CULTURE IN LONG ISLAND SOUND 1966-69 Clyde L. MacKenzie Jr. The oyster industry in the Long Island Sound waters of Connecticut and New York (Fig. 1)is rapidly developing improved meth- ods for raising oysters. Prospects are good for a return to production levels equaling or exceeding those of some earlier periods. The resurgence of the industry has resulted ‘from determination of the causes of seed oys- New Haven NE Te ANN se ter mortalities, and the development and ap- plication of methods for preventing these mortalities, Future increases in production will probably be made througheven more ef- fective control of mortalities--and collection of much larger numbers of seed oysters as a result of better preparation of private setting beds and restoration of public seed areas. scale 0 5 r STATUTE MILES hay Fishers Island OCEAN Fig. 1 = Chart of Long Island Sound showing coastlines of Connecticut and New York. Solid black areas show extent of oyster bottoms, only about 1 percent of which were actually planted with oysters in 1969, The author is Fishery Biologist, BCF Biological Laboratory, Milford, Connecticut 06460. 27 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Sep. No. 859 28 Production of oysters inthe Sound declined sharply after the early 1950s from an aver- age of about 1,300,000 bushels in 1950-52 to only 40,000 bushels in 1967 (Lyles, 1969). Traditionally, oyster companies held all their seed oysters on storage beds, totaling several thousand acres, under 30 to 50 feet of water in Connecticut. The quantity of these oysters was always severaltimes larger than that marketed. Each year, a portion, de- pending on the size of beds and market de- mand, was transplanted to growing and fattening beds in Connecticut, but mostly in bays around Long Island. Companies merely filled vacant sections of storage beds when an oyster set occurred. Thus, the supply of market oysters did not fluctuate with annual fluctuations in setting. Seed Oysters Decline After 1950, not enough seed oysters were available to plant on storage beds. Reasons for the decline were: (1) Deterioration of public beds and their failure to produce sig- nificant quantities of seed oysters after 1948; (2) Inability of oyster companies to obtain sig- nificant quantities of seed from their private beds inmost years; (3) A storm in November 1950 that destroyed most seed oysters on setting and storage beds in Connecticut; (4) Low availability of shells to be used as cultch on setting beds after 1950 because companies sold nearly all their oysters in the shell rather than shucked; and(5) A large increase in numbers of starfish after 1957. During the early stages of this study, I observed that seed beds were poorly pre- pared, and that most seed oysters were wasted due to poor management. The main reasons were because oystermen could not see the bottom where oysters were being cultured, and no assistance was available to them through state or Federal extension services. Study Oyster Deaths Material for this article was obtained by the Predator Control Program, Biological Laboratory, BCF, Milford, Conn., while pur- suing studies, long overdue, to determine the causes andpatterns of mortalities of oysters on commercial beds, The project involved: (1) Studying about 30 beds of oysters in Connecticut and New York by SCUBA diving once or twice a month; (2) Identifying causes of oyster mortality and determining the percentage killed by each cause at different periods; (3) Finding or de- veloping methods for reducing the effects of these causes and other that limit production; and (4) Assisting oyster companies to fit better methods into their system of oyster culture. Material was also obtained from extensive interviews with commercial oyster growers. Limited literatureis available on any recent phase of oyster culture in Long Island Sound; most of this article consists of original ma- terial gathered from these sources, LOCATION AND PHYSICAL CONDITION OF OYSTER BEDS Seed beds in Long Island Sound are between Norwalk and Branford, Conn., within a mile of the shore, and under water that ranges in depth from 5 to 28 feet. There are no seed beds around Long Island because setting of oysters there is infrequent. Seed oysters from Connecticut seed beds are grown tomarket size and marketed from growing beds in Connecticut and New York. Most Connecticut seed, however, is trans- ported to growing beds in New York at Oys- ter Bay, Northport Harbor, Peconic Bay, and Gardiners Bay, under water that ranges from 10 to 40 feet. Salinity ranges between 25 and 27.5 %oo (parts per thousand) along the Con- necticut shore, and at Oyster Bay and North- port, but is about 31 %o in Gardiners Bay. These beds are considered superior to those in most other sections of the United States because they consist of coarse sand, or mixtures of sandand gravel, which makes them hard enough to support oysters. Never- theless, silt accumulates on many of them, especially during the winter. Silting is heav- iest on beds in the relatively calm sections of harbors, such as those at Norwalk and New Haven, Conn., and Oyster Bay and North- port Harbor, N. Y. The silt is retained more on beds with a dense population of oysters, where it may become as deep as 2 inches, Water temperatures over oyster beds are 32.5° to 33.59 F, from mid-January through mid-March, In Milford Harbor, Conn., aver- age temperatures are: Temperature (°F. Month Mid-January through mid-March 3250) 556 April 38.0 - 40. May 52.0 - 60. June 65.0 - 67. July 66.0 - 73. August 72.0 - 74. September 61.0 - 72. October 52.0 - 61. November 46.0 - 53. December 38.0 - 42.0 1/BCF records. oooounooonm SOURCES OF SEED OYSTERS The principal source of seed oysters in the Long Island Sound area has always been and, for the foreseeable future, will continue to be natural sets on seed beds along the Connecticut coast. These seed beds have al- ways had the capacity to produce more than enough seed oysters to plant on all the grow- ing beds of the Sound, They have never been adequately prepared, however, and in recent years supplies of natural set have been aug- mented by production of seed oysters in com- mercial hatcheries and in Ocean Pond, a salt water pond, on Fishers Island, N.Y. Natural setting, in years when goods sets occur, has the advantage of providing enormous quan- tities of seed oysters at very little cost. The hatcheries and Ocean Pond have produced somewhat more predictable supplies of seed oysters, but the quantities were smaller and the costs higher. Natural Sets on Private Beds Oyster sets of high intensity occurred on commercial beds in 1966, 1968, and 1969. Beds in New Haven collected the most seed oysters ineach year because they were better prepared for setting by the oyster companies controlling them, Optimum preparation of a seed bed involves a sequence of operations. The first is re- moval of predators and debris from the bot- tom (methods for removal of predators are described later), The secondisthe spreading of cleaned oyster shells at the rate of 1,500 or more bushels per acre, when ready-to-set oyster larvae become abundant in the water. In some areas, where silt begins to cover shells immediately, the third procedure is the removal of this silt, which can greatly reduce the number of spat obtained. Toremove silt, oyster companies canuse starfish mops, consisting of a metal frame about 12 feet 29 long from which waste cotton bundles are strung, or cutting boards, measuring 15 feet long and 1 foot wide (Fig. 2). By use of these boards, which lift the silt when towed rapidly, a boat can flush silt from 25 to 50 acres of planted shells during each tide (MacKenzie, inpress, 'a'), Companies employed starfish mops to a limiteddegree during 1968-69, but use of cutting boards for this purpose is a new development. Fig. 2 - Cutting board, or vane, is towed rapidly over bottom, at angle shown, to scour silt off shells. Currents carry sus- pended silt off bed. The old procedure of spreading all avail- able clean shells on several beds along the Connecticut coast each year was wasteful. This was because from 1958-69, for example, oyster sets were of commercial significance in6 of 12 years (1958, 1959, 1962, 1966, 1968, and 1969), Inthe other 6 years, plantings of shells didnot collect acommercial set, Fur- thermore, in the years of significant sets, setting often occurred in only 1 or 2 areas, such as Bridgeport and New Haven. Each year, oyster companies spread from 150,000 to200,000 bushels of clean shells on about 175 acres of setting beds. They obtained clean shells by storing on their docks shells that either were gathered from unused beds by suction dredging or saved when market oys- ters were culled. The cost of clean shells planted on a seed bed obtained by section dredging was about 30 cents per bushel; that of culled shells was much less, So 200,000 bushels of planted shells cost about $55,000. A common, but less effective, method for collecting seed is the dredging up and re- spreading of shells, covered with living or- ganisms, that have been on a bed for a year 30 or more. Since this method does little more than expose small clean portions of shells that were laying against the bottom, it pre- sents little additional clean surface where oyster larvae canset. During 1966-69, com- panies prepared about 100 acres of setting beds by this method, In 1966 and 1968, several beds prepared withcleandock-stored shells caught as many as 15,000 spat per bushel of shells; in 1968, one bed (on which about 1,500 bushels of clean shells per acre had been planted) collected 50,000 spat per bushel. From this bed, about 2,500 bushels of seed per acre were harvested inspring 1969, At thattime, the count of seed oysters had fallento slightly more than 6,000 per bushel because of mortality and growth of oysters. In 1969, setting of oysters was not as intense; the best beds collected about 8,000 spat per bushel, In 1968, the highest spatfall on beds pre- pared by the dredging up and replanting meth- od was only about 2,000 spat per bushel of shells. Beds nearby prepared with clean shells collected from 3,5 tol2 times as many spat (MacKenzie, 'a'), Companies realized few seed oysters from these beds because they did not control starfish and oyster drills. In 1969, spatfalls on beds prepared in this manner were not of commercial intensity. In 1968, MacKenzie observed that black shells obtained from muddy bottoms could be planted immediately and, being free of fouling organisms, would catch about as many spat as clean dock-stored shells. Between 1966-69, more than 95 percent of formerly productive seed beds received no preparation, Inthose years, a small number of unprepared beds received light sets of only 100 to 200 spat per bushel of shells (MacKen- zie). The total quantity of seed oysters obtained from all privately owned beds was about 200,000 bushels in 1966, 300,000 in 1968, and 200,000 in 1969, About a third of the 1968 spatfall occurred on2-year-old oysters (1966 generation), Natural Setting on Public Beds in Connecticut The decline of the Long Island Sound oyster industry was partly due to the relatively few seed oysters produced on public seed beds. The states of Maryland, Virginia, and Loui- siana, which produce the largest quantities of oysters inthe United States, depend on public beds as the source of most of their seed, The once-famous Bridgeport-Fairfield public seed bed, 4,500 acres in size, has not collected a significant quantity of seed oysters since 1948 because it has not been adequately prepared. During 1966-69, the few shells on it were completely covered with fouling or- ganisms, and oyster larvae could not set on them, Observations of oyster sets on clean shells in test bags placed on this bed by the BCF Laboratory at Milford indicate that the bed would have received commercial set in more than half the intervening years had it been properly prepared. In 1969, some in- terest was aroused to restore the bed's pro- ductivity. The only commercial sets on public seed beds were inthe Housatonic River in 1966 and 1968, The river had about 65,000 bushels of seed oysters in fall 1968, when about 4,000 bushels of mixed 1966 and 1968 seed were harvested from the river with hand tongs; this was only about 6 percent of the river's total quantity. One of my studies showed that about 75 percent of the remainder were suffocated by silt during spring 1969. In 1969, a law was passed in the Connect- icut Legislature that allowedthe use of power to tow hand dredges on public beds. In the past, dredging could be done only by sailboats. Hatchery Production of Seed In 1968, 4 commercial hatchers on Long Island and 1 in Connecticut were producing seed oysters(Fig.3). In the hatcheries, abult oysters are induced to develop ripe eggs and sperm before the normal spawning season by Fig. 3 - Oyster hatchery at Bayville, Oyster Bay, Long Island, N.Y., is capable of producing 3,000 to 6,000 bushels of seed oysters a year, This hatchery began to rear spat as singles in 1969, Transparent roof and walls allow sunlight to reach tank cultures of algae. keeping them in warm sea water for several weeks. Whenthe oysters have developed ripe eggs and sperm, they are induced to spawn, and the fertilized eggs are placed in 100-gal- lon, conical-bottomtanks. These eggs devel- op intostraight-hinge larvae within 48 hours and can be caught on fine Nitex!/ screens as the water is drained from the tanks. Water is changed every 24 or 48 hours, andthe larvae are resuspended in fresh sea water. When the larvae reach setting size, 10 to 20 days after fertilization, they are transferred to setting tanks in which a layer of shells has been placed as cultch. When they were built during 1960-65, the hatcheries depended entirely on the algae present inraw sea water tofeed oyster larvae. This water was pumped through centrifuges that removed silt, zooplankton, and the larger phytoplankton--but allowed smaller algae to pass throughto large shallow tanks ina warm, lighted room withtranslucent roof. The water was held there for 24-48 hours to allow the small algae to increase in numbers before it was usedtofeedthe larvae. Most commercial hatcheries now grow algae in special culture units (Davis and Ukeles, 1961) to supplement the natural algae of raw water, andthey some- times use cultured algae exclusively. By using these techniques, each hatchery can produce 1,000 to 6,000 bushels of seed oysters with a count of 2,000 to 15,000 spat . per bushel, In 1968 and 1969, hatcheries developed techniques toproduce single spat. To do this, they placed ready-to-set oyster larvae in 12- inch-diameter cylinders with a bottom of Nitex screening and a continuous flow of wa- ter. After 24 hours most larvae had attached to the sides and bottom. These post-set lar- vae were then washed off as singles, 1/70th of aninch long, These had to be grown in trays, with a fine screen bottom, suspended from rafts until oysters were large enough to be planted on the bottom (Butler Flower, per- sonal communication). The minimum size of single oysters to be planted onthe bottom has not beenestablished. MacKenzie made two observations of planted singles: Ifthey are lessthan1 inch long, they are washed about by currents as slow as 2 knots; they are susceptible topredation by the abundant mud crab, Neopanope texana, which does not prey on attached spat greater than a 7inch, 31 .Growing single oysters avoids problem of crowding oysters inclusters and of misshapen oysters; culling of market oysters will be easier because they will all be single. Production of seed oysters in hatcheries has two major advantages: (1) A somewhat more predictable supply of seed oysters is available each year; and (2) New genetic strains of superior quality oysters can be propagated by hatchery methods if and when they are developed, The two major disadvantages are: (1) Production of oysters (1,000 to 6,000 bushels per hatchery per year) is small compared to that from natural sets in good years (300,000 bushels in 1968); and (2) Cost of hatchery seed ($1.00 per 300 spat) is much higher than that of natural seed ($1.00 per 50,000 spat). The annual cost of operating a hatchery ranges from 50,000 to 70,000 dollars. Setting in a Salt Water Pond Ocean Pond on Fishers Island produces about 10,000 bushels of seed oysters a year, about half soldto2 oyster companies in Con- necticut, Cleanscallop shells strung on wires hung from rafts collect the spat. Each raft holds 400 strings, and each string holds 75 shells. Just before the setting season, the water is sampled daily to determine the presence of ready-to-set oyster larvae. When they have become abundant, the shells are lowered into the water to receive them, The rafts remainin the Pond until the fol- lowing spring, whenthe number of oysters per shell averages between 10 and 30. In May, when the oysters are about 9 months old, companies remove the strings from the Pond, load them onto boats, strip off the oysters, transport them to the beds, and plant them. GROWING OYSTERS FROM SEED TO MARKET SIZE Culture Operations In Connecticut, young-of-year seed oys- ters are sometimes transplanted from setting beds to growing beds in October, November, or December--but usually not until the fol- lowing March, April, or May. Ordinarily, they are transplanted inthe fall if the quantity of oysters is too large tomove the next spring, 1/Mention of commercial products does not imply endorsement by BCF. 32 or if it is necessary to move them to beds more protected from starfish invasions or winter storms. Growing beds are cleaned of predators, such as starfish and oyster drills, competitors, such as slipper shells and mussels, and silt before seed oysters are spread, Seed oysters may be transplanted each spring thereafter, or, if not transplanted, thinned out. Com- panies that donottransplant or thin out grow- ing oysters each year find that they become much too dense on the bottom--in some in- stances, more then 3,000 bushels per acre. If a significant percentage of seed oysters is covered by silt, which accumulated during the winter, or by sand during winter storms, they must be transplanted during the following March or early April before water tempera- ture reaches about 43° F, (the level at which most begin active pumping), or the buried ones OCTOBER JANUARY deposit of silt suffocate (Fig. 4). When seed oysters are in clusters, repeated transplanting each year alsobreaks these apart sothat almost all oys- ters are ''singles'’ by the time they reach market size. A portion of market oysters may be attached in clusters, however, if the original set of seed oysters was very heavy. Most oysters are transplanted 3 or 4 times before they reach market size, During 1966-69, oyster companies spread seed on growing beds at lower concentrations thanthey hadinthe past, They spread 1-year- old 1968 set on growing beds at rates of 175 to300 bushels (750,000 to 1,000,000 oysters) per acre, depending on number of individuals per bushel. Inthe past, the rate of spreading of 1-year-olds was 500 to 800 bushels per acre, But survival rates of oysters became much higher, so spreading rates had to be lowered to accommodate growth of the Oysters marked by an x will die by mid-May. LL” Fig. 4 - Schematic diagram showing deposit of silt around clusters of small oysters during 3 months. Oysters covered by silt suffocate during late April and May. oysters. A planting of oysters of this age in- creases 4 to 7 times between April and De- cember. At higher rates of spreading, the concentration of oysters by December, when growth ceased because of cold water tem- peratures, was greater than 1,500 bushels per acre--too many for high survival and good growth. When the oysters were 2 years or older, they were spread at rates of 300 to 500 bushels per acre. Even though spreading rates of oysters were lower, most growing beds had toodense a population of oysters in 1968-69, Oysters are usually marketed at 4 to5 years when 200 to 250 constitute a bushel. During 1966-69, companies sold many oysters syearsold. Older oysters were inshort sup- ply. In fall 1969, however, about 2,000,000 bushels of oysters of various ages were grow- ing on 2,000 acres of bottom in Connecticut and New York. The total cost of producing a bushel of market oysters, including rental of beds, pro- curement of seed, control of starfish and oyster drills, use of boats to clean beds and to transplant seed and harvest market oys- ee Fig. 5 - Oysters are culled faster and more cheaply from mov- ing conveyor belt than from culling bench, 33 ters, andculling, averages about $2.50. The cost of culling, $1.25 average ($0.60 to $4.50 range) per bushel, is as high as all other ex- penses combined (Fig. 5). In 1969, oyster companies received as muchas $18 per bush- el for market oysters. Sincethe early 1950s, most oysters have been sold unshucked for the half-shell trade. Equipment to Transplant & Harvest Oysters A typical oyster boatin Long Island Sound is equipped with 2 standard oyster dredges: each can be lifted out of the water and over the boat's deck by a boom (Fig. 6). At the bottom of eachdredgeis ahinged door, which unlatchesto empty the oysters on deck, The crew of aboat consists of a captain and usually 2 (sometimes only 1) deckhands. The boat plants, transplants, andharvests oysters. To plant seed oysters, two 4-inch-diameter hoses are usedtowashthem overboard while the boat travels at fairly high speed to ensure good spreading. The cost of operating an oys- ter boat is about $100 per day. Since a boat can transplant or harvest for market about 1,000 to 2,400 bushels of oysters per day, the cost is 4 to 10 cents per bushel. Fig. 6 - Transplanting boat partially loaded with seed oysters. Booms are used to lift dredges over the deck, After boat 1s loaded, seed oysters are washed overboard on growing beds by hosing with water under low pressure. Cost of transplanting seed oysters ranges from 4 to 10 cents per bushel. SCUBA divers (Fig. 7) observed oyster dredges being towed over the bottom. They found that the teeth, which are about 4 inches long, were perpendicular to the bottom, As a result, only 10 to 20 percent of the oysters in the dredge's path were gathered. The dredge had to be towed rapidly to gather oys- ters because of thetoothangle, This caused the breaking and killing of a significant per- centage of seed oysters (Medcof, 1961; 34 Fig. 7 - SCUBA diver entering water to inspect conditions on oyster bed. Depth of water is about 15 feet, Fig. 8 - Oyster dredge with teeth angled forwards, to pass under oysters laying on bottom, Hinged door at bottom of dredge unlatches to release load of oysters. Quayle 1969; MacKenzie). Thedredges were modified. The new dredges are built with the teeth pointing forward at a 15° angle in relationto the bottom (Fig. 8). These dredges have some advantages: (1) They can be towed at about half the speed used to tow old dredges, (2) They fill more quickly, (3) Less chain or cable is required to tow them, (4) Nearly all the oysters are gathered from the bottom during each pass, and (5) Apparently, they are less destructive to seed oysters. Controlling Starfish Some boats are equipped to control star- fish. They are rigged with 2 mops and 2 tanks filled with water near the boiling point. Mops are dragged over the bottom for 10-minute periods and thendipped into the tanks to kill the starfish that have been collected. Boats so equipped can remove scattered starfish from beds more cheaply than by using lime. These boats are also equipped with either lime hoppers or tanks and water hoses to spread quicklime over beds infested with starfish. Twotypes of equipment have been used for this work, For many years, the lime was pack- aged in 80-pound paper bags and delivered, perhaps 500 bags at a time, by cargo truck. The bags were carried by workers from truck toboat. Whenboat reached bed to be treated, the workers carried the bags to hopper on each side of boat, cut open bags, and poured lime into hopper. The hopper fed the lime into the stream of water at the bottom, Eight men, 4 oneach side of boat, were often needed to spread lime. New equipment, now installed on 2 boats, makes it possible tohandle lime in bulk. The cargotruck delivers lime to oyster dock and blows it by air througha pipe into large stor- age tank, capable of holding 30 tons, at edge of dock. From this tank, the lime is blown by pipe into the tank on the boat, which holds 12tol5tons(Fig. 10). When a bedis treated, only 1 worker is required ondeck, All he has to dois start water pump and open doors at bottom of lime tank, This system works ef- ficiently; the cost of lime is lowered from $26 to $21 per ton because nobagging is required, The annual cost of lime for treating average acre planted with oysters was $21 to $42. Presently, about 15 oyster-dredging boats workin Long Island Sound, Four others are Fig. 9 - Suction dredging system mounted on barge is used to harvest shells to be used as cultch and to remove oyster drills from oyster beds. Fig. 10 - Spreading quicklime to kill starfish which invaded oys- ter bed. Tank on boat holds 15 tons of quicklime. used exclusively to control starfish, and 2 boats and a barge are equipped with suction dredges. The boats are 55 to 85 feet long. The barge (Fig. 9) candredge up 10,000 bush- els of buried shells from the botttom,or re- move oyster drills from 1 to 2 acres of bot- tom a day. Causes of Oyster Mortality, 1966-69 The mostimportant cause of mortality of oysters was starfish, Asterias forbesi, A single starfish can consume several oyster spat simultaneously. On beds where star- fish were numerous, more than 1 per square yard, they reduced good sets of oysters to non-commercial levels within a few weeks; even onbeds where good starfish control was practiced, up to 94 percent of spat were killed in bands 15 to 20 feet wide along borders of beds (MacKenzie). The rate of feeding on 1- year-olds has not beendetermined, but Mac- Kenzie (1969) observed that a starfish can consume as many as five 2-year-old oysters per 28 days, 35 Silt The second most important cause of mor- tality was silt. This settled over beds during winter, and suffocated seed oysters in late April and May when water temperatures rose above 43°F, (Fig. 4). Silt may accumulate to 2 inches by late March in areas where cur- rents are low and wave action is slight. In open waters, where currents are strong or wave action generated by storms disturbs the bottom, silt deposit is usually negligible. In the Housatonic River, a protected area, 75 percent of about 65,000 bushels of 1- and 2- year-old oysters were suffocated by silt in spring 1969. In calm sections of harbors, suchas New Haven, the mortality of 1-year - olds due to suffocation was 50 percent. na more open area of that harbor, it was about 15 percent in spring 1968. Oystermen and biologists formerly termed this cause of mortality ''winter kill,'' They believedit was caused by prolonged low temperatures. Older-Type Oyster Dredge The third most important cause was the use of the older-type oyster dredge in trans- planting seed oysters. When 3-month-old spat were transplanted, about 15 percent were mechanically broken and killed. In addition, onbeds where alarge proportion of spat was attached to small fragments of shells, about 20 percent were left behind by the dredges. Usually, these were not protected thereafter and were killed by starfish (MacKenzie), Be- sides damage to young-of-year oysters, be- tween 3 and 5 percent of 2-year-olds were killed by dredges duringtransplanting, Mac- Kenzie estimated that if mortalities of seed oysters could be reduced to zero during trans- planting, production of market oysters would increase about 50 percent. Oyster Drill The fourth most important cause was the oyster drill. In most sections of Connecticut (except for New Haven Harbor), in Oyster Bay and Northport Harbor, the thick-lipped drill, Eupleura caudata, is more common than the Atlantic oyster drill, Urosalpinx cinerea (MacKenzie, inpress, 'b'). A single drill can consume at least 10 spat amonth, and 18 to 20 one-year-old oysters, between late April and late November. Because drills were 36 under good control by oyster companies, mor- tality of spat and older seed oysters caused by them was small during 1967-69, The heav- iest mortality of spat by oyster drills observed on any bed in 1968 was 25 percent between setting and late November. Mud Crab The mud crab, Neopanope texana, was the fifth most important cause. It destroys spat upto Z-inch long. In 1968, it appeared to me that 5 tol5 percent of spat were killed by mud crabs. On 1 bed, however, they killed more than 50 percent, Mortality of oyster spat alsoresulted from other causes: overgrowth by slipper shells (double deckers), Crepidula plana and Cre- pidula fornicata; calcareous (lace) bryozoans, Schizoporella unicornis; jingle shells, Ano- mia simplex; and barnacles (species not iden- tified). Mortalities from these causes were small--estimated at about 15 percent of spat on typical bed in New Haven Harbor in 1968. On 1 bed, however, where slipper shells were extremely numerous, they alone killed about 60 percent of spat before age of 2 months in both 1968 and 1969. Rock crabs, Cancer ir- roratus, may also kill small oysters. I alsofound additional causes of mortality of older seed oysters: burial during winter storms, predationby whelks and, apparently, some very old oysters were killed by infesta- tions of boring sponges. Also, 3 to 9 percent of oysters 2 years and older died after spawn- ing in 1968, There is no evidence that mortalities of oysters in Connecticut were attributable to MSX or other diseases. Controlling Predators & Other Causes Oyster companies have starfish under ade- quate control, They use mops to determine their location; if significant numbers (more than10 starfish per mop frame per 3-minute tow) are found onthe border of, or near a bed of oysters, they spread quicklime over bed during next period of slack current, at rate of about 2,000 poundsper acre. Starfish stop feeding instantly and die soonthereafter. Only those starfish protected underneath shells or algae survive liming treatment. During 1967 - 69, companies spread lime on beds planted with oysters on average of once or twice per acre per year. In practice, companies did not have to treat many areas in center of large beds, but repeated treatment of border areas Several times. During 1968-69, mortalities of oysters resulting from suffocation by silt were re- ducedto only about 2 percent when companies transplanted oysters to growing beds during March and early April, rather than waiting until traditional May and June. During 1968-69, mortalities of oysters from transplanting operations were reduced somewhat by modification of tooth angle of oyster dredges, and by transplanting spat as late in the fall as possible to allow them to grow larger and thicker shells. But even the modified dredges kill many seed oysters, Polystream Most oyster companies now employ suction dredges or Polystream (Granular) to keep oyster drills under control (Fig. 11). Suction dredges can remove most drills from 1 to 2 acres of bottom per 8-hour day. Polystream (Granular), approved by U.S. Department of Agriculture for commercial use to control oyster drills in Connecticut and New York, is spread evenly over surface of the water, withthe same equipment used to spread lime, Fig. 11 - Pouring clay granules saturated with Polystream into hopper from which they will be hosed overboard. As the gran- ules sink, they spread evenly over the bottom and kill 85 per- cent of oyster drills within 4 weeks, at rate of 1,600 pounds peracre. Within a few hours after granules fall to bottom, the drills stop feeding, anaverage of 85 percent die, and the survivors are unable to feed for several months. Thecost oftreating 1 acre of bottom is about $200. The bottom remains relatively free of drillsfor at least 5 years; a treatment averages no more than $40 a year. By using either suction dredges or Polystream (Granu- lar), the number of drills on a bed can be re- duced to less than 2 per square yard; this is a density which cannot cause significant dam- age to seed oysters. Polystream (Granular) treatments should be made in late April or early May because they kill fewer drills when made later in the season, I also found that treatment of bottom with quicklime in heavy concentrations will control oyster drills. Of about 2,000 acres planted with oysters in fall 1969, oyster companies had to control oyster drills on about 400 acres, The re- maining areas, not planted with oysters for many years, did not have drills. Control of drills was achieved by suction dredging on about half the infested area, and by treatment with Polystream (Granular) on the other half, No specific attempt has been made to con- trol mud crabs, but most are removed inci- dentally when beds are cleaned by suction dredges or by standard oyster dredges before cultch or seed oysters are planted, _ The fouling organisms that cause spat mor- talities are controlled partially by delaying planting of cultch on setting beds until oyster larvae are readytoset. This avoids the com- petitors and fouling organisms that set ear- lier. ESTIMATES OF POSSIBLE OYSTER YIELDS Development of new predator-control methods, avoidance of mortalities from smothering, and better surveillance of beds to detect invasion by predators and accumu- lations of silt--have resulted in large in- crease in survival rates of seed oysters and consequent yields} with promise of greatly increased production of market oysters. In one example, a company planted 1,000 bushels of 1-year-old oysters, counting 6,000 per bushel, in May 1966. I counted a natural set of 9,000 spat which attachedtoeach bushel of these 1l-year-olds in July 1966. Oyster drills hadkilled 40 percent of these 2 groups by mid-August. The company treated bed with 37 Polystream (Granular) on August 24, and this prevented further mortalities from drills. Some 6,000 bushels of oysters were trans- planted off this bedin May 1967, a sixfold in- crease; these oysters had increased to 15,000 bushels by May 1968. I estimated the volume at 20,000 bushels by late fall 1969. Had the bed beentreated with Polystream (Granular) earlier than August 24, the final yield would have beenconsiderably larger. This produc- tion is far superior to past yields, which av- eraged only 1 bushel of market oysters from 1 bushel of 1-year-old oysters, Since all phases of the muchimproved sys- tem of caring for seed oysters had not been practiced before 1966, no oysters that had this intensive care had reached market size by fall 1969. The following percentage survival esti- mates are based on studies of different beds of different ages that had the most intensive care during study period: 1 Percentages of Survival Age of Oysters!/ Recorded 60 85 Setting to 1 mo. 1 mo. to9 mo. 9 mo. to lyr. 9 mo. lyr. 9 mo. to 2 yr. 9 mo. 2 yr. 9 mo, to 3 yr. 9 mo. S yr. to 6 yr. 1/Oysters of age 3 yr. 9m. to 4 yr. 9 mo. were not studied. 2/Estimate made from 100 oysters held in tray on bottom. From these average percentages of survi- val, andassuming a 90 percent survival from 3 yr.9mo.to 4yr.9mos., the following yields of certain ages can be expected: One bushel of 1-month-old spat, counting 10,000 per bushel, will yield about 21 bushels of market oysters (200 oysters per bushel). One bushel of 9-month-old seed (1-year- olds), counting 6,000 per bushel in April, will yield about 18 bushels of market oysters. One bushel of 1 year 9-month-old seed (2- year-olds), counting 700 per bushel in April, will yield about 2.5 bushels of market oysters. One bushel of 2 year 9-month-old seed (3- year-olds), counting 400 per bushel in April, will yield about 1.7 bushels of market oysters. In summer 1969, many beds were planted with seedoysters maintained under intensive care. If, from time of 9 months, 40 to 50 percent should survive to market size, they 38 will yield 5 to 30 bushels of market oysters for each bushel planted. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 1966 THAT MADE HIGHER YIELDS POSSIBLE The most important factors in bringing about the remarkable increase in yields, and the promise for much greater increases in yields and in total production in the future, were: (1) Systematic identification of causes that limited production; (2) Monthly counts of living and dead seed oysters on many beds, which established relative importance of these causes; (3) Use by most companies of superior methods, previously employed by only 1 or 2 companies; (4) Introduction of new methods; and(5) The speed with which oyster companies adopted these methods to over- come or minimize effects of these limiting causes, The use of SCUBA diving techniques was instrumental in determining the causes of oyster mortalities and the effectiveness of remedies, Diverscan observe conditions as they actually exist on a bed. By quantitative sampling techniques, they candetermine pre- cisely whenpredators, accumulations of silt, and burial by storms endanger a bed. Divers found that deposits of silt on shells signifi- cantly interfered with setting of oysters. They found that companies often planted seed oys- ters in scattered, too-dense patches, rather thanuniformly over bottom, By using divers, incorrect estimates of the situation on beds are avoided, the efficiency of culturing oys- ters canbe sharply upgraded, and oyster com- panies can avoid many management errors, PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE SOLVED It has been estimated that the enormous number of ready-to-set larvae in Connecticut waters from July to October 1968 would have yielded up to 500,000,000 bushels of market oysters if--sufficient shells of good quality had been provided to catch them; they had been protected from predators, compet- itors, and suffocation; enough equipment had been available to handle them; and sufficient space had been available to grow them. At most, only 0.4 percent of this potential will be realized since the total 1968 set saved will grow into about 2,000,000 bushels of market oysters, The following problems must be solved be- fore oyster companies will be able to obtain larger percentage of the potentialfrom a crop of larvae. Seed Beds Need Better Preparation Companies must prepare their seed beds better to increase the number of oyster spat obtained, They should store larger quantities of shells ontheir docks, These shells should be spread on beds only in years when oyster larvae set, and only inareas where the larvae are present (extensive sampling of larvae would be requiredto do this). After the sup- ply of shells ontheir docks has been planted, black clean shells dredged from under the bottom should be harvested and planted on setting beds. Silt should be removed from setting beds. Also, larger quantities of shells per acre, perhaps up to 3,000 bushels, should be planted, experimentally at first. My re- cent obServations indicate that filter feeders, suchas clams, oysters, and mussels, should be removed from a setting bed because they may reduce Setting by ingesting oyster larvae. The Bridgeport-Fairfield public seed bed should be restoredtofull productionas an ad- ditional source of seed oysters by a good management plan. Clean shells should be spread on the bed, and starfish should be controlled, Oyster drills are uncommon on the bed. Seed Oysters Require More Care Toraise a higher percentage of seed oys- ters andtoincrease yields evenfurther, com- panies needtogivethemmorecare. Accord- ingly, lam attempting to develop methods for reducing mortalities andtodetermine the op- timum levels of care seed oysters require. More Efficient & Specialized Equipment Needed The standard oyster dredge is used to per- form nearly all tasks in oyster culture, in- cluding: (1) Transplanting seed oysters; (2) Harvesting market oysters; (3) Recovering shells from setting beds to be replanted; (4) Sampling oysters to determine their condi- tion; and (5) Even checking beds for the pre- sence of starfish. This dredge was used to harvest oysters since the 1800s and was still employed in the late 1960s with little significant change in de- sign. Itis grossly inadequate to perform any of these tasks for the following reasons: (1) It loads a boat at the slow rate of only 300 to 500 bushels per hour or, at most, 2,400 bush- elsaday. (Actually, it harvests oysters from the bottom only 5 to7 percent of the time); (2) Itkillstoo many spat and larger seed and leaves too many behind on a bed; (3) It takes inadequate biased samples of oysters from the bottom to determine their condition; and (4) It covers too little area whenused to check beds for the presence of starfish. Because of a short supply of boats, a great need exists for a harvester that will load a boat or barge with seed (with less breakage) or market oysters much faster. A harvester that could remove all spat from a bed prob- ably would also remove enemies from the bottom--suchas starfish, oyster drills, mud crabs, and slipper shells. The Bailey hy- draulic-escalator oyster harvester used on the Pacific Coast (Quayle, 1969), or the Ches- apeake Bay escalator clam harvester modi- field to harvest oysters in Eastern Canada (Medcof, 1961), would probably satisfy these requirements. But these harvesters would have tobe modified to retain small predators and tofunction on beds under the deeper wa- ters of Long Island Sound (MacKenzie). Most seed beds have at least 1,000 and many more than 5,000 bushels of shells per acre buried under the bottom. A device such as a wide agricultural cultivator with deep- penetrating, curved, rigid tines could be towed to raise the buried, but clean, shells to the surface. Silt might have to be flushed off these raised shells afterwards. Uncover- ing these shells would greatly expandthe area available for a set of oysters. Many unused seed beds have more than 1,000 bushels of shells per acre on the sur- face of the bottom. These shells are virtually useless as cultch for setting oyster larvae, however, because they are covered with foul- ing organisms, BCF is trying to develop a method for killing these organisms before oyster setting. If this can be done, the area available for aset of oysters would be greatly expanded, Silt canbe removedfrom a setting bed ef- fectively by use of starfish mops or cutting 39 boards, Thedesign of both, however, can be improved, The starfish mop could be con- structed wider than 12 feet, and the cutting board could be constructed so not to disturb sediments under planted shells. I found that most silt on shells originates from the bot- tom directly beneaththe shells. The quantity of silt in bottom sediments varies widely. For this reason, a cutting board that scours the bottom vigorously might stir up additional silt and worsen the condition of the shells on some beds. A cutting board that could be towed at predetermined distances above the bottom might remove silt from shells without disturbing the bottom, regardless of its con- sistency. A device suchas a wide agricultural culti- vator with shallow-penetrating, curved spring tines needs tobe used to recover oys- ters buried by storms, Divers have found that oysters are seldom buried more than an inch under the bottom; recovery should be easy. Oysters buried by storms have always died because companies have never attempted to recover them. The cost of labor for culling oysters is muchtoo high. A system such as a conveyor belt with holes, and witha side-to-side motion toseparate oysters from small empty shells and stones, could be used to lower this cost, CONCLUSION The level of efficiency of oyster culture in Long Island Sound increased sharply during 1966-69. Undoubtedly, it will continue to in- crease because the differential between the cost of producing oysters andthe selling price is extremely wide. Companies will make large profits onany oysters sold. New devel- opments are neededtoincrease the quantities of oysters available. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Ithank Hillard Bloom and the BloomOyster Company, and J, Richards Nelson of Long Is- land Oyster Farms, for their generous help. 40 LITERATURE CITED DAVIS, HARRY C,. and RAVENNA UKELES (in press, Causes of oyster spat mortality, conditions of oyster 1961. Mass culture of phytoplankton as foods for metazoans. ‘a'). setting beds, and recommendations for oyster bed Science, vol. 134, no. 3478, pp. 562-564. management, Proc. Natl. Shellfish. Assoc. LYLES, CHARLES H. (in press, Control of oyster drills, Eupleura caudata and Urosal- 1969. Historical catch statistics (shellfish). U.S. Fish Wildl. "b'). pinx cinerea, with the chemical, Polystream. U.S. Serve, C.F.S. no. 5007, 116 pp. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish Bull. MacKENZIE, CLYDE L., Jr. MEDCOF, J. C. 1969, Feeding rates of starfish, Asterias forbesi (Desor), at 1961. Oyster farming inthe Maritimes. Fish, Res. Bd. Can., controlled water temperatures and during different Bull. no, 131, 158 pp. seasons of the year. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish Bull., vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 67-72. QUAYLE, D. Be 1969. Pacific oyster culture in British Columbia. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., Bull. no. 169, 192 pp. WHAT ARE ALGAE? Algae are primitive plants ranging in size from a single cell, which can only be seen with a microscope, to the giant kelps, which grow to a length of 100 feet. Algae are dom- inant in the sea, both innumber of species (approximately 6,600) and in number of individual plants. Although algal cells contain chlorophyll and other pigments, these plants do not have roots, stems, or leaves. However, some larger forms do have structures which resemble these organs, ; Algae do not need roots, because they live in a solution of nutrients and the whole plant can absorb water and nutrients from this solution, Some algae have a holdfast that resembles a root. The holdfast is simply a structure that holds the plantin place; it does not absorb water or nutrients from the "soil"; therefore, it cannot be called a root. Since most of the plant can absorb materials needed for sustenance and growth, there is no need for an elaborate system to transport water, nutrients, and food; therefore, algae do not | have stems. The supporting structure of kelp that resembles a stem is called a stipe; it does not serve a transport function and it does carry on photosynthesis. Some algae have blades that resemble leaves, but these are extensions of the plant body and are not the primary site of photosynthesis as in terrestrial plants, Because the en- tire body of the algal plant carries on photosynthesis, the blades are adapted to increase the surface area to make absorption and photosynthesis more efficient. Photosynthesis requires light, and, since the amount of light available in the water is limited by suspended particles, the blades with their larger surface area enable the algae to receive more of the available light. When the water is very turbid, light penetration is poor andplants grow only in shoaler areas. Plants with large surface areas have a better chance of survival. Large plants do not usually grow in the open ocean, but are restricted to water less than 300 feet deep; one exception is the sargassum weed which floats in the surface layers of the Sargasso Sea. Algae in the open ocean are generally one-celled forms and are limited tothe lighted zone (surface to approximately 600 feet). These algae are extremely numerous and are referred to as the grass of the sea'' because they are the very begin- ning ata food chain in the sea. (''Questions About the Oceans,'' U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office. SNAPPERS OF THE WESTERN ATLANTIC Luis R. Rivas This paper is based on observations obtained during 18 years (1950-68) of exploratory fishingby the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service andthe BCF Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base at Pascagoula, Miss. The data may be readily retrievedby the Base's UNIVAC 9200 computer. In this study, information is presented on the geographical, depth, and temperature distributions of the 11 species of Lutjanus that occur in the western Atlantic. analis Muttonfish or mutton snapper apodus Schoolmaster buccanella Blackfin or hambone snapper cam pechanus Gulf red snapper cyanopterus Cubera or Cuban snapper griseus Mangrove or gray snapper jocu Dog snapper mahogoni Mahogany snapper purpureus Caribbean red snapper synagris Lane snapper steele sleet gel sisal vivanus Silk or yelloweye snapper Throughout this paper the species will be referred to by common name with the word 'snapper' omitted. For keys, descriptions, and figures serv- ing to identify species of snappers, see Rivas (1949; 1966), Anderson (1967), and Randall (1968: 120). The exploratory work of the Pascagoula Base extends from Cape Hatteras, N.C., to the bulge of Brazil (Fortaleza), Because these snappers are tropical and subtropical, horizontal distribution is adequately covered. Throughout this area, 2,809 stations were occupied during the 18-year period that yield- ed species of Lutjanus. Only the Gulf red was collected north of Cape Fear, N.C. The species of Lutjanus are essentially bottom fishes, so we have considered only bottom-sampling gear and bottom tempera- tures. Bottom temperatures were not always taken this way, thus there are few or no rec- ords for some species, The vertical coverage, which extends from 2 to 2,685 fathoms, is considered adequate, except perhaps for species such as the man- grove and cubera in the very shallow waters of estuaries. However, the mangrove was recorded from 102 stations; the cubera from only 3. Figure and Table 1 show the pre- ferred depth for the mangrove as 17 to 27 Table 1 - Depth Distribution of Eight Species of Western Atlantic Lutjanus. The Cubera, Dog, and Mahogany Are Not Included Because of Insufficient Records (See Text and Figure) + « (Fathoms) 4-42 Lane 2-60 Schoolmaster 10-38 Mutton ‘ 4-47 Gulf red 3 5-80 Caribbean red 14-105 Blackfin 4-104 Silk 15-180 1/Where 68.26% of the records occur. Obtained from one stan- ~ dard deviation on each side of the mean and here rounded to} 70% for convenience. fathoms, despite its known occurrence in estuaries. The three records for the cubera are from 23, 25, and 26 fathoms on Campeche Bank well offshore from estuarine conditions. This would seem to indicate that the cubera is a much less abundant species, rather than that vertical coverage was inadequate. Seasonal coverage is also adequate except perhaps for July and December. The 2,809 stations that yielded Lutjanus are distributed (in percent of total) by month: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June 9% 9% 8% 13% 15% 5% July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 2% 5% 11% 1% 12% 4% The lower percentage in July, compared with April and May, results from decreased L. R. Rivas is Fishery Biologist, BCF Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base, Pascagoula, Miss. 39567. Contribution No. 208, BCF Pascagoula. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Sep. No. 860 26 10 38 Schoolmaster Mutton 5 ; 80 Gulf Red 32 Caribbean Red 48 Blackfin 15 Silk Le) 20 40 60 80 4 : 105 Lane 69 55 | 82 Gulf Red 55 65 75 85 TEMPERATURE (°F) 104 180 100 120 140 160 180 DEPTH (fathoms) (Figure) Depth and temperature distributions of species of western Atlantic Lutjanus. Black bar indicates 68.26% of the records, obtained from one standard deviation on each side of the mean and rounded to 70% for convenience. Some-species are not included because of insufficient records (see text and tables 1 and 2). fishing effort; it is not to be interpreted as a change in seasonal abundance. When the monthly percentages on page 41 are combined by seasons, the coverage for spring is 33 per- cent, summer 18 percent, fall 23 percent, and winter 26 percent. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION The Gulf red and Caribbean red have sep- arate geographic ranges, but the other species occupy about the same range, and the Gulf red and Caribbean red each occur with them. Our data show the Gulf red is the species occurring farthest north. It was collected from Cape Hatteras southward and, appar- ently, is restricted to southeastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico. Mutton, man- grove, blackfin, lane, and silk do not occur north of Cape Fear, except perhaps as strag- glers. The schoolmaster was not taken north of Jacksonville, Fla., and the Caribbean red apparently is confined to the Caribbean and southward to Brazil. Our data do not show any records north of the Honduran Banks for the Caribbean red, but records (Rivas, 1966) indicate that it occurs along Cuba's south coast. The data for cubera, dog, and mahog- any are not sufficient to outline their distri- bution. All three records available for the cubera are from Campeche Bank. The five records for the dog are from off British Honduras and the coast of Colombia; how- ever, it is known to occur as far north as south Florida and the Bahamas. There are only three records for mahogany--one from off Jupiter Inlet, Fla., another from Serrana Bank in the central Caribbean, and a third from off French Guiana, Inview of the exten- sive exploratory effort, it would seem that the few records for cubera, dog, and mahog- any indicate less abundance rather than in- adequate geographical coverage. With the exception of the Gulf red, the other western Atlantic species of Lutjanus have beenreported as occurring as far south as Brazil. Because our exploratory coverage in Brazilhas so far extended only to off Fort- aleza, the southern limits of distribution cannot be established from our records. VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION Vertical distribution of the eight most common western Atlantic species of Lutjanus is summarized in Table 1 and Figure. Be- cause of insufficient records, cubera, dog, and mahogany are not included. The three records for cubera are from 23, 25, and 26 fathoms. Of the five records for the dog, two are from 5 fathoms, and three from 13 fathoms. The three records for mahogany are from 1, 14, and 16 fathoms. The depth distribution of the lane, mutton, Gulf red, blackfin, and silk herein recorded agree with the findings of Camber (1955: 23) and Carpenter (1965: 8). Table 1 and Figure show the depth range greater in the deeper occurring species, and that the blackfin and silk occur at significantly greater depths than the others. A study of catch composition shows that the mangrove, lane, schoolmaster, mutton, Gulf red, and Caribbean red--with mean depths of 22 to 32 fathoms--are often taken together; these are seldom taken with the blackfin and the silk, with meandepths of 48 and 65 fathoms, which are often taken together. The relation of fish size to depth of occur- rence indicates that in most, if not all, spe- cies, the juveniles and young occur shallower than the mean depth, and the larger adults deeper than the mean depth. For example, in the Gulf red, fish weighing less than q to 2 pounds occur at 5 to 29 fathoms; 2- to 20- pound fish, at 30 to 34 fathoms; and 20- to 35-pound fish, at 35 to 80 fathoms. This relation agrees with findings by Caldwell (1955) for the longspined porgy, Stenotomus caprinus, and by Caldwell (1957) for the pin- fish, Lagodon rhomboides. 43 TEMPERATURES OF OCCURRENCE Despite few records of bottom tempera- tures, the data available suggest trends at least for some species. Here, only depth records with bottom temperature records are considered. The seven records for the blackfin range from 64° to 77° F., with a mean of 71.1° F. at a mean depth of 64 fathoms; this is 16 fathoms deeper than the mean depth for the species (figure; table 1). The eight records for the mangrove range from 65° to 81° F., with a mean of 70.89 F. at a mean depth of 18fathoms; this is 4 fath- oms shallower than the mean depth for the species (figure; table 1). The 1l records for the mutton range from 66° to 82° F., with a mean of 76.69 F, ata mean depth of 27.5 fathoms--practically the mean depth for the species (figure; table 1). The 15 records for the Caribbean red range from 64° to 84° F., with a mean of 78.4° F, corresponding to a mean depth of 35 fathoms; this is 3 fathoms deeper than the mean depth for this species (figure; table 1). The 38 records for the silk range from 56° to 81° F., with a mean of 68.99 F. cor- responding to a mean depth of 84 fathoms-- 19 fathoms deeper than the mean depth for this species (figure; table 1). The 100 records for the lane (table 2) in- clude all seasons and practically the species' entire geographical range. Bottom tempera- tures range from 61° to 84° F., with a mean of 75.20 F. at a mean depth of 23 fathoms; this is nearly the same as the mean depth for this species, 24 fathoms (figure; table 1). The 268 records for the Gulf red (table 2) may be subdivided into three subregions that Table 2 - Temperature Distribution of Two Species of Western Atlantic Lutjanus. The Other Nine Species Are Not Included Because of Insufficient Records (See Text and Figure) Species Catch!/ | Mean Total Range 70% Range F. 68°-82° 62° -76° No. F. F. Lane 100 75° 615-849 Gulf red 268 69° 55°-82° 1/Catches for which bottom temperature records are available. 2/Where 68.26% of the recordsoccur. Obtained from one stan- dard deviation on each side of the mean and here rounded to 70% for convenience. ; 44 constitute the entire known geographical range of the species. The 53 records from Cape Hatteras to Cape Kennedy, Fla., range from 55° to 80° F.; the mean is 68.29 F., corresponding to ameandepthof 24 fathoms; this is 5 fathoms shallower than the mean depth of 29 fathoms for the species (figure; table 1). The 160 records for the northern Gulf of Mexico--from Cape Sable to the mouth of the Rio Grande--range from 59° to 80° F., with a mean of 67.59 F. corresponding to a mean depth of 31 fathoms; the mean is only 2 fathoms deeper than the mean depth for this species (figure; table 1), The 55 records from Cape Kennedy to Cape Sable, Fla., in- cluding the Florida Keys and the southern Gulf of Mexico to the mouthof the Rio Grande, range from 59° to 83° F, The meanis 71.7°F., corresponding to amean depth of 27 fathoms, only 2fathoms shallower than the mean depth for this species (table 1). As would be ex- pected, the area from Cape Hatteras to Cape Kennedy and the northern Gulf of Mexico have about the same mean temperature--about 4° F’, lower than that of the southern Gulf and south Florida. The similar and wide ranges of temperature variation in the three sub- regions indicate that the Gulf red is able to tolerate 55° to 829 F, Bottom temperature records are absent or insufficient for schoolmaster, cubera, dog, and mahogany; as shown above, the records are weak for the remaining species, except the lane and Gulf red. Depth distribution within the same geographic range is similar, so temperature distribution for mangrove and schoolmaster may be inferred from the lane--and for mutton from that of the Gulf red, at least forthe area in which both occur together. The temperature variations discussed in this section may be attributed to season as well as depth. HABITAT Optimal bottom temperatures and depths are not necessarily indicative of snapper abundance unless they are associated with suitable bottoms. Camber (1955: 22) and Carpenter (1965: 8) reported that snappers prefer hardbottoms of broken relief covered with coral heads and outcrops of rocks. This bottom type is described and called ''live- bottom habitat'’ by Struhsaker (1969: 272). According to Smiley (1885: 92), the Gulf red is almost certain to be found in the northern Gulf of Mexico where there is coral rock or gravel. These comments apply to species of snap- per that occur on the Continental Shelf to depths of about 100 fathoms, but mostly at- depths below 70 fathoms. This would partly exclude the silk, which abounds also along the shelf edge or even on the upper Conti- nental Slope. In this region, described and called "lower-shelf habitat'' by Struhsaker (1969: 273), smooth mud bottom predomin- ates. Apparently the silk may be found on this type of bottom, although it is not suitable forthe other species: LITERATURE CITED ANDERSON, WILLIAM D.,, JR. 1967. Field guide to the snappers (Lutjanidae) of the west- ern Atlantic. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Circ. 252, iii+ 14 pp. CALDWELL, DAVID K. 1955. Distributionof the longspined porgy, Stenotomus cap- rinus. Bull, Mar. Sci. 5(3): 230-239. 1957. The biology and systematics of the pinfish, Lagodon thomboides(Linnaeus). Bull. Fla. State Mus. 2(6): 77-173. CAMBER, C. ISAAC 1955. Asurvey of the redsnapper fishery of the Gulf of Mex- ico, with special reference to the Campeche Banks. Fla. State Bd. Conserv. Tech. Ser. No. 12, 63 pp. CARPENTER, JAMES S, 1965. A review of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Circ, 208, iv + 35 pp. RANDALL, JOHN E. 1968. Caribbean reef fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Jersey City, N.J., 318 pp. RIVAS, LUIS RENE 1949, A record of lutjanid fish (Lutjanus cyanopterus) for the Atlantic coast of the United States, with note on re- lated species of the genus. Copeia 1949(2): 150-152. 1966. Review of the Lutjanus campechanus complex of red snappers. Quart. J, Fla. Acad. Sci. 29(2): 117-136. SMILEY, CHAS. W, (Compiler) 1885. Notes upon fish and the fisheries. Bull. U.S. Fish Comm. 5: 65-112. STRUHSAKER, PAUL 1969. Demersal fish resources: Composition, distribution, and commercial potential of the Continental Shelf stocks off southeastern United States. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Ind. Res. 4(7): 261-300. ; FISHERY OCEANOGRAPHY--VI OCEAN FOOD OF SOCKEYE SALMON Felix Favorite A vital part of fishery oceanography is the knowledge of food chains and of the locations of high abundance of food organisms. Life stemsfromthe sun; this is as true in the sea as it is on land. Microscopic single-cell plants, or phytoplankton, drifting in a thick soup of chemical nutrients (compared to the quantities available in most soils) use radiant energy from the sun to live and to multiply. In spring, a quart jar filled with water from the sea surface may containa million of these cells--in some areas, many millions. Some cells, diatoms for instance, divide and pro- duce two cells within the span ofa day or less; if this process continued for a month, each cell would produce over a billion cells. One can easily visualize the significance of the so- called bloom of phytoplankton, which occurs each spring in high latitudes under the re- quired environmental conditions of light, nu- trients, and vertical stability in the water column. In the absence of large numbers of marine animals that graze on plankton, such blooms continue until one of the numerous nutrients required for plant growth is de- pleted. Only a limited amount of research on nu- trient chemistry has been accomplished in the Subarctic Pacific Region. However, if we consider the phosphate-phosphorus distribu- tion (which has been studied) as indicative of nutrient concentrations (even though phos- phate is recycled more rapidly than nitrate), it appears that nutrient concentrations are high and show no depletion in any season. Concentrations in the upper 100 meters of these waters are from 5 to over 10 the con- centrations in waters farther south between 40° and 20° N., except off the west coast of North America where upwelling carries nu- trients from deep water into the surface layer. The high concentrations in the Subarctic Re- gion are also attributed to a vertical move- ment of deep water (explained in article IV of this series, November 1969 CFR). Some chemical studies indicate that nitrate may be limiting at times, but there is increasing ev- idence that the phytoplankton may be cropped by herbivorous zooplanktonbefore the bloom reaches the immense proportions suggested by the high phosphate concentrations. Until more exhaustive chemical studies are made, we must accept this conclusion. Measuring Plant Production Important Nevertheless, there are methods of meas- uring the production of plant material over short periods of time, and estimates have been made of the animal life it is capable of sup- porting. These estimates are important in our control, or management, of the stocks of Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus). Nat- ural spawning areas in some river systems could be expanded andthe capacity and num- ber of salmon hatcheries increased to accom- modate greater oceanic production. We be- lieve that the hundreds of millions of salmon in the Subarctic Region constitute onlya small fraction of the actualnumber of fish. We are unable, however, to determine how successful increased numbers of salmon would be in competing for food with the other organisms in this ecosystem. We know that the average weight of mature pink salmon (O. gorbuscha), which spend only 1 to 13 years at sea, can vary 50 percent or more between years, and that it is not uncommon for mature pink and sockeye salmon (O. nerka) to be smaller in years when large numbers return to their natal river for spawning than in years when fewreturn. Even though sockeye salmon usu- ally spend the last 2or3 years of their lives growing and maturing in the ocean, their re- duced size may be due to increased competi- tion for food during thefirst year or two after hatching, which are spent in a fresh-water lake. Experimental Fishing Catches More Salmon At Night Pacific salmon grow and mature in the marine environment, but the effect of food Dr. Favorite is an Oceanographer with BCF's Biological Laboratory, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, Wash. 98102. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Sep. No. 861 46 distribution and abundance on their move- ments isnotclear. Inour experimental fish- ing, conducted with gill nets (approximately 3 m. in depth), it was obvious from the start that more salmon were caught at night than during the day. Almost without exception, when our fishing was conducted at night the majority of salmon were caught in the upper third of the nets. This was sometimes in- terpreted to signify that salmon rose to the surface at night to feedupon plankton or other organisms closely associated with plankton; others believed that salmon can see and avoid the gill net more readily during the day, But studies with sunken gillnets (as deepas 60 m.) have revealed sockeye and chum salmon (O. keta) during day or night at depths of at least 40 m. Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) are believed to be at much greater depths at times. 3 Major Species Eat Mostly Plankton We know that three (sockeye, pink, and chum) of the five major species of Pacific salmon are predominately plankton feeders, but that they also consume small fish and squid. To ascertain their feeding habits, the stomach contents of over 5,000 sockeye salm- on (caught in gillnets at 82 locations in the central Subarctic Region in 1960) were ana- lyzed. Although another method of capture would have been preferable because salmon tend to regurgitatefood when caught in a gill net, the results are interesting. The stomachs were divided into two categories--those col- lected in May and June, and those collected in July and August. Sockeye salmon caught in the Subarctic Region in May and June are mainly mature fish returning to river systems to spawn; those caught in July and August are mostly immature and will probably spend at least 1 more year intheocean, Neither group had difficulty finding foodover a wide area of the ocean (fig. 1). At 68 of the stations, over 50 percent of the stomachs were at least $ full. This suggests that salmon obtain food in areas other than the immediate Aleutian Is- land area, which has been considered the pri- mary ''feeding ground" for salmon. The av- erage percentages of the total stomach con- tents contributed by different taxonomic groups were: amphipods - 43, fish - 18, squid - 16, euphausiids - 12, copepods - 7, pteropods - 2, and unidentified - 2. Other in- vestigators found for other years that cope- pods or euphausiids were the dominant organ- isms instomachs of sockeye salmon, but it is not known whether these organisms were pre- dominant in the plankton during those years. No particular organism dominated in the stomachs of fish taken at individual locations (fig. 2),nor was there any particular distrib- ution pattern. This was not surprising be- cause all stations were within the subarctic regime. The distribution of species within taxonomic groups probably differed among stations or groups of stations, But such dif- ferences are difficult to demonstrate because identifying characteristics are usually oblit- erated by ingestion and digestion. Estimating Food Abundance Near Fishing Stations Because of the great variety of food eaten by sockeye salmon, an estimate of the abun- dance of all foodorganisms in the vicinity of a fishing station would require the towing of numerous sampling devices (with various mesh sizes), These wouldhave tobe at vari- ous speeds and depths, throughout the water column, and over a large area. Such studies have not been possible. Although we have made vertical plankton hauls with small-mesh nets, the samples were inadequate to estimate the food organisms available to salmon. Once, during the early phases of our work, a two- ship operation took place in which a fishing vessel set a gillnet andan oceanographic re- search vessel made exhaustive plankton hauls throughout the night at various distances from the net. Unfortunately, no salmon were caught, and we have not had an opportunity to repeat this kind of experiment. Such studies of the relation between food available and food eaten would also require knowledge (still largely lacking) of the rate at which salmon digest food organisms. This merely points out, again, the frustrations anddifficulties en- countered in fishery oceanography. Nevertheless, inspring and summer 1961, we made 24-hour investigations of the vertical distribution of macro-plankton at numerous locations. A modified Isaacs-Kidd trawl was towed at 25-m. depth intervals from the sur- face to 200 m. At three representative sta- tions, the maximum biomasses were at 50, 125, and 125 m. during the day, and 25, 25, and 100 m. at night (fig. 3). The effects of these distributions of foodorganisms upon the ver- tical distributions of salmon are still unre- solved, The analysis of the contents of a lim- ited number of stomachs from sockeye salmon caught during late winter in 1962 indicated active feeding on amphipods and lanternfishes. It was previously believed that little, if any, food is consumed during this period because 47 “yW9IUOS poof yuvorztubrs e Gurary syoeuroys Jo sabeyuacsed ayeotpur sequinNy *Q96T e1aM SYORUIOIS UOUITES aAayOOs CRE ‘Ss YOTYM Gros suolye3s Burysty Jo suoted0T - T ‘5rq ‘MoOZI “MoGZI -_ 008! ‘(satoiro uado) ysn6ny pue Aqnf pue (sazorro paso[d) aunf pue Ary; ut peutezqo IL@ ‘NoSb see Sle ose 69e Ip c6e cg? 'N ce Sig oes ape ez ggerimeee blo 62 980 ene” oie e IG6@ €20,8. 090 98,80 Sodio Gro OFT ees ° 24g0 sores cage SER Sg tag $30 OSe 660 o e ry &> 0bG oe 22 of Z8e © speeder oe zee oye 060 v9 zo ge 69° oole b6e \6e Gle 60 OOle 860 oge 9660 gle ‘NoSS age c6°e@ cge ele 48 pinbs ysi4 splisnoydng spodiydwy spodado9y *suUOT}eIS TENPIATpUT ye UOUITes aAaxOOs Jo sydeUIO}S UT suIstUebI0 Poo; yURUTUIOG - Zz ‘HIy est Fig. 4 - Photograph of sockeye salmon scale showing winter growth zones that formed in fresh water (narrow arrows) and salt water (wide arrows), The salmon was in its sixth year at time of capture: it had spent 2 winters in fresh water and 3 in salt water. (Photo: K. Mosher) 49 50 170° 165° — DAY WET WEIGHT INGRAMS ———»> 20 40 60 80 NIGHT WET WEIGHT 1 GRAMS 60 40 20 0 100_, STATION | STATION 2 Fig. 3 - Vertical distribution of biomass at 25-m. depth intervals at three stations, during the day and at night, as determined by catches in a 3-foot Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl. the narrow spacing of circuli on the scales suggests little growth. The narrow spacing during winter is significant. It permits us to ascertain the age of the salmon by counting year-marks, whichare analogous to the rings in a cross-section of a tree trunk (fig. 4). Study Biomasses of Environmental Waters We are completing biological studies along a line of stations south of Adak Island to as- certain if the various environmental waters, such as the Alaskan Stream and the Subarctic Current, and the Ridge Area which separates these two systems, have characteristic bio- masses. It appears that the phytoplankton bloom is greatest inshore in early spring-- but that the standing stock of zooplankton is greatest in the Ridge Area. This has been interpreted to mean that grazing by large numbers of zooplankton in offshore areas prevents the standing stock of phytoplankton (as indicated by the nutrients) to attain its immense potential. Extensive grazing in turn seriously restricts the potential plankton pro- duction in the Subarctic Region. Further estimates of potential primary production are being made on the basis of cloud cover data obtainedfrom ESSA satellite photographs. Monthly averages of daily cloud cover indicate that previous estimates based upon sporadic shipreports are not represen- tative; thus values of incident radiation, cor- rected for shielding by clouds, are in error. Production of phytoplankton is directly re- lated to incident radiation. Eventhough zoo- plankton cropping may exist, knowledge of areas of minimum cloud cover in spring could possibly denote areas of high primary pro- duction and, therefore, possible feeding areas for adult salmon before or during their spawn- ing migration tonatal streams in late spring. Thus we are entering a predictive phase. This, of course, is the ultimate goal of all oceanography programs--to obtain enough knowledge of the conditions and processes in a particular system to make long- and short- range predictions. Some scientists feel that we are at least 10 years, and perhaps many decades, away from such a goal. This period of time maybe a gross underestimate or over- estimate, depending upon the requirements and use of the prediction. Yeteach step should pave the way to ultimate success. In the next article, the last in this series, I will describe our attempts to forecast ocean current flow in the salmon environment. sel oe 3B LE JIG OTTER TRAWLING INTRODUCED TO COLUMBIA RIVER SMELT FISHERY A Pre -ress Report Ian E, Ellis and Clint Stockley An otter trawl net was test fished in the Columbia River to catch eulachon, Limitedcommercial trawling caught about three times as many eulachons per day as gillnetting did during the same period. Trawl gear costslessthan gill nets and pro- duces higher quality fish with less effort. The fishery on the eulachon or Columbia River smelt, Thaleichthys pacificus, has used gill nets for many years (Pruter, 1966). The excessive handling and associated time loss using this method, plus high wastage and the product's frequently poor appearance, in- spiredasearchfora better harvesting meth- od. Initialresults of a joint study by the Co- lumbia River Laboratory of the Washington State Department of Fisheries and BCF's Ex- ploratory Fishing andGear Research Base at Seattle, Washington, indicate the potential value of using small trawlnets inthe eulachon fishery (figure 1). SMELT LANDED (Thousands of Ibs.) DATE CAUGHT (Feb. 1969) THE FISHERY Eulachon enter the Columbia River in No- vember and are subjectedto the commercial gill net fishery until they enter the tributar- ies, where they are taken by dip nets. While in the main river, the fish move up and down the river as well as vertically through the water column (Snyder, 1969). Eulachon form dense schools near the bottom on the ebb tide and are taken by weighted "diver" (sunken) nets, At the turn of the tide, and on the flood tide, the fishare at intermediate depths where they are caught by ''bobber nets" (gill nets I GILLNET A Fig. 1 - A comparison of daily catch of eulachon by an otter trawl (table 3) with the daily average catch of a sample of gill net fishermen (table 4). Mr, Ellis is Fishery Methods and Equipment Specialist, BCF Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base, 2725 Montlake Blvd., E., Seattle, Wash. 98102. Mr, Stockley is Project Leader, Columbia River Fisheries Management 1408 Franklin St., Vancouver, Wash. 98660. , Vancouver Laboratory, Washington Department of Fisheries, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Sep. No. 862 52 suspended below the surface by dropper lines). At high slack water, the fish are scattered near the surface andare taken with surface- floating gill nets. Gill netting, normally a one-man opera- tion, involves considerable handling, duplica- tion of gear, and traveltime. It is customary to fish two or more gill nets. Each net is fished by repeatedly drifting through the fish- ing areauntil the netis loaded. When all nets are loaded, the fisherman runs the boat to his shaking raft or dock. Then he removes each net from the boat, pulls itfree in sections, and shakes each section vigorously to remove the -smelt. Whenthe smelt are clear of the net, he shovels them into boxes. This process produces a poor-quality pro- duct. A net may be set and retrieved two or three times before the fish are removed (re- capping); this causes some of the catch to be draggedover the boat railseveral times. The fish are carried on the vessel tangled in the net with bodies distorted for some time be- fore removal. Many fish have their heads snapped off during the shaking process, and the catch may include dirt and slivers off the floor of the shaking area when shoveled into boxes. In many cases hand sorting is required to remove badly damaged fish. These prob- lems of the gill net fishery have led fisher- men to seek alternative harvesting methods. In the past, atleast two attempts to trawl for eulachon have been made. Trigve Tover of Puget Island, Washington, made and fished a trawl successfully in 1941 (personal commu- nication, Max Holland, commercial fisher- man, Puget Island, Wash., 1969). In 1942, Albert Coles, a commercial fisherman of Longview, Wash., made a beam trawl witha water pipe frame, and installed bicycle wheels at the ends to hold thenet off the bottom. He made good catches until he snagged and lost his gear (personal communication, Albert Coles, 1968). Most Columbia River gillnet vessels seem suitable for handling small trawls. Several have gasoline engines in the 200- to 400- horsepower range, whereas trawls have been towed by vessels with engines as small as 25 horsepower (Baldwin, 1961). Also, some of the vessels have power-drive gill-net reels that could facilitate handling of the gear. Washington State fishery regulations do not permit trawling in the Columbia River; how- ever, the Department of Fisheries can issue permits for trawling provided permittees ob- tain trawl licenses. Because the 1969 effort was experimental, the State issued a special test-fishing permit, at no cost, which allowed experimental trawling while a Department representative was aboard, Allcatches had to be returned to the water. Thesuccess of the initial attempts led the fishermento purchase a trawling license and to obtaina special per- mit to use trawl gearonacommercial basis. METHODS AND MATERIALS Several sources contributed to the pro- gram. The Washington Department of Fish- eries provided background knowledge, a special fishing permit, and program monitor- ing. The BCF Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base furnished the trawling gear and technical advice on using it. Captain Arthur Peterson providedhis and his mate's services and his vessel for the trawling trials in the main stem of the Columbia River near Longview, Washington. Vessel The vessel used was the sternfishing, gill- net 'Sandy,!' 32 feet long and witha 325-horse- power gasoline engine. Thenet was hauled on a gill net reel, which has a hydraulic drive system powered by the main engine. A shal- low-water echo sounder with recording paper readout was operated during test fishing. The transducer was suspended over the side dur- ing use. Model Shrimp Trawl The principal net used was a modified modelof a four-seam Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl (figure 2). The footrope was 22 feet long, and the headrope was 17 feet long. The body had four panels of 14-inch stretched mesh 15-thread nylon webbing. .The net was 175 meshes across the wingtips. The net was originally constructed with a horizontal: separator panel and upper and lower cod ends, similar to the French "trou- ser trawl" (Boddeke, 1965) to test the French shrimp-sorting techniques in Pacific North- west waters. The separator panel was re- moved from the net and a body liner of ?-inch stretched mesh webbing was constructed and installed in the trawl. The liner was hung to the meshes along an imaginary line 50 meshes behind the center of the headrope and 20 meshes behind the center of the footrope. The 53 Headrope !7 feet Footrope 22 feet Breastline 2 feet 9 inches Body liner from headrope bosom to codend junction, 5/8 inch stretched mesh 210/3 nylon Spt Sbar Nings and body, 1-1/4 incn stretched mesh |5 thread nylon Codends, 2, one upper and one lower dividing body/codend junction in nalf made of 11/4 inch stretched mesh 2! thread ny!on Fig. 2 - The model shrimp trawl modified for use in the smelt fishery. 36" a Fig. 3 - Trawl doors used with the model shrimp trawl. ges |0Om ——+>|<— 50m» All web |" str mesh 6thd nylon Headrope |/4' by 19-4" : Breastlines !/4" by 5'-O" ro) Footrope 3/8’ by 19-4" a Codends: 2, each 130m _ around py 200 m deep hang one above the other providing equal upper and lower openings from body. Fig. 4 - BCF Smelt Trawl liner was allowed to lie free within the net and lay back beyond the body-cod end junction. During fishing trials, the liner was shortened to reduce fouling. We felt that stretching of the cod end would elongate the meshes--con- stricting them enough to prevent a significant loss of smelt. Wooden shrimp trawl doors were used to spread the net (figure 3). The doors were 18 inches high by 36 inches long witha steel shoe. The after edge of eachdoor was connected to the wingtip at topand bottom by a 3-foot pen- nant. A 26-foot-long tickler chain of @-inch proof coil chain was shackled to the lower wingtip eye of the door. A four-point chain bridle was used to connect each door to the 3-foot-long, 3-inch nylon groundline. BCF Smelt Trawl The fishermen's desire for a larger net led to the design and construction of the BCF smelt trawl (figure 4). The wings and body are of l-inchstretched mesh 6-thread nylon. The 193 -foot headrope and 5-foot breastlines are of z-inch braided dacron over polyethy- 55 lene, and the footrope isa 193 -foot piece of 3-inch dacron/polypropylene. The net has a 350-mesh wingtip spread and 80-mesh high side panels. Two cod ends were used--one upper andone lower--eachof 1-inch mesh 9- thread '"Marlon."!/ A 24-inch, 36-thread nylon chafing gear was installed below the lower cod end, The BCF smelt trawl was spread by - inch-thick plywood doors, 24 inches high by 42 inches long (figure 5). An experimental hookup system was tried but proved imprac- tical, A later hookup system was similar to that used with the smaller model shrimp trawl doors. Each door was connected by separate pennants to upper and lower wingtips and was attached to the 50-foot long, 3- inch polypropy- lene groundline by a four-point chain bridle. Towing Warp and Net Reel A 3-inch, 3-strandnylon warp was used to tow the trawls because the gear often fouled in the river and the nylon warp stretched, slowing the boat gradually rather than putting a damaging sudden shock on the gear. A towing Fig. 5 - Trawl doors used with the BCF smelt trawl. 1/Trade names referred to in this publication do not imply endorsement of commercial products. 56 eye was tied into the warp at each anticipated towing point, and a towingbridle, anchored to hull cleats, was used to take the strain off the reel while towing. The nylon warp and groundlines were wound on the gill net reel (figure 6), The depth of the net was altered by paying out or taking up line on the powered reel; this eliminated much physical labor. The reel had sufficient power to haul easily and unaided one catch of 600 pounds over the rail and into the vessel. Gear Costs Table 1 compared costs of the major com- ponents of trawl system and gill nets. Diver Observations The trawl gear was observed by divers in Puget Sound. The model shrimp net with 18- inch by 36-inch doors rigged as in the com- mercial tests was found tobe 343 to 4 feet high at the center of the headrope and 8 feet wide. The BCF smelt trawl with 18-inch by 36-inch doors was 4 to 8 feet high and 123 feet wide. With 24-inch by 42-inch doors, the BCF net was 4 to 8 feet high and 133 feet wide. The mouth openings were, therefore, about 25 to aa 30 square feet for the shrimp trawl, 35 to 75 square feet for the smelt trawl with small doors, and 40 to 85 square feet for the smelt trawl with large doors. These nets were set and retrieved by hand without difficulty from BCF's 23-foot vessel ‘Sea Probes! Test Fishing The model shrimp trawl was tested in the Columbia River on February 6 and7 under the conditions of a permit from the Washington Department of Fisheries to conduct experi- mental fishing. Four bottom tows were made each day during the ebb tide. Catches varied up to 350 pounds in a 14-minute tow (table 2). These catch rates were sufficiently encour - aging so that the fishermen purchased atrawl- ing license to fish commercially. Useful information was obtained from these tests. The Washington Department of Fisheries observer, usinga portable record- ing echo sounder, saw apparent fish signs on bottom during the ebb tide rise in a 2-foot- thick band to a depthof 35 feet over a 55-foot bottom depthas slack water approached, The Fig. 6 - Stern picking gill net vessel with reel as rigged for smelt trawling. Table 1 - Smelt Gear Costs Materials Onl Complete GILL NETS Diver gill net 1/ 90 fms. long x 60 meshes deep = $ 251.80 Floater gill net 1/ 100 fms. long x 100 meshes deep = 315.10 Bobber gill net 1/ 130 fms. long x 125 meshes deep = 479.29 TRAWLS Model shrimp trawl Trawl (20' headrope, 1%"' mesh, 2 cod ends) $ 110.00 Trawl doors (18" x 36") 75.00 Groundline (3/8" x 150', polydac) 25.00 Package Price 2/ $ 200.00 Model shrimp trawl Trawl (20' headrope, 1" mesh, 2 cod ends) $ 135.00 Trawl doors (18" x 36") 75.00 Groundline (3/8" x 150', polydac) 25.00 Package Price 2/ $ 225.00 BCF smelt trawl 3/ Trawl (per drawing) $ 100.00 est. $ 431.00 Trawl doors (24" x 42", plywood) 50.00 Groundline (3/8" x 150', 3-strand polypropylene) 7.80 Total $ 157.80 TRAWL WARP 5", 3-strand twisted nylon $ 13.25 per 100 ft. 1/Prices quoted for materials by a major fishery supply house in Seattle on July 1, 1969. 2/Price quoted for completely assembled gear by a major manufacturer on July 1, 1969. 3/Price paid for a special fast service order of one net. 58 Table 2 - Tows Made With Model Shrimp Trawl During Fishing Tests Smelt Caught Minutes February 6 15 15 32 1/Log in net. 2/Log in the net tore the webbing. Catch Eulachon per Catch Effort Minutes Minutes 9 20 100 20 120 22 19 12 30 30 30 Total eulachon landed (pounds) Days fished (number) Average catch per day (pounds) Average catch p 1/Smelt run entered Cowlitz River--trawl fishermen made one tow then switched to dip netting from 2/15 to 2/20. 2/Large run entered Cowlitz River--trawl fishermen switched to dip netting. upper and lower cod ends were also found useful. The eulachon mainly entered the upper bag while graveland heavy trash went into the bottom bag. The BCF smelt trawl was completed after the end of the gill net season. On March 6, near Mayger, Oregon, an 8-minute tow with the trawl spread by 24-inchby 42-inch doors yielded 61 pounds of eulachon. On March 21, near Puget Island, Washington, a 20-minute tow with the trawl opened by 18-inch by 36- inch doors yielded 25 pounds, and an 18-min- ute tow caught 15 pounds, Commercial Fishing Commercial trawling with the model shrimp net was conducted during two peri- ods--February 8to 12 and February 21 to 25. The trawl fishermen shifted to dip netting for eulachon in the Cowlitz River from February 15 through 20. Atotalof 35 commercial drags were made, Daily landings by the commer- cial trawling vessel ranged from 67 pounds on February 12 to 2,100 pounds on February 25 (table 3). The average landing per day was 4 59 930 pounds or 465 pounds per man-day. These numbers do not include about 200 pounds of fish given to the BCF Biological Station at Prescott, Oregon, for studies, No commercial trawling was done after February 25 because the trawl fishermen were engaged in the Cowlitz River dip net fishery, which finally glutted the market. Representative landings by the gill net fishery during this period are presented in table 4 for comparison. Eachlanding repre- sents one fisherman's catch for 1 day. The average landings, 339 pounds of eulachon per man-day, is about two-thirds the daily aver- age trawl caught landing per man during this period, CONCLUSIONS Trawling for smelt in the Columbia River indicated that this method may be superior to the present method of gillnetting. Trawl gear is less expensive, more durable, and may be used at different tidal stages. There is less time loss withtrawl gear because net shaking Table 4 - Representative Landings of Columbia River Smelt Taken by Commercial Gill Net Fishermen (Each Figure Is One Fisherman's Catch in Pounds for 1 Day) Total eulachon landed (pounds) Vessel-days fishes (number) Average landing (pounds) Daily #8 #9 #10 Average 1/Smelt run entered Cowlitz River--gill net fishermen switched to dip netting. 60 is not required. The product is in much bet- ter condition. The method can be used with little or no modification to many existing ves- sels. SUMMARY Otter trawls were used to take smelt in the Columbia River. Two days of test fishing en- couraged fishermen to engage in a commer- cial trawlfishery during the period open to the gill net fishery. The trawlers landed nearly three times as many fish per day as the av- erage ofa sample of gill netters. The trawl- caught fish were inexcellent condition. Some held in an aquarium suffered no mortality from the time of capture through the first 2 days. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank sincerely Albert Coles of Long- view, Wash., whose suggestions and com- ments led to this program. Captain Arthur Peterson and his mate, Max Holland, of the 'Sandy' volunteered and made the field tests. Dennis Austin, Washington Department of Fisheries, monitored the test fishery. Jerry Jurkovich, BCF gear specialist, suggested changes that were incorporated in both trawl systems, REFERENCES BALDWIN, WAYNE J. 1961. Construction and operation of a small boat trawling apparatus. Calif. Fish Game 47(1): 87-95. BODDEKE, Re 1965. Enbetergarnalennet(a new selective shrimp trawl). Visserij-Nieuws 18(1): 2-8. PRUTER, A. T. 1966. Commercial fisheries of the Columbia Kiver and adjacent ocean waters. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Ind. Res. 3(3): 17-68. SNYDER 1969. Thermal pollution and the Columbia River Smelt. The Oregon Sportsman 2(8): 5-6. ie WHO HIRES OCEANOGRAPHERS? Between 2,500 and 3,000 scientists and technicians are employedin oceanography and related fields of marine science in the United States, and the number is growing. Most of these scientists are employed by colleges and universities and by university-operated oceanographic laboratories, where they are usually engaged primarily in research. The Federal Government employs a substantial number of oceanographers. Many oceanographic positions are in activities of the Navy; the Naval Oceanographic Office in the Washington, D.C., area probably employs more than any other single activity. Gov- ernment agencies with sizable oceanographic staffs are ESSA (Environmental Science Services Administration), with laboratories located in Miami and Seattle; BCF (Bureau of Commercial Fisheries) with laboratories at 14 coastal locations; and Public Health Serv- ice, with three shoreside research stations. The Bureau of Mines marine work is at Tiburon Island, California. Marine scientists employed by the U.S. Coast Guard and the CERC (Army Engineers) are usually based in Washington, D.C. A total of 22 Government agencies conduct oceanographic work of some kind. States bordering the oceanand Gulf of Mexico also employ quite a number of marine specialists. Oceanographers are employed in limited but growing numbers by private industry (manufacturers and consulting firms), independent nonprofit laboratories, fishery labora- tories, and local Governments. ("Questions About The Oceans," U.S, Naval Oceanographic Office.) =H CATFISH FARMING "A Synopsis of Catfish Farming," by E, Evan Brown, M. G. LaPlante and L. H. Covey, Bulletin 69, College of Agriculture Ex- periment Stations, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, September 1969, 50 pp., illus. This is a report on contemporary channel catfish researchand farming. Particular at- tention is paid to: 1) spawning and hatching, 2) chemical controlof diseases and parasites, 3) pond construction and water quality control, 4) feeding, 5) harvesting, 6) marketing, and 7) expected costs and returns. CUISINE "Seafood Moods," sold by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Of- fice, Washington, D. C. 20402, $0.60. A new recipe booklet, illustrated in color, featuring seafoods from the states of Wash- ington, Oregon, and Alaska. For years, many of the marine delicacies from these states were available only locally. Now, advanced processing techniques, packaging methods, and transportation make it possible for house- wives all over the nation to prepare the tra- ditional culinary favorites of the Northwest. DESALTING "Desalination,'' by Roy Popkin, Praeger, New York, 1968, 235 pp. Sea and brackish water can be made safe for drinking, farming, and industry by de- salting. Mr. Popkinreviews the latest meth- ods of desalination, its future direction, and its costs and values in different circum- stances. He also suggests ways to evaluate desalting's role in solving local, national, or regional water problems. 61 GREAT LAKES LEGAL PROBLEMS _''The Land-Sea Interface of the Great Lakes States of the United States: Legal Problems Arising out of Multiple Use and Conflicts of Private and Public Rights and Interests," sold by Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, Va. 22151, as P.B. No. 186,000 (3 reels of 16 mm. microfilm), $27. A compilation of all the laws and their im- pact on activities related to the Great Lakes. Hundreds of legal cases, claims, and ques- tions arising fromuse and exploitation of the lakes, their contiguous waterways, and land areas are listed and summarized. Grouped systematically, they cover such diverse ac- tivities as fishing, boating, shoreline con- struction, dredging, flood control, pollution, ete? The reportisaremarkable repository for the jurist, lawyer, conservationist, develop- er, and others interested in developing an effective legal machinery to evaluate com- peting claims and interests. PACIFIC COAST "Between Pacific Tides,''by E. F. Ricketts and Jack Calvin (4th edition), revised by Joel W. Hedgpeth, Stanford University Press, 1968, 614 pp., illus. There are few guides to seashore animals basedon original observation. This is one of them. First published in 1939, it is still in demand, Perhaps this is because no one else has presented the information in such a read- able manner, Although meant for the student or amateur observer, who is limited to the shore, it is equally interesting to the arm- chair explorer. Dr. Hedgpeth's contributions, both scholarly and pungent, add much to the reader's enjoyment, Anannotated systematic index and a general bibliography form valu- able parts of the book. 62 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT "Advances in Marine Biology," vol. 6, edited by F.S. Russell and M. Yonge, Acade- mic Press, New York, 1968, 406 pp., indexed, illus. (3 papers by different authors). I. Resource Management "Management of Fishery Resources," by Js A. Gulland, pp. 1-71: World catches are increasing due to the expansion of local fisheries and the rapidly growing numbers of factory and other ves- sels operating far from their home bases. These trends have intensified the problems of overfishing, anddevelopedan urgent need for the regulation and management of the re- sources. Historically, the fishing industry's classic response to overfishing in one stock has been to move to other, usually more distant, stocks, But this process cannot continue much longer. At the present rate, few substantial unex- ploited stocks of fish accessible to the present types of gear will remain in another 20 years. The problem is not confined to the high seas; it occurs also in inland waters, where biolo- gical problems are essentially the same. Mr. Gulland urges immediate attention to the problems of proper fishery-resource management. Without some fundamentally new approach, he doubts that the production of world fisheries can keep up with the in- crease in world population. The paper covers: depletion of marine resources; methods of regulation and limita- tion; mechanics of management and interna- tional law; territorial seas and specialized fishery bodies, and problems and prospects of future progress, Il. Fish Culture "A General Account of the Faunaand Flora of Mangrove Swamps and Forests in the Indo- West-Pacific Region,'' by William Macnae, pp. 73-270, Contains some interesting information on pond culture of fish and prawns in mangrove swamps. Ill. Arrow worms "Some Aspects of the Biology of the Chae- tognaths,'' by Elvezio Ghirardelli, pp. 271- 375. This review of certain aspects of the bio- logy of chaetognaths pays particular attention to the biology of reproduction, and to some organs and functions not previously studied. SHELLFISH SANITATION "Proceedings, Sixth National Shellfish Sanitation Workshop," edited by George Mor- rison, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 115 pp. Copies may be obtained from Shellfish Sanitation Branch (RC-310), Bureau of Compliance, Food and Drug Admin- istration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, D. C. 20204. The Workshop was held February 7-9, 1968, todiscuss administrative and technical problems, review current research and tech- nical developments, and consider proposals for changes in the ''Manual of Recommended Practice for Sanitary Control of the Shellfish Industry." This report, basedon the papers presented, includes averbatim transcript of the proceed- ings. The workshop dealt with market stand- ards, refrigeration, sewage outfalls, depura- tion, imports, and waste dumping at sea and its effects on continental shelf resources. The report includes the guides for pesti- cides, radionuclides and ciguatera-like toxins in shellfish adopted for’ inclusion in the Manual. SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESEARCH "An Evaluation of Lake Trout Ice Fishing on Three New Hampshire Lakes," by Robert H. Forste, Research Report No. 6, New Hamp- shire Agricultural Experiment Station, Dur- ham, New Hampshire, January 1969, 16 pp., illus. The report analyzes data on value of equip- ment and expenditures associated with the fishery. It identifies selected social charac- teristics of the fishermen, andsome charac- teristics of the fishery itself. Mr. Forste also describes his methodology and statistical procedures. TROUT "Trout Streams,'' by Paul R. Needham, annotated by Carl E. Bond, Holden-Day, Inc., 500 Sansome St., San Francisco, Calif. 94111, 241 pp., illus., $8.50. This classic guide to trout andthe streams in which they live was first published in 1938. It contains a wealth of information as pertinent now as the day it was written. The annotations cover the advances in fishery research and management made in the intervening 30 years. The notes both complement the text and refer the reader to sources of additional informa- tion. Scientific nomenclature has been brought up to date. The result is a single reference bringing together the most reliable and up-to-date information on trout, trout foods, and stream biology. THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM PUBLICATIONS UNIT, BCF, 1801 N. MOORE ST., ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22209: FISH & CRAB MEALS "Value of Menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, Mealasa Protein Supplement to Cottonseed- Corn Diets for Pigs,''by Robert R. Kifer and Edgar P. Young, ''Fishery Industrial Re- search," Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 133-142. Although cottonseed meal has been used successfully in pigdiets as aprotein supple- ment to corn, the quality of the protein in these tests apparently is not the best for growth, This paper describes the methods and results of studies madeto determine the value of menhaden meal as a supplement to such diets. "Relative Chemical Composition and nu- tritive Values of King Crab, Paralithodes ~camtschatcia, sapidus, Bauersfeld, ''Fishery Industrial Research," Violo,.No. 3; pp. 121-13 1: Blue crab meal has a high supplementary nutritive value for poultry when combined with other protein supplements. Alaska king crabs often are harvested in such volume that quantities of processing waste are sufficient for reduction into meal. This report de- scribes the suitability of king crab meal for use in broiler diets. and Blue Crab, Callinectes by Robert R. Kifer and Paul E. 63 QUALITY CONTROL "Evaluation of Muscle Hypoxanthine and Volatile Bases as Potential Quality Indices for Industrial Bottomfishes from the Gulf of Mexico,'' by Enrique J. Guardia and Gerhard J. Haas, ''Fishery Industrial Research," Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 117-120. Croaker and Spot are the 2 fishes found most commonly in industrial bottomfish catches in the Gulf of Mexico. A hypoxan- thine test can indicate the quality of both and, presumably, that of the whole catch. A test for volatile bases can not be used for fresh- ness because total volatile bases do not in- crease until after the fishhas been stored one week on ice. It can be used as an index of spoilage. The authors describe their mate- rial, methods, and results. LIPIDS "Use of Electron Paramagnetism in Re- searchon Fish Lipids," by William T. Roubal, "Fishery Industrial Research," Vol.5, No.3, pp. 107-115, illus. The products of lipid oxidation cause un- desirable alterations, not only in lipids them- selves, but also in the quality of associated proteins, enzymes, and other biomolecules. Mr. Roubal explains the technique of measur- ing the paramagnetic properties of biochemi- cal systems, and gives examples of how meas- urement of these properties can be applied in research on fish lipids. SHRIMP POTS "Test-Tank Studies of Shrimp-Pot Effi- ciency,'' by Doyne W. Kessler, ''Fishery In- dustrial Research,'' Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 151- 160, illus. The design of the entrance to a shrimp pot may be an important factor in the pot's efficiency. In the past, efficiency was evalu- ated by catch analysis, rather than by obser- vation. The studies described in this paper represent the first use of the observational technique bythe BCF staff at Juneau, Alaska. Efficiency was measured in terms of the number of shrimpentering and escaping pots with different types of entrances. --Barbara Lundy 64 125 100 TAS} 50 25 0 1946 Number of Vessels g oO & 1750 S oO y \S) G4 o) Aq oO te} g 3 4500 Zz | 250 100 NS 0 7 7 T 47 48 49 SO ,51 .52 53.54 55.56 57 58,59 60'+ 61 62 63-64 65° “66 67 68 69° °70..71 72 NJ N Number of fishermen drowned. (Note: 1969 data complete up to October 15.) Source: Japan Maritime Safety Agency, reported by Office of Fisheries Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Tokyo; October 1969. Japanese fishing vessels and crewmen seized by Soviets, 1946-1969. (See p. 68: "Soviets Seize Japanese Vessels") INTERNATIONAL WORLD FISHING IN 1968 SET RECORD In 1968, the world's fishermen caught a record 64 million metric tons; the 1967 figure was 60,700,000 tons, The Food and Agricul- ture Organization reported these data on Dec. 5) LIGO) The 1968 total included 7,400,000 tons of fish from rivers, lakes, ponds, and other in- land waters, an increase of 100,000 tons. The marine catch--fish, crustaceans, mol- lusecs, and other marine animals--was 56,600,000 tons. The 1967 total was 53,400,000 tons. The estimates, based on official data, are reported in the new 'Yearbook of Fishery Statistics, Catches and Landings, 1968,' Vol- ume 24, published by FAO's Department of Fisheries. Peru No, 1 Peru was No, 1 again with a record 10,520,300 tons; her catch was 10,133,700 tons in 1967, Almost all of it was anchoveta--con- verted into fishmeal for export. Japan was second with 8,669,800 tons (7,850,400 tons in 1967). The USSR, No. 3, reported 6,082,100 tons--the first time she exceeded 6 million tons. (The 1967 Soviet catch was about 5,777,100 tons.) Mainland China was fourth with 5,800,000 tons, The figure was based on a 1960 estimate because no recent figures were available. Norway was fifth with 2,800,100 tons, a drop from the 3,268,700 tons of 1967. The United States followed with 2,442,000 tons, This was only slightly over the 2,430,500 tons of 1967. Then followedthe Republic of South Africa with over 2,000,000 tons; Denmark and the Faroe Islands, 1,633,100 tons; India, 1,526,000: tons; Spain, 1,503,100 tons; Canada, 1,490,300 tons; Chile, 1,376,100 tons; Indonesia, 1,175,800 tons; Thailand, 1,088,000 tons; and the United Kingdom, 1,040,300 tons. Iceland dropped to 600,700 tons in 1968. She had caught 1,240,000 tons in 1966 and almost 900,000 tonsin1967. Between 500,000 65 and 1,000,000 tons were: Republic of China, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Por- tugal, Republic of Korea, and North Korea. About 26 other countries reported 1968 catches between 100,000 and 500,000 tons, The remainder caught fewer than 100,000 tons, Catches by Continents Allcontinents showed significant catch in- creases except Europe, excluding the USSR. Asia led with 24,250,000 tons, up from 22,590,000 in 1967, South America was sec- ond with 12,880,000 tons (12,130,000 tons in 1967). Europe was third with 11,800,000 tons (11,900,000 tons in 1967). North America had 4,570,000 tons (4,430,000 tons in1967); Africa 4,220,000 tons (3,730,000 tons), and Oceania, 210,000 tons (200,000 tons). Catches by Species Almost a third of the 1968 catch were Peruvian anchoveta, sardinellas, pilchards, North Pacific herring, and oil sardines, These totaled 20,500,000 tons, an increase of 900,000 tons above 1967. Catches of the mackerel species reached a record 2,300,000 tons, compared with 2,000,000 tons in 1967. Cods, hakes, and haddocks were a record 9,500,000 tons, an increase of almost 1,300,000 tons. Increases were recorded in Alaska pollock, Atlantic cod, and Cape hakes; but Patagonian hake dropped from 600,000 tons in 1967 to fewer than 200,000 tons in 1968. Flatfish, such as flounders, halibut, soles, and tonguefishes, totaled 1,200,000 tons. Red- fishes, basses, congers, croakers, drums, sand eels, and porgies remained stable at 3,200,000 tons. Stable, too, were catches of amberjacks, horse and jack mackerels, and scads; forthe past 6 years these have stayed at 2,000,000. The catch of albacore, bigeye, bluefin, bonito, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna remained about 1,400,000 tons. Sharks and rays appearedtobe leveling off between 400,000 and 500,000 tons. 66 ol 02 03 04 0S 06 07 08 18 21 a7 31 34 37 41 47 48 51 57 58 61 67 71 77 81 87 88 INLAND WATERS Africa America, North America, South Asia Europe Oceania USSR (Antarctic) MARINE AREAS Arctic Northwest Atlantic Northeast Atlantic Wester Central Atlantic Eastern Central Atlantic Mediterranean and Black Sea Southwest Atlantic Southeast Atlantic Antarctic Atlantic Western Indian Ocean Eastern Indian Ocean Antarctic Indian Ocean Northwest Pacific Northeast Pacific Western Central Pacific Eastern Central Pacific Southwest Pacific Southeast Pacific Antarctic Pacific ~S 60° | 79° S 88 1968 WORLD CATCH BY 20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 90° 100° 110° 120° 130° 140° 150° 160° 170° 180° 170° 160° 150° 14¢ =a 97 . e eee t. _ 22, 200, 000 = yy o 64 eRe “~ : 700, « x 1,200,000 t. 81 wet 1,000, 000 t. SA 400, 000 t. gf ‘ < 20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 90° 100° 110° 120° 130° 140° 150°160° '"*° 180° 170°160° 150° 140 Certain boundaries of the major fishing areas are provisional, particularly those in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. MAJOR FISHING AREAS (FAO) 100° _90° 80° 70°: 60° 50° 40° 30° 20° 10° 0° 10° 20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 90° 100°110° 120°130° 140° 150° , x . ¢ 2 21 19 10, 300, 000 t. 300,000 t ry ae ff “4D way OSes iS 5, 000, 000 a _ WU Fa (“med me 4,700, 000 t yey : $ Bax us o 0D ~ 5 NN Ly vgs |. ex, 1,400,000 t. Te we 900, 000 t.& & 1,200,000 t. we 1,000, 000 t. Ly. 3, 300, 000 t. YY ~~ ] » 100° 90° 80° 70° 60° 50° 40° 30° 20° 10° 0° 10° 20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 90° 100° 110° 120°130° 140° 150° ey = 1,000,000 m.t. = w&@ 66 INLAND WATERS Africa America, North America, South Asia Europe Oceania USSR (Antarctic) MARINE AREAS Arctic Northwest Atlantic Northeast Atlantic Western Central Atlantic Easter Central Atlantic Mediterranean and Black Sea Southwest Atlantic Southeast Atlantic Antarctic Atlantic Western Indian Ocean Eastern Indian Ocean Antarctic Indian Ocean Northwest Pacific Northeast Pacific Western Central Pacific Eastern Central Pacific Southwest Pacific Southeast Pacific 3 Antarctic Pacific 1968 WORLD CATCH BY MAJOR FISHING AREAS (FAO) to) ©. 60° fo) fe} to) te) 5 599 609 702 802 90° 100°110° 12001300 140° 150° 160° 170° 180°170° 160°150° 140°139{ 120211021002 90° 80" 70 GON SON AO 307200 10108 10° 20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 20° 30° _ 40750 oO POT 80° 90° 10091109 120° 130° 140° 150° 5 ° 3 — vel 800, 000 t. 2, 200, 000 ty : +500, 900 t. = yy Ke ore re 5, 09) 0 eS ae [0) Ged "37 cyt, 1, 100, 000 t. ae aA 1,400,000 t. Ww » 11 ., We 700,000 Ss 1,000, 000 t. On ; 1,000, 000 t.’ yy y 400, 000 t. 3, 300, 000 t. Si Av] f 0 S y s 88 =o #200 750° 140 ti li0° 20° 3 zi 2 . 100° 99° O° 40° 50° 60° 70° 90° 90° 100° 110° 120° 130° 140° 150°160° "*" 180° 170° 160 2 Certain Sondanier of the major fishing areas are provisional, particularly those in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. oO = i - o 6 6) @ 3) 80" 70° 60° 50° 40° 30° 20° 0° 10° 20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 90° 100° 110 120° 130° 140° 150 ey = 1,000,000 m.t. = w 67 at) rei, ave au ik pH Ne 9 Sie t aes Yi eam uno pees Hise 68 Catches by Sea Areas The FAO Yearbook also showed the dis- tribution of catches by areas. The Northwest Atlantic yielded arecord 4,700,000 tons, com- pared with 1967's 4,000,000 tons, Catches in- creased also in the Eastern Central Atlantic (up to 1,500,000 tons from the 1,000,000 of 1965); in the Southeast Atlantic (up to 3,300,000 tons from 2,600,000 tons in 1967); and inthe Northwest and Northeast Pacific (14,500,000 tons compared with 13,800,000 in 1967), Steady increases were recorded in the Western Central and Southeast Pacific. In 1968, catches in the Southwest Atlantic dropped to 800,000 tons from 1967's 1,300,000 tons mainly because of decreased Soviet fish- ing. In1968, catches inthe Northeast Atlantic leveled off at 10,300,000; in the Indian Ocean at 2,200,000 tons. Catches in the Mediter- ranean Sea remained at the 5-year level of about 1,000,000 tons; in the Western Central Atlantic, at 1,400,000 tons. The catch of crustaceans--marine crabs, lobsters, shrimps and prawns--hit a record 1,400,000 tons, slightly above 1967. There was anincrease inmollusc catchto 3,400,000 tons (3,100,000 tons in 1967). This was due mainly to increased catches of squids, cuttle fish, octopus, and toproduction of oysters and mussels at about 1,000,000 tons. = SCIENTISTS TO DISCUSS SEA HERRING STOCK DECLINE IN 1970 Scientists and government officials, seri- ously worried about the North Sea herring stocks, will meet in the Hague, Holland, in June 1970. They will prepare a report for the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commis- sion, The report will outline the herring stock's future. Maximum Sustainable Catch An international plan adopted years ago said the North Sea herring stock could with- stand an annualcatch of up to 800,000 metric tons, Later, this limit was exceeded and a sharp decrease in the herring fishery re- sulted. It was impossible for fishermen to find the fish, The herring reappeared slowly. Larger Vessels & Better Gear Larger vessels and more effective gear, such as purse-seine nets, caught younger and younger year-classes. It became possible to maintain a fishery of about 800,000 tons. However, a significant decrease inherring stock in recent years makes observers feel that the stock has become so weak it no longer can reproduce and survive. The doubt is in- creased by the results of taggings in the North Sea. ('Vestkysten,! Oct. 4, 1969.) SOVIETS SEIZE JAPANESE VESSELS During Aug, 7-12, 1969, the Soviets seized 8 Japanese vessels fishing for cuttlefish near Habomai Islands, Kuril Chain, About 500 ves- sels were fishing cuttlefish north of Hokkaido. With so many fishing, some were bound to trespass Soviet 12-mile territorial waters off the Kurils, said Radio Tokyo, Aug. 16, 1969. Reaction To Japanese Demands Soviet Seizures continued through August. One was witnessed by the Director General for Administrative Affairs, Japan's Office of the Prime Minister. He explained later that Soviet seizures were a reactionto increasing demands by Japan for return of her "northern territories" (southernmost Kuril Islands), ('Tokyo Shimbun,' Aug. 21, 1969.) Eyewitness According to Tokyo Radio, Aug. 21, the officialwas aboarda fishery patrol vessel in Nemuro Strait when seizure occurred, His account moved Tokyoto consider a protest to Moscow. It was not lodged until Sept. 2, 1969, when the USSR notified Japan that 11 of her fishermen died on Aug. 9 inacollision between the 16-gross-ton'Fukuju Maru No, 13' and an unnamed Soviet fishery and border patrol ves- sel. The lone Japanese survivor stated that the Soviet vessel rammed his vessel without warning. Japanese Protest The Japanese protested that the USSR*had failed toreport incident for 20 days despite a clause in Soviet-Japanese Consular Treaty. The treaty states that in case of marine ac- cidents both countries are "mutually obligated to inform each other immediately."' ('Wash- ington Post,' Sept. 12, 1969.) Startling Record of Seizures The situation is serious. Startling figures obtained recently by Regional Fisheries At- tache, U.S. Embassy, Tokyo, from Japan's Maritime Safety Agency, show: Between 1946 and 1969, the Soviets seized over 1,300 Jap- anese vessels and arrested more than 11,000 crewmen, By Oct. 15, 1969, 135 fishermen were stillinSoviet custody. The Soviets had not returned over one-third (482) of the seized vessels. During 1946-69, 21 Japanese fishing vessels were sunk and 32 fishermen drowned during Soviet seizures, SS i BALTIC SEA POLLUTION-CONTROL CONFERENCE HELD In early Sept. 1969, the Swedish Govern- ment invited the Baltic countries (Finland, USSR, Poland, East Germany, West Germany, and Denmark) to Visby, on Gotland Island, to discuss the world's most polluted sea: the Baltic. This seais threatened by increasing con- centrations of poisonous hydrogen sulfides in stagnant shallow waters. Itsdeep waters also are becoming a problem. Parts of the Baltic Sea around Gotland are completely lifeless: no fishery stocks have survived pollution, Elsewhere inthe Baltic, the pesticide content in marine birds and fish is 10 times higher thanin similar NorthSea animals, The prob- lems are compounded by a high-lying ocean floor between Denmark and Norway. This prevents exchange of Baltic waters with the Atlantic Ocean, Political Differences Block Action The meeting's main purpose--adoption of joint measures tofight coastal pollution--was not realized because of political differences. The East European countries wanted a high- level, ministerial follow-up (implying diplo- matic recognition of East Germany), while the Westerncountries favored a simple ''ad- ministrative approach," results were inconclusive. So the conference _ 69 "Nothing practical ensued," reported the research director of Sweden's Board of Na- ture Conservation ('New York Times,! Oct. 26, 1969). Soviet Comments Soviet sources confirm the 'Times' story. The 'Komunist Armenii,' on Sept. 28, said the Baltic's oxygen content is 2.5 times "below the normal content," even in ''open waters," A Tass correspondent interviewed the head Soviet delegate, Ivan Borodavchenko, Deputy Minister for Reclamationand Water Conser- vation, He complained that "political prob- lems" andthe "unrealistic policy of Western countries" prevent strong measures to solve theproblem. He saiditis necessary to ''sign aninternationaltreaty" toprevent Baltic pol- lution, East Germany must sign as a sover- eign and "independent state.'' It is not pos- sible tosolve the problem on a "bureaucratic level when only heads of various departments participate." At the end of the conference, a protocol was signed expressing the Baltic states! "in- terest in keeping the Baltic clean."' ('Sov. Latviia,' Sept. 18, 1969.) NEW ATLANTIC TUNA BODY MEETS IN ROME The great mobility of tunas and of fishing fleets necessitates prompt action to conserve heavily fished tuna stocks in the Atlantic Ocean, Roy I. Jackson, FAO's Assistant Di- rector-General of Fisheries, saidin Rome on Dec. 1, 1969. He spoke at the first meeting, Dec. 1-6, of the new International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas called towork out its future program, The commis- sion was established under a1966 convention. It went into force in 1969. 8-Year Delay Jackson said that almost 8 years had passed since it became apparent that international action was needed to conserve Atlantic tuna stocks. In that time, tuna fishing there had increased from 292,000 metric tons in 1961 to 382,000 tons in1968 and was still increas- ing. 70 The commission was formed because ex- perts of severalnations recognized that cer- tain stocks were being heavily fished and that there would be increasing pressure in the future, It wasformed ''with the hope that the problems which the tuna fisheries of the At- lantic are presently facing and which endanger its future may be solved," Tuna & Vessel Mobility Jackson noted the great mobility of some tuna stocks, which migrate from ocean to ocean. He said that ''tuna fishing vessels themselves are becoming more and more mobile and canmove rapidly to more profit- able fishing grounds," He added: ''This mobility of the fish them- selves as wellas the fishing fleets necessitate close cooperation between international and national bodies in order that effective con- servation methods may be devised," He urged attention also to the problem of overconcentration of fishing on particular stocks, He suggested that the commission give high priority toassessment studies, And he hoped for close cooperation between the commission and FAO, which helped to draft the tuna convention, It was signed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in May 1966. Rome Conference At its Rome session, the commission con- sidered proposals to study tuna and tuna-like populations, statistics and research, enforce- ment of recommendations, relationships with other international organizations, and a per- manent site. : e La Fay) 2 re kate Gat: JAPAN-USSR DISCUSS DECLINE OF PACIFIC SAURY STOCKS The 2nd Japan-USSR scientific meeting on northwest Pacific saury resource was held in Tokyo, Nov. 4-8, 1969. Their scientists agreed that saury resource has declined. They attributed this primarily to poor repro- duction during past few years. However, as during 1968 meeting, they disagreed on pop- ulation and age structures of saury. Disagreement The Japanese believe the northwest Pacific saury population consists of 2 groups: one spawns in spring, the other in fall. The large fish are 2-year-olds spawned in fall; medium are 1.5-year-olds spawned in spring; small fish are l-year-olds spawned in fall, The Soviets pointed out there was only one group, which spawns in the winter. They es- timated large fish tobe 3.5 years old, medium 2.5 years old, and small 1.5 years old. Soviet & Japanese Interpretations The Soviets explained that the resource's decline is due largely to overfishing. They cautioned that taking large fish would prevent adequate spawning. Theynoted that mackerel and saury compete for food, and that mackerel eat saury larvae and contribute to decline. The Japanese blamed decline more on natural loss, and advised against taking small fish. The 3rd meeting will be held in the Soviet Union. ('Shin Suisan Shimbun Sokuho,' Nov. 11, 1969.) EUROPE USSR ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES USED FOR MARINE RESEARCH The Soviets have been using artificial satellites for oceanographic and marine- resources Studies, according to TASS. The press agency announced on Oct, 12, 1969, that experiments during the flights of Soyuz 6, 7, and 8 showed "it would be possible to change the climate of the planet and to use correctly its resources." Space-Flight Data In the next 2 days, more information be- came available, including photographs of "characteristic sections of the Earth sur- face....cyclones and cloud formations," The Soyuz-7 crew photographed the Caspian Sea--the test area for aerospace-oceano- graphy experiments, Ground tracking stations in Soviet terri- tory and 7 research vessels of the Academy of Sciences continuously received and proc- essed information from the spaceships and kept in contact with their crews. In the first 42 hours in orbit, Soyuz 6 and 7 made successful "observations of. . .our country carried out simultaneously from Soyuz-6, from an aircraft, and from ground stations," Program Objectives Aleksei Konstantinov, space scientist of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, said the objective wasto ''determine correction coef- ficients necessary tomove from experiments carried out with aircraft to experiments in orbit with an artificial satellite." When analyzed, data would be used in "elaborating geological and geographical maps, both for our own country and for our planet in general.'' The data also would be used '',..in other fields of the national economy, such as in the study of the wealth’ _of the world's oceans," KE (al NEW WASTE-WATER FILTER IS DESIGNED A new waste-water filter for medium trawlers prevents pollution by oil products, The filter is a sand box that retains oil im- purities by combining with them, It can proc- ess 300-400 kilos of water per hour, The filter is 90x72x47 cm. and weighs 50 kilos. It will be introduced into all vessels of the Soviet Western Fisheries Administra- tion's Tallin Trawler Fleet Base. ('Rybnoe Khoziaistvo,' No. 9, 1969.) 1954 International Convention The new filter meets the requirement of the 1954 international convention to prevent oil pollution of sea water. The convention prohibits dumping waste water containing more than 100 milligrams of oil per liter. Inadequate Production The Soviet industry does not produce enough conventional waste-water filters; also, these cannot be used aboard medium trawlers because they are too bulky and heavy. SPAIN FISHING FLEET GROWS Larger Spanishtrawlers andfreezers with increased fishing capabilities continue to enter the fisheries. Since 1964, the govern- ment has authorized official credits and tax rebates to construct vessels; special loans are available for large vessels. The objective is to promote development of a modern fleet of about 600,000 gross registered tons (GRT) by the end of 1970. This is considered suf- ficient for an average annual catch of about 1,500,000 metric tons of fish. Distant-Water Fleet The fleet's long-range sectors, trawling codinthe Northwest Atlantic and fishing hake inthe South Atlantic, have made sizable gains (Table 1). Spain began producing frozen fish relative - ly late but, since 1960, this part of fleet has 72 SPAIN (Contd.): Table 1 - Spain: Fishing Fleet, 1965-68 (000 Gross Registered Tons) onnage Group 1965 1966 1967 1968 135259) (9155.13) 91193 60 521655 250 307.0) (31355-32853 339.7 350 442.9 468.8 521.9 556.2 600 developed rapidly. At the end of 1967, 103 modern freezer trawlers of 82,803 GRT were operating. Of these, 55 were put into service between 1963 and 1966, and about 48 vessels in1967 and1968. Many others are under con- struction and willenter the fisheries in 1969 and 1970; many replace smaller, old vessels. Codfish Fleet The codfish fleet in 1968 also had in- creased: to26trawlers and 126 pair trawlers totaling 58,955 GRT. These operated exclu- sively on the fishing grounds of Northwest Atlantic (Greenland, Labrador, Newfound- land, and Nova Scotia). Their catches were 95% cod. Freezer Trawlers In 1968, catches by freezer trawlers were 240,000 metric tons, almost 5 times 1964 catch (Table 2). Catches frequently were greater than home demand, so shipowners restricted output and limited catches. In 1969, shipowners turned increasingly toward greater export markets for some products, This fleet operated mainly in Southeast At- lantic off Africa, Catches included 80% hake. Table 2 - Spain: Estimated Catch by Fleet, 1964-68 (In 000 Metric Tons) Type of Fleet 1964, (1965 .'531966: (5 11967 Long-range fleet: Freezer vessels 53 133 195 230 Codfish vessels 234 239 290 edium & coastal 744 690 690 - 229 221 229 1,340 1,345 1,439 Cod Catch Cod trawlers caught 340,000 tons, up 109,000 tons, about 50%, above 1964. This fleet operated in Northwest Atlantic, where catches were 95% cod. Government Plans The fleet appears tobe nearing its objec- tive and may exceed goal set by initial plan. The government plans to restrict increase of freezer fleet, grant no official aidto construct conventional cod vessels used only for salting cod, develop deep-water tuna fleet, concen- trate on modernizing small coastal fleet, and improve marketing, (Reg. Fish. Attaché, Europe, Nov. 25, 1969.) By sry SWEDEN FISHING INDUSTRY FUTURE IS NOT PROMISING For the fourth successive year, Sweden's fishing industry faces great difficulties, Until 1965, profits trended upward. Since then, catches and income have gradually decreased, affecting owners of larger boats inparticular, In 1968, Swedish fishermen landed 307,172 metric,tons of fish worth 218.1 million kronor,l/ the lowest quantity since 1962 and lowest value since 1963, While other workers have received more pay each year, the estimated fishermen's income in 1969 will be only a little more than half of what they earned in 1965. The indus- try's prospects are not promising. Recent Developments In 1962, Swedish fishermen caught two- thirds of domestic consumption; now imported fish are the larger part. Since 1965, import of fish and fish products have more than doubled. In 1968, these totaled 72,900 metric tons worth 279 million kronor, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland, the main suppliers, account for 73% or 204 million kronor, of total imports. Imports from Can- ada, tripled since 1967, reached 21 million kronor, This expansion was attributed toa large increase in shrimpimports., However, 90% of this reportedly is U.S. shrimp exported from Canadian ports. Direct imports from U.S. declined 5 million kronor to 9.2 million kronor, This was because less canned crab meat was imported, whereasits import from Japan and Soviet Union rose 5 and 3 million kronor, to 8.4 and 15.2 million kronor, Foreign Trade In 1968, totalforeigntrade in fish and fish products resulted in import surplus of 154 1/Skr. 5.17 equal US$1. SWEDEN (Contd.): million kronor. Export quantities dropped 7% from 1967 andtotaled 187,600 metric tons, although value stayed at 124.5 million kronor. Exports to Denmark were 75% of total value and 93% of quantity. To a large extent, these were direct landings by Swedish fish- ermen in Danish ports. Swedish fishermen prefer to land larger part of herring catches in Danish ports for 2 reasons: Shorter distances from fishing grounds, and Denmark has efficient process- ing industry and is convenient for shipments to West Germany. In 1968, imports of frozenfish fillets were 44% of Swedish fish consumption by weight. They increased during 10-year period from 4,000 metric tons to14,000 metric tons worth almost 50 million kronor, The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement has removed the import protection Swedish fishermen had enjoyed, Fewer Fishermen Reduced income has reduced number of fishermen. This is not exceptional in an in- dustrialized country where agriculture and fishing employ less of the workforce. Among young fishermen on west coast, the industry center, 18% under 40 years switched in 1968 to other employment. For over 40, rate was 6%. Jellyfish Invasion The invasion of jellyfish (medusa Tima Bairdii) in recent years has hit shrimp fish- ermenespecially hard. During certain peri- ods, the jellyfish have stopped shrimp fishing entirely. Trawls were quickly filled and be- came so heavy they split, or caused enorm- ous workload in sorting out the shrimp. Swedish researchers claim that inflow of cold water from North Sea has caused invasion, Nordic Economic Union The report and draft treaty covering fish- ery policy for Nordic economic union (NORDEK) has been criticized by National Fisheries Board and fishermen's organiza- tions. The present proposal would abolish all restrictions ontrade in fishery products be- tween Nordic countries on Jan. 1,1972,. Au- thorities claim abrupt removal of restrictions 73 would seriously affect Swedishindustry. They have proposed transition period of 5 years. Norwegian Subsidies & NORDEK Another serious problem for Swedish fish- eries is Norwegian subsidies tofishing indus- try. These have been increased yearly and now are estimated at 30% of catch value. The NORDEK report states national support should not affect trade competition between Nordic countries, or exports to a third coun- try. However, the report states that support can be given fishermen to promote social, economic, and political objectives. Swedish fishing organizations claim this leaves open possibility of continuing subsidies and, toa large extent, eliminates basis for common fishery policy. Swedish Aid Although Sweden is unwilling to subsidize fisheries, it provides some loans. From July 1, 1969, Swedish fishermen could apply for: Consolidation loans: to assist fishermen with working capital problems, maximum 200,000 kronor, to be paid off during 10-year period, Rationalization loans: to improve effi- ciency of fishing craft, maximum 200,000 kronor, 10-year period. Conversion loans: aid to fishermen who have been continuously engaged in the indus- try during last 5 years and intend to take up another trade. Maximum 12,000 kronor, re= payment required if recipients returntofish- ing within 2 years. Gear loans: to assist fishermen who have lost gear, or whose gear has been damaged. Maximum: 15,000 kronor, Other help will be given by 'Svensk Fisk.! It has started campaigntoincrease consump- tion of Swedish fish. It is responsible for setting guaranteed and minimum prices paid to fishermen and for making up difference when prices fall below these levels. Funds for these purposes previously came entirely from government. Since July 1, 1969, they have been obtained in large part from a fee of 3% of sales value of landed and imported cod, haddock, redfish, and saithe. 74 SWEDEN (Contd.): OUT LOOK The prospects for Swedish fisheries are not bright. The decline in number of fisher- men probably will continue and could be ac- celerated if herring stocks decline further. Crew size will have to be cut to make fishing more profitable. There is a safety limit however. The government has no plans for subsidies to maintain present size of fishing fleet. Imports of fish and fish products are ex- pected to remainrelatively highinthe future. This should offer sales opportunities, es- pecially for U.S. shrimp and fresh frozen salmon, (U.S. Consul, Goteborg, Dec. 4, 1969.) GROWTH RATES OF FISH VARY—THE BETTER THE FOOD SUPPLY, THE BETTER THE GROWTH. THESE BLUEGILLS ARE THE SAME AGE. THE TOP ONE WAS TAKEN FROM A WELL- MANAGED POPULATION, THE LOWER ONE FROM AN OVER CROWDED FARM POND THE YEAR MARKS OR ANNULI ARE PROBABLY * FORMED IN THE SPRING AS THE FISH BEGIN HEAVY FEEDING “LIFE EXPECTANCY” CARP 15 YEARS eas 8 YEARS SUNFISH 6 YEARS 4 YEARS CATFISH CAN BE AGED BY TAKING SECTIONS OF THE FIN SPINES OR BACK- BONE AND MICROSCOPICAL- LY EXAMINING THEM, OUTER EDGE 2nd ANNULUS OR YEAR MARK Ist ANNULUS FOCUS OR CENTER THIS SCALE WAS TAKEN FROM A BASS IN ITS THIRD YEAR THE FISH WAS 16 INCHES LONG AND GREW ABOUT 8 INCHES ITS FIRST YEAR AND 6 INCHES DURING THE SECOND YEAR. (Georgia 'Game and Fish’) LATIN AMERICA CHILE SEEKS JAPANESE ADVICE ON SAURY FISHING The Chilean Institute for the Study of Fish- ery Problems has asked guidance from a large firmin Japan onthese aspects of the Japanese method of saury fishing: (1) converting an- chovy purse Seiners for saury fishing; (2) method of freezing and packing catch and (3) fish size used for tuna bait. Plans Saury Fishery Apparently, Chile plans to harvest the un- exploited saury off her coast and export them as tuna bait to Japan, where bait saury is in short supply due to poor fishing. The size of saury resource off Chile is es- timated by FAOtobe at least 50 million met- ric tons. ('Nihon Suisan Shimbun,! Nov. 7, 1969.) ECUADOR REPORT OF NEW SHRIMP BEDS IS PREMATURE New information indicates that Oct. 1969 announcement of substantialnew shrimp beds off Ecuador was overly optimistic, The U.S. Consulate, Guayaquil, originally reported new beds 30 miles offshore in 40 to 100 fathoms and extending from Manta south, Catches up to 30,000 pounds for a single boat in 2 days fishing were reported. Shrimp Disappeared During late Sept.-early Oct. 1969, 90 ves- sels fished the new area and caught about 200,000 pounds, The shrimp disappeared after 3 weeks! fishing. Good Year Nonetheless Despite this failure, 1969 looked like a good shrimp year. The catch was up consid- erably over 1968. Exports for first 8 months were 6.2 million pounds, compared to 4,5 million pounds for 1968 period. According to industry sources, the reasonfor increased catch is better boats and more intense fish- ing. (U.S. Consulate, Guayaquil, Nov. 19, 1969.) 00e8e00 79 BRITISH HONDURAS FISHERY EXPORTS RISE The reported value of British Honduras! 1968 fishery exports was US$0.6 million, over 33% morethan in 1967. Shipments continued high in 1969. Exports of spiny lobster tail accounted for roughly two-thirds of the 1968 earnings, These exports now are being more accurately valued and will probably total more than US$1 million annually. Conch Exports Up Conch exports are up substantially. With 543,000 lbs. shipped through August 1969, they were up more than 50% over first 8 months of 1968. In the long run, however, major expansion can occur only in fin fish or in fish farming. These probably will require foreign capital and organization, (U.S. Consulate, Belize City Oct noisy L969.) ie Xt SOUTH PACIFIC AMERICAN SAMOA TUNA PRICES INCREASED IN NOV, 1969 Japanese tuna suppliers and U.S, packers at American Samoa increased prices for November 1969 tunadeliveries to that island by US$10 a ton for albacore, and $5 a ton for yellowfin, This was the first price increase since August 1969. The new prices represent anall-time high for American Samoa (per short ton): round albacore: frozen $440, iced $425; gilled-and- gutted yellowfin: frozen $325.50, iced $332.50, Japanese Fleet Dwindles Price negotiations are conducted monthly between Japanese firms and Samoa-based U.S. packers. But the size of Japanese tuna fleet supplying the island has dwindled to 5-6 vessels compared with 70-75 South Korean and 55-60 Taiwanese vessels. So indications are that from 1970 the three countries, alter- nately, will conduct price negotiations with U.S. packers. ('Katsuo-maguro Tsushin,! Nov. 20, 1969.) e0@ee0ce ASIA JAPAN FISH SHORTAGE TO BECOME ACUTE By 1977, fish supplies will be short about 2,000,000 metric tons in Japan, according to the Coastal Fishing Promotion Council. Re- porting to the Fisheries Agency, the council said a price rise in marine products would be unavoidable, unless substantial innovations were made in fishing technology. Demand Exceeds Supply In 1968, Japan produced 8,600,000 tons of marine products, excluding about 700,000 tons of imports, but demand was substantial- ly higher than supply. Demandfor shrimp and tuna had risen conspicuously because of rising living standards, Long-Range Forecast Domestic per-capita consumption of fish is expected to grow from 122 pounds (whole or round weight) in 1967 to 148 pounds in UO Tate Demand for fish and marine products would increase to 12,400,000 tons by 1977, includ- ing about 800,000 tons of seaweed, the council forecast. However, supplies willbe limited to about 8,900,000 tons of fish and shellfish and to about 2,000,000 by imports. ('Yomiori,' Oct. 28, 1969.) KOK X 1969 E, BERING SEA CRAB OUTPUT EXCEEDS PLANS In 1969, Bristol Bay crab production sur- passed original plans, The factoryships ‘Keiko Maru! (7,536 gross tons) and 'Koyo Maru! (7,758 gross tons) ended operations inlate Sept. Their combined quota was 85,000 cases of king crabs, and 16 million tanner crabs. Keiko Maru reached her king crab quota, packing 43,400 cases. Her tanner crab quota was 8.2 million crabs plus an allowance; ac- tually, catch reached 9 million crabs: 4,600 metric tons were frozen shell on, 2,700 tons were canned, and 7 tons frozen shell on. Koyo Maru Catches Quota Koyo Maru had been assigned a quota of 41,600 cases of king crabs and 7.8 million 76 tanner crabs plus an allowance. She packed her king crab quota and harvested 8.6 million tanner crabs (4,700 tons were frozen shell on and 10 tons shelled). Both fleets experimented with shrink- packaging, using about 10% of the tanner crab eatches, This method (heating and shrinking the meat before packaging) serves to increase the market value of tanner crab meat consid- erably. The factoryship owners are consider - ing full-scale shrink-packaging of tanner crabs in 1970. 1969 Fishing Appraised Keiko Maru fleet's tanner-crab fishing gear was 60% tangle nets and 40% crab pots; Koyo Maru fleet used about 50% each. Both fleet commanders said they would like to increase pot gear in 1970; fishing and sea conditions were different in 1969: the more productive grounds were found on the southwestern part of Bristol Bay. They found king-crab fishing poor in late spring, but it began to improve toward fall. Tanner crabs were large and more abundant than anticipated. ('Suisan Keizai Shimbun,' Octs 27, 19695) OK OK FISHERIES AGENCY EXPERIMENTS WITH PETROLEUM FISH FOOD The Japanese Fisheries Agency is experi- menting with production of synthetic petrole- um proteinasfish food. Projects are under- way at 19 fishery experiment stations throughout Japan. Petroleum protein is produced by micro- organic fermentation of liquidhydrocarbons. A solution of water, ammonia, dextrose, and other nutrients is seeded with pure cultures of yeast or bacteria. This mixture is intro- duced into a fermentation tank together with a paraffin feed-stock. Compressed air pro- vides the necessary oxygen. The micro- organisms feed on the hydrocarbon mole- cules, converting them into living cells. These cells, harvested, dried and powdered, are the end product, usually referred to as single-cell protein (SCP). High Growth Rates in Fish In laboratory tests at stations in Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures, acompound of SCP JAPAN (Contd.) and fish meal produced excellent results in raising eel, rainbow trout and, particularly, carp. At a marine fish farm, 20,000 rainbow trout, fed a formula of SCP (yeast grown on paraffin), fish meal, bean pulp, various min- erals, and cuttlefish flesh, gained weight in a relatively short period. Mass Production of SCP Judging from the remarkable results in preliminary experiments, the Agency be- lieves that an annual production of 3,000,000 tons should be possible. This would equal about half the feed now imported. Coastal fishing enterprises, suffering from a feed shortage, would get a real 'shot in the arm' if this goal is achieved. Private Industry Begins Production Many private companies already have done considerable research on SCP. Several plan to start production in 1970. Kyowa Hakko has produced several thousand tons in test runs, It plans to achieve an annual production rate of more than 100,000 metric tons before the end of 1970. Kanegafuchi Chemical also plans to begin annual production of 60,000 tons by the end of 1970, Dai Nippon Ink and Chemical has been making several tons a month and expects to produce 12,000 tons a month. Mitsui Toatsu hopes to begin producing about 1,500 tons a year in mid-1970. Ashahi Chemical and Ajinomoto also are experimenting with SCP. ('Youmuri,! July 18; 'Chemical Week,' August 2; 'Food Engi- neering,' May 1969; 'Fish Trades Gazette,' Aug. 16, 1969.) OK OK EXPORTS MORE 5. KOREAN & TAIWANESE TUNA Tuna caught by South Koreanand Taiwan- ese vessels and exported through Japanese trading firms during Jan.-Aug. 1969 were near 43,000 metric tons. This was reported by the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Record in 1969 Possible If exports continued at July-Aug. 1969 level (averaged around 6,000 tons), 1969 sales of foreign-caught tuna would easily surpass 1968's 61,000 tons. 77 Exports by area showed 34,563 short tons shipped to U.S. and Canada, and 11,442 metric tons to Italy, Spain, France, etc. In addition to exports approved by MITI, foreign-caught tuna are sold directly by over- seas-based Japanese firms and some is brought back to Japan for re-export. So the actual quantityof ''third nation'' tuna:exports handled by Japanese firms are believed far greater than MITI's figures. ('Suisancho Nippo,' Oct. 23, 1969.) sk ok ok MORE WHALE MEAT NEEDED Japanese domestic sales of frozen whale meat have been so good that all 72,538 metric tons produced during the 23rd Antarctic whaling season were sold to dealers, The 5,000 tons imported from USSR were selling well. The 39,234 tons produced during the 18th North Pacific whaling season probably wouldbe soldas soon as the carriers returned to Japan. Such a favorable market has not been experiencedbefore. The cost of storing the meat was less in 1969 than before. Normal Supply Cycle In the past, whaling companies did not exhaust the supply during the year. In the normal cycle, whale meatfrom the Antarctic landed in Japan February or March remained available until North Pacific whale meat ap- peared in the market in July or August. The supply of North Pacific whale meat lasted until appearance of whale meat from next Antarctic season. In 1969, however, all 3 whaling firms completed sales of Antarctic whale meat by end of April. By August all North Pacific whale meat had been sold. Selling Price Rises Yearly The selling price to wholesalers has in- creased each year. In 1969, it was about 26 U.S. cents a pound. The favorable market is due partly to shortage caused by reduced international whaling quotas. The demand for whale meat in 1970 will depend on the supply of fish and pork. How- ever, demand is expected to increase, Then Japan would have to increase her imports of whale meat from the Soviet Union, South Africa, or Peru. These countries now see Japan as potential market. ('Suisancho Nip- po,' Sept. 12, 1969.) OR OK 78 JAPAN (Contd.) U.S. FIRMS MAY BUY WHALE OIL Two U.S. fat-and-oil processing firms recently sent representatives to Japan to buy sperm whale oil. Soviet-produced sperm oil is inshort supply inEurope. The 2 firms are seeking a stable source in Japan. U.S. Demand The U.S. representatives said a U.S. de- mand for 24,000-25,000 tons exists. They would like to obtain a stable supply of 15,000 to 18,000 tons from Japan--at cost, insurance, freight (c.i.f.) prices of around US$180 a ton, European Market Improves An agentfor the British Unilever Company said in Japan that the fish and whale oil mar- ket in Europe was improving; U.S. menhaden oil was bringing about $150 a ton, He guessed that the fin whale oil price was around L80 c.i.f. (about US$191) a long ton. ('Suisan Tsushin,* Oct. 27, 1969.) 3 FLEETS ARE WHALING IN ANTARCTIC Three Japanese fleets began Antarctic whaling operations on Dec. 12, 1969. Japan has been assigned a national quota of 1,493 blue-whale units (BWUs) for the 1969/70 sea- son. The other active whaling nations, the USSR and Norway, have been assigned national quotas of 976 and 231 BWUs. The overall quota--2,700 BWUs--set by the International Whaling Commission is 500 BWUs below 1968/69. ('Suisan Shuho,' Oct. 25, 1969.) TRAWLS OFF NEW YORK In first-half 1969, 10 Japanese trawlers fished off New York. The 3 companies involved did not detail results. They agreed that ''catches in the area off New York are slightly better than off Africa but the trip to and from Las Palmas is costly. From an economic point of view, therefore, the two areas will be of equal value." The Catch The bulk of catchoff New York was "yari- ika'' (squid), ''shizu'' (butterfish), sea bream, herring, and hake. Price for squid, as high as US$550 a metric ton, supports the fishery in that area, The 3 firms consider the New York area part of year-roundoperation. Theyfish octo- pus off Africa in summer, and squid off New York in winter. Two other companies are planning to send trawlers to the New York grounds. ('Shin Suisan Shimbun,' Sept. 12, 1969.) KX RESUMES EXPLORATORY FISHING IN NORTHEAST ATLANTIC On April 15, 1969, Nichiro Gyogyo sent its stern trawler 'Akebono Maru No, 51! (1,454 gross tons) to Bayof Biscay and other north- east Atlantic areas on 3-month exploratory fishing trip. Thefirm planned a second sur- vey of that region during December 1969- March 1970. The first trip did not produce satisfactory results because of the unfavorable season, Second Survey The vessel will begin in Bay of Biscay seeking 'monko! squid, octopus, and snapper. It will proceed toward Shetland Islands, north of Scotland, where herring fishing was re- ported promising. Nichiro's survey is sup- ported by a government subsidy of about US$222,000. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Nov. 19, 1969.) JAPAN (Contd.) 7 SHRIMP FIRMS FORM COMPANY IN SOUTH AMERICA On Nov. 19, 1969, 7 Japanese fishery firms fishing shrimp off Guianas in northeastern South Americaformed South America North- ern Coast Fishery Development Co. The company has authorized capital of about US$278,000 and paid-up capital of $69,400 to be invested equally by all partners, To Invest in Plant The firm plans to invest in shrimp-pro- cessing plant scheduled to be constructed in Georgetown, Guyana, by the British-owned Guyana Industry Holding Co. Plant will cost about $2.5 million. It will have freezing ca- pacity of 100 tons a day, and cold-storage capacity of 1,000 tons. The British firm re- portedly invited also the participation of U.S. shrimp vessel owners in the region. Fleet Fishing Since 1963 Japanese firms have been fishing shrimp off Guianas since 1963. Their fleet consists of 69 shrimpers belonging to 7firms: Nichiro, 24 vessels; Shinyo Gyogyo, 15; Yutaka Gyogyo, 10; Hokoku Suisan, Hakodate Kokai, Kagawa Godo Suisan, Nanbei Ebi Gyogyo--5 each, Their catches, processed at shore plants in Georgetown, are either exportedto U.S. or Japan. ('Minato Shimbun,' Nov. 23, 1969.) Ok OK 79 ANTARCTIC KRILL FISHERY IS CONSIDERED The Japanese Fisheries Agency is study- ing use of euphausia (krill) found in limitless quantities in the Antarctic. Krill is similar toasmall shrimp growing to five centimeters in 2 years. They are abundant near surface along the Antarctic ice pack and are regarded only as food for whales. Unlimited Stocks Whale stocks have declined and so krill have increased explosively. The resource is estimated at 100 million metric tons with maximum sustainable yield of 500,000 tons, Because of limitless stocks, there will be no difficulty obtaining enough to process into food, but the problem lies in fishing method. The Problems One company has offered to cooperate with the Agency inexperimentalfishing. They say "commercial fishing for euphausia will be difficult.'' Although the sea's red color ahead of vessel indicates abundance of plankton, only afew krill canbe taken even with a large plankton net. The problem is that krill's swimming speed is faster than first thought. The surface and midwater trawls cannot be used, Also, there are economic factors. It takes about one month to reach Antarctic ice pack from Japan via Pacific. Sept. 18, 1969.) (‘Minato Shimbun,' 80 [ FOOD FISH FACTS Halibut has been a popular food for people of northern countries since ancient times, Sc.undinavian fjords and Scottish firths provided halibut for the rugged, early settlers in those regions, The English thought highly of halibut and served it on holy days, calling it "holy-day butte.’ 'Butte'' was the middle English word for flatfish or flounder, Over the years "holy butte'' evolved into halibut. In America, early explorers along the Pacific Coast found halibut highly prized by coastal Indians, Today, North Pacific halibut, the proud name of the king. of flatfishes, is the main commercial source of true halibut. Description: North Pacific halibut is the largest member of the flatfish family. Hali- but matures at about 10 years and may live to be 50. Females, which grow larger thanthe males, often weigh from 150 to 200 pounds or more. Commercially, halibut is graded ac- cording to size: "chicken''--5 to 10 pounds; ''medium'--10 to 60 pounds; "large''--60 to 80 pounds; and 'whales''--80 pounds and over, North Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) A curious fact about halibut, and other flatfishes, is the position of the eyes, They, like most fish, start life swimming upright and with eyes set wide apart. However, be- fore they are an inch long, one eye, usually the left, begins migrating to the other side of the head and the fish begins to lean instead of swimming upright. Within a few days the migrating eye has movednearly 120 degrees to join the right eye, and the fish swims with its eyeless side parallel to the bottom. The dark, top side of the flatfish allows it to hide in the sand or rocks and not be seen easily. The white, belly side blends with the light filtering down through the water, thus protecting it from enemies below. The mouth, dis- torted in the process of becoming a flatfish, wears a crooked, painted look, Habitat: North Pacific halibut are taken along the continental shelf and slope of the North Pacific adjacent to Alaska, British Columbia in Canada, and off the shores of Wash- ington State, Halibut was once taken from the cold waters of the Atlantic as well as the Pacific but, due to poor conservation methods in the past, Atlantic halibut has become scarce, Halibut Fishing: North Pacific halibut is brought aboard the fishing vessel alive, dressed at sea, and storedimmediately in ice. As soon as the fishing vessel reaches port, the halibut is rushed to processing plants where it is headed, graded for quality and size, and washed. Some of the halibut is packed in ice for fresh shipment to distant markets. Approximately 20 percent or more of the halibut is sold fresh. The bulk of the catch is frozen in -40° F, freezers, After freezing, the fish is glazed by being dipped several times in water at the freezing point. This builds up a jacket of ice over the entire fish and prevents dehydration or oxidation in storage. This process assures the consumer of a top-quality product. (Continued page 81.) 81 FOOD FISH FACTS (Contd.) Conservation; A fine example of conservation through cooperation was exhibited by Canada and the United States inthe early 1920's whenthe catch of halibut declined because of overfishing. An international commission was created to study the halibut fishery and make recommendations toward conservation, In 1930, the International Pacific Halibut Commission was formed and fishing for halibut by the two countries came under its con- trol, In 1967, however, the North Pacific halibut industry began to feel the effect of inci- dental catches of halibut by foreign and domestic trawlers, Halibut fishermen use long- lines, since net-gear is prohibited, andcatch8-to 9-yearold fish. Although the trawlers were seeking other species, the massive volume of their catches, especially by the foreign vessels, meant that millions of young halibut were caught and did not survive. Many hali- but were taken before maturity also, as halibut do not spawn until they are 8 to 16 years old. Thus the effects of the trawler catches of young halibut has resulted in greatly re- duced catches for the halibut fishermen, Negotiations are underway to correct this prob- lem. Use of Halibut: North Pacific halibut is usually soldas steaks, either freshor frozen. One pound will maketwo or three servings. Halibut is an excellent source of high-quality protein and minerals while being low in sodium, fat, and calories, The true North Pacific halibut, which has lean, white, tender flesh with a mild flavor, should not be confused with other species of fish which are sometimes sold as halibut. Ask for true North Pacific halibut at your seafood counter. (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. | Dept. of the Interior, 100 East Ohio, Rm. 526, Chicago, Il. 60611.) HEY DIETERS--CHEAT A LITTLE! Want to crown your dinner with compliments? Try Halibut in Lemon Cream Sauce. Buy tender and tasty North Pacific halibut steaks and cover them with a sauce that is rich with cream, tangy with lemon, and zippy with grated onion--just enough to bring out the flavor, Bake and serve, then sit back and listen to the compliments, With this quick and easy recipe from BCF, the stay-slim guys and gals, who are aware of calories but love to eat well, can cheat a little with discretion. North Pacific halibut is a lean fish noted for its energy-giving protein, vitamin, and mineral content while being low in sodium, fat, and calories, It is distinguished by its white, flavorful, firm flesh which takes ona flaky texture after cooking, It is a versatile fish, readily adaptable to a wide variety of cooking methods and recipes and is wonder- ful for dieters whenrich sauces are not used. Halibut steaks are available fresh in many markets and frozen in most markets. One pound will make two or three servings. Be sure to ask for true North Pacific halibut when you buy. HALIBUT IN LEMON CREAM SAUCE 2 pounds halibut steaks, 1 tablespoon grated onion fresh or frozen 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup whipping cream Lemon slices 1 tablespoon lemon juice Chopped parsley Thaw frozen steaks. Remove skin and bones and cut into 6 portions. Place fish in a single layer in a well-greased baking dish, 12 x 8 x 2 inches. Combine remaining ingredients except lemon slices and parsley. Pour sauce over fish. Bake in a mod- erate oven, 350° F., for 20 to 25 minutes or until fish flake easily when tested with a fork. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley. Makes 6 servings. How can you tell when the halibut is cooked? Rawfishhave a watery, translucent look, During the cooking process the watery juices become milky colored, giving the flesh an opaque, whitish tint. This color change is unmistakable. When the flesh has taken on this opaque whitish tint to the center of the thickest part, fishare completely cooked, At this point the flesh will easily separate into flakes, and if there are bones present, the flesh will come away from them readily. Would you like to know more about how to cook fish? Let's Cook Fish (1 49,49/2:8) is a complete guide to fish cookery. This full-color booklet costs 60¢ and gives detailed information on market forms, how to buy, store, and thaw (if frozen), as well as how to cook fishery products, The booklet has many tested recipes and a handy timetable for easy reference on amounts to buy, cooking temperatures, and cooking methods. How to Cook Halibut (1 49.39:9)is all about halibut, filled with tasty recipes, and costs 20¢. Both booklets are availablefrom the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 100 East Ohio, Rm, 526, Chicago, Dlinois 60611.) 83 FOOD FISH FACTS BLUE CRAB (Callinectes sapidus) The blue crab, one of the most valuable crustaceans in the United States, is partially described by its scientific name. Calli - beautiful, plus nected - swimmer, and sapidus - savory. The blue crab is a savory shellfish that spends most of its time walking along the bottom of the bays and sounds where it lives. However, when necessary, it swims beautifully through the water with great speed and ease. DESCRIPTION Blue crabs, like other crabs, possess five pairs of legs withthe first pair always equipped with pincers. Crabs have hard shells or exoskeletons, Periodically, in order to grow, they shed this external armor or shell. This process is called molting. Before the molt starts, a new, soft exoskeletonforms inside andthe crab backs out of the old shell.as it looses. The new Shell is soft and elastic allowing the crab to grow. It is particularly vulnerable to at- tack during the soft-shell stage and seeks refuge in a secluded spot until the new shell hardens. Crabs also lose one or more legs during their lifetimes and are able to grow new ones through a regeneration process. Blue crabs, when fully grown, average 5 to 7 inches across the back of the shell. The shell is brownish green or dark green and is drawn out on each side into a long spine. The underside of the body and the legs are white, while the tops of the claws in both male and female show varying amounts of blue. The tips of the claws in the femald blue crab are bright red. HABITAT Blue crabs are found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Texas. Essentially a shallow water crab, it lives in bays, sounds, and channels near the mouths of coastal rivers. Normally an inhabitant of salt water, the blue crab is alsofound in brackish water or fresh water. BLUE CRAB FISHING Blue crabs are caught with trawls, dredges, and baited lines such as the trotline. The trotline is a long length of rope with pieces of bait attached at intervals. It is laid on the bottom, ends anchored and marked with buoys. When the fisherman collects his catch he runs his boat along the line, forcing it to pass over a roller attached to theboat. As the boat (Continued page 84.) 84 BLUE CRAB FISHING (Contd.) runs his boat along the line, forcing it to pass over a roller attachedto theboat. As the boat moves forward, the crabs cling to the bait untilthey reach the surface where they are caught with a dip net and placed in a basket or barrel. Another efficient method used in catching blue crabs is the crab pot. This traplike device allows the crab to enter through funnels which also make escape difficult. The crab pot is usually baited with fresh fish. Most conservation measures concerning the blue crab fishery are administered by the individual states involved. However, where the need exists, cost-sharing, cooperative Fed- eral Aid Programs are in effect and are administered by the Bureau of Commercial Fish- eries, These programs, made possible through the Commercial Fisheries Research and Development Act of 1964, have resulted in studies to determine the effects of temperature, salinity, andotherfactors which affect the survival and abundance of this important seafood. Crab and trotline USES OF BLUE CRABMEAT Blue crabs are caught and marketed in both the hard-shelled and soft-shelled states. Soft-shelled crabs are considered a delicacy and bring higher prices. The entire body of a soft-shelled crab may be eaten after cooking. Hard-shelled crabs are either sold alive to the consumer; or they are steamed, the meat pickedfrom the shell and packed into containers, refrigerated, and sold as fresh crabmeat. Crabmeat is marketed as lump meat - whole lumps from the large body muscles which operate the swimming legs; flake meat - small pieces of white meat from the body, flake and lump - acombination of thefirst two; and claw meat - a brownish tinted meat from the claws. Pasteurization of blue crabmeat is another method of preparation for marketing. With pasteurization, the crabs are steamed, the meat pickedfrom the shelland immediately packed into cans, The cans are hermetically sealed and immersed in a hog-water bath. This method does not alter the taste or texture of the meat, and it is fresh and table ready. Pasteurized crabmeat must be refrigerated until ready to use. Blue crabmeat is seldom frozen or canned, All crabmeat provides excellent high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 100 East Ohio, Room 526, Chicago, Ill. 60611.) 85 CRAB-IN CREATED FOR CULINARY COMPETITION "The West Coastis renowned for the tender, succulent meat from the Dungeness crab,' says San Francisco. ''No,no," says Baltimore, "it's the East coast that is renowned for the tender, succulent meat from the blue crab." This coast-to-coast argument has gone on for years, So the two cities have challenged each other to a CRAB-IN! Each city has rounded up famous, crab-cooking cronies in chef's hats and challenged them to a face-to-face, recipe-to-recipe encounter. Both cities have left no shell unturned in order to establish their claim to the "finest crab cookery in the world.'' The first National Crab-Cooking Olympics was held in spring of 1969 on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, remaining impartial in this great crustacean cooking competition, maintains that all crabmeat is delicious and canbe used interchangeably in most recipes. Inhonor of the crab competition, however, the Bureau offers a sophisticated seafood treat to enjoy as afamily luncheon or when you entertain. ''Crab Stuffed Artichokes" will make any occasion a memorable affair. Everyone likes crab salad, and in this recipe the crabmeat is nested intender, cooked artichokes, then topped with a gently-flavored sauce to enhance and blend the flavors. This winning combination can be prepared ahead of time, so, if you are having guests, you will be free to greet and mingle. They will say you have a "touch of genius'' when they relish this gorumet salad served with such ease. Crabmeat wins many popularity polls because it is tender and has a distinctive flavor. It is an excellent source of protein and is rich in the vitamins and minerals pocoee for good nutrition. Crabmeat is available in the fol- aes lowing marketforms: live; cooked in the shell; cooked meat, fresh or frozen; canned; or pasteurized. Among crabs marketed inthe United States are the blue crabs found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, Dungeness crabs found along the Pacific coast, king and snow or tanner crabs from Alaska, rock crabs found along New Eng- land and California coasts, stone crabs found mainly off Florida, andthe queen crab found in waters of the North Atlantic. CRAB STUFFED ARTICHOKES 1 pound crabmeat, fresh, frozen, 2 tablespoons chopped sweet or pasteurized pickle 1 cup chopped celery Al 3 teaspoon salt > cup mayonnaise or salad > 5 atessing es F Dash pepper ard -coo eggs oppe : 2 tablespoons chopped greenonion © C°0ked artichokes 2 tablespoons chopped pimiento Vinaigrette Sauce Thaw frozen crabmeat, Drain crabmeat, Remove any shell or cartilage. Combine all ingredients except artichokes and Vinaigrette Sauce. Gently open artichokes and fill each with $ cup crab mixture. Chill. Serve with Vinaigrette Sauce. Makes 6 servings. HOW TO COOK ARTICHOKES VANAIGRETTE SAUCE @ andleihe ses 1 tablespoon oil a =): 1 : ‘ 1 quarts boiling water > cup salad oil 5 teaspoon paprika @ 1 clove garlic, sliced 1 3 tablespoons vinegar 15 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon minced parsley Wash artichokes, Trim stems. Cut 1 inch off tops of arti- A 9 “ i imately 2 2 chokes. With scissors, trim leaf tips. Stand upright in a 5-quart (COLES GIN SSS BT Sascha eS Dutch oven, Add boiling water and seasonings. Cover and cook gently for 20 to 35 minutes or until base can be pierced easily with a fork, Turn upside down to drain. Chill. (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 100 E, Ohio, Room 526, Chicago, Ill. 60611.) 86 PAST ys 26.. 2605. CME ie Qlen cs 45... ON ens INDEX UNITED STATES: U.S. 1969 Catch of Fish & Shellfish is 4.2-4.3 Billion Pounds Philip M. Roedel Named BCF Director BCF SCUBA Team Studies Lobster Behavior 5 Great Lakes States Conduct Pesticide Mon- itoring Program Safe-Boating Bill Proposed by Transportation Department Interior Asks Changes in Fish Protein Con- centrate Rules Royal-Red Shrimp Concentrated in 3 Poten- tial Commercial Areas Blue Crabs Abound in Chesapeake Bay ‘Delaware II' Makes Large But Not Profitable Sea-Herring Catches Anchovy--Small Fish, Big Problem, by James D. Messersmith Squid Raised to Adult Size in Laboratory 1969 Pacific Coast Albacore Tuna Catch is About 24,000 Tons Sea Lamprey Preys on Lake Huron Salmon Oceanography: New Film Improves Underwater Photos Antarctic Tides Are Being Measured Charts List Oil-Lease Areas in Gulf of Mexico Foreign Fishing Off U.S., November 1969 States: ~~ Alaska: 1970 Kodiak Pink Salmon Record Run Pre- dicted Southeastern Pink Salmon Forecast for 1970 Efficiency of Shrimp Pots Studied 1969 Shrimp & Tanner Crab Landings at Kodiak Set Records Massachusetts: Apprentice Fishermen Will Be Trained By Boston Fleet Michigan: Record Salmon Catch in 1969 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: 'Stahl' Finds Market-Sized Fish Off San Juan ARTICLES: Oyster Culture in Long Island Sound 1966-69, by Clyde L. MacKenzie Jr. Snappers of the Western Atlantic, by Luis R. Rivas Fishery Oceanography--VI - Ocean Food of Sockeye Salmon, by Felix Favorite Otter Trawling Introduced to Columbia River Smelt Fishery, A Progress Report, by Ian E. Ellis and Clint Stockley Page 61 .. BOOKS INTERNATIONAL: 65... World Fishing in 1968 Set Record 68.. Scientists to Discuss Sea Herring Stock De- cline in 1970 68 .. Soviets Seize Japanese Vessels 69... Baltic Sea Pollution-Control Conference Held 69... New Atlantic Tuna Body Meets in Rome 70.. Japan-USSR Discuss Decline of Pacific Saury Stocks FOREIGN: Europe: USSR: TL eems Artificial Satellites Used for Marine Re- search WA, axe New Waste-Water Filter is Designed Spain: livers Fishing Fleet Grows Sweden: i Sineats Fishing Industry Future Is Not Promising Latin America: Chile: omen Seeks Japanese Advice on Saury Fishing Ecuador: Wome Report of New Shrimp Beds is Premature British Honduras: MO iats Fishery Exports Rise South Pacific: merican Samoa: 1D) ieee Tuna Prices Increased in Nov. 1969 Asia: Japan: Greece Fish Shortage to Become Acute Uses 1969 E. Bering Sea Crab Output Exceeds Plans MGGane Fisheries Agency Experiments with Pe- troleum Fish Food tle voc Exports More S. Korean & Taiwanese Tuna itaeetee More Whale Meat Needed Bras U.S. Firms May Buy Whale Oil Gx. 3 Fleets Are Whaling in Antarctic (RSPAS Trawls Off New York Glens Resumes Exploratory Fishing in North- east Atlantic iOeene 7 Shrimp Firms Form Company in South America TEES. 6 Antarctic Krill Fishery is Considered Food Fish Facts: 80... Halibut 83).2'20 -Blue’Crab 86. . INDEX #U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1970 392-625/6 Pane eee if ROR he 4 ae Perany 0% a men ‘ y » : nes a ] % H i pb : : x : : MASCEAPD < oa, uhe re nt | eh Psa a) Dey, (es New hie Mb , a Pi me Kitipayy ean LRA Rela Pio SNS che Re A a ae HAE RATE 5, ct ding we Wanna ee Tea Hie V vn ; nine Det tin le en etarMnten: fa lh CRUE ig 1 Scan) Meteo tied (usuario ettey HoGey oe eae iat eats! i ike ult Hi eet rah Naa Lista vie (etl Dy yout min i mes Sui yt mht, ea ive jail a re by) ny ie STE eH ara eal M1 ta oe Pinata) icra Anu isn ey Wash HAL Teas oA ea j ey ce a Z Prceyy cal tila a wat! Shoplemeniveenyabigpireyion sy UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Walter J. Hickel, Secretary Russell E. Train, Under Secretary Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, Parks, and Marine Resources Charles H. Meacham, Commissioner, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Philip M. Roedel, Director, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Depart- ment of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and recreational re- sources, Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's "Department of Natural Resources." The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States -- now and in the future, BACK COVER: Gill netter on Johnstone Strait, British Columbia. Vancouver Island in back- ground. (Photo: F. Bruce Sanford) C OMMERCIAL FISHERTES Zeview VOL. 32, NO. 2 Weve3x FEBRUARY 1970 i u COVER: A biologist collects sample of the catch. | COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review A comprehensive view of United States and foreign fishing industries--including catch, processing, market- ing, research, and legislation--prepared by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. 1623. - 1923 eee II Managing Editor: Edward Edelsberg Asst. Managing Editor: Barbara Lundy Production: Jean Zalevsky Alma Greene The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife make up The Fish and Wildlife Service of The United States Department of the Interior. Throughout this book, the initials BCF stand for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Address correspondence and requests to: Commercial Fisheries Review, 1801 North Moore Street, Room 200, Arlington, Va. 22209. Telephone: Area Code 703 - 557-4246. Publication of material from sources outside the Bureau is not an endorsement. The Bureau is not responsible for the accuracy of facts, views, or opinions of these sources. Although the contents have not been copyrighted and may be reprinted freely, reference to source is appreciated. Use of funds for printing this publication was approved by the Director, Bureau of the Budget, April 18, 1968. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. Price 60 cents (single copy). Subscription Price: $7.00 a year; $2 additional for foreign mailing. CONTENTS UNITED STATES IDNs). Ghats AT SHAIS 95.06 GS Bigto.6 cad dito BBS G6 GG LALUC SM CME EE Co A rcraatialvei lg aie el we: Mebioaionin he nceaer eee sue sous ARTICLES The Yugoslav Fishery in the Adriatic Sea, by Richarael PN ia] OMe veces Misuicte ts sectielte 6 O10; Japanese Tanner Crab Fishery in Eastern Beniney sca bye iilsteadi@.)Zalaine cawse sme je cous hie The Marine Fisheries of Morocco, by Salvatore DiMEvelary arenes petals rats ekslien erenor sity tnente IBOOK Si enevsneielre fe ellieMreiomas ottelfolheneitsitaltotentelasicwiolvertey fete TNE IRINAT TO NAW ghee iteiiemelte painsl elisiten enietia restore eieertentelbs Canada Were. evs vltuieretener ie eheneceneisenene tometer UUM ODCg Uerokatciemenancu alates inne deren castenenenclisoucie TmatimebArnectc ay. Saks veaees eveiel ene: skotene! aca nine shinee ve ING TAMIR eelest thei ter 8g tees ete ecte sleniolisiieireirs emer ec ehtelee gNEAC UG latent giveth cbas lek é F SAULT STE, MARIE ! es CAHD ‘i MARQUETTE QA ST. MARYS RIVER 4 2 / a =~ " & S00 LOCKS 7 SS SAULT STE. MARIE @ BUG 4 co sae / v5 c ¢ cosa PORT INLAND @ —<— y 2 \ NA ESCANABA Ava d/ BS » N Ny On) ca, 9 = “= Fo. N MENOMINEE | cAcciTEne: a ee > SI MARINETTE Ba en XK a) ALPENA @' v 9) iva ST. LAWRENCE RIVER ie) G OG = geo > YO iocand OGDENSBURG GREEN BAY KINGSTON ah S COLLInGwooD PICTON @ @ WANISTEE 4 A MANITOWOC @, fi LUDINGTON im TORONTO i SHEBOYGAN @ oy \ A iA seek BAY CITY ( \\ HAMILTON m—_—— { MUSKEGON SAGINAW one KC wiacara river rochester. 5 MILWAUKEE Y ANAL \ z . 1® GRAND HAVEN » PORT HURON @YA PT. COLBORNE @\} _W@ BUFFALO ¢e 1) @ Sarnia a>) O° KENOSHA HOLLAND ST. CLAIR RIVER Y ] SS Se LAKE ST. CLAIR yj SS Wii WW SOUTH HAVEN Z ia Z verroir N toes BENTON HARBOR @ WinosoR pi eZ fo ph es elle ene ST. JOSEPH DETROIT RIVER hi @ p £ Jj * Re CHICAGO MONROE @ J ) pA K CONNEAUT —-— i a as} ASHTABULA ANIA \ GARY | soe Ce OUEMNEINI Sa wee UE (Se o1 | INDIANA HARBOR ‘ CLEVELAND =| Ss | SANDUSKY © @ LORAIN \ ' HURON 'NODILANA i i fe} H | Oo \ i} 20 OYSTER INSTITUTE HONORS BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES The Oyster Institute of North America (OINA) recently awarded identical plaques to the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (BCF) and to the Bureau's Division of Statistics and Market News. In a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Cran- ston Morgan, President of OINA, made the presentations, thanking BCF for its services to the Institute over the years. Brief acceptance remarks were made by Charles H. Meacham, Commissioner for Fish and Wildlife; Philip M. Roedel, BCF Director; and Frank Riley, Acting Chief, Division of Statistics and Market News. Left to Right: Cranston Morgan, President, OINA, Weems, Va.; William R. Woodfield (Former President), Galesville, Md.; Frank P. McGinnes, Vice President, OINA, Irvington, Va.; John L. Plock, Greenport, L. I., New York; Charles H. Meacham, Commissioner, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior; Elizabeth M. Wallace (Mrs. David H. Wallace), Executive Director, OINA, Sayville, L. I., New York; Robert L. Doxsee, Point Lookout, L. I., N. Y.; Frank Riley, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries; Edward J. Gruble (Immediate Past President), Seattle, Wash.; Clifford V. Varin, West Sayville, L. I., N. Y.; Nelson Slager, Bay Shore, L. I., N. Y.; Richard H. Loring, Dennis, Mass.; Philip M. Roedel, Director, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Joseph O. Saunders, Newport News, Va., Chairman of OINA's Education, Promotion, and Marketing Committee was not present when ——e photograph was taken. (Photo: Bob Williams), OCEANOGRAPHY AUTOMATED WEATHER BUOY AT WORK OFF VIRGINIA On Jan. 31, the U.S. Coast Guard anchored a 100-ton automated weather buoy approxi- mately 125 miles east of Norfolk, Va. (latitude 36°30! N., longitude 73930' W.) on northern edge of main Gulf Streams later, 200 miles to northeast, the Coast Guard cutter 'Gresham! began to man Ocean Weather Station 'Hotel,' the second part of a floating weather station team. The buoy began flashing weather ob- servations across the U.S. to a computer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. The Coast Guard states that data gathered by these floating weather stations will be transmitted to the main U.S. weather teletype network for use in forecasting. ESSA's Automated weather buoy off Virginia. (Photo: R. E. Tilley, Sth Coast Guard Dist.) Weather Bureau has discovered that severe weather conditions formed in this area can migrate northward along the Atlantic Coast undetected by shore-based facilities. It is hoped the weather buoy and the Gres- ham will help to improve Weather Bureau forecasting for the East Coast. The Data Gathered The 100-ton buoy is 40 feet in diameter and has a 45-foot mast. It gathers hourly data on ''air and water temperatures, baro- metric pressure, winds, dew point, solar radiation, precipitation and surface water currents,'' The data are stored in a com- puter inside the buoy. Every 6 hours, the shore-based computer in California interro- gates the computer and receives and inter- prets its radio transmission, Weather Buoy The buoy is held on station by a 3-inch plaited nylon line attached to a 3-ton anchor weighted by 18,000 pounds of chain, The 2- mile mooring line allows the buoy to swing in a circle about 15 miles in diameter. It warns off passing ships withaflashing xenon light, similar to the strobe unit of a flash camera, National Project The experimental buoy is part of the Coast Guard-managed National Data Buoy Develop- ment Project that began in late 1967. If the project continues to appear feasible, a net- workof similar buoys may some daybe placed to provide oceanographic as wellas meteoro- logical data. The weather buoy is scheduled to remain on station until July 1970, when it will be brought inforoverhaul. It willbe restationed in August for a year's service. 22 SEARCH BEGINS IN GULF FOR DANGERS TO SHIPPING A wide search for dangerous obstructions to shipping inthe Gulf of Mexico was launched February by the Coast and Geodetic Survey (CGS). It will be carried out primarily in fairways leading into ports in Texas, Loui- siana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The only wire drag vessels in the U.S., the "Rude! and 'Heck!, left Norfolk, Va., their home port, for Corpus Christi, Texas, their base this year. First Charted in 1966 The fairways were first charted in 1966, to guide coastal and ocean-going vessels safely between the numerous oil well plat- forms rising above Gulf surface as far out as 60 miles, No drilling structures are allowed in the fairways. The ships! mission will be to search the fairways for partially removed oilplatforms, sunken vessels, or other submerged hazards to vessels. Eastward From Texas The ships begin off Texas and will work eastward towing a submerged wire between them as they sweep the assigned areas. Shipping will be advisedimmediately through "Notice to Mariners" of hazardous obstruc- tions, CGS charts will be corrected. The wire, towed at various depths down to 60 feet, will be kept close to bottom in fairways and in shallow areas. Search for Sunken Wrecks The sunken wrecks tobe searched for in- clude commercial and pleasure ships now noted approximately on nautical charts, FAST-RESPONSE OXYGEN SENSOR TESTED A newly developed sensor designed to give accurate, on-the-spot measurements of the water's oxygen content may soon replace present methods of recording oxygen levels. This is the prediction of Quick Carlson, a civilian oceanographer at the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NOO). Carlson and his scientific team tested the new sensor to depths of one mile at 23 differ- ent Pacific locations while their oceano- graphic research ship, the USNS 'Davis! steamed from Yokosuka, Japan, to San Fran- cisco, Oxygen measurements returned by the sensor verified the general oxygen structure of the Pacific Ocean along the ship's route-- close to the 34-degree north latitude line. They also revealed details of oxygen layering (oxygen levels at different depths) that could not be captured by the Nansen bottle. . Nansen Bottle Method This older methodis reliable but tedious. It includes several steps: placing numerous Nansen bottles (water samplers capable of capturing small amounts of water at prede- termined depths) on an oceanographic cable, lowering and retrieving these bottles, and chemical analysis of the samples. Sensor Is 1 Step The sensor is a one-step method of col- lecting oxygendata., While itis being lowered through the ocean depths, it canprovide con- tinuous oxygen measurements in the form of electrical signals transmitted up a long oceanographic cable. Carlsonpredicted: 'Asaresult, the sensor should give us detailed, on-the-spot oxygen levels from all depths, in direct contrast to the spot-check readings we are now getting through the use of the Nansen and similar methods," If further tests continue to support his view, Carlson predicted, the sensor will be- come an''easy-to-use, fast-response tool for oceanographers needing accurate oxygen measurements to determine the overall dis- tribution of dissolved oxygen in all ocean waters, regardless of depth and area," MTs gs | BIASED 7 Ale e : fe} cs 4 NE No ee Yi! / vale aoe Oe ee ee | ee A ——— \ as C eae =a 6 ir Or IE | acteualll| HT tN Fs SCuUOChMOuUS APNE a aes eae CE © © © 6 © © @ O®Q® ® © FOREIGN FISHING OFF U.S., DECEMBER 1969 NORTHWEST ATLANTIC (Fig. 1) In December 1969, 80 vessels were sighted (105 in Nov. 1969; 36 in Dec. 1968). USSR: 36 medium side trawlers, 11 factory stern trawlers, 1 factory base ship, 4 re- frigerated carriers, 2 tankers, 1 tug. Most were along 30-fathom curve south of Block i Fig. 1 - Foreign vessels i fishing off southern New : England & Georges Bank, Number of | Dec. 1969. i' vessels, country of ori- gin, and species caught. “GLOUCESTER YS BOSTON @ i XN ie Montauk | Pt. 70° I Vessels E. German=5 W. German-8 fon = - a ia - x s - > -- \ --7%, cg i St oS pean ea) ie) | S.W. Part Ze I oa \ a Weaiaem AN 7) us &, CON % 1 ---" Oe Soya I} Peet's FX oon ©, Pho {LL Pe Se ed %, +0, Woy 408 | 1 = oo%o0 '”, Ct helene Con 0p, z , of ee ’@ “on “on on Coy, 7 0, kaye” Catch ” i re 8 Vessels Herring | ‘,; . ! po! ny 0 Soviet-55 Mackerel ” C Ye Polish-9 Red Hake E. German-6 Whiting GEORGES BANK AND VICINITY (SUB-AREA 5 -ICNAF) Island and Nantucket, a few on Georges Bank. (50 in Nov. 1969; 29 in Dec. 1968). Poland: 6 stern and 3 side trawlers (17 in Nov. 1969; 6 in Dec. 1968). West Germany: 8 freezer stern trawlers (4 in Nov. 1969; none in Dec. 1968). GULF OF MEXICO & SOUTH ATLANTIC No foreign fishing vessels reported. 09 = ee oi Northern Edge = 42° \ ie NIE iw nee Peak 1 Cultivator ii Shoal Hf gant ep corse? Noon 7 Cap So, G S.E. Port POO SG 68° 24 OFF CALIFORNIA No foreign fishing vessels reported. OFF PACIFIC NORTHWEST USSR: No vessels sighted (1 medium trawler off Oregon in Dec. 1968). Japan: 6 longliners--3 off Washington, 3 off Oregon (1 in Dec, 1968). OFF ALASKA (Fig. 2) USSR: 125 vessels (31 in Nov. 1969; 110 in Dec. 1968). Ocean Perch: 6 stern trawlers 1st week; 2 stern and 2 medium trawlers 2nd week. After mid-month all switched to Bering Sea. Groundfish: 17 medium trawlers and 1 refrigerated transport, 25 Herring: 25 stern and 38 medium trawl- ers, 2 research vessels, over 15 support ships. Flounder; 12 stern and 10 medium trawl- ers, 4 support vessels. Japan: About 35 vessels, 5-10 fewer than in Nov. 1969 (40 in Dec. 1968). Oceanperch: 4sterntrawlers--3 in east- ern Gulf, 1 in eastern Aleutians. Groundfish: 5-6 stern trawlers. Flounder: reefer. 1 factoryship, 6 trawlers, l Sablefish; 4 longliners--3 in eastern and 1 in central Gulf. Herring: 10 stern trawlers, 2 reefers. HERRING Rates 81 Soviet 60 WV 12 Japanese mA 4 Soviet 6 eter as 55° 14 Soviet FLOUNDER 26 Soviet Ox 2 ooo OCEAN PERCH 50° 1 Japanese 6 Soviet(early Dec) 165° 170° 175° 180° 175°. 170° 165° W BIS a eR RrerT Se R 1 Japanese e? OCEAN PERCH 2 Japanese 1 Japanese SABLEFISH 2 Japanese 160° 155° 150° 145° 140° 135° 130° Fig. 2 - Foreign fisheries off Alaska, December 1969. STATES RHODE ISLAND SEED-LOBSTER PROGRAM UNDERWAY For more than a decade, with Rhode Is- land's approval, some local trawlers lob- stering the offshore regions of the continen- tal shelf have been bringing in egg-bearing female lobsters andreleasing them in Rhode Island waters. For identification, the fish- ermen tie strands of nylon rope to the lob- sters before releasing them. Local fisher- * men reported catching lobsters marked this way and finding the lobsters often had shed their eggs. This information has been col- lected by Stephen Fougere, Conservation Officer in Rhode Island's Department of Nat- ural Resources. Tag & Release Berried Females During March-April 1965, with the coop- eration of several off-shore trawlers, con- servation officers tagged and released 1258 off-shore berried female lobsters into sev- eral areas of Narragansett Bay. All local lobstermen were asked to watch the tagged females and to remove tags only after the lobsters had shed their eggs. Early reports indicated these lobsters were not moving with many being caught in the same areas where they had been released. By midsummer, the tagged lobsters were being recovered without eggs throughout the state's lobster grounds; by April 1966, 495 tags hadbeen returned. The recaptured lobsters represented 39.3% of those released. Remain Near Release Sites Analysis of tag recoveries proved berried females tended to remain near the release locations until they had shed their eggs. Since the introduction of off-shore berried lobsters into state's fishing grounds, local fishermen have reported a noticeable in- crease in lobster populations, Along with this increase, heavy concentrations are being found in areas never before commercially productive. Asked by local commercial lobstermen, the 1968 General Assembly appropriated $10,000 to finance transferral of berried fe- male lobsters from off-shore banks into Rhode Island lobster grounds. 26 Program In 1969 In January 1969, all Rhode Island trawler captains inthe off-shore lobster fishery were contacted about the program, Fourteenasked to participate and agreed to comply with rules on transporting berried lobsters, The Department of Natural Resources agreed to pay fishermen one dollar for each lobster, regardless of size, provided it was fully berried and delivered in good, lively, condition, From Jan.-May 15, 1969, 4071 female berried lobsters were delivered from the off-shore canyons and released by conserva- tion officers throughout the state's lobster grounds, These lobsters varied from one pound up to 10 pounds, The overall average weight of the seed lobsters was about 24 pounds, Condition at time of release was excellent; very light mortality occurred throughout program, The program was ended by mid-May to keep from handling berried females during hatching stages, which generally occur during June and July. Berried lobsterstotaling 714 were tagged prior to liberating; 89 tags have been re- turned so far, Early analysis of these tags indicates the seeders remain at release lo- cations until their young are hatched. Summary Mr. Fougere summarizes the program's findings: Egg lobster populations on the off-shore grounds at this time are readily available for seeding purposes. With relative ease and little money, large numbers of berried lob- sters can be stocked in good, lively, condi- tion throughout the state's inshore lobster grounds, The displaced berried lobsters definitely remain near release locations until their young are liberated. After releasing their young, favorable numbers of stocked lobsters are recovered and sold by commercial lobster fishermen, This recovers a substantialpart of the initial cost of moving the breeders inshore. An annual program of purchasing and re- leasing 5,000 egg-bearing lobsters into the state's lobster grounds can be conducted without any major state expenditure. Rhode Island plans to continue the pro- gram in 1970. CALIFORNIA ANCHOVY CATCH QUOTA RAISED On Jan, 9, 1970, the California Fish and Game Commission approved a 65,000-ton in- crease in anchovy catch for use in producing fish meal and oil--32,500 each in inshore and offshore zones of Southern Permit area. This increases total quotafor reduction to 140,000 tons for the season ending May 15, 1970. From the season's openingin August 1969 to Dec. 28, 1969, landings totaled 48,600 tons. OREGON TOWN HALL MEETINGS HELD AT FISHING PORTS Town Hall meetings were held at Oregon fishing ports during December 1969 to dis- cuss matters of concern to the fishing indus- try, reports BCF's Pacific Northwest Region. The meetings, sponsored jointly by BCF, Oregon Fish Commission, and Oregon State University, took place at Brookings, Coos Bay, Newport, and Astoria. Representatives of these agencies participated, ALASKA NO CLOSED SEASON FOR SCALLOP Starting Jan. 1, 1970, there would be no closed season on scallops, the Alaska Depart- ment of Fish and Game stated Dec. 12, 1969. This action was justified because biologists, 27 monitoring commercial scallop fishing in the Kodiak management area, found a very low incidental catch of king and tanner crabs. Scallop landings in Kodiak area reached a record 927,000 pounds during January through November 1969; this compared with 607,000 pounds for all of 1968. ns bes NEW HERRING RESEARCH PROGRAM IN SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA A new herring research program in South- eastern Alaska has been designed to answer basic management needs concerned with her- ring abundance, The program's long-range goals are to: 1) determine separate stocks and their boundaries; 2) enumerate, or index yearly, fluctuations of the stocks; 3) determine causes for yearly fluctuations in abundance; and 4) estimate optimum harvest of these stocks, 2 Fisheries Two herring fisheries are now operating in Southeastern Alaska: the bait fishery and the spawn fishery. Because Ketchikan is closeto the greatest fishing activity, studies will be conducted fromthere. It offers ready access to fishing and spawning areas. Most studies will be conducted in Ketchikan and Craig areas, But there will be some work on abundance and spawning in other Southeastern areas, * * * STATEWIDE SALMON-FORECAST PUBLICATION IS AVAILABLE The Division of Commercial Fisheries has prepared 'A Summary of Preliminary 1970 Salmon Forecasts for Alaskan Fisher- ies'' (Informational Leaflet #136). ''Prelimi- nary salmon forecasts are presented for specific fisheries and are also combined to provide projected commercial harvest levels for 1970 for the entire state," Write for copy to: Mrs. June Grant, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sub- port Bldg., Juneau, Alaska 99801, VW t ATLANTIC COASTAL ZONE "The Wildlife Wetlands and Shellfish Areas of the Atlantic Coastal Zone," by George P. Spinner, Folio 18, Serial Atlas of the Marine Environment, 4 pages of text and 12 color plates, $12. ''A Plan for the Marine Resources of the Atlantic Coastal Zone,'' $4. Order from the American Geographical Society, Broad- way at 156th Street, New York, N. Y. 10032. The folio summarizes a 3-year study of the marine resourcesof the Atlantic coast. Data on finfish, shellfish, and wildlife were col- lected from all available sources, All land- use planning reports and recreation and water-resource development plans on all levels of government were examined to as- certain their probable effects on marine re- sources, The 12 maps show the two most reliable indicators of value uncovered: the ownership, or proposed acquisition, of coastal salt marshes by government conservation agen- cies, and the location of important shellfish beds. Salt marshes believed to be of value for fish and wildlife conservation purposes, but still vulnerable to destruction, also are shown. The maps depict a proposed zoning of the coastal zone from the standpoint of conservation of marine resources, The book, in conjunction with the folio, gives the opinions of Mr. Spinner and mem- bers of his marine resources committee on preserving the remaining wetlands of the Atlantic coastal zone, It includes descriptions of present and proposed preservation pro- grams, examines the economic value, legal aspects, and competing uses of the coastal area, andoutlines program goals. It is a plea both for prompt action and for meaningful and effective cooperation by all who share respon- sibility for the wetlands. This book should generate much discussion, a major purpose of its publication. 28 BIOLOGY "Development of Fishes of the Chesapeake Bay Region: An Atlas of Egg, Larval, and Ju- venile States: Part I,'' by Alice J, Mansueti and Jerry D. Hardy Jr., edited by Earl E. Deubler Jr., University of Maryland, Natural Resources Institute, 1967, 202 pp., illus. Knowledge of early developmental stages of fishes is fundamental to proper understand- ing of many aspects of fishery biology and ichthyology. However, the eggs, larvae, and juveniles of many species are unknown and undescribed, This book is intended to be an illustrated work manual for biologists in iden- tifying early developmental stages. It summarizes information on early stages of 45 species from 14 families--sturgeon, gar, bowfin, tarpon, bonefish, herrings, an- chovies, mud-minnow, pikes, lizardfishes, minnows, suckers, sea catfishes and cat- fishes, Although morphological descriptions of early developmental stages are empha- sized, descriptions of adults and comments on distribution, ecology and spawning have been included. EELS "The Eel Fisheries of Eastern Canada," by J. G. Eales, Bulletin No. 166, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 1969, 79 pp., il- lus., $1.75. Order from Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Canada, Cat. No. Fs 94-166. This bulletin gives the results of a survey of eel fishing in Canada made in summers of 1965 and 1966. The survey was made to de- scribe various methods of capture and to as- sess the exploitation of eels. Mr. Eales in- cludes a general description of the biology, distribution, and life history of the American eel, Anguilla restrata, fishing techniques, optimum times of fishing, and methods for holding, transporting, and processing. COMMERCIAL SHRIMP FISHING "Opportunities in the Shrimp Fishing In- dustry in the Southeastern United States," Sea Grant Information Bulletin No. 3, University of Miami, 1970, 28 pp. Available from Sea Grant Advisory Services, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, 10 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149. This publication answers the principal questions asked by those interested in par- ticipating in the shrimp industry--the amount of initial investment required, the economic return that can be expected, the reasons for fishing regulations, and the location and avail- ability of shrimp at various fishing grounds. Sections on innovations in gear and boat con- struction, andthe list of sources for financing the purchase, reconstruction or recondition- ing of a shrimp trawler will beof interest to present shrimp fishermen, The Sea Grant Bulletins are a new series aimed at transmitting information from the scientific community to the public. Future bulletins will discuss the role of marshes in commercial and sport fish production; lobster and shrimp culture; sanitary problems and standards onfishing vessels; various aspects of ocean law; Sea Grant and the community; and other subjects dealing with the practical problems involved in the development of the oceans. The University would welcome sug- gestions for other types of information that the public would like to receive under this program. FISH BEHAVIOR "The Central Nervous System and Fish Be- havior,'' edited by David Ingle, University of Chicago Press, 1968, 272 pp., illus. This book is made up of 20 papers pre- sented at a meeting intended to promote an interdisciplinary attack on brain function, and to give impetus to the study of teleost fishes. The 4 major sections are: Anatomy and Function of the Fish Visual System; Ana- tomy and Function of Fish Forebrain; Physi- ological Aspects of Fish Behavior; and Be- havioral Processes in Fish. 29 MICROBIOLOGY "Microbiology of Oceans and Estuaries," by E. J. Ferguson Wood, Elsevier Publishing Co., New York, 1967, 319 pp., illus. Exclud- ing the seaweeds around the coasts, the major part of plant life in the water is microbial. Even in sea-grass beds, the microbial epi- phytes represent abiomass of the same order as the accompanying sea-grasses and larger seaweeds. Interest in marine microbiology has grown so great in recent years that all other branches of oceanography and marine biology look increasingly to the microbiolo- gist for help and information. This book is intended primarily to intro- duce students to the discipline of the micro- biology of oceans and estuaries. It also will aidthe researcher desiring a resumé of this microbial world, andbriefhim in the modern trends of thought about the activities of micro- organisms in physicaland chemical phenom- ena in the seas, PLANKTON "Marine Plankton: A Practical Guide," by G. E. and R. C. Newell, Hutchinson Education- al Ltd., Great Portland St., London, W1, Eng- land, revised 1967, 221 pp., illus. This manualattempts to give zoology stu- dents a concise account of the kind of practical study of plankton they might make at sea, or in the lab, Although mainly concerned with species found around the British Isles and adjacent seas, it shouldbe valuable to students everywhere for its examination of methods of plankton collection, sorting, and quantitative estimation. POND FISH CULTURE "Proceedings of the World Symposium on Warm-Water Pond Fish Culture,'' FAO Fish- eries Report No. 44, Vol. 4, edited by T.V.R. Pillay, Rome, January 1968, 492 pp. This is the fourth volume of the symposium proceedings. It contains review, experience, and working papers dealing with breeding and selection, biological andother methods of in- creasing production, and standardization of research techniques, 30 PROCESSING "Use of Sodium Nitrite in Smoked Great Lakes Chub," by K. G. Weckel and Susan Chien. Research Report No. 51, 4 pp., Sept. 1969, University of Wisconsin. In the pastfew years, several outbreaks of botulism have resulted from consumption of improperly handled or processed smoked Great Lakes chub, Since sodium nitrite (NaNO2) can inhibit the growth of micro- organisms, the use of 100 to 200 p.p.m, in smoked chub hasbeen proposed. This report describes the procedures and results of stu- dies made to determine the rates of uptake and retention of NaNO2 in smoked chub, RED SALMON "Further Studies of Alaska Sockeye Salm- on,'' edited by Robert L. Burgner, Publica- tions in Fisheries, New Series, Vol. III, Uni- versity of Washington, Seattle, 1968, 267 pp., illus., $3.60. The lake systems of southwestern Alaska produce nearly half the North American pack of sockeye, or red, salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), Studies of this valuable resource by the University of Washington were initiated in 1946 at the request of the Bristol Bay salm- on packers, The first volume of the series, ''Studies of Alaska Red Salmon," reported on research conducted on sockeye runs of Bristol Bay and Kodiak Island. Volume II dealt with salmon gear limitation innorthern Washington waters and management of the high-seas fisheries of the northeastern Pacific. This volume, the third, contains 6 articles on sockeye salmon research--5 on Bristol Bay and one on the Chignik lake system. They include a com- parison of salmon fry food, distribution and growth of sockeye fry, identification of adult sockeye groups, age determination by oto- lith, egg development, and surveys of spawn- ing populations, Allcontribute toward an un- derstanding of the complex factors controlling sockeye population levels in the lake systems, and of the number of spawning salmon needed to produce the highest sustained yield. WATER POLLUTION "Trace Metals in Waters of the United States: A Five Year Summary of Trace Metals in Rivers and Lakes of the United States (Oct. 1, 1962-Sept. 30, 1967)," by John F. Kopp and Robert C. Kroner, Depart- ment of the Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, 1969. Copies avail- able from Analytical Quality Control Labora- tory, Division of Water Quality Research, 1014 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Water for fish propagation must be sub- stantially free from domestic and industrial pollution, and must be able to sustain the flora on which fish feed. In determining water-quality requirements for aquatic life, it is essential to recognize that there arenot only acute and chronic toxic levels, but also tolerable, favorable, and es- sentiallevels of dissolved materials. Differ- ent species, and different developmental stages of the same or different species, may differ widely intheir sensitivity or tolerance to different materials. Also, substances in suspension, as well as in solution, affect aquatic organisms both directly and indi- rectly. Adequate water-quality surveillance is es- sential to identify compliance with water- quality standards--in order to document vio- lations for corrective actions, and to identify new pollution trends, sources, and types be- fore problems develop. This report provides detailed summaries of data on 19 trace metals detected at over 100 water-quality surveillance stations in the 16 major river basins of the U.S. Numerous tables include percent frequency of detection, observed mean values, highest recorded con- centrations, number of violations of quality criteria, and comparisons of suspended and dissolved trace metals in surface water. --Barbara Lundy INTERNATIONAL FAO FISHERY AID TOPS $120 MILLION During the 1960s, FAO fishery aid to de- veloping countries under the United Nations Development Programme (Special Fund) grew steadily--from 3 projects in 1960, the first year, to 48 in 1969. This was reportedby FAO Jana hoe) 19705 The 48 projects involved 37 countries in 5 continents and almost $120,000,000 in UNDP and government counterpart funds. The first year's projects totaled $6,400,000. The 48 Projects The 48 projects, most still operational, range from fishery resources surveys, con- ducted aboard modern, FAO-designed re- search vessels, to training personnel and studying marketing and distribution problems. Most projects are fashioned to the needs of nations and are scheduled to run 4-5 years. Also, FAO's Department of Fisheries is studying 21 new projects and is participating in 14 others involving other departments. Largest project financially is the $13,400,000 High Seas Fishery Research proj- ect in Poland; the latter has contributed $12,200,000 to build a modern, computerized fisheryresearch vessel. The 4 year project, launched in 1968, involves training and edu- cating fishery personnel from developing countries. Central America Another major project is the 6-year, $5 million Central American Fishery Develop- ment program for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Pana- ma. Begun in 1966, it aims to increase pro- duction and consumption of fish and fish prod- ucts in a region where fish eating and nutri- tional standards are low. S. Korean Training Center A Deep Sea Fishing Training Centre was established in Pusan, Republic of Korea, un- der a $2,850,000 project that ended in late 1969. FAO continues to assist through other arrangements. The Centre turns out 150 qualified skippers and engineers a year. 31 FAO also established a Coastal Fishing Training Centre in Pusan in 1968, under a $2,500,000, five-year project. In South Vietnam, FAO assists an Off- Shore Fishery Development program in which the Freedom From Hunger Campaign parti- cipates with a $2,250,000 contribution. The total UNDP-Government contribution to the 4-year project that started in 1968 is $2,000,000. Africa & S. America Lake Victoria in Africa was the site of another FAOfishery survey and development project. A specially built, 56-foot research and exploratory fishing vessel was trans- ported by seaandland from the United King- dom. Africa's great manmade lakes--Kariba, Volta, Kainji, and Nasser--and its eastern and western coastal waters also are being studied by FAO/UNDP. In Argentina, noted for its beef, efforts are underway to increase fishery production and consumption. A study has begun of ways to tap the little- used resources of the Indian Ocean. 50 Smaller Projects As of December 1969, FAO also was con- ducting about 50 smaller projects under UNDP Technical Assistance Programme. FAO Aid Has Changed The trend towards more and bigger fish- ery development projects was emphasized by Harry C. Winsor, Director for Operations in FAO's Department of Fisheries andformer head of the 16-nation Caribbean Fishery De- velopment project. He said this reflected FAO's evolvement from a fact-gathering organization into a development agency with international financing to provide technical services in all disciplines of food and agri- culture. Mr. Winsor added: 'We have come a long way from 1960 when we had two fishery proj- ects going, in Ecuador and Peru, and a third project starting in India. By 1965 we were involved in 17 projects and by the following year with ten more. And this is just in the UNDP Special Fund sector. 32 He predicted future projects will continue to cover many fields, The projects preferred will be those that benefit nations quickly through orderly expansion of the fishing in- dustry--and make fish available to more consumers everywhere, FAO BODY GATHERS FACTS ON MEDITERRANEAN POLLUTION The General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean, an FAO body, will gather in- formation on pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by sending questionnaires to many scien- tists, experts, and other interested groups throughout the Mediterranean, The Council hopes that results of the questionnaire may help the FAO conference on marine pollution, and its effects on living resources andfishing, slated for Rome, Dec. 918, LTO. The Council held its 10th biennial session in Rome inDecember 1969, Itnoted an urgent need for Mediterranean countries to obtain the best information on the status and trends of pollution, Member countries will be asked to nomi- nate pollution experts to be liaison with the Council; nonmember nations bordering the Mediterranean alsowillbe asked to nominate experts, Rome Meeting At Rome, the Council noted that pollution of the Mediterranean was a fast-growing problem, It was aggravated by the sea's enclosed nature: ''waste may not be rapidly diluted and dispersed by natural processes.’ Coastal areas and high seas are contami- nated by domestic and industrial waste brought intothe seaby rivers, coastal outlets, pipelines, and dumping by vessels. Overfishing The Council noted "definite signs of over- fishing in the case of some species, This alarming situation has already led several Mediterranean countries topromote meas’.res to reduce fishing effort.'' It recommended "rational measures" to protect and renew threatened stocks. Stocks could be protected by limiting fishing effort and by using more selective types of gear. Norway lobster was among species whose size had declined appreciably in the last 20 ears. Deep-water fishing was having a ‘negative effect" on species. ap COMMON MARKET’S FISHERIES POLICY DELAYED AGAIN The effective date of the European Com- munities (EC) Common Fisheries Policy has beenmovedtoMay1,1970. The Jan, 1, 1970, deadline could not be met. The new date was announced following the mid-December 1969 meeting of EC Council of Ministers. NEAFC BEGINS JOINT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM The Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Com- mission's (NEAFC) joint enforcement pro- gram began Jan, 1, 1970. Under this plan, both nets and catch of fishing vessels of mem- ber countries may be inspected on the high seas, within the NEAFC area, by recognized inspectors from a member country to see if Commission rules are being followed. Area The NEAFC area lies east and north of lines drawn south from Greenland and west from southern tip of Spain. Regulations NEAFC rules regulate mesh size, use of topside chafers, and minimum sizes for cer- tain species. Countries Affected The plan affects: Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, U.K., and the USSR. In the case of the USSR, Poland, and Sweden, there will be no inspection of catch or gear below decks, and noinspection of the catch anywhere on board Soviet vessels. ('Fishing News,' Jan, 9, 1970.) oooaqa0000 NETHERLANDS TO WITHDRAW FROM INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMM. The Netherlands has announced that it will withdraw from the International Whaling Commission effective June 30, 1970. (U.S. Dept. of State, Dec. 31, 1969.) C a FISH CAGED TO CONTROL BIRTH Fishery scientists have found a birth-con- trolmethod for Tilapia aurea, a species that tends to overpopulate in fish ponds, reports FAO. By enclosing these fish in cages sus- pended in ponds, scientists find they dis- courage spawning; also, any eggs produced by the females, who hatch them in their mouths, fall through bottom of cages and are lost. Tilapia are edible fish found mainly in fresh water. They resemble the freshwater sunfish, Tilapia reproduce so prolifically in normal pond conditions that a stock of 7,000 to 15,000 in a hectare of water can explode to 350,000. The cage-suspension method was devised by biologists at the agricultural station of Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, U.S., after two years of experiments, Other Projects This and other developments are re- ported in latest issue of FAO Fish Culture Bulletin(Vol. 2, No.1, Oct. 1969), a quarter- ly review of world fish-culture research and development. In Czechoslovakia, warm water effluents from power plants were used to heat carp ponds at Brno. Breeding was speeded one month, Grass carp were uSed to control weeds in rearing ponds at the National Fish Hatchery in Marion, Alabama, of the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Extensive float- ing mats were eliminated in 30 days after ponds were stocked with grass carp finger- lings. In Poland, production of young carp was doubled in fingerling ponds by using nitrogen- 33 phosphorous fertilizers. A 4-fold increase was registered in ponds fertilized with am- monium sulphate and superphosphate in which fish received supplementary feeding. The 4- year study took place in Zabieniec, Taiwan reports successful spawning of black carp accidentally introduced with grass carp imported from Hong Kong several years ago, Spawning was induced artificially through injections of pituitary extract, which stimulate reproduction, NORDIC NATIONS SET MINIMUM PRICES FOR FROZEN FILLET EXPORTS The Nordic countries have agreed on a minimum price system for frozen fish fillet exports to the United Kingdom and Sweden. In Oct. 1969, the U.K., Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Swedententatively had agreed on a minimum price system in the U.K. Sweden had indicated a desire for a similar system inher domestic market. She feared it would become a dumping ground for excess produc- tion not sold in U.K. U.K. Agreement The EFTA Council approved the U.K. mar- ket arrangement on Dec, 15, 1969, It was to take effect Jan,1,1970, Minimum price sys- tem is supposed to achieve price stability at a level satisfactory tobothparties. Minimum prices are enforced by suppliers--Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland (after she attains EFTA membership). Swedish Agreement A similar agreement for the Swedish mar- ket has not yet been signed. However, this agreement has nodirect connection with U.K. minimum price system and will not change frozenfish fillets! duty-free status in Sweden, (U.S. Embassy, Copenhagen, Dec, 5, 1969; Jan, 5, 1970.) A list of affected products and their U.K. market prices is available from BCF, Office of Foreign Fisheries, Wash., D. C. 20240. il 34 SOVIETS EXPLORE INDIAN OCEAN FISH STOCKS The Azov-Black Sea Fisheries Research Institute (AZCHERNIRO) conducted a survey of one of the least known areas of the Indian Ocean from December 1966 to April 1967. Cruising on the shelf between 25° and 7° N, latitude, the R/V 'Lesnoi' explored Wadge Bank off Cape Comorin. Prevailing Species The waters were rich in ichthyofauna; de- mersal species prevailed, Large concentra- tions of Cubiceps natalensis and Polinurich- thus, and Chorophthalmus agassizi were found at 250-400 meters. Chorophthalmus made up 47.5% of the catches, It is a commercially valuable food fish, 15-21 centimeters long, weighing 35-75 grams. Cubiceps and Polinu- richthus are among the Indian Ocean's most valuable food fishes. They are 14-15.8 cen- timeters long; average weight is 76 grams, Sizeable concentrations of hairtail (Trichiu- rus savala) also were discovered; average length 24.5 centimeters; average weight 98 grams, AZCHERNIRO scientists believe Wadge Bank is potentially good commercial fish- ery during winter months. ('Rybnoe Khozia- istvo,' Nov. 1969.) Soe DIRECTOR OF NEW FAO FISHERY DIVISION NAMED Herman Watzinger, internationally known engineer, expert in fishery development, and member of the Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947 under Thor Heyerdal, has been named direc- tor of FAO's new Fisheries Industries Divi- sion, The divisionhas 3 branches: fishing ves- sels and engineering, fishing gear and meth- ods, and fishery products and marketing. New Director Mr. Watzinger took up his duties in Rome on Feb, 1. He had been managing a Fishery Research and Development project (FAO/ UNDP) in Peru. He is a former managing director of Compania Pesquera La Gaviota S.A., a major Peruvian fish meal firm. He alsohas beenassociated with one of the main fish-processing enterprises in the U.S.; he has served with British, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian firms specializing in refrigeration and fish-preservation equipment, Engineer Mr. Watzinger is a graduate mechanical engineer, Norwegian Technical College, Trondheim, He has conducted research and written about freezing fish fillets and pre- serving other foods. He belongsto the Amer- ican Society of Refrigerating Engineers and the Norwegian Society of Engineers. He joins two other division directors in Fisheries Department: Dr. Mario Ruivo, Fishery Resources Division, and Dr. James A, Storer, Fishery Economics and Institutions Division. SOVIET VESSELS FIRE ON DANISH FISHING CUTTERS On Dec. 8, 1969, Soviet naval vessels fired on 10 Danish cutters fishing in the Baltic Sea in international waters 60 miles off Klajpeda, Lithuania, There were nocasualties; sails on one Danish cutter were damaged, The Danes fled, abandoning their fishing gear. The cutters were fishing salmon on Hoburg Banks, a traditional Danishfishing area, The Soviet vessels were conducting naval exer- cises, Danes Return Two days later, when Soviet exercises ended, the Danes returned, recovered their gear and resumed fishing. The Soviets took 400 hooks belonging to one cutter, but returned them later, ('Berlingske Tidende,' 'Bérsen,' Dec. 12, 1969; 'Fishing News,' Dec, 19-26, 1969.) CANADA LANDINGS IN MARITIME PROVINCES TOP BILLION POUNDS On November 20, 1969, Canada's Depart- ment of Fisheries & Forestry announced that cumulative landings in the Maritime Prov- inces for the first 10 months 1969 were 1,102 million pounds worth $62.6 million, Land- ing in same period 1968 were 1,181 million pounds ($63.4 million) and, in 1967, 944 mil- lion pounds ($53.3 million). sk OK OK EAST COAST SHRIMP FISHERY DEVELOPS In 1965, exploratory fishing for pink shrimp (Pandalus borealis) was sponsored jointly by the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Forestry and the governments of New Bruns- wick and Nova Scotia. It was carried out to a limited extent off the Maritime Provinces, The results, plus 1966-67 explorations, led to the belief that it would be possible to take shrimp in commercial quantities in Chaleur Bay-Gulf of St. Lawrence and Passama- guoddy Bay-Bay of Fundy areas. A few vessels were fitted out for shrimp fishing inthe Gulf of St. Lawrence. These succeeded in landing fair quantities of shrimp in summer and autumn months. Winter ice curtailed their operations. Fundy Fleet Grows In Bay of Fundy area, 6 boats were fitted out for shrimp fishing in 1967, Results were so satisfactory that fleet increased rapidly to 30 boats. In 1968, it landed about 1.2 million pounds, The fleet has increased untilit num- bers over 40 boats landing about 2 million pounds a year, Much of the catchis air-freighted toScan- dinavia, where there is great demand for fresh, salt-cooked pink shrimp. Some See 40 Million Lbs. Some enterprising fishermen believe this fishery could yield up to 40 million pounds year. They are having shrimptrawlers spe- cially designed and built for it. The fishery may soon rank among the world's important shrimp fisheries, OR OK 35 FISHING VESSEL INSURANCE PLAN IS RECAST Low-cost insurance for most Canadian fishing vessels willbeginin April1970. Larg- er vessels--upto100 feet registered length-- will be covered for first time. New rate schedules will make the insurance plan fi- nancially self-supporting. Revenues should be sufficient to cover both insurance claims and administrative costs. New Rates The new rates are: 1% of appraised value of vessels appraised at C$5,000 or less; 2% if appraised value is $5,000 to $25,000; and 4% if appraised value is over $25,000. Coverage In the event of total loss: owners of ves- sels valued at $5,000 or less willreceive 60% (70% in B.C.) indemnity of insured value; owners of vessels appraised from $5,000 to $35,000 can insure at 2% for a 60% (70% in B.C.) recovery of insured value, or they can insure for 95% recovery at the 4% rate; own- ers of vessels appraised at more than $25,000 (paying 4% premium) will receive 95% of in- sured value. There will be a 5% deductible for partial loss of vessels valued at more than $25,000. Boats valued at less than $25,000 will have a partial loss deductible of 15%. The minimum insurable length of a vessel now is 18 feet. This limit will be removed and replaced by a minimum appraised value of $500. 7,500 Vessels Covered Currently some7,500 fishing vessels with an appraised value of $40 million are covered under the insurance plan, All are owned by individual fishermen and private companies. Public corporations operating large trawler fleets are not covered. ('Fisheries News,' Dec. 15, 1969.) 36 CANADA (Contd.): SALT-COD DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS ANNOUNCED On Nov. 10, 1969, Canada's Department of Fisheries and Forestry announced the amounts of 1969 deficiency payments to Atlan- tic coast salt-cod fishermen, The payments are $4a quintal on large and medium Madeira and $3.25 on Thirds (about 80% of the light salted cure), The payment on large and medium salt bulk is $2.50 a quintal, or $5 a draught. Payments will total about $2 million. How Payments Calculated The level of payments was calculated from prices received by fishermen for the year's production, Payments amount tohalf the dif- ference between average price fishermen ac- tually received and the government's target prices announced in spring 1969, OK OK SALTFISH CORPORATION RECOMMENDED A bill to establish a Saltfish Corporation that would stabilize and improve earnings of Atlantic Provinces fishermen producing cured fish (mostly cod) was introduced in Canada's House of Commons on Dec, 16, 1969. The Department of Fisheries and Forestry ex- plained on Dec, 19 that such an organization would maximize returns from exports--and minimize assembling, processing, and mar- keting costs, It also could put traditional cured fish productionin reasonable order and, if justified by demand, replace old and inef- ficient methods with modern processes. To Be Sole Buyer The Corporation would become the sole buyer of cured fish and of fish for curing, controlling the movement of cured fish in both interprovincial and export trade. It would establish a buying price for salt fish before the fishing season and distribute any surplus earned bythe close of the production year to the fishermen, Other Operations Its operations would include buying, as- sembling, grading, processing, packaging, storing, selling and market promotion of fish and cured fish products. Services of private individuals and firms would be used if they could contribute to greater efficiency in these operations, For certain services, such as purchasing, private traders might be ap- pointed as Corporation agents, on a commis- sion basis. OK OK FISHERIES RESEARCH BOARD USES SUB AS LAB Fisheries Research Board scientists first established the feasibility of using a submer- sible for underwater research in 1968. Now they are going to use a new submarine, the 'Shelf Diver', to study herring, scallops, and crab in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Shelf Diver The Shelf Diver is 23 feet long andcan accommodate 3 observers or divers, Oper- ating down to 800 feet, it has a built-in de- compression chamber allowing divers to emerge at those depths. Bay of Fundy Herring & Scallops A decline in herring stocks in Maritime fishery has caused considerable concern in Canada. Unlike West Coast herring, eastern stocks spawn at 40 to 60 feet. Shore spawn- ing is the rule onthe Pacific coast, Thus, it is relatively easy to check the spawn and make reasonably accurate predictions of fu- ture harvests. Inthe Bay of Fundy, scientists must go beneath surface to make accurate surveys. Studies on queen crab populations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, begun in 1969, will con- tinue with special emphasis on trapping gear. Divers from the submarine will watch the effectiveness of various baits at 600 feet. The submarine also will help in studies of scallop stocks and their placement on the ocean floor in the Bay of Fundy. EUROPE THE YUGOSLAV FISHERY IN THE ADRIATIC SEA Richard L. Major Yugoslavia maintains a small commercial fishery of approxi- mately 25,000-30,000 metrictons a yearinthe eastern Adriatic Sea (fig. 1). In1966-1968, her marine fisheries become more important because of decreases in freshwater catch (see Table). However, their contributionto total catch is only slightly higher than in 1948 (64.6% in 1948; 66.6% in 1968), It is estimated that an additional 2,000-3,000 metric tons are taken by inhabitants of the coast for food and by sport fishermen, This report examines the small but interesting fishery: the fishing methods and catch; utilization of catch and the social and economic factors that influence it; and the fishery's prospects. It is based on four articles (Basioli, 1968; Grubelic, 1963; GrubeSi¢, 1968; Morovic, 1968) and oninformation gathered firsthand in Yugo- slavia from February to August 1969, FISHING METHODS AND CATCH IN ADRIATIC The Adriatic Sea is not a uniform fishing areainterms of the type of fishery conducted, Different types of gear are used in four areas--the area embracing the shoreline and offshore banks (various dragnets, set-nets, traps, etc.), the trawling area, the open-water .. YUGOSLAVIA Es YUGOSLAVIA < ADRIATIC SEA Fig. 1 - Eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea showing locations im- portant to this review. Inset shows the location of the Adriatic relative to the familiar land masses of Italy, Yugoslavia's Fisheries Catch for Selected Years 1948-1968 YEAR 1968 1967 1966 1965 1960 1955 1948 (In 1,000 Metric Tons) 2929 (30:0), 27:3 '26.0--20.9,11 TSO IASI 1852) 15594, 1020 Ww eee ee % of Total 66.6 62.6 60.0 62.1 67.6 60.2 64.6 Source: FAO Yearbook of Fishery Statistics. area (seines), and the deep-water area (long- lines). Each area is considered separately later. In 1968, 8,246 people were engaged in the fishing industry: 2,412 full-time fishermen, 5,456 part time, and 378 shore workers. Fishermen shared 25to40 percent of the net income. The fishery involved 6,349 boats, including 4,265 with motor and 2,084 without. Of the motorized craft, only 193 exceeded 10 gross registered tons, The 43,290 nets used included 40,264 set nets, 1,507 drag seines, 460 trawls of various types, 426 purse seines, and 633 nets of other types. Also used were 16,083 basket-traps and over 1.3 million long- line hooks, Fish make up about 96 percent of the catch; the rest are crustaceans (crabs and lobsters) and molluscs (oysters, mussels, octopus, and squid), The so-called blue or pelagic fish Mr. Major is a Fishery Biologist with BCF Biological Laboratory, 2725 Montlake Boulevard E., Seattle, Wash. From February through August 1969, he was in Yugoslavia on a scientific exchange visit sponsored by Academies of Science of the U.S. and Yugoslavia, 37 38 (such as sardine, sprat, anchovy, and mack- erel) compose about three-fourths the com- mercialcatch, About 85 percent of these blue fish are canned; the rest are salted or con- sumed fresh, Shoreline and Bank Area This area includes the waters adjacent to the mainland of Yugoslavia, the islands, and the reefs. It makes up only one-thirtieth of the eastern half of the Adriatic (the other half is adjacent to Italy) but yields one-fifth the catch. Itis by far the most varied region in number of species caught. The dominant fishes are: picarel(Maena spp.), grey mullet (Mugil spp.), dentex (Dentex spp.), bream (Sparidae), pandora (Pagellus erythrinus), salema (Boops salpa), bogue (Boops boops), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), leer fish (Lichia amia), wrasse (Labridae), bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), scorpionfish (Scor- paena spp.), corb (Umbrina cirrosa), brown meagre (Corvina nigra), red mullet (Mullus barbatug), striped mullet (Mullus surmuletus), forkbeard (Phycis phycis), comber (Serranus spp.), grouper (Epinephelus guaza), moray (Muraena helena), conger eel (Conger conger), gar-fish (Belone belone), blue damsel fish (Chromis chromis), goby (Gobius spp.), and smelt (Atherine spp.). Also important are the followinginvertebrates: octopus (Octopus vulgaris), common squid (Loligo vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), spiny lobster (Palinurus vulgaris), lobster (Homarus vul- garis), spider crab (Maja squinado), common prawn (Palaemon serratus), oyster (Ostrea edulis), mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), and date-shell (Lithophaga lithophaga).* This area offers the most favorable con- ditions for effective year-round fishing: ac- cessibility, shallow water, and high-quality fish, It is not surprising, therefore, that these grounds have been exploited for thou- sands of years, The coastal fisheryis a mosaic of differ- ent types of gear, Most numerous are nylon gillnets, various drag-nets (set from small boats, then retrieved by hand from the beach), and small beamtrawls. In recent years, the use of drag-nets has been greatly curtailed because of the convictionthat this gear takes too many immature fish. As drag-nets are phased out, gillnets tend to replace them. **All scientific and most common names are from Bini (1965). Fig. 2 - Dalmatian fisherman preparing basket-tra ps. These traps are widely used in Yugoslavia for taking fish and shellfish. Fishing with basket-traps (fig. 2) is done mostly by islanders, who also use hooks, spears, gillnets, drag-nets, and beam trawls in their subsistence fishery. The subsistence fishery is the biggest single element of the coastal fishery today. It involves thousands of fishermen-~-at least afew from every community. Nearly every household has a few fish dinners weekly. Iz Veli, a typicalisland community, is shown in figure 3. Sport Fishing Sport fishingis increasing, In 1962, over 5,000 members were registered in 52 clubs. The number of unregistered sport fishermen was estimated to be twice that large. These fishermen used about 6,000 skiffs, 1,500 underwater spear-guns, 2,500 gillnets, and 300,000 longline hooks. One concerned scien- tist calculated, onthe basis of 1962 statistical Where common names familiar to U.S. and Canadian readers were needed, the names recommended by the American Fisheries Society (1960) were used. 39 Fig. 3 - The village of Iz Veli on the island of the same name--a typical island fishing village of Yugoslavia. data, that each square kilometer inthe coastal areahad 11 fishermen(professional, subsis- tence, and sport), 4.6 boats, 12.7 nets, 5 bas- ket-traps, and 1.5 longlines. These figures did not include large numbers of unregistered small nets--especially gillnets, The intensity of sport fishing has probably increased sev- eral fold since these calculations were made, Dynamite is now widely (but illegally) used to kill fish. These data attest the heavy exploitation in the coastal zone. Catch statistics show, furthermore, that some of the most valuable species, red mullet, striped mullet, dentex, bass, bream, scorpionfish, and octopus, are far less abundant today than 100 or even 50 years ago. Less desirable species, such as bogue and other small fishes, make up an in- creasing percentage of the catch. The young of most important species have legal protec- tion--a minimum body lengthregulation, The regulationis difficult toenforce, however, and seems largely ineffective. Trawling Area This area extending out to depths of 300 meters (the limit for standard Adriatic trawl- ers) ranks second in size and in the number of species taken. Important are hake (Mer- luccius merluccius), skate (Raja spp.), sole (Solea spp.), anglerfish (Lophius spp.), gur- nard (Trigla spp.), whiting and poor cod (Gadus spp.), John Dory (Zeus faber), dogfish (Squalus spp., Scyliorhinus spp.), smooth- hound (Mustelus spp.), angel shark (Squatina spp.), stingray (Dasyatis spp.), picarel, pan- dora, bream, weever (Trachinus spp.), argen- tine (Argentina sphyarena), squid, cuttlefish, Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), and spider crab, There are large but as yet un- marketable populations of fan mussel (Pinna nobilis), sea urchin (Echinus spp.), starfish (Antedon mediterranea), and sponge (Geodia spp., Mycale spp.). The history of exploitation in the trawling area dates to the third and fourth century B.C., when the Greeks had colonies on the present-day Yugoslav coast. Ancient Greek documents show that longlines were used to take fish (chiefly hake, dogfish, and skate) in water down to 100 meters. Trawling with two-boat combinations (pair trawling) in depths to 80 meters began about 200 years ago. Motorized vessels were first used in these pair trawling operations in 1908; mod- ern trawling (with doors) began just after World War I. The number of boats in the trawl fishery has fallen in recent years (from 154 in 1961 to 117 in 1965). 40 Only about one of every six boats is a full-time trawler, The others divide their fishing time betweentrawling and other types of fishing--chiefly seining for pelagic fish. The full-time trawlers are smaller vessels (under 100 hp.) built between the two world wars, They operate inthe canals between the larger islands but, even there, they are often blownintoport by adverse winds and so aver- age only about 150 fishing days per year. Of the larger boats (over 100 hp.) that divide their fishing time between trawling and other types of fishing, only every tenth boat fishes intensively inthe opensea areas, The others fish either inside or outside, but not exten- sively. Crews range from seven to eight men for the larger vessels, upward from 25 m., but are five or less for the smaller boats working in the canals, Trawlers now take 1,000-1,600 metric tons annually. The main trawling area is the Blitvenica grounds (fig. 1). By agreement, part of this area is allocated to Italian fish- ermen, The Yugoslavs are reexamining this agreement, however, in light of their own de- clining catches. (For details, see CFR, July 1969, page 47.) Open-Water Area Although this area isby far the largest in terms of sea surface, scarcely one-half of it contains significant fish populations. Fur- thermore, fish in that one-half are not uni- formly distributed: they are fairly abundant on some grounds but scarce in others, Of the about 200 commercially important species in the Adriatic, only about 14 are found inthe open-water area. Yet this small number makesup three-quarters of the com- mercial catch, Important species are: sar- dine (Sardina pilchardus), sprat (Clupea sprattus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus), Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus colias), Atlantic saury (Scomberesox saurus), gar-fish, horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), frigate mackerel (Auxis bisus), little tuna (Euthynnus alletteratus), swordfish (Ziphias gladius), and bogue. These are all schooling fish--some dwell close and others far from shore, A catch of Atlantic mackerel, a popular fish cooked ona grill, is shown in figure 4, Fig. 4 - Atlantic mackerel, a popular fish, especially when cooked on a grill. The exploitation of pelagic fish inthe Adri- atic Sea iscenturies oldand spansthree dis- tinct periods. During the first, before 1929, the fishery was limited to a narrow band near the shore and involved only drag-nets and set- nets. In 1929, the advent of purse seines enabled the fishermen to move farther off- shore, The first use of modern fish-detection equipment and radio-telephones in 1953 marked a beginning of the third period--ex- pansion into previously unexploited areas, In 1968, 416 boats were engaged in Seining. These weretwobasic types. The first, about 170 boats, operated by true professional fish- ermen, is typically 16-19 (occasionally 20-25) meters long with 80-150 (occasionally 150- 240) hp. (fig. 5). Nylon nets used are on the average 350 m,. long, 80 m. deep, and are lifted with a winch, The average crew is about nine; the average yearly catch 90-100 metric tons. Another type of seiner (246 boats) fishes closer to shore, with cotton netting that re- quires much more maintenance than nylon nets, These boats often fish on stations in narrow local areas where fish are known to occur, Crews are made up of seasonal work- ers who otherwise work at agricultural jobs; the crews are often twice.as large as those of true professional seiners. The average catch is 25-30 metric tons a year. Some beach seines are still used for catching pe- lagic fish but in decreasing numbers. Spe- cial skiffs, outfitted with lights to attract fish schools, are an important part of the pelagic fishing (fig. 6). 41 Fig. 5 - Three large purse seiners lying in port. The vessels are the backbone of the Yugoslav fishery for pelagic species. Fig. 6 - A skiff outfitted with lights for attracting pelag- ic fishes. In 1968 about 4,000 of these units engaged in the Yugoslavia fishery for sardines, sprat, and anchovies, and the other open-water species. The fishing season lasts 9 months and is confined to areas less than 120 meters deep. Beyond that depth only a rare school of At- lantic saury or tuna are found--never sar- dines, The catch of pelagic fish has increased steadily from about 9 thousand metric tons in 1955 to 23 thousand tons in 1968; sardines make up 54 percent, mackerel 13.5 percent, sprat 13 percent, anchovies 8 percent, and the others 11.5 percent. Deep-Water Area This areainthe southern Adriatic is given a special classification because it is farther from shore and deeper than the open-water area, Depths range from 300to1,000 meters, Of the 31 species of fish and shellfish in the deep water area, the most important are hake, stone bass (Polyprion cernium), rough- shark (Centrophorus granulosus), sixgill shark (Hexanchus grisseus), blue shark (Carcharias glaucus), rockfish (Sebastes dactyloptera), congor eel, greater forkbeard (Phycis blenniodes), Norway lobster, and shrimp (Aristeomorpha foliacea), 42 Ninety-five percent of the catch is taken by longlines and the rest by trawls. Little is known about the status of the stocks except that hake are becoming scarcer, Although some marine scientists believe that this area could support a larger fishery, the rigors of conducting a longline fishery at considerable distances from shore have suppressed expan- sion thus far, UTILIZATION OF CATCH In round figures, the total marine catch has increased from 26,000 metric tons in 1965 to 27,000 in 1966 and 30,000 in 1967 and 1968. Most of this increase, however, is from the catch of pelagic fish. The catch of shellfish has increased only slightly, and that of the highly sought demersal or "white" fish (groundfish) has decreased, For the Yugoslav housewife who prefers the ''white"' fish, the situation is bleak. First, even within the decreasing catch of groundfish, fewer prime species and more less-desirable species are being caught, Second, to meet skyrocketing demands of ex- panding Yugoslav tourist industry, hotels and restaurants are buying more and more avail- able prime fish, even before they reach the dock, The result: fewer high-quality fish ap- pear on the public market and these are ex- pensive. Since 1963, in fact, frozen Japanese fish have beenimportedtomeet the demand-- a bitter situation, indeed, for coastal people with a great tradition of eating fresh ground- fish. ; The fish-canning industry has a long his- tory. Even before World War II, Yugoslav sardines in oil and fillets of anchovies were wellreceived on the world market. Immedi- ately after 1945, the canning industry ex- pandedits capacity to30,000 metric tons an- nually. This proved to be overexpansion be- cause catches of pelagic fish did not increase accordingly. Despite recent catch increases, from 18,000 metric tons in 1965 to 23,000 in 1968, and the purchase and canning of frozen tuna from Japan's Atlantic Ocean fleet, the industry continues to operate below capacity. In giving reasons for this less-than-opti- mum operation, some experts contend that the stocks of pelagic fish already are fished to capacity and no significant reserves exist, Only anchovies, sprat, and saury, they main- tain, can support increased fishing effort. Others contend that plenty of fish are avail- able but that high operating costs (fuel, main- tenance, and repair) compared to price re- ceived for fish simply make increased fishing unattractive. Still others cite difficulties in marketing the canned products on world mar- ket. It is increasingly evident that the Adriatic's fish populations cannot support the vigorous canning industry, let along meet domestic de- mand for fresh fish, Moreover, skeptics say that to raise per-capita fish consumption to the average European's(15 kg. per year), the catch would haveto increase 10 times. This, they feel, cannot be done because the fishery reserves are too limited. THE FUTURE The Adriatic Sea, deficient in nutrient salts, is not a productive body. Therefore it is difficult to envision significant expansion of the conventional fisheries, Yet the possi- bility of increasing production by farming the sea appears tremendous. The Yugoslav coastline is surprisingly extensive. The di- rect distance from the border with Italy south- ward to the border with Albania is only 628 km,, but the total length of the shoreline of the mainland andislands is6,106km. Yugoslavia has one of the most richly indented coasts in Europe. The possibilities for fish farming and shellfish culture are almost unlimited under such circumstances, Fish production could be increased by rearing high-quality fish (chiefly mullet) in enclosed or semi-enclosed bays, artificially fertilized. Initial studies by Yugoslav marine scientists have proved that such rearing can be successful. The main species of shellfish inthe Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas are the mussel and the oyster; the mussel is much easier to rear. Fan mussels, whichcan be farmed on the sea floor, offer another possibility, From each hectare of suitable ocean floor, it is possible to harvest 50,000 fan mussels annually with more than 8,420 kg. of pure flesh. This yield is better than the amount of meat produced per hectare on much of Yugoslavia's grazing lands, Through fish farming, the Yugoslavs would like toraise the consumption of fresh seafood from one-half kg. per year--among the lowest in Europe--to 4 kg. per person per year. 43 REFERENCES AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY 1960. A list of the common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. 2d ed. Spec. Publ. No. 2, 102 pp. BASIOLI, JOSIP 1968, Ribolov Dalmacija danas (The Dalmatian fishery to- day). Privreda Dalmacija 1; 19-24. In Croatian. BINI, GIORGIO 1965, Catologo dei nomi dei pesci dei molluschi e dei crostacei di importanza commerciale nel Mediter- raneo (Catalogue of the names of commercially im- portant fish, molluscs, and crustaceans in the Med- iterranean Sea), General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean, FAO, Rome, 407 pp. In Italian. (English version available. } GRUBELIC, MILJENKO 1963. Uvjeti za brzirazvoj morskog ribarstva (Conditions for a speedier development of marine fisheries), Pomor- ski Zbornik 1: 229-270. In Croatian, with an Eng- lish summary. GRUBESIC, FABJAN 1968. Poku§aj valorizacije Jugoslovenskih Jadranskih ribolov- nih podriicja(Anattempt at evaluating the Yugoslav Adriatic fishing grounds). PomorskiZbornik 6: 823- 844, In Croatian, with an English summary. MOROVIC, DINKO 1968. Proizvodi Jadranskog ribolova u ishrani naroda Jugo- slavije (Products of the Adriatic fishery in the nutri- tion of the Yugoslav people). Pomorski Zbormnik 6: 169-178, In Croatian, with an English summary. SOLJAN, TONKO 1948. Ribe Jadrana (Fishes of the Adriatic), Institute za oceanografiju i Ribarstvo FNR Jugoslavije, Split, Fauna et Flora Adriatica, Vol. 1, Pisces. 437 p. (Transl. , 1963, Clearinghouse Fed. Sci. Tech. In- form., Springfield, Va., TT 60-21661.) 44 USSR KAMCHATKA HERRING CATCHES DECLINE In1959, Kamchatka's herring catches came from 4 major populations--3 in Bering Sea off Soviet shores, and one in northern Okhotsk Sea. By 1968, the Bering stocks had been completely depleted; only the Okhotsk herring remained, Andeventhe most optimistic pre- dictions give the Okhotsk stocks only 3 years at present fishing intensity, The stocks are fished by 200 vessels from the Kamchatka Fisheries Administration alone, The Bering Sea fishery off Kamchatka's east coast has beendiscontinued temporarily, but local 'kolkhozes' reportedly are not equip- ped to catch other species. Distant-Water Fleets Blamed Depletioninthe Bering has been blamed on the 'fishery in international waters,' where restrictions set by Soviet scientists are in- effective, andthe fishery continues. A leading scientist has said that efforts to expand dis- tant-water fisheries will be increased, al- though these are less efficient than traditional coastal fisheries. Processing Plant Idle Despite depleted stocks, one of the largest Soviet fish-processing plants in the Far East has been built in Kamchatka, on Lavrov Bay. The 12-million-ruble (US$13.2 million) plant has 17 salting shops, and 2,000-metric-ton refrigerated storage capacity. The plant, built contrary to the advice of fishery scien- tists, is now idle for lack of herring. It prob- ably will not operate for 5 years or more. Lacks Refrigerated Transports The Kamchatka fleet also lacks refriger- atedtransports. Infirst-half 1969, 25 factory stern trawlers (BMRT) were idled for 217 days waitingtounload catches. ('Literaturn- aia Gazeta,' No. 42, Oct. 15, 1969.) FISHES SAURY IN NORTHERN BARENTS SEA Four vessels of the Northern Fisheries Ad- ministration (Sevryba) sailed from Murmansk in late September 1969 for the northern Ba- rents Sea, Their mission was to explore for saury around Novaia Zemlia, a large island off Siberia. Catches of 7 to 10 metric tons per vesselper day were reported. This is the farthest north the Soviets have explored for saury. Pacific Saury Dwindles Accordingto U.S. scientists, none of the 4 species of saury (Cololabis saira, Scombero- sox, and 2 dwarf species) occurs in the area of Novaia Zemlia, If the Soviet claim is true, the attempt todiversify their saury fisheries probably results from dwindling stocks of Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) between USSR's Siberian coasts and Japan. This was discussed recently in meetings of Japanese and Soviet scientists, OK OK WHALING FLEET OFF HOKKAIDO The Japanese whaling industry was con- cerned about a Soviet whaling fleet operating off Cape Erimo (Hokkaido) inSept.-Oct. 1969. The total number of catcher boats was not known, but at least one mothership and 8 boats wereinthe area. At that time, sperm whaling was at its peak. Area Barred to Japanese The Japanese whaling industry was having a difficult time because the Soviet mother- ships were operating in an area (south of 20° N.) where Japan prohibits operations of her own whaling motherships. ('Shin Suisan Sokuho,' Nov. 6, 1969.) %* KO CONSIDERS SQUID FISHERY OFF U.S. ATLANTIC COAST The Atlantic Fisheries and Oceanography Research Institute (ATLANTNIRO) analyzed 3,420 hauls during 24 exploratory and re- search cruises between 1958 and 1968 from USSR (Contd.): Cape Hatteras, N.C., toGeorges Bank. Squid was found distributed widely in the area, A year-round fishery appears possible with seasonal adjustments. Largest Concentrations The largest concentrations were found in June-November northeast of Blake Canyon in 50-160 meters, Catches on the southern slopes of Georges Bank averaged 0.5-1 met- ric ton an hour; peaks were 6 tons, Off Wilmington, Delaware, and Baltimore, Md., catches of 2,5 tons were made in 60-100 me- ters. In a 30-square-mile area off Wilming- ton, squid stocks were estimated at 6-7,000 tons. In December-May, squid concentrate in troughs of the continental slope at 100-220 meters, in water temperatures of 9-129 C, ('Rybnoe Khoziaistvo,' No. 10, 1969.) Soviet squid catches now are incidental to groundfish catches, OK OK STUDIES VALUABLE FOOD FISH DISCOVERED OFF HAWATL IN 1967 The Soviets discovered large concentra- tions of boarfish (Pseudopentaceros richard- soni) northeast of Hawaii in 1967. The fish is 22-31 centimeters long, 7-12 centimeters high, 3-5 centimeters thick. Its weight ranges between 210 and 675 grams. The flesh con- tains 19-27% oil and 12-17% protein. At -18°C., boarfishcanbe kept for 1 year with- out deteriorating. The fillets are suitable for delicatessen items (canned, smoked, salted, etc.). ('Rybnoe Khoziaistvo,! No, 10, 1969.) OK OK SCIENTISTS DISCOVER MAGNESIUM - METABOLISM REGULATOR IN SALMON Soviet experiments with Pacific salmon have confirmed the existence of a substance that regulates magnesium metabolism in live organisms. Any anadromous fish has a mechanism that enables it to withstand either a shortage or excess of magnesium salts. Salmon are known to be particularly sensitive to abrupt 45 fluctuations of the magnesium salt level when migrating downstream to the ocean, To Continue Experiments By continuing the experiments with dogs, the scientists hope to identify the organ that produces the substance. Once it has been isolated, it could help prevent or cure dis- turbances of magnesium metabolism in live organisms. ('Tass,' Nov, 26, 1969.) Kk OK UNDERWATER HABITAT VEHICLE TESTED IN BLACK SEA The Soviet habitat vehicle 'Sadko-3! was lowered off Sukhumi in the Black Sea to 25 meters inlate 1969. The experiment included bio-acoustic research, and tests of activity and physiological condition of 3-man crew. Voices and sounds of marine fish were re- corded to use in inducing artificial schooling of fish with similar manmade sounds. If suc- cessful, the technique maybe introduced com- mercially. The Vehicle Sadko-3 was designed by the Leningrad Hydrometeorological Institute. Its 3 stories are divided into compartments: the first is the diver's compartment; the other 2 (spheri- cal shape) are dwelling compartments. The laboratory, on the outside, has a cagelike structure. This is a metal frame covered with synthetic-fiber net of 300 cubic meters. Species of fishare observed in near-natural conditions, The biological program is headed by the Chief, Acoustics Institute of USSR Academy of Sciences. % Test Site The tests took place at marine scientific station of Laboratory for Underwater Re- search of Leningrad Hydrometeorological Institute at Sukhumi. Specialists from Aca- demy of Sciences and Medicobiological Insti- tute of Public Health Ministry participated. ('Pravda,' Nov. 29, 1969.) = 46 ICELAND FISHING INDUSTRY IN 1969 ‘Iceland Review,' No. 4, 1969, reports that 1969 was a good year for cod and other de- mersal species on Icelandic fishing banks. Both trawlers and smaller boats made good inshore catches. Vessels fishing baby lob- sters off the southcoast increased. Much of this catch was exported frozen to the U.S., Switzerland, Italy, and Britain. The Green- land turbot fishery off the north and east coasts also increased, The turbot was sold whole-frozento Europe, and frozen in blocks to the U.S. Exports An important contract for canned and smoked saithe was signed with Czechoslova- kia, Unusually large quantities of shrimp from the northwest will goto Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Asearchfor shrimp and shell- fish, underway in Faxa Bay, will increase employment opportunities around Reykjavik. All available salted-fish stocks were sold at fairly good prices, mainly to South Europe. Whale Meat The whaling season (late May-late Sept.) produced 423 whales fromthe Greenland Sea, about average. Much of the meat went to Brit- ain for pet food. Catch & Utilization The U.S. Embassy, Reykjavik, reported on Jan, 13, 1970, that preliminary data on Ice- land's 1969 fish catch showed 655,246 metric tons (9% over 1968). Value can only be es- timated; probably it will be considerably less than in 1964-66, but at least 15% higher than in 1968. (Figures for first three quarters 1969 show an increase value of 25% over the same period 1968.) The Embassy had reported on December 9, 1969, that institutional, retail, and fish 'n chips trade in the U.S. largely accounted for this greater value. These outlets have devel- oped a booming market for individually pack- aged Icelandic fillets, primarily cod. Volume and prices of Icelandic cod fillets sold to U.S. are expected to continue increase through 1970. More Whitefish Total catch during 1969 improved marked- ly over 1968 but was comparatively small for the 60's. This isprimarily because the huge quantities of herring caught in earlier years are nolonger found around Iceland, However, record quantities of higher-valued fish have beencaught. Whitefish, mainly cod, amounted to424,000 metric tons, exceeding the previous record--415,000 tonsin1964, Similarly, the 1969 shrimp and lobster catch was a record 6,000 tons, surpassing the 1963 high of 5,800 tons, Herring & Capelin As expected, the 1969 herring catch was minimal--53,000 tons. It dropped about 90,000 tons from 1968. It was about 10% of the 1964 catch and represented an even smaller percentage of 1965 and 1966 catches. This decline was partly offset by an increased catch of relatively lower-valued capelin, This catch establishing a new record kept combined quantity of capelinand herring at the 220,000- ton level. Table 1 - Fish Catch 1968 and 1969 Preliminary 1969 1968 (Metric Tons) 424, 228 373,018 142, 820 78, 166 2, 898 2,451 3,550 2,489 Neds 2,416 655, 246 601, 360 53, 220 171, 350 Table 2 - Utilization of Fish Catch 1968 and 1969 Preliminary 1969 1968 (Metric Tons) Groundfish: For freezing cau ost sy.+ 249, 227 202, 237 ROrisal tinge emciemeltanes 83, 335 115,178 Bordryingit pee eel siete 45,562 15,174 Landed abroad on ice . . 35, 681 28, 812 erring: Borisaltingire an.) stents 19, 400 28, 834 For'freezing) <1 (0) sie, 16) wie 2, 800 7,776 For. reduction 's7cienelisrs 5, 800 59,712 Landed abroad on ice . 295.220. 49,204 (Capelin: For reduction . . .. « e 168, 950 76,919 Forsfreezing®..0)-s sl 6) «1 1s 2,400 1,248 Lobster and Shrimp: Forhfreezing@ seis vei etree 6, 348 4, 825 ICELAND (Contd.): FISHERMEN'S STRIKE AVERTED Representatives of seamen's unions and fishing-vessel owners have agreed onthe dis- tribution of income from fish catches. This probably has averted a strike that could have crippledthe country's economy. The fisher- menhad demanded ahigher percentage, Final agreement was signed subject to two condi- tions: a change in the law on proportion for each party, and increased fish prices, Under legislationpassed in late 1968, 27% of the sales revenue from cod and other white fish catches had been reserved for vessel owner-operators (10% for escrow-type fund for newcapital expenditures and debt repay- ments; 17% to defray an anticipated increase in operating costs due to the Nov. 1968 de- valuation). This left only 73% of the white fish to be divided between labor and ship oper - ators, usually 41% to 42% to the fishermen, and 58-59% to the owners-operators, Under ‘the new agreement, the government must change the legislation, reducing initial amount given to owners from 27 to 21%. This will leave 79% to be divided among fishermen, Increased Prices The second condition was met when the Fisheries Price Board increased by 9.5% the fixed price of cod and other white fish to the processing plants, Boat owners and fisher- men's representatives onthe Fisheries Board voted in favor of the increase. Representa- tives of theprocessing plants voted against it. Results of Agreement According to the press, overall benefit to fishermen will be about a15% increase in in- come over 1969, assuming comparable catches. The agreement must be approved by individual unions, An important fishermen's union in the Westmann Islands already has rejected contract. Union members said they would negotiate their own agreement. Significance of Higher Prices The 9.5% hike in white-fish price already in effect for 1970 is expected to be extended toherring and capelin, Because landed price is only a fraction of the price of processed fish sold abroad, this action probably will not affect the processing industry's foreign-mar- 47 ket position, The effect of the 9.5% increase is similar tothe effect of anincrease in wheat prices on the consumer price for bread, In fact, the steady price rise in the U.S, during 1969 for frozen cod blocks (from 21 cents to 24 cents per lb.) may well have set the stage for the increase. Iceland's landed price for prime codistobe raisedfrom 3.25 U.S. cents to 3.56 cents a lb. (prime cod is 19 or more inches long, large, gutted withhead, and class 1A quality). Since the 9.5% increase was already over- due, itis not considered an impediment to the fish-processing industry. The fishermen are not obtaining higher wages; they are only re- couping what they lost during 1967-68 when fish prices declined, Domestic Supply Assured Another perspective is the relationship of the Icelandic price to prices prevailing in other countries for unprocessed fish. Ice- landic vessels tend toland their catch abroad to benefit from higher prices (mainly in Great Britain and West Germany) this became a real problem during second-half 1969. Although a higher price level will eat into the fish- processing industry, profits will, at the same time insure a continuing supply. (U.S. Em- bassy, Reykjavik, Jan. 9, 1970.) NORWAY PURSE-SEINE FLEET LOSING PROFIT Norway's purse-seine fleet is caught ina profit squeeze despite its modernity and great mobility. Profit data for 1968 showed a loss for smaller seiners, balanced operations for middle-size vessels, and some surplus for large seiners. Incomplete 1969 data show no improvement, Too Many Vessels The fleet may be overbuilt, a development forecast previously, and a chronic problem in many of world's fisheries, The future appears bleak because the herring resource and some related fisheries are diminishing. Present fleet is 400 vessels worth US$150 million. Fisheries Department spokesman say 300 would be adequate. Pressure is being exerted on the government toprohibit fleet expansion, 48 NORWAY (Contd.): As a result, the Government Fisheries Bank no longer issues loans to purse-Seiners, (Reg. Fish. Attaché, Copenhagen, Dec, 1, 1969.) se se ok 1K OK OK NORDIC GROUP TO ENTER MORE EXPORT MARKETS During 1969, Nordic Group (Norwegian fillet export organization) doubled its frozen fish fillet exports to the U.S. The organiza- tion now plans to request rights to enter all other export markets for fish fillets. Expanding Market Nordic Group's chairman said that asser- tions of catastrophe, made when the group first beganexportingtothe U.S., have proved groundless, Experience showed the Group's exports did not interfere with other exporters. In fact, Frionor is said to have increased its exports 100% since Nordic Group obtained an export license, This showed the market can accommodate all--Nordic Group, Frionor, and Findus. The chairman also contended that more Norwegian products would only stimulate sales. Nordic Group forecast 1969 exports tothe U.S. worth about US$5.7 million. ('Fiskaren,! Nov. 10, 1969.) SWEDEN GOVERNMENT AIDED FISHING INDUSTRY IN 1969 The Swedish Government aided the fishing industry in 1969 because of the adverse ef- fects of price developments and rising im- ports. Over US$240,000 was spent for ad- vertising and promoting fishery products, $2.8 million was made available for fishery loans, and $600,000 assisted fishermentrans- ferring to other employment. ('Dansk Fisk- eritidende,' Nov. 7, 1969.) DENMARK FIRM TO INVEST IN PERU FISH-MEAL FACTORY Atlas A/S, Denmark, will invest US$2.7 million in a complete fish-meal plant in northern Peru, The plant will have pipelines running from floating pumping stations to the plant, storage pits, cooking equipment for sterilization and coagulation, double screw- presses, rotary drying ovens, mills and sack- ing machinery. Marketing Areas Atlas' most important markets are South and Central America, the USSR, and Japan, The firm alsohas begun market investigations in North Africa. Morocco, for example, is interested in increased fish-meal production. (Reg. Fish, Attaché, Copenhagen.) UNITED KINGDOM DECLINE OF FISH SUPPLIES FORECAST Britain's White Fish Authority (WFA) has forecast a drop of 7 to 12 percent in 1970 fish landings at British ports from 1968 fig- ures. Imports of fresh and frozen fish also are expected to fall. WFA estimates that 1970 landings of fresh fish from distant-wa- ter vessels will be down 20% from 1968, In 1968, this fleet provided about one-third the fish landed by British vessels. Catch Rates WFA says catch rates on fishing grounds exploited by Britain's major suppliers--Nor- way, Denmark and Iceland--will be at about 1968 level. But the fall in 1970 catch rates on most North Atlantic grounds will reduce overall level of supplies. Imports It is highly probable that total volume of 1970 imports will be lower than in 1968's, Their level will be determined to some ex- tent by international prices. Prices to Rise WFA concluded that since total supplies of fish will be lower in 1970 than in 1968, prices are likely to rise. ('Fishing News,' Dec. 26, 1969.) LATIN AMERICA CUBA THE FISHING INDUSTRY The following information comes from "The Fishing Industry in Cuba," published by the National Institute of Fishing, Havana, in Nov. 1969. Cuba's National Institute of Fishing directs and conducts fishing. It has 4 fleets: the Cuban, Caribbean Shrimp, Gulf, and Coastal (including former fishing cooperatives). It includes the Exportadora del Caribe export enterprise, Cuba-pesca enterprise for im- porting fishing equipment, Victoria de Giron docks, Fishing Research Center, Fishing Port of Havana, Fish Culture Department, and plants for processing fishand other seafoods, In1958,the last year before Castro, Cuban fishermen brought in 21,900 metric tons of fish. In1968, 66,032 metrictons were caught, The Institute "envisages'’ almost 175,000 metric tons for 1970. Before Revolution In1959, there were a few thousand fisher- men with about 3,000 boats.l/ More than 90% of these boats were less than 33 feet long. About 2,000 were 10 to24 feet, usually sailed by one or two men uSing primitive fishing techniques. Fishermen, dependent on mid- dlemen and shipbuilders, lived a hand-to- mouthexistence. Most fishermen engaged in coastal fishing. Only a few boats fished the open sea--the Gulf of Mexico, None of these was over 80 feet long, Almost all were sail- boats with auxiliary engines, All lacked mod- ern equipment needed to increase their catches, Today, Cuba's national fishing industry is equipped with ''modern steel boats, trawlers, and tuna boats that saildistant seas. .. . Mod- ernfishmeal plants, fishingports, docks, dry . docks and other installations are being built," So too are fishing schools to train thousands of young people in modern techniques, High Fish Consumption At present, per-capita fish consumption is more than double the pre - Revolution figure.2. Before Castro, most fish, except that for ex- port, was sold in Havana where purchasing power was "'disproportionally great."' In in- terior cities, small towns, and villages, fish was never a staple because the people there could not learnto consume a kind of food that was practically nonexistent as far as they were concerned," Now, the catch of the Coastal Fleet fishing enterprises and cooperatives based in each province is distributed within that province. Also, thousands of tons are shipped every year from Havana, where new, steel-hulled fleets are based, to the interior, Towns and villages "receive proportionately more fish and fish products than before." The Coastal Fleet After the Revolution, the fishermen were grouped into cooperatives, granted credit, and provided with equipment, supplies, and tech- nical aid. Modern towns were built for fish- ermen, who had been living in shacks, near seaport cities of Manzanillo, Caibarién, and Pildén. The price of fish was raised substan- tially and, ''more important, stabilized." In 1966, the National Institute of Fishing created an agency to operate the Coastal Fleet. This was foundationfor a more adequate exploita- tion of the rich inshore fishing areas." Today, the fishermen's standard of living has risen over 150%, Illiteracy has been elim~- inated, Many are pursuing technological and administrative studies at intermediate level. In 1968, the Coastal Fleet caught 35,875 metric tons of fish and shellfish--54.3% of the total Cuban catch. The Cuban Fishing Fleet Toconduct open-sea fishing, steel-hulled, deeper -draft vessels were added. Fishermen 1/The last official Cuban census in 1954 tallied 12,900 fishermen--one half in provinces of Havana and Las Villas. This number probably did not change appreciably by 1959. (Milan Kravanja, BCF, Office of Foreign Fisheries.) 2/Despite claims of doubling consumption of fishery products, the effect on food situation is negligible, Long lines still form in front of state-owned Havana restaurants, which have less to offer than even a few years ago, travelers report, The regular daily menu consists of macaroni or pizza with tomato sauce and some cheese. Only rarely are fish dishes available; shellfish never. The total absence of lobsters and shrimp on domestic markets is due mainly to heavy emphasis on shellfish exports to earn much-needed hard currency, Availability was severely reduced by a 50% decrease in sugar exports. It is not known how the Cubans figure fishery product consumption, (Milan Kravanja) 50 CUBA (Contd.): were trained to handle larger vessels and fishing equipment--the longline and trawl net. They were trained aboard vessels that were prototypes of the fishing fleet. Those young menhave become the captains and officers of new, modern, far-ranging vessels, The Cuban Fishing Fleet was bornin 1962, Inthat year, it caught only 6.1% of total catch. In 1968, when total gross tonnage had reached 29,758 tons, its catch was 33% of total. The Cuban Fishing Fleet now has 52 ves- sels: 3 motherships; 24 tuna boats; 11 side trawlers; 10 stern trawlers; and 4 Victoria- type Cuban-built vessels, It can also use several other Cuban-built steel-hulled ves- sels. It operates in international waters of North Atlantic, South and Central Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, The Caribbean Shrimp Fleet Created in 1968, the Fleet has 90 steel- hulled, 76-foot-long vessels with hold capac- ity of 30 metric tons, These were built in Spain in Bilbao, Santander, Gijon, and Vigo. Construction of 30 French-built refrigerator shrimp boats is scheduled for completion in first-quarter 1970. These are 82-foot-long steel-hulled vessels, They have capacity of 50 metric tons of frozen shrimp, can freeze 5 metric tons daily, and are equipped with cold- water tanks withcapacity of 1.84 metric tons, Processing and packing aboard vessels will make it possible for finished product to reach ports "in top condition.'' The fleet also has several Cuban-built steel-hulled trawlers. Operational plans for 1970 include 300 trawlers fishing on insular shelf, Gulf of Mex- ico, and near Honduras and Guyana. Cuba expects these modern trawlers to bring in 10,000 metric tons of shrimp in 1970--and 60,000 metrictons of fish will be caught along with shrimp and turned into fish meal. The boats will operate out of Cienfuegos Bay, "Where docks, packing houses, machine shops, an ice plant, a fish meal plant and several warehouses will be built." The Gulf Fleet The Gulf Fleet has operated since 1963, mainly in Gulf of Mexico waters. In 1968, it brought in 11% of the total catch. It has Cuban-built wooden vessels 60to75 feet long, fitted with latest mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment. The fishing gear used most are longlines (for grouper) andtrawlnet (for shrimp). The Lambda-type grouper boats made in Cuba (most are this type) have up to 6 self-propel- led auxiliary boats, The auxiliaries are low- ered into seaandbrought aboard by hydraulic cranes. Eachboatis mannedby2 men. These boats fishthe Yucatan Channel and Campeche Bank. The species most frequently caught are grouper, kingfish, and red snapper. The Gulf Fleet also has 40 Lambda-type boats convertedintoshrimptrawlers. These operate on Continental Shelf and Gulf of Mex- ico, The Fishing Port of Havana The port processes fish caught by Cuban Fishing Fleet and services and repairs fish- ing vessels. The 34-acre port, which cost 35 million pesos, was built by Soviet specialists under a 1962 technical assistance agreement, It has 8 refrigeration storerooms with total capacity of 11,500 tons of fish. An ice plant can pro- duce 40 tons ofice a day, A floating dry dock can handle ships up to 2,500 tons displace- ment, "Other installations include repair shops, supply storerooms, power substations, steam boiler rooms, air compressor rooms, more than 100 pieces of heavy equipment (gantry cranes, fork lifts, motorized warehouse trucks, etc.), a radio communications plant, a fishmeal plant with a capacity of 90 metric tons of raw material per day and an oxygen plant," The facilities are being expanded with new docks, boats, tugs, barges, and storage depot. Experience in Ship Building Prior to1959, ship building was limited to afew boats for sponge fishing, dinghies and other small craft for fishing in Gulf of Mexico, There were no large shipyards on the island. The few boats were built inshipyards on river banks or beaches for easy launching. By 1961, however, there were several ship- yards building small fishing vessels for Cuban use. 'This marked the birth of the Cardenas, CUBA (Contd.): Victoria, Cayo Largo, Lambda, Sigma, Eta, Omicron, Ro and other types of small and medium-sized boats," Over 500 wooden vessels between 27 and 122 feet long have been built in Cuban ship- yards, Cayo Largo-type boats have been built for lobster, bonito, and sponge fishing; and Doce Leguas-type boats will be used for shrimp fishing on insular shelf, Construction of steel-hulled vessels has begun, Several have displacement of over 600 tons and will be used to transport shrimp from boatstoshore. Also under construction are all-steel shrimp boats, tugboats, and others, Tests are being conducted on a 50-foot trawler-shrimp boat of reinforced concrete for coastalfishing; a secondis being built for lobster fishing. Fishery Research The Fisheries Research Center (CIP), at Baracoa Beachin Havana Province, conducts fishery research. This Center has 5 work groups "that carry out research on trawling, tuna fishing, shrimp fishing, lobster fishing and the catching of other marine species (such as oyster, sponges and tortoises), The CIP conducts research in physical and chemical oceanography, plankton and fishing statis- tics. 51 Lobster studies include populations in the 4 zones of Cuban Continental Shelf. Shrimp research also gets special atten- tion; todiscover new areas around Cuba and to obtain data on shrimp populations in the rest of the Caribbean and adjacent seas. Oyster and sponge culture are studied in corrals built by CIP for experiments to in- crease national production without depleting these resources, Taking Advantage of Inland Waters In March 1967, the National Institute of Fishing established the Fish Culture Depart- Ment with subsidiaries throughout Cuba, This stocks fish and exploits water resources of rivers, natural lakes, and those created by hundreds of dams and reservoirs. The Fish Culture Department is trying to adapt and raise the Ctenopharyn godon idellus (white amur), Hypophtalmichtys molitrix (white tenca) and several species of carp, and raise bullfrogs, crawfish, and freshwater turtles. Itis researching other native Cuban species and ornamental (tropical) fish. Reservoirs have been stocked with some of these species, ''Fingerlings of the so- called Americantrout have also been includ- ed, destined for sports fishing." ASIA JAPANESE TANNER CRAB FISHERY IN EASTERN BERING SEA Milstead C. Zahn Japan's two eastern Bering Sea king crab fleets diversified into a full-scale pot fishery for tanner crab (Chionoecetes sp.) in the summer of 1969, This newtanner crab fish- ery is a timely example of a fishery shifting to meetnew demands of economic survival. The tanner crab resource is not a new discovery. It occupiesthe same range where king crab has been exploited commercially by the Japanese since 1930. Japanese king crab fleets in the eastern Bering Sea began processing small amounts of tanner crab in 1953, Their production remained at experi- mental levels, ranging from 170 to 3,457 cases annually until 1964, Early attempts, both foreign and domestic, to extract tanner crab meat from the shell were not competi- tive with king crab processing then riding the crest of a burgeoning market. Interest Heightened After 1965 Japanese interestin tanner crab expanded considerably following the 1965 U.S,-Japan King Crab Agreement. That established a quota on the Japanese eastern Bering Sea king crab catch. Emphasis on tanner crab utilization intensified further as king crab catches declined and prices climbed to un- acceptable levels in the Japanese market. Tanner crab are retailed primarily as fro- zen sections and frozen meat in Japan; they find a ready market there with demand and price expected to continue upward, The response inthe Japanese fishing in- dustry to a developing domestic tanner crab market became particularly evident in 1968. Then, inadditionto the king crab fleets, sev- eralrelatively small tanner crab processing ships moved onto the central and eastern Bering Sea grounds. These ships had been fishing tanner crab in the traditional ground near Olyutorskiy Gulf off the Soviet coast, The vessels were diverted 700-800 miles to the southeast and became the first serious commercial effort on the eastern Bering Sea tanner crab stocks, Typically 500-1200 gross tons and employing 35-50 men, they fished exclusively withcrabpots, The smaller ves- sels handled all phases--from pot handling through cooking and freezing. The larger ships were accompanied by pot-setting boats of 80 gross tons, Crab butchering and cook- ing was done on the weather deck of all these processing ships. These expeditions fished some large U.S.-type king crab pots, but emphasis centered on smaller conical pots rigged several to a groundline,. Mothership Fleets in 1967 During summer 1967, Japan's two moth- ership-based, king-crab tangle-net fleets began limited use of tanner crab pots though the traditional tangle gear takes five times more tanner than king crab in some areas, Use of pots by the mothership fleets further increasedin 1968, By 1969, the two mother- ship fleets in Bristol Bay used tangle nets and conical pots in nearly equal ratio, and pot use is expected to increase next Season, All tanner crab effort in 1969 was incorpo- rated with the two traditional king-crab tangle-net fleet operations. The Grounds In general, Japan's expanding tanner crab fishery shares a common season and area with the traditional king crab operations. The eastern Bering Seacrab grounds encom- pass most of the Bristol Bay "flats'' on the Continental Shelf area north of the Alaska Peninsula to Cape Newenham and west to about 175° W. longitude, The extensive Ber- ing Sea Continental Shelf connects Alaska and the Soviet Union on the southern approaches’ to Bering Strait, and thence northward, It provides a remarkably uniform bottom at depths generally between 30 to 50 fathoms-- extending from the Alaska Peninsula west and northtoSiberia, Within about 50 miles of the Shelf edge, or 100-fathom curve, the ocean floor falls gradually through 70 and 80 fathoms, Mr. Zahn is Fisheries Management Agent, BCF, Office of Enforcement and Surveillance, Kodiak, Alaska. 52 Tanner Processors Before 1969 Prior to 1969, the small tanner processors fished productively in 60-70 fathoms along the Shelf edge between Cape Olyutorskiy (Siberia) and the Pribilofs, as well as on the Shelf near the Pribilofs, The 1969 effort was limited to north of the Alaska Peninsula and near the Pribilof Islands (fig.1), Fishing began in March with the fleets first working some 20-30 miles offshore north of Unimak Island to asfar northeast as off Port Moller. About early May, the effort shifted west to near the Pribilofs. By mid-June, the fishery had returned tonorth of the Alaska Peninsula, Generally, quotas are filled and the fleets bound for Japan sometime in September or early October. 53 case of 48 half-pound cans. The Bristol Bay tanner crab have a higher market value, ap- parently because of larger size, than those caught onthe western side of the Bering Sea. Reportedly, the Japanese industry considers crab of 33 inch carapace width to be com- mercially usable, though U.S, observers have noted that crab less than 43 inches are seldom used, Because females are small, they are not retained in commercial opera- tions, Factoryships in E, Bering Current Japanese crab effort in the east- ern Bering Seais centered around two 7,500- ton factory ships, each carrying 4-6 forty- PRIBILOF ISLANDS 165° CANADA CRAB FISHING AREAS qummmme CONTINENTAL SHELF EDGE 160° 155° 150° 145° Fig. 1 - Japanese tanner and king crab fishing areas off Alaska, 1969. Between 1966 and 1969, the Japanese tanner crab catch east of 175° W. longitude inthe Bering Sea increased elevenfold--from 1.5 million crab in 1966 to 8,6 million in 1967, 12 million in 1968, and 17.6 million crab in 1969, The 1969 catch exceeded the anticipated 16 million crab by 1.6 million. Crab size varies between areas, but an aver- age of 150 tanner crab is required for one foot kawasakiboats. The kawasaki boats are used primarily for retrieving tangle nets; on occasion, they work pots, Other accompany - ing vessels, clippers or small trawlers in the 80- to 150-ton category, were increased from 6 per factory shipto15 or more in 1969, These larger vessels are responsible for setting net fields and pot gear, and for re- trieving pots and some tangle gear, Fig. 2 - A tanner crab pot vessel, assigned to mothership 'Keiko Maru,' sets gear north of Unimak Island. A buoy and flag are visible going over stern. Stacks of nested pots are on well deck, and fully assembled pots are on fantail. Fig. 3 - Aerial view of Japanese vessel handling tanner crab pots. Crab are visible stowed in sling loads on well deck. Longlines that carry the pots are coiled on fantail, with nested pots stored to one side. Lightweight Pots on Longline Since at least 1965, Japanese fishermen have experimented with pot fishing for king and tanner crab in the Bering Sea. Large king crab pots, patterned on U.S. models, have proved unacceptable thus far. Highly successful, however, are lightweight pots for tanner crab fished on a longline. They are designed to take tanner crab and are selec- tive of that species. Basic design resembles a top-entry beehive shape. Framework is 2- inch blackiron rod, except the bottom frame of 3-inch stock wrapped with rope to reduce chafing. The circular base is 45 inches in diameter and the circular top 28 inches Fig. 4 - Tanner crab pot used by Japanese fleets in Bering Sea. Attached to anchored ground lines, about 1 mile long, these pots are highly selective for tanner crab. 595 across, Top, middle, and bottom frames are welded to straight rods to form a structure 22 inches high, This framework is covered with 6-inch, stretched measure, synthetic fiber web. Some variation in mesh size and frame size occurs, The web bottom of the pot opensfordumpingcrab, Then it is easily closed by puckering with a drawstring ar- rangement that secures by means of a hook and stout rubber band. The entry tunnel, hanging vertically from the web top, isa sheet of white plastic sewn into a tunnel 20 inches wide; this tapersto1l4 inches diameter and 8 inches long. The complete pot weighs about 40 pounds, Fishing The Pots Each pot is rigged with bridle and a 4- fathom gangion ending in an eye splice. Bridles usually are knotted to the top frame in two places, so the pot hangs vertically. Some variation on this rigging incorporates a third piece in the bridle secured midway on the side of the pot. Most lines are syn- thetic fiber. Due toease of handling, pots canbe stacked on deck in a ready-to-fish condition. Com- pletely releasing the bottom drawstring, how- ever, permits such efficient nesting that a stack of 30 pots is only 6 to 63 feet high. A common sight on the fishing grounds is a pot boat carrying hundreds of pots, stacked on all available deck space, so the original ship profile is unrecognizable, A typical gear arrangement in the Bering Sea is 128 pots on a 3,200-meter groundline, Longlines are anchored and buoyed with glass floats and flagged poles similar to tangle net Fig. 5 = Japanese crab factory ship 'Keiko Maru, ! one of two motherships supporting crab fleets in eastern Bering Sea. Both king and tanner crab are processed on board. 56 Fig. 6 - A Japanese ship, about 90 feet long, retrieves tanner crab pots. Groundline comes aboard over power roller at starboard rail. gear, Flag code indicates either tangle net or pot string. Both types of gear are set parallel to each other, and as close as one- fourth mile. Gear strings in the eastern Bering Sea are set on a northwest/ southeast direction, The longline is retrieved over a power roller at the starboard rail of the well deck, although some boats are rigged for port hauling. There issome variation in handling gear asit comes aboard, In one method, the potis emptied ondeck, and then is baited and reset without detaching from the longline. In other cases, the pots are hand carried to the fantail for stacking, and the longline passed aft and coiled in separate piles. Pots on the stern work areas usually are nested in tight groups on their sides rather than in vertical stacks, apparently for ease of handling during setting. A platform on the stern facilitates setting gear with strings of pots being set at about 5 knots. Crab on board pot boats are storedin sling loads on deck to facilitate de- livery tothe mothership, generally within 24 hours, Catches, frequently dead but in good condition, are unloaded day and night with de- livery and turn-around taking less than one- half hour, (Photos: M. C. Zahn) Herring Bait The usual bait is herring and herring waste placedinsmall perforated plastic containers of about $-cup capacity. Three bait containers are placed in each pot. Another successful bait has been Pacific cod (Gadus macro- cephalus) used as hanging bait. Pot strings, normally, are fished for 2- to 4-day soaks. Pot success, with seasonal and area varia- tions, has ranged from 12 to 17 crab per pot. The two species of tanner crab (Chionoe- cetes [bairdi and opilio/) in the Bering Sea pack are not differentiated in processing. They are marketed in Japan simply as "zuwaigani' (tanner crab). After cooking, most of the meatis frozen, and less than one- third of the pack is canned. The final frozen product varies from legs with shell on to flake meat and leg meat segments, By 1969, large tanner crab legs were retailing for as much as 14 cents each in Japanese markets. Recent use of clear plastic shrink packs, be- fore freezing, has increased market value. It was being considered for larger use in ILS \740)- JAPAN TUNA INDUSTRY BESET BY HIGH PRICES In December 1969, Japanese packers were finding raw material costs rising faster than canned tuna prices. Export sales prices to the U.S. for canned tuna in brine had risen to record highs. So too had canned tuna in oil for export to Europe. But foreign market prices had not increased sufficiently to en- able packerstokeep up with rising raw mate- rialcosts, For example, while foreign market prices for canned tuna had increased 10%, raw material costs to packers had increased around 30%; their sales prices rose about 20%. Raw Material Prices Dockside prices in Japan were averaging around US$580a short tonfor albacore, $365 a ton for skipjack, and $328 for small skip- jack, Even at those prices, most albacore was bought by cold storage operators. The demand for skipjack, from 'katsuobushi' (dried skip- jack loin) processors, was so strong that very little, if any, was available to packers. The sharp increases in raw material costs com- pelled packers toreduce production and sales. Trading Firms Squeezed Trading firms faced higher prices of the Sales Company and slower foreign price in- creases, In addition, the firms were caught in a cost-price squeeze. Since the strong de- mand abroad had sharply reduced the Sales Company's holding, the firms were forced to pay the packer's asking price to make ship- ments, December Quotations The Sales Company's December 1969 price quotations, 7-oz. 48's, per case: in brine-- white meat solid, $12.31; light meat solid, $9.56;in oil: white meat solid, $12.08-12.22; light meat Grade A, Bp eGo e10-00; light meat Grade B, $9.44-9.58.1 Exports Weakened The high prices for oil-pack sharply cut purchases from foreign countries. Their buyers switched from Grade A to Grade B packs, and from skipjack to lower-priced big-eyed. 1/Ex-warehouse, Shimizu, Japan. 57 The major trading firms were not exerting their usualeffort topromote canned tuna ex- ports, Since production increase by packers did not look hopefuinview ofthe raw material situation, the trading firms were hopeful to hold on to their outlets without losing money. Thus, the price increase was weakening Ja- pan's international competitiveness, Local opinion is that trading firms may profit in the long runby concentrating ondomestic market, where food prices are rising. ('Suisan Tsu- shin,' Dec. 1, 1969.) s! sk ost kook ok FINDS SAURY ABUNDANT OFF U.S. WEST COAST Five vessels exploring for saury off U.S. and Canadian west coasts ended operations in late November 1969, The survey established a production potential. Now the question is how the resource can be harvested most efficiently for the Japanese market. The exploratory vessels fished with stick-held dip nets, but volume production would require amothership fleet witha freez- ership, The Saury The saury were medium Size, averaging around 140 fish a 10-kilogram (22 pounds) container, and ''characterized by the absence of fat." Survey Area The exploration began east of Wo 3), worked east toward ghe U.S. coast, surveying the areabetween 52> N, and 39° S, latitudes, The Vessels In late July 1969, Taiyo's 'Azuma Maru No, 6' (238 gross tons) conducted a brief sur- vey off California, then proceeded to tuna grounds off Mexico, Nihon Suisan's 'Shinano Maru! (539 gross tons) returned to Japan with about 150 metric tons of saury inlate October. Nichiro's 'Akebono Maru Nos, 17 & 21' (499 gross tons each), and No, 18 (492 gross tons), had taken over 300 tons by mid-No- vember. They terminated operations at month's end, 58 JAPAN (Contd.): Plans for 1970 Operations in 1970 and after will depend on the saury fishery off Japan. Japanese and Soviet scientists have predicted a good saury seasonoff Japanin1970. ('Suisancho Nippo,! Nov. 25, 1969.) NEW SAURY NET TESTED 'Tenyu Maru No, 37' (499 gross tons) sailed for the eastern Pacific recently on a saury fishing expedition, She was equipped with a specialrigging for distant-water operations. Tests in Okhotsk & Pacific She used the new gear, a 'light-using sur- rounding lift net,' successfully in the herring gillnet fishery in the Okhotsk Sea off Kam- chatka, Now she istrying it out in the eastern Pacific. Nodetails of the gear's construction or rigging have been disclosed. Reportedly, its design was based on saury-migration data in the eastern Pacific. Portable Design The vessel probably will use a surround net, encircle saury attracted by lights, and haul them aboard by pump, Its performance will be followed closely in Japan. ('Suisan Keizai Shimbun,! Dec, 2, 1969.) se sk ok oe at INVESTIGATES CHILEAN FISHERY RESOURCES The Japan Fisheries Association plans a 3-year cooperative fishery -resource investi- gation in Chile to develop a centolla crab fishery and a salmon hatchery program, The Association will send 8 fishery spe- cialists in the first year (fiscal 1969 ending March 1970), Four left Japan on Nov. 18, 1969, for a 70-day crab survey. Four others were Slated to leave December 16 for a 4- month salmon hatchery study. Financing The Association's budget for the first 2 years is US$63,000--$48,000 for crab investi- gations, and $14,400 for salmon. Half the cost will be subsidized by the Japanese gov- ernment; the rest will be financed by major fishery firms anda fishermen's organization. The 3rd year budget will depend on findings in the first 2 years. Resource Search Japan proposed the survey on basis of available data--and on assumption that fish- ery resources were as abundant south of 40~ S. latitude as in the Bering Sea and the North Atlantic. Chile was selected because of its geographic location and its favorable attitude toward Japan. ('Suisan Tsushin,! Dec. 12, 1969.) OK OK SURVEYS SHRIMP FOR YEMEN In cooperation with the Food and Agricul- ture Organization (FAO) program for devel- oping countries, a Japanese company will conduct a 2-year survey of shrimp fishing off south Yemen. FAO has charted a vessel, 'Nisshin Maru No, 52! (100 gross tons), for the work, The Japanese may increase the number of vessels in the future and establish a joint venture with Yemen, ('Shin Suisan Sokuho,') FISH UTILIZATION IS CHANGING Of Japan's total marine catch (excluding whales) of 7.85 million metric tons in 1967, 68% was utilized in pr oducing processed prod- ucts, and 32% was marketed fresh or frozen. Among processed products, kneaded 'kama- boko! (fish cake) and sausages took 24% of total catch; salted and dried, 23%; oil, meal, and inedible items, 13%; and canned, 8%. In recent years usage of fishery products has changed greatly due to rising incomes and changing diet. (‘Japan Fisheries Year- book,! 1969.) KOK PLANS 1970 HERRING FISHERY OFF SOVIET COASTS In 1969, the Japanese Fishery Agency ac- cepted 232 applications for 1970 herring fish- ing licenses. They included 218 vessels that actually fishedin1969, The new licenses are to be issued in May 1970. JAPAN (Contd.): Fishery Poor in 1968 Because of the 1969 herring catch-- about 26,000 metric tons off Cape Okhotsk (West Kamchatka) and poor yields inthe Olyu- torskii Cape area--the number of Japanese herring vessels allowed to fish the Olyutor- skii area probably will be reduced consider - ably in 1970. ('Shin Suisan Sokuho,'! Nov. 1, 1969.) eo OK EXPORTS OF CANNED TUNA IN OIL FELL IN 1969 Jan.-Oct. 1969 exports of canned tuna in oil totaled 7,821,675 kilograms valued at US$7,528,000, down 3,926,865 kilograms and $2,127,000 from same period 1968. Most of the decline was due to sharply reduced ex- ports to West Germany. The latter's pur- chases were 63% below the 1968 period, pri- marily because of increased prices. ('Kat- suo-maguro Tsushin,! Dec, 3, 1969.) OK OK CANNED MACKEREL EXPORTS AND PRICES RISE December 1969 prices for canned mack- erel exports tothe U.S. were c. & f. US$6.30- 6.50 a casefor natural 1-lb. tall 48's, about 30 cents over November's high of $6.20. Prices for mackerel canned in tomato sauce rose about 55 cents a case. The price in- creases were attributedtoactive buying when production declined because of sharply re- duced landings and rising dockside prices, Stronger Export Market Increased buying was due to a strengthen- ing overseas market. The export market, dull during first-half 1969, began picking up in second half. Canned mackerel exports in 1969 should have exceeded 9 million cases; 7.85 millioncases were soldin1968, ('Suisan Tsushin,' Dec. 16, 1969.) 59 SOUTH KOREA WILL EXPORT SAURY TO JAPAN Songto Fishing Company plans to export Pacific sauryto Japan, At 30 metric tons a shipment, price will be around 100 yen akilo- gram (US$252 a short ton), duty included (destination Hakata or Shimonoseki, south- west Japan). Songtohasa fleet of 6 trawlers (40-100 gross-ton class) and a refrigerated carrier vessel. ('Suisancho Nippo,' Nov. 28, 1969.) KOKO SHRIMP FISHING IN CARIBBEAN BEGINS A Mexican shipyard built 5 steel-hulled 380-hp. shrimp trawlers for a South Korean fishery firm during 1969. The 76-foot-long vessels cost US$96,000 each, excluding nets. Korean crews claimed the vessels in August 1969, They will fish shrimp off Guyana, The shipyard was reported negotiating with the same firm for 10 more shrimp trawlers for spring 1970 delivery. (Reg. Fish, Attaché, Mexico City.) ROK TO ADD HUNDREDS OF LONGLINERS IN 1970 South Korea's Office of Fisheries plans to build 450 small longline vessels in 1970. Gross tonnage: 5,500 tons; cost: 1.7 billion won (US$54.7 million); average longliner: 12.2 tons. One hundred vessels will fish puf- fer; 350 sea eel, Koreanimporters of Japanese vessels have been at adisadvantage with Japanese builders following devaluation of the won in Nov. 1969 (from 285to0305.1 wonfor US$1). Difficulties in concluding a vessel-import contract for 1970 are expected, 47 Japanese Vessels From Apr.-Oct. 1969, 47 Japanese-built vessels were licensed for export to S, Korea by Japanese Fisheries Agency: 30 trawlers, 3 purse seiners, 8 tunalongliners, 3 fish car- riers, and 3 auxiliary vessels. ('Nihon Suisan Shimbun,' Dec. 10, 1969, and 'Shin Suisan Sokuho,! Oct, 24, 1969.) 60 SOUTH KOREA (Contd.): About Puffers Puffers (family Tetraodontidae) are called that because they react to being pulled from the water by Swallowing air and blowing up like a balloon, Their internal organs (some- times the meat) may containadeadly poison-- tetrodotoxin, which has important medical uses. Despite this, they are a much appre- ciated food fish, especially in Japan, There, dishes from puffer (fugu) are prepared by cooks required to have a certificate from a licensed "fugu'' school. Dishes from impro- perly prepared puffer can results in acute food poisoning. TAIWAN RATIFIES CONTINENTAL SHELF CONVENTION The Taiwanese Legislature ratified the Convention onthe Continental Shelf at its last session in 1969, It was aimed at protecting possible petroleum resources in the Taiwan Straits. ("Minato Shimbun,!' Nov. 9, 1969.) cis PLANS 1970 FISHING VESSEL CONSTRUCTION The Fisheries Bureau has set a target of 33,000 gross tons for 1970 fishing vessel con- struction. In the past, only tuna longliners have been built; now trawlers are to be in- cluded. The Bureau has planned forty 250- tontunalongliners (financed by an Asian De- velopment Bank loan); two 300-ton trawlers; 4 pairs of 2-boat 200-ton ottertrawlers, and three 800-ton high-seas shrimping vessels, (The America-China Fund will provide US$1.5 million.) Several trawlers, or 2-boat otter trawlers, totaling 800 tons will be financed by Taiwan's Agriculture Rehabilitation Corpora- tion. Reconstruction The Central Bank of Taiwan will provide US$7.5 million to rebuild a number of drag- gers (total 4,000 tons) and tuna longliners (4,000 tons), The money also will be used to expand freezing facilities both in Taiwan and at overseas foreign bases; and buy refrigera- ted trucks, Plans for the remaining 10,400 tons are to be worked out. 1968 Landings Taiwan's 1968 landings were an all-time record--531,000 metric tons--15.9% over 1967. Growth rate, one of the highest in the world, doubled 1967's 7.7% in 1968, High- seas fishing provided almost one-half the total catch in 1968 compared with 20% in 1956, Total 1968 value of landed fishery products was US$130 million. The Government's 5-year plan provides for a continuous expansion of fishery land- ings wellinto the 1970s, In 1968, the fishing industry came close tothe planned 1969 catch (557,000 tons). The 800,000-ton catch plan- ned for 1972 now seems feasible. ('Suisan Keizai,' Nov. 13, 1969.) 1969 Catch The Fisheries Bureau has announced that during the first6 months of 1969 the catch was 293,457 metric tons--18.5% higher than dur- ing the same periodin 1968, and 52.7% of the catch planned for 1969, High-seas fisheries totaled 127,351 tons (up 3.7%), offshore fish- eries totaled 132,642 tons (up 24.8%), coastal fisheries 13,588 tons (up 9.1%), and fish cul- ture yielded 19,876 tons (up 17.6%). The tuna eatch was 45,776 tons, worth about US$3.9 million (up 20.4%). ('Suisancho Nippo, Sept. 25, 1969.) AFRICA THE MARINE FISHERIES OF MOROCCO Salvatore Di Palma The waters off Morocco contain rich re- sources of sardines and other fishes. In 1968, landings totaled 212,920 metric tons--sar- dines comprised 167,623 tons. Most fish is canned or reduced into meal and oil for ex- port; 1968 exports were 104,000 metric tons worth about $34,200,000. The need for up- grading and expanding the industryis gener- ally recognized. The task has been assigned to the Office National des Péches created in February 1969, Recent improvement in world market for canned sardines and fish meal augurs well for the near future. \4 : | iN x Ui | The Harbor of Agadir. THE RESOURCES The waters off Morocco!'s Atlantic Coast from Cape Spartel to Cape Juby are rich in fishery resources, Strong upwellings and oceanic currents favorably influence the fish- eries. Sardines (Sardina pilchardus) are the mostimportant stock. Mackerels, anchovies, tuna and tunalike species, horse mackerels, and hake are abundant. Limited but fairly valuable resources of shrimp and lobsters are also present. (FAO/A. Defever) Mr. DiPalma is Regional Fisheries Attache for Western Africa, United States Embassy, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The Mediterranean waters off the north- ern coast have limited resources and supply less than 5% of landings. Official nomenclature divides fishes into two groups: ''poisson industriel," or indus- trial fish, and 'poisson maree," fresh fish. I, INDUSTRIAL FISH In 1968, 188,780 metric tons of industrial fish were landed--89% of total landings. In- dustrial fish primarily are canned or reduced, They are sardines, anchovy (Engraulis encra- sicholus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), bluefintuna (Thunnus tynnus), skipjack (Kat- suwonus pelamis), frigate mackerel (Auxis thazard), black skipjack (Euthynnus alletera- tus),bonito (Sarda sarda) and 'espadons'! (Xi- phiides). Much industrial fish is sold fresh: 17,961 tons in 1968, equal to about three- fourths the landings of freshfish, Also, small quantities are salted. Tuna and Tunalike Fishes Landings have fallen slightly in recent years; in 1967, they were 6,447 metric tons. Tunas are taken mainly by sardine vessels and by ''madragues'' (fishtraps). Sardine fisher- menfish seasonally for bluefin, which appear in autumn off Safi-Agadir area; catches are limited by inadequate gear, short vessel range, and fishing technique. The number of madragues and their catches have declined, Occasionally, some tuna are takenby artisan- al fishermen, Expansion of tunaindustry has been considered in development plans over the years, but actual accomplishments have been minor, An expensive research effort in 1964/65 involving a French vessel proved inconclu- sive. Attempts to use present vessels in Senegalese area showed their inadequacies for distant-water fishing. Nevertheless, ex- pansion of tunafishery is integral part of fu- ture plans; it includes fishing the resources of the Gulf of Guinea. The task, though not impossible, will be formidable. It will re- quire high capital investment, considerable experience in tuna fishing, competing with foreignfishermen, and selling in highly com- petitive world market. Mackerel The 7,753 tons landed in 1968 were nearly 20% below 1967 figure. The decline was re- flected too in figures of the Office de Com- mercialization et d'Exploration (OCE); these showed 1968-69 exports of 3,808 tons worth about $1,180,000, down 22% and 17% respec- tively from previous period, On the whole, however, mackerel offers potential for great- er exploitation, Development waits better vessels, exploratory fishing, additional ex- port markets, and diverting more of catch to reduction, : "POISSON MAREE" (FRESH FISH) "Poisson marée" are sold on fresh fish market; also, considerable quantities are frozen for local consumption and export. Horse mackerel, hake, sea bream, and blue fish are principal species; gurnard, mullet, sole, and shark are also landed in important quantities. In 1968, Casablanca and Agadir accounted for 14,942 tons of the 23,827-ton catch. Tan- gier, Kenitra, Safi, and Larache also had an- nual landings of over 1,000 tons. Trawlers and line-fishing and gill-net craft, motorized and nonmotorized, participated. The two main markets for ''poissonmarée" are the largeurbancenters, especially their foreign population, and France. Casablancais the most important single market; besides its own trawler catch, it receives fish trucked from Agadir and other ports. Effortsto promote greater domestic con- sumption of fish have had mixed success, Low purchasing power and the traditional prefer- ence for meat are reasons given for low con- sumption, The rapidly growing tourist trade is expected to absorb greater quantities of fish. With ample resources available, ex- pansion of the fishing industry depends on ex- pansion of the domestic and export markets. CRUSTACEANS Crustaceans follow sardines in potential for expansion. Shrimp, primarily Parapen- aeus longirostris, are most important. An- nual landings, however, have fluctuated during past 5 yearsfrom 250to over 1,000 tons, In- formation on catches seems inadequate to plan growth. More information will be needed on areas fished, techniques, catches by for- eign vessels, and requirements for Moroccan investors, Lobster, spiny and northern, are another fishery where local fishermen might be di- verted from sardine fishery, Official statis- tics show only a modest catch of 40 to50 tons annually; some landings are unreported. Also, catches by foreign vessels off the coast are excluded, THE SARDINE INDUSTRY By far the dominant sector of the Moroc- canfisheries isthe sardine industry. During 1963-68, sardines accounted for 70 to 85% by weight of total landings, The 1968 landings were 167,623 metric tons; the record year was 1966 with 251,876 tons. More than half the catch goes to reduction plants; the re- mainder, the better-quality fish, goes pri- marily for canning and, to lesser extent, to fresh-fish market. Over 90% of all sardine landings are made at Safi, Agadir, and Essaouira, centrally situ- ated on Morocco's Atlantic coast. Port of Safi Because a larger proportion of its land- ings is canned, Safi leadsthe other two ports in income from catch, In 1968, nearly 33,000 metric tons of sardines (raw-fish weight) were canned in Safi. It has 38 canneries and 6 fish-meal plants. Most cannery workers are hired on part- time basis, Women on canning lines receive about 14 U.S. cents per hour, Salaries for men are higher and depend on type of work and condition of employment, A social securi- ty tax of 15% is assessed; employe andem- ployer each contribute half. There are 117 sardine vessels working out of Safi: most are wood, 15 to 18 meters long, 20 to 40 GRT, and have 120 to 149 h.p. In Safi, vessels are contracted to fish for specific plants. Also, some plants have their ownvessels. Many fishermen augment earn- ings by farm work during off season, Agadir The lead for volume of sardines landed alternates between Agadir and Safi. Agadir received 114,000 tons (of 251,876) in 1966's record catch. The number of sardine vessels based at Agadir varies around 95 annually. The av- 63 erage vessel is about 16 to 17 meters long, nearly 5meters wide, 29 to 30 GRT, and has a 160to170 h.p.engine. The vessels usually fish near port. Unlike the situation at Safi and Essaouira, vessels are all independently owned, Sales are arranged through local fishery office. During peak season, when potential landings are higher than demand, each buyer submits his maximum daily need; the buyer must be ready to take this amount every day. During peak periods, sailings are rotated so landings do not exceed total orders. When landings are low, the available sardines are allocated among buyers inproportionto quan- tity taken during peak season, There are 18 canners and 8 fish-meal plants, As inother ports, sardines are off-loaded at dock by the tedious technique of shoveling fish into small wicker baskets, which are hand-passeduptothe dock, If slated for can- ning, the fish are salted and boxed before loading on trucks for transport to cannery several miles away. Reduction fish are dumped directly into opentrucks; at weighing station, a dye is put on reduction fish, Essaouira Less important than Safi or Agadir, Essao- uira (Mogador) is easily the most picturesque. The port has 7 canneries, 2 fish-meal plants, and one freezing plant. Only 10 vessels are permanently based here; however, upto60 ar- rive from other areas during height of sardine run, Vessels fish under contract with the plants. In1968, nearly 30,000 tons of sardines were landed, Other Ports Casablanca, Al Hoceima, and El Jadida ac- count for major share of sardines landed at other ports, All but a limited quantity are sold on fresh-fish market. Sardine Prices Prices generally are set annually after discussions among processors, vessel own- ers, fishermen, and government officials; the prices are published in a government decree. In 1969, prices fixedfor sale of sardines des- tined for canning, freezing, salting, and ex- port were in 2 categories: 1) Quality fish for industrial use, 50 count per kg. or less: Agadir--US$76 per metric 64 ton; Essaouiraand Safi--$80 per ton. Vessel owners received $8 per ton of purchase price to amortize cost of nets. Balance is shared 60-40 by crew and vessel owner, 2) Low-quality fish or fish not fit for human consumption; Agadir--$20 per ton; Essaou- ira--$12 per ton; Safi--$13 per ton, No net bonus paid out of purchase price for such fish. At each port, there is a government fishery office, Each lot of sardines going to canners is sampled. The sampleis sorted by an offi- cial who separates canning-quality fish from noncanning quality. Size, freshness, and ap- pearance are criteria, Proportion between the twoin sampleis basis for payment of en- tire lot. For sardines higher than 50 count per kg., prices are negotiated in each community, Sardines for reduction were: Agadir-- $14.50 per ton; Essaouira, $17; and Safi, $18. A net bonus of $1 per ton is paid out of pur- chase price at Agadir and Essaouira, Some Observations The strength and viability of the Moroccan fishing industry appears related to sardine industry. By farthe greatest amount of cap- italinvestmentis in sardine canneries, fish- meal and oil plants, and vessels: 75 canneries, 18 meal plants, and around 250 vessels (most- ly wood, small, and overmanned). The indus- try also accounts for major part of fishery earnings, At the same time, it is generally recog- nized that the sardine industry could benefit greatly from more efficient equipment and improved techniques. The government can help because it sets price for fish, level of wages, cost of cans and other canning needs, and has roles in marketing, and in licensing vessels andplants, A solutionis being sought toproblem of how to introduce new and more efficient equipment in fishing and canning without displacing workers. This and other problems including shortage of capital and credit are being faced, Consolidating canneries and diversifying and upgrading sardine products are other measures being pursued, OCE and the can- ners are working harderto find more export markets, Fishing Changes Slower In fishing, change has been slower. The question debated is how to innovate without harming owners and reducing jobs. One sug- gestion is licensing reduction plants around Ifni and to the south and drawing off excess vessels, fishermen, and plant workers from Agadir -Safiarea, This probably would be ef- fective if properly executed. Another sugges- tion would permit introduction of improved vessels to replace one or more old vessels, with possibly some type of work or earning guarantee to crews of replaced vessels. Foreign investment in sardine and other fisheries is being encouraged by the govern- ment and could be helpful. Fiscal measures as an aid and incentive to modernize are an- other possibility being mentioned. Considerable improvement is possible in the Moroccan sardine industry--but will re- quire the cooperation of government agencies and the industry. Concerted effort is needed in sales, processing, production (vessel own- ers and fishermen),and in research to deter- mine stocks and location of sardines, i NH} NS Spe 65 FOOD FISH FACTS CHANNEL CATFISH (Ictalurus punctatus) Catfish have been a popular and plentiful food fish through thousands of years. Folklore abounds with tales of catfish which sometimes grew to 6 feet in length and weighed over 100 pounds. There is a wide variety of catfish which includes the gafftopsail and sea catfish which live in the ocean. Some of the fresh-water catfish family includes the yellow, brown, black, and flat bullheads; the stonecat; the widemouth and toothless blindcats; more than 10 varieties of madtoms; and the white, blue, headwater, yaqui, and flathead as well as the channel catfish. DESCRIPTION All catfish have long barbels about the mouth used for locating food, are scaleless, and have heavy, sharp pectoral and dorsal spines. Channel catfish, considered by many to be the best eating, are easily distinguished from other catfishby their deeply forked tails, a relatively small head, and small irregular spots on the sides. The channelis the most active ofall cat- fish and grows quite large, the world record is 57 pounds. A desirable fish to many sports - men, it can be caught with a variety of baits and lures and provides considerably resistance at the end of a fishing line. HABITAT Most catfish inhabit warm, quiet, slow-moving waters. Channel catfish prefer large rivers and lowland lakes with clean bottoms of sandy gravel or boulders. They adapt readily to new environmental conditions and stocking this species in new waters is usually successful. Although catfish originally were found mainly in Mississippi basin waters, they now inhabit waters in many parts of the United States. CATFISH FARMING For many years the catfish market was adequately supplied by commercial fishermen who harvested wild catfish. In recent years the catfish population has decreased as has the number of men who harvest them. However, the demand for catfish has not declined and, because of this, more and more farmers have been changing their fields from agricultural activities into catfish ponds. In ten states, ranging west from Florida into Texas and extend- ing as far north as Kansas and Missouri, approximately 26,000 acres were utilized in inten- sive catfish farming in 1968. The channel catfish is usually the species chosen for these ponds because of their choice flavor, adaptability, and faster growth. It is estimatedthat in a 210-day growing season, the channel catfish will attain a weight of 13 pounds, if not over- crowded. The recommended stocking per acreto attain this growthis considered to be 1,000 six-inch fingerlings. If more fingerlings are stocked per acre, the growth will be less in the Same number of days. The catfish farmer has a choice of procedures after his fields have been converted into ponds. He may buy fingerlings from other farmers and feed them to market size. Or he may breed the catfish, raise the fingerlings for sale, or use them to stock his own ponds and feed them to market size. Some farmers also dress and deliver the catfish to market or to processors. (Continued following page.) 66 CATFISH FARMING (Contd.) Raising catfish is not simply a formula of "have water, add fish, reap instant money." The initial investments run high and costly mistakes are easily made. Added to the cost of the land is the costof pond construction. Ponds should be constructedin soils that hold water, the bottoms should be well graded and completely cleared to permit seining at harvest. Quality of the water is important and the water system must be adequate to get water to the ponds as well as draining water from the ponds before restocking. These are just a few of the problems that must be met by the successful catfish farmer. However, the future of cat- fish farming is bright and the marketdemand is increasing as more and more people are be- coming aware of this fresh-water, pond-cultured delicacy. CONSERVATION The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries seeks and defines new and under-utilized fishery resources and develops improved harvesting methods and gear as part of its service to the United States fishing industry. To aid the increasingly important catfish industry, Bureau research personnel perfected a seining system with a mechanical haul and demonstrated its use inharvesting pond-cultured catfish. The mechanized seining and conveyor equipment re- duced the time and labor required for harvest. USES OF CATFISH Catfish can be bought as steaks, fillets, whole dressed, and skinned dressed. The tender, white, nutritious flesh can be prepared in a variety of ways. It is good eating either baked, broiled, grilled, barbecued, smoked, sauteed, or stuffed. (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 100 East Ohio, Room 526, Chicago, Ill. 60611.) The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries has published an exciting, full-color booklet that is chock-full of ideas using tasty catfish. It is called ''Fancy Catfish,'' Fishery Market Develop- ment Series No. 6 (I 49.49/2:6). For your copy, send 256 to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. (Recipe p. 67.) 67 CATFISH CANTONESE--PLEASE WITH EASE Did you know that commercially-raised channel catfish are rapidly becoming one of the more popular fresh-water delicacies on the market today? Gourmets insist that pond- cultured catfish have aflavor superior to most wildcatfish. Specialty restaurants and drive- ins featuring catfish are already being built and others are in the planning stages to take advantage of this new popularity. Why? Probably the reason is the quality of the fish. To- day's increasing market demand is largely supplied by an ever-growing group of farmers who are changing their fields from agricultural activities into catfish ponds. Ranging west from Florida into Texas and extending as far north as Kansas and Missouri, there were ap- proximately 26,000 acres in ten states which were utilized in intensive catfish farming in 1968. Catfish Farmers of America, a new organization, hopes to control the marketing of its products and maintain high quality throughout the entire rearing, processing, and marketing pattern. In order to assure that pond-cultured catfish are top quality, catfish farmers are using scientifically-proven techniques and balanced food formulas. Also important is the construction of the ponds which must have sloping sides and a relatively constant water depth, a little deeper in winter than in summer. Thecleanliness andtemperature of the wa- ter, the amount of oxygen in the water, and the absence of predators are only a few of the many precautions followed to produce a quality product. According to the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, all catfish are good eating--especially the channel catfish. This fish may be identified by its deeply forked tail, an easy check for the Consumer. Pond- cultured catfish are usually harvested at about 13 years of age and weigh from 3 to 15 pounds. The flesh of cat- fish is white, tender, and tasty, and is an ex- cellent source of high-quality protein, vita- mins, and minerals. } HTN Rea CA < Ait ieee Catfish may be prepared in dozens of different ways, but broiling is one of the easiest. ''Catfish Contonese,'’ a Bureau of Commercial Fisheries tested recipe, is par- ticularly good eating. The fish are broiled with a lemony-butter sauce until flaky, then served with a hot sweet-sour topping. This topping is distinctive because it has justa touch of soy sauce to bring an unusually ap- petizing taste to this catfish entree. Lookfor pond - -cultured catfish i in your market and try ‘Catfish Cantonese" soon. CATFISH CANTONESE SWEET -SOUR SAUCE 3 pounds pan -dressed skinned catfish 3 teaspoon paprika 1 cup water 14 tablespoons vinegar or other fish, fresh or frozen 2 Dash pepper 3 tablespoons catsu 2 tablespoons cold water 1 - po P po 4 cup melted butter or margarine SweeteSouniSauce 3 feulcieons soy sauce Jeet er tablespoons sugar tablespoon cornstarc $ cup lemon juice Julienne cut strips of fresh Po d Lee ; carrots, celery, and Combine water, catsup, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar ina 15 teaspoons salt green pepper 1-quart sauce pan. Heat. Combine water and comstarch. Add & ¥ ; to sauce and cook until thick and smooth, stirring constantly. Thaw frozen fish. Remove fins and tails. Clean, wash, and Makes approximately 1 cup sauce dry fish. Place fish in a single layer on a well-greased baking pan, 15 x 10 x 1 inches. Combine remaining ingredients except Sweet-Sour Sauce and vegetables, Brush fish inside andout with sauce. Broil about 6 inches from source of heat for 8 to 10 min- utes. Turn carefully and baste with remaining sauce. Broil 8 to 10 minutes longer or until fish flake easily when tested with a (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Dept. fork, Place fish on a warm serving platter. Pour hot Sweet-Sour of the Interior, 100 E, Ohio, Room 526, Chicago, Ill. 60611.) Sauce over fish. Garnish with vegetables, Makes 6 servings. INDEX Page t Page UNITED STATES: INTERNATIONAL (Contd.): 1 .. Group Appointed to Advise Interior on Marine 34 .. Soviets Explore Indian Ocean Fish Stocks Affairs 34 .. Director of New FAO Fishery Division Named 2 .. Hickel Endorses Lake Superior Pollution 34 Soviet Vessels Fire on Danish Fishing Cutters Report FOREIGN: 2 .. Construction of EPC Plant in Washington Canada: State Begins 35 Landings in Maritime Provinces Top Billion 3 .. U.S. Tuna Fleet Expands Pounds 3... EASTROPAC Observations Made Available to 35 East Coast Shrimp Fishery Develops Tuna Fishermen 385 .. Fishing Vessel Insurance Plan Is Recast 3 .. International Fisheries Survey Continues Off 36 .. Salt-Cod Deficiency Payments Announced California 36 .. Saltfish Corporation Recommended 3 .. U.S. and Japanese Tuna Experts Confer at 36 .. Fisheries Research Board Uses Sub As Lab BCF Miami Lab Europe: 4... 170U.S. Firms Participate in London Trade 37 The Yugoslav Fishery in the Adriatic Sea, Show by Richard L, Major 4 ,. 1969 Whale Season Yields 108 USSR: 4 ,. Live Crabs Held in Sea-Water Spray System 44 ., Kamchatka Herring Catches Decline 5 Fish-Gutting Machines Designed for Fishing 44 10 Fishes Saury in Northern Barents Sea Vessels 440. Whaling Fleet Off Hokkaido 5 BCF Explores Prawn Fishing Off Surinam 44 .. Considers Squid Fishery Off U.S. Atlantic 6 Interest Rate on Fishery Loans Is Raised Coast 6 Nearly $6 Million in Commercial Fisheries AON ewe Studies Valuable Food Fish Discovered Off Aid Available to States Hawaii in 1967 6 Shrimp-Fishermen Training Supported by Ey cy Scientists Discover Magnesium-Metabolism Labor Dept. Regulator in Salmon 7 .. New Fish-Locating Techniques AD ese Underwater Habitat Vehicle Tested in 8 .. Decade of North Atlantic Fishing Reviewed by Black Sea BCF Iceland: 10 .. Pacific Saury: Large Latent Resource 460 6 Fishing Industry in 1969 12... Catfish Farming in 1969 Bile tee Fishermen's Strike Averted 14 .. Crawfish Industry Norway: 16 .. Los Angeles: Fabulous Food Funnel AT Purse-Seine Fleet Losing Profit 18 .. Great Lakes Face Environmental Crisis 48 Nordic Group to Enter More Export Markets 20 .. Oyster Institute Honors Bureau of Commer- Sweden: cial Fisheries AB! eis Government Aided Fishing Industry in1969 Oceanography: Denmark: 21... Automated Weather Buoy at Work off Vir- 48 .. Firm to Invest in Peru Fish-Meal Factory ginia United Kingdom: 22 ,. Search Begins in Gulf for Dangers to Ship- 7M ets Decline of Fish Supplies Forecast ping Latin America: 22... Fast-Response Oxygen Sensor Tested Cuba: 24 .. Foreign Fishing Off U.S., December 1969 49) 200 The Fishing Industry States: Asia: Rhode Island: 52 ,. Japanese Tanner Crab Fishery in Eastern 26) Sus Seed-Lobster Program Underway Bering Sea, by Milstead C, Zahn California: Japan; 213% Anchovy Catch Quota Raised Bifguaes Tuna Industry Beset by High Prices Oregon: OT ss Finds Saury Abundant Off U.S. West Coast PH Kaka Town Hall Meetings Held at Fishing Ports 58... New Saury Net Tested Alaska; 58 est. Investigates Chilean Fishery Resources Qi) ous No Closed Season for Scallop bile 6.5 Surveys Shrimp for Yemen Zip cts New Herring Research Program in South- 58 .. Fish Utilization Is Changing eastern Alaska BBY on Plans 1970 Herring Fishery Off Soviet PME Cait Statewide Salmon-Forecast Publication Is Coasts Available BOF are Exports of Canned Tuna in Oil Fell in1969 28 ..BOOKS 59° one Canned Mackerel Exports and Prices Rise INTERNATIONAL: South Korea: oi FAO Fishery Aid Tops $120 Million Ole Will Export Saury to Japan 32 .. FAO Body Gathers Facts on Mediterranean 59 . Shrimp Fishing in Caribbean Begins Pollution 59 . To Add Hundreds of Longliners in 1970 32 .. Common Market's Fisheries Policy Delayed Taiwan: Again Omen Ratifies Continental Shelf Convention 32 .. NEAFC Begins Joint Enforcement Program 60). Plans 1970 Fishing Vessel Construction 33 .. Netherlands to Withdraw from International Africa: Whaling Commission 61 .. The Marine Fisheries of Morocco, by 33 .. Fish Caged to Control Birth Salvatore Di Palma 33 Nordic Nations Set Minimum Prices for 65 ..Food Fish Facts (Channel Catfish) Frozen Fillet Exports 68 . .INDEX 68 % U.S, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1970 392-626/8 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Walter J. Hickel, Secretary Russell E. Train, Under Secretary Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, Parks, and Marine Resources Charles H. Meacham, Commissioner, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Philip M. Roedel, Director, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Depart- ment of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and recreational re- sources, Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's ''Department of Natural Resources," The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States -- now and in the future, BACK COVER: Lifting pound net to purse mostly alewife for unloading in lower Potomac River. (Bhoto:4d.°B. Rivers) VOL. 32, NO. 3 AFLEF XK Fu cBes COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review A comprehensive view of United States and foreign fishing industries--including catch, processing, market- ing, research, and legislation--prepared by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. {AT GO ‘DOWN To THe seal =. IN SHIPS: pe 1683- FISHERMEN'S MEMORIAL --GLOUCESTER, MASS. Il Managing Editor: Edward Edelsberg Asst. Managing Editor: Barbara Lundy Production: Jean Zalevsky Alma Greene The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife make up The Fish and Wildlife Service of The United States Department of the Interior. Throughout this book, the initials BCF stand for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Address correspondence and requests to: Commercial Fisheries Review, 1801 North Moore Street, Room 200, Arlington, Va. 22209. Telephone: Area Code 703 - 557-4246. Publication of material from sources outside the Bureau is not an endorsement. The Bureau is not responsible for the accuracy of facts, views, or opinions of these sources. Although the contents have not been copyrighted and may be reprinted freely, reference to source is appreciated. Use of funds for printing this publication was approved by the Director, Bureau of the Budget, April 18, 1968. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. Price 60 cents (single copy). Subscription Price: $7.00 a year; $2 additional for foreign mailing. CONTENTS UNITED STATES EVentsrancdibarenGsi ji siceteheceues sere Gers we wlene SLATES Peete erieticvic: Guia) ois acelaptetenie eset 6000, 6 On duneo ARTICLES World Demand for Shrimp & Prawns May Out- strip Supply During Next Decade, by Donald P. Cleary 2c eee eee cece cece eee eeee 5 Exploring for Schooling Pelagic Fishes in Mid- dle Atlantic Bight, by Jackson Davis ...... Pacific Ocean Perch & Hake Studied Off West Coast, by Thomas A, Dark, Herbert H. Shippen, & Kenneth D, Waldron ......2.2..e.2e-. Puerto Rico's Commercial Marine Fisheries-- A Statistical Picture, by José A. Sudrez-Caabro Calico Scallop Fishery of Southeastern U.S.-- A Photo Review of Latest Developments, by Robert Cummins Jr. & Joaquim B. Rivers The French Tuna Industry, by David K. Sabock BOOKS BAe veweae ecewaisiieks) ie date. Ucke welts tehereremetemers TNA RUN AG LON ATE oer eetmeeeu, o.leireicee el etlenevielenatie i eiette Canadawaracen suse euncus Sirciedie ieiteieh ist ccenenielte cekerearetss UT OP Cheseromtouscnicile! sels eh eiticutertowrel 00 08d iG Ot. 0-040 6 DGC ENS TAG en area Ne menteilictweiy at avatars ites vel eve weiael (onleilel oeuromlee SoutheRacifl cia ce reuie cutee cte ec couietistionetiotemeriicenelratis ‘ wa tineAtrive riC an cwcils route tonel iivel eis %ielie ailfetoitetewer relents JUNIDIOP Gg Sid'G 9.00 Om.000 sivehishiiol 0.) lolleiferyoNfouiey eluarieintel Page 25 31 38 56 44 48 51 53 63 66 67 71 III IV me ane cae wa nae ee eee k ese ae bad pita od cant hana 4 HEE Ee EERE SS PRES ah a fas aren Transferring king crab from weighing bucket to processing-plant cart. (BCF-Alaska photo: J. M. Olson) THE U.S. FOOD SITUATION The average American ate arecord amount of food in1969 and paid over 5% more for it. This year there likely will be slightly more food supplies per person, but retail prices will rise again--perhaps 35 to 4%. It will re- flect continued strong demand. This is re- portedby the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food consumption per person in1969 was a record 106% of 1957-59 average. It was slightly higher than 1968. The increase came primarily in chicken and turkey, vegetable oils, fresh and processed fruits, and proc- essed potato products. Consumption of red meat per person was Slightly less--more beef but less veal, lamb, and pork. Consumption of eggs, milk, and most manufactured dairy products declined. Cheese consumption in- creased. Fishery-Product Consumption Steady Although per-capita consumption of fish- ery products has remained constant, total consumption of fresh and frozen food-fish products has increased faster than domestic landings. The gaphas been filled by imports of food-fish products. Retail Prices Up Despite continued high level of food avail- ability, retail prices rose sharply in 1969. The year's average was 5.2% above 1968; prices in December 1969 were 7.2% above-a year earlier. Restaurant food prices moved up steadily throughout 1969, price advances for store-bought food. Red meats and eggs led in Most other food-store items also rose, but prices of fats and oils leveled, and prices of fresh fruit declined. 1970 Predictions Per-capita food supplies are expected to gain slightly in1970. Consumption of poultry and processed fruits likely will rise substan- tially; that of eggs and fish probably will rise moderately. Beef production and consumption will be up, but veal and lamb again will be down. Pork production willbe down until later in 1970, then increase, so total red-meat per- capita consumption may be about 1969 level. 1970 Fish Consumption In 1970, civilians will eat about 1,230 mil- lion pounds of fishery products (edible weight). One quarter willcome from ground- fish: suchas cod, haddock, hake, Boston blue- fish (pollock), and ocean perch; about 60% of this willbeimported. Landings of flounders, cod, ocean perch, and Boston bluefishare ex- pected to rise above a year ago, while had- dock landings will drop to a record low. The decline in haddock landings may more than offset any gains in other groundfish. NORTH ATLANTIC SHRIMP INDUSTRY EDGES SOUTH On the U.S. Atlantic Coast, the northern shrimp fishery appears to be edging south- ward, reports BCF. The northern shrimp used to be harvested almost exclusively within 50 milesof Portland, Maine, and marketed as "Maine shrimp." BCF has promoted frozen Maine shrimp at internationalfoodfairs. Introduced in Lon- don in 1966, it has been well received in France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. About 50% of Maine's shrimp production for the 1968-69 season was ex- Sweden, ported to Western Europe, mostly to Sweden. Enter Non-Maine Fishermen Biologists do not know where these deep- water shrimp mature, but they move shore- ward to spawn and are caught then. Maine's commercial fishermen have harvested the small pink shrimp as a winter crop--from September or October into April or May. However, BCF exploratory fishing has shown the shrimp within reach of other coastal states; also, that traditional shrimping season can be extended throughsummer. Asaresult, vesselsfrom Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire moved into the fishery in 1969. In 1969, Maine fishermen caught about 24.5 million pounds worth around $3 million; Mas- sachusetts landed 4.5 million pounds worth about $500,000, and New Hampshire about 100,000 pounds valued at $12,000. A new processing plant capable of handling up to 200,000 pounds of shrimp a day is being built on Gloucester (Mass.) State Fish Pier. Northern & 4 Florida Species As the northern shrimp fishery expands, BCF marketing specialists speculate that the shrimp may be marketed more widely under a more generalname. In the Gloucester area, it is ''just shrimp" because it is the only com- mercial shrimp species there. In Florida, the picture is somewhat differ - ent. There, fishermen land 4 different spe- cies--the white shrimp, a somewhat larger brown shrimp, the southern pink (not the same species as the northern shrimp), and royal reds. Despite this formidable competition, the delicate flavor of the northern shrimp, mar- keted frozen as a novelty, has won it consid- erable popularity among Florida gourmets. Availability Fluctuated Sharply Northern shrimp are too small and too del- icate to be processed by conventional meth- ods. Until the advent of special equipment and techniques, the shrimp either were peeled by hand or sold whole (unpeeled). Besides processing problems, industry development has been hampered by sharp fluctuations in availability. In the 1930s, the northern shrimp By the 1950s, it had practically disappeared. Then, was abundant in the Gulf of Maine. in the late 1950s, it became abundant again. Mysteries About Shrimp's Environment Little is known about environmental factors that control the young shrimp's chances of survival to adulthood. Biologists believe the life span is about 4 years. During the last year of life, the shrimp, whichbegins its adult lifeasa male, changes to female and moves in toward the shore to spawn. Fewer INTERIOR DEPARTMENT INSPECTED VAST AMOUNT OF FISH IN 1969 During 1969, the inspection service of the U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI) in- spected or graded over 328 million pounds (edible -weight basis) of fish and fishery prod- ucts. About one million pounds of the total were rejected for noncompliance with USDI Grade Standards or product specifications. The 1969 amount inspected was about 28.5% of the volume processed inthe U.S. each year--and 12% of U.S. annual consumption. GOOD DEMAND FOR PUGET SOUND PACIFIC HAKE The demand for Puget Sound hake is good this year. Twofactors have helped to stimu- late it: 1) the formula for the Oregon moist pellet has been changed. Now hake and hake meal canbe used inplace of other ingredients; -and 2) the increase in world price of fishmeal. Peruvian fishmeal, for example, rose from $172 per ton (f.0.b. New York and Gulf ports) in September 1969 to $204 per tonin December 1969. Fishermen are receiving $15 to $20 per ton for hake, compared to $12 to $20 last season. The Fishery The seasonal fishery begins in September or October and extends through May or June. The catch for the 1969-70 season during Sep- tember through January is 1,000,000 pounds; for the same period last season, it was 1,700,000 pounds. Generally, fishing im- proves significantly during the season's sec- ond half, when hake are more concentrated and available inthe area of Port Susan, Last season's catch was 9,000,000 pounds. NEW DEVICE PROTECTS SALMON AT LOW-HEAD DAMS A prototype fish-guiding device has been installed in aturbine intake of Ice Harbor Dam (Snake River, Washington). Itis alarge trav- eling screen designed todivert salmon finger - lings from the turbine, where many die. After a week's trial, under maximum turbine load conditions, its mechanical operation has been successful. Its efficiency indiverting salmon fingerlings from the turbine will be measured this spring, when their seaward migration starts. The deviceisakey part ofa bypass system being developedtoprotect salmon fingerlings of the Upper Snake River in their migrations past seven dams on their way to the sea. — - —— OYSTER STUDIES YIELD IMPORTANT INFORMATION A Federal-state study of shellfish in Pa- cific coast bays revealed a relatively high mortality in native oysters and mussels from Yaquina Bay, Oregon. However, the Pacific oyster, more than 99% of the oysters mar- keted commercially, has not been affected. State fisheries agencies of Oregon, Washing- ton, and California have cooperated with BCF, University of Washington, and the Pacific Coast Oysters Growers Association in inves- tigating causes of oyster mortalities since 1965, Lab Examination Experimental planting of native oysters in Yaquina Bay suffered mortality rates from 18 to030%, or more, per year. Samples of oysters from the trays examined microscopically by biologists at the BCF laboratory in Oxford, Maryland, and at the University of Washington showed a condition that appeared serious enough to cause the oyster deaths, Although similar conditions were observed in mussels taken from Yaquina Bay, it was not found in the Pacific oysters examined from the same area, No Public Health Threat No name has been given to the condition present in these native oysters and mussels. The cause has not yet been identified. Sci- entists say the disorder could be caused by environmental factors, or by a virus, The Boards of Health in Oregon and Washington reviewed the problem and do not view the native oyster condition as a threat to public health, In contrast to the high mortality rates of native oysters and mussels, Pacific oyster mortality in Yaquina Bay is the lowest obser- ved onthe Pacific coast. Infact, experimental plantings of Pacific oysters in Yaquina Bay, as part of the coastwide mortality study, were used as a''control'' for comparison with plant - ings in other bays, where Pacific oysters have higher death rates, OYSTER-MEAT QUALITY INDEX REPORTED A plump, creamy-white oyster meat that generally fills its shell cavity is considered of high quality; a shrunken transparent oys- ter meat with a high water content that does not fill the shell cavity is considered of low quality. Using this basis, the Virginia Insti- tute of Marine Science has been conducting surveys in the rivers of Virginia to deter- mine the condition of oysters. Survey's Results As a result of these surveys, the Institute developed an acceptable measure of quality and relative yield--designated the ''Oyster Meats Quality Index."’ It can be used to com- pare the actual size of an oyster meat with the space inside the shell cavity. The index's chief value is toprovide industry with a useful tool for comparing the potential yield of oys- ters of the same size, different growing areas, and from one season to the next, Where To Get Index The index was reported in the Jan, 1970 issue of the Institute's ''Marine Resources Information Bulletin.'' It may be obtained from the Institute at Gloucester Point, Vir- ginia 23062. FISHERIES SURVEY OF AMERICAN SAMOA SLATED The research vessel 'Charles H, Gilbert! of the BCF Biological Laboratory, Honolulu, sailed for American Samoatoconduct the first systematic survey of the area's fishery re- sources. The Government of American Samoa is cooperating. The islands are headquarters of a large fishing industry. The two U.S.-owned can- neries there are supplied by about 100 vessels from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The bulk of the catchis albacore tuna. Much of the product is exported to mainland U.S. The survey, however, will concern itself with skipjack tuna, for which there is growing demand in the fishing industry. SCIENTISTS WARN AGAINST ADDING DDT TO ANTI-FOULING PAINT The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is concerned about continuing reports of oyster-boat owners mixing DDT with cop- per anti-fouling paint. The mixture is used on boat bottoms to control scurf, borers (worms) and barnacles, This is an extreme- ly dangerous practice "because DDT is one of the most toxic pollutants that can be put in water,'' VIMS scientists warn. They say its value in protecting boat bottoms has never been proved and it may, in fact, do more harm than good. DDT could change the paint and cause it to flake off--exposing bare wood to infestation. Shellfish Concentrate DDT Shellfish, especially oysters, concentrate DDT in their bodies to levels approximately 10,000 times those found in the water. One pound of DDT can contaminate a billion pounds of water. This would be sufficient to load over 100,000 bushels of oysters with enough DDT to justify seizure by health authorities. Recommends Better Grade of Paint If the usual 'soft' copper anti-fouling paints are not giving the required protection, VIMS recommends using a better grade of copper, rather than adding materials like DDT. Some paints now onthe market were formulated for tropical areas, where fouling and worm prob- lems are more severe than in Chesapeake Bay. Use of these paints on a properly pre- pared bottom should provide the necessary protection, without endangering the very sea- food products the boats are meant to harvest. in DEALERS INTERESTED IN ALASKAN SEAFOOD BCF marketing personnel report that sea- food dealers in Central and Southwestern States have expressed interest in handling fresh and frozen Alaskan seafood products, Airlines flying between the Western States and Alaska are anxious to fill space. They are willingtodiscuss special freight rates to instal cold-storage facilities for emergency and temporary holdings. Also, they would facilitate transfer of Alaskan seafoods to eastbound transporters. Alaskan fishery-product containers assembled on the beach near waters from which products came. (Photo: J. M. Olson) BCF Coordinates These Interests BCF personnel are working with Alaskan producers, transporters, and dealers to co- ordinate their interests indeveloping markets for these products in Central and Southwest- ern States. INTERIOR HONORS BCF SCIENTISTS Dr. Reuben Lasker, BCF Fishery-Ocean- ography Center, La Jolla, Calif., has been awarded Interior Department's Meritorious Service Award by Secretary Walter J. Hickel. The award recognizes his outstanding con- tributions in the physiology of marine orga- nisms, both fish and invertebrates. Secretary Hickel cited Dr, Lasker's ac- complishments inthe study of the energy ex- change between fishes and their food supply. Dr. Lasker has studied 3 main organisms of the California Current food web, a euphausiid shrimp (a common food organism of pelagic fishes), the Pacific sardine, and the northern anchovy. He discovered that the efficiency of energy transfer of phytoplankton and small zooplanktonto euphausiids is about 10% over the animal's life span. Similar studies on adult sardines and anchovy showed the rela- tionship of food needs of these fishes to the energy available inthe zooplankton, The studies canbe used to predict how much food must be available in the sea to sustain fish populations. He is the author of more than 30 scientific publications in this specialized research, Dr. Lasker, 40, joined BCFin 1958, after receiving his Ph.D. in Zoology from Stanford University. Richard A. Barkley of BCF's Biological Laboratory in Honolulu won Interior Depart- ment's Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to oceanography. Secretary Hickel cited Barkley's ''Oceano- graphic Atlas of the Pacific Ocean" and his studies of the interaction of the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents off Japan. The atlas was published by University of Hawaii Press in 1968. It is an analysis of the physics and chemistry of the ocean's upper layers down to about 5,000 feet; it draws upon 50 years of oceanographic observations. Barkley's investigations of the Kuroshio- Oyashio consisted of a theoretical treatment of what happens when the two streams of water--one warm, one cold--meet. They help explain heretofore-puzzling aspects of the ocean circulation. They offer clues to the physical processes that sustain Japan's im- mense fisheries. Barkley, 40, joined the Honolulu Labora- tory in 1960 shortly after receivinghis Ph. D. in oceanography from the University of Wash- ington. oo0o0o00000 ‘SQUOXIN’ IS A SELECTIVE TOXIN FOR SQUAWFISH A selective fish toxin that will turn squaw- fish belly-side up--and leave trout, salmon, steelhead, and other desirable species un- harmed--is a management tool scientists have long been seeking. Squoxin, a nonchlo- rinated hydrocarbon that kills the highly pre- dacious squawfish and leaves other fish swim- ming happily, is a big step in this direction. Releases of young salmon and trout from fish hatcheries are especially vulnerable to squawfish, As manyas 250 young salmon have been found in the digestive tracts of squawfish. Squoxin Developed The squawfish-killing chemical was devel- oped by Dr. Craig MacPhee, professor of fish- eries at the University of Idaho, after 4 years of research and testing. The search was sponsored by BCF's Columbia Fisheries Pro- gram Office. The selective toxin, Squoxin, acts on the squawfish's nervous system as a vaso-con- strictor; it prevents efficient use of oxygen and the proper function of the blood vessels. The chemical is applied to the stream or lake environment--.1 part per million--and kills squawfish, while not harming salmon and trout. The toxin also kills a very few dace and shiners--an indicator that the proper amount of toxin is being metered into stream. It has no effect on aquatic insects or other fish foods, humans, or land animals. Slow-Working, Short-Lived Squoxin is a relatively slow-working but short-lived toxin. It becomes ineffective within hours. The first dead squawfish are seen 3 hours after squoxin is applied, and more are dying 24 hours later. Because of squoxin's short life, it must be applied over a long period. One amazing characteristic of the toxin is that squawfish apparently have no sense of danger, or are aware that they are being killed. With other fish-killing chemicals, such as rotenone, fish of all kinds try des- perately to escape with the very first whiff. Squawfish have moved miles downstream to get out of rotenone's effective range. Field Tests During experimental field tests, squaw- fish, trout, young salmon, steelhead, and other fish were observed swimming directly below the point where the squoxin was being put into the water. They appeared unaware of the chemical. The first indication of squawfish distress is an apparent weakening, followedby a slow drift downstream, and thenloss of equilibri- um. Distress is noted 2 to 3 hours after the start of chemical application. Exact counts of dead squawfishare very difficult to make. But, in one test, it was estimated that about 200,000 squawfish were killed in an 8-mile section of stream. Squoxin can be an exceptional fishery management tool to help control squawfish, especially in areas heavily populated by squawfish and salmon and trout. Laboratory experiments on mammals have indicated that this selective chemical is per- haps five times less toxic than table salt when administered to experimental animals on a specific volume-per-unit weight basis. A patent has been issued to the U.S. Gov- ernment and the principal investigators by the U.S. Patent Office. OCEANOGRAPHY USC STUDIES SANTA BARBARA OIL SPILL EFFECTS "Keep those (drift) cards coming in, folks," University of Southern California (USC) sci- entists have askedthe public. The scientists are conducting a year-long study of the effects of the Santa Barbara Channel oil spillages. The drift cards, brightly colored and en- cased in watertight polyethylene envelopes, are being used to traceoceancurrents. They have been released periodically throughout the Santa Barbara Channel from USC's re- search vessels 'Velero IV' and the 'Golden West.! Since March 1969, 12,500 drift cards have been released. Thefinal drop was scheduled for Heb. 8-17, 1970. Public Cooperation Asked The cards wash up on beaches and other waterfront areas. Finders are asked to dis- card the plastic envelopes, indicate on the cards where and when they were found, and then mail them (postage-prepaid) to USC. =a Za. SURFACE SLICKS HAVE 10,000 MORE PESTICIDE THAN ENCIRCLING WATER Concentrations of upto 13 parts per billion (ppb) of chlorinated pesticides were measured in natural surface slicks in Biscayne Bay, Florida, by Dr. Eugene F. Corcoran and Dr, Douglas B. Seba of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, The researchers also found that water surrounding the slicks generally con- tained less than 1 part per trillion--or less than 1/10,000--of the pesticides found in the slicks. Dr. Corcoran said: ''Natural surface slicks may explain the occurrence of pesticide res- idues in penguins in the Antarctic, or the dis- appearance of pelicansfrom nearlyall of the U.S. seacoasts. In Biscayne Bay, for example, we have observed gulls and pelicans diving into surface waters to feed on the dense schools of small fish that feed on plankton con- centrated inthe slicks. Since these sea birds eat many times their weight in fish, they even- tually have more pesticide concentrated in their tissues than the fish did." "Surface slicks are natural oceanographic phenomena which appear as calm streaks or patches on the otherwise rippled surface of lakes, coastal waters, andopen ocean areas," added Dr. Seba. ‘In our aerial surveys of Biscayne Bay, we have observed slicks vary- ing from a few meters to over 100 meters in width and up to several miles in length. Dur- ing the summer of 1968, aerial photographs revealed that about 10% of the bay was cov- ered with these slicks" How Slicks Induced The slicks may be wind-induced or may occur where two water massesconverge. The converging water causes compaction of the film of dissolved organic and inorganic mole- cules normally foundon the surface of biolo- gically productive waters; this provides a tremendous supply of nutrients. Some nutri- ents are used directly by phytoplankton (mi- croscopic floating plants); others combine into small particles and are used by filter- feeding animals. Pesticides In Atmospheric Dust The cycling of pesticides depends not only on food-web interactions, but on interaction between atmosphere, water, silt, and bottom deposits. Dr. Seba and Dr. Joseph M. Pros- pero found in a study that atmospheric dust collected at Barbados, West Indies, after it had crossed 4,000 miles of open ocean, con- tained appreciable amounts of chlorinated pesticides. The latter were similar to those found in Biscayne Bay surface slicks. The scientists believe this indicates that Atlantic tropical tradewinds are responsible for transporting significant quantities of pesti- cides from continents to the open-ocean eco- system. They also found pesticides in the rainwater of tropical hurricanes. The research was supported in part by Interior Department's Federal Water Pollu- tion Control Administration, the National Sci- ence Foundation, and the Office of Naval Re- search. ESSA VESSEL SEEKS EVIDENCE OF PACIFIC SEA-FLOOR SPREADING U.S. oceanographers are investigating a little-known ocean area in the South Pacific south of Easter Island for evidence of sea- floor spreading. They are aboard the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey ship 'Oceanogra- pher,' a "floating laboratory'' manned by 95 officers, scientists, and crew. Their investigation centers on the East Pacific Rise,a 3,000-foot underwater moun- tain range; the Chile Trench, adeepchasm in the seabed off South America; and the inter- vening area. Theoceanthere is about 15,000 feet deep. Sea-Floor Spreading Theory The study of sea-floor spreading is based on the theory that the ocean floor moves con- stantly and carries along the continents. The oceanographers are trying to determine the extent and rate of the spreading. The oceanographers also are investigating the topography of the sea bottom. Little is known of sea-floor features in this area. The ship will spend about seven weeks be- tween Papeete, Tahiti, and Valparaiso, Chile. ~2 aS DISCOVERIES SUPPORT A NEW THEORY OF SEA-FLOOR MOTION Discoveries that support a new theory of sea-floor motion have been made by scien- tists in the Deep Sea Drilling Project. Geol- ogist James D. Hays of Columbia University has reported "evidence that the major Pacific Ocean floor plate has moved at varying speed and direction during the past 35 million ears.'' His findings support the theory that "the sea floor is being pulled away from the East Pacific Ridge by the force of gravity." It was believed before that the sea floor was "being pushed and dragged away by the force of convection currents" under it. His conclusions are based on data gathered on the recently completed ninth leg of the Project, supported by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Hays was chief scientist during the 52-day voyage of the research ves- sel 'Glomar Challenger' across the equatorial Pacific from Tahiti to Panama. Oe BOTTLE DRIFTS 7 YEARS FROM GEORGIA TO FLORIDA’S GULF COAST A bottle tossed into the Atlantic Ocean in June 1962 off Wassaw Island, near Savannah, Ga., by Explorer Scouts was found in the Gulf of Mexico off Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., 830 miles away, in July 1969, The finder, Don B. Howard, of Ft. Myers, asked oceanographers of Commerce Depart- ment's Environmental Science Services Ad- ministration (ESSA) what route the bottle could have taken, The oceanographers said it was impossible to track the route or estimate the miles trav- veled. Once the bottle was transported off- shore at Savannah, it would have been picked up by the Gulf Stream and carried into the North Atlantic. From there to Ft. Myers Beach, it could have traveled several routes that would have taken it between Cuba and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula into the Gulf. The oceanographers said they could sug- gest probable routes, even though they could not pinpoint the actual route. The time and distance of the drift would vary with seasonal speed and location of ocean currents and local meteorological effects. They outlined these possibilities: 1, When the bottle was picked up by the Gulf Stream, it would have drifted at 2 to 4 miles per hour up the U.S. coast to vicinity of Cape Hatteras,N.C. There, it would move easterly across North Atlantic until caught by Canary Current. This current would carry the bottle southward, down Africa's bulge, and to North Equatorial Current, which would transport it westward across Atlantic into Caribbean. Then the Caribbean Current would transport it to the Yucatan Channel. From there it would pass into Gulf of Mexico and land on Ft. Myers Beach. 2. The bottle could have traveled a some- what longer route. After drifting down North Africa's west coast, it could have been caught in the Guinea Current and carried south of African bulge to South Equatorial Current. This would have transported bottle across the Caribbean Sea, where it would follow the course outlined above. In either case, it was considered probable that the bottle lay trapped in the rushes of the Georgia coastal swamps for a long time-- until high tides and/or strong offshore winds freed itand caused it to drift far enough from shore to be picked up by the Gulf Stream. —a TH EQUATOR! aga’ AL. — + EQUATORIAL |CURRENT T <== POSSIBLE PATHS OF BOTTLE — os <— OCEAN CURRENTS Map shows Atlantic Ocean currents that may have carried drift bottle on 7-year, 830-mile journey from Wassaw Island, Ga., to Ft. Myers Beach, Fla. 10 SCHEDULE OF U.S. RESEARCH-VESSEL CRUISES PUBLISHED The scheduled cruises andareas of opera- tion of all U.S. owned or sponsored research vessels during March-September 1970 are included in the newest edition of '"Oceano- graphic Ship Operating Schedules." The pub- lication is the work of the Marine Sciences Affairs staff, Office of Oceanographer of the Navy, for the National Council on Marine Re- sources and Engineering Development. What It Includes The report includes expected cruise dates; area of operations; type of work--fisheries research, plankton studies, etc. Scientists may applyfor berth space to the agencies or institutions operating the ships. Research data acquired during the cruises can be obtained from the National Oceano- graphic Data Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D. C. 20390. Free Copy Single copies are free from: The Marine Sciences Affairs Staff, Office of Oceanogra- pher of the Navy, Building 159E, Room 476, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. 20390. NEW COAST PILOT PUBLISHED FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey has published a new edition of ''U.S. Coast Pilot 8,'' a 254-page nautical book describing the panhandle section of Alaska between the southern boundary and Cape Spencer. This area has a general ocean coastline of 250 miles and a tidal shoreline of 11,085 miles. The last edition of Coast Pilot 8 was is- sued in 1962; the first in 1869. The new book costs $2.50. From: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (C44), Washington, D. C. 20235, Annual Supplements are dis- tributed free. E7/ BCF COOPERATES WITH MAINE IN OCEANOGRAPHIC TRAINING The Maine Maritime Academy and BCF conducted a cooperative oceanographic sur- vey during the winter cruise of the Academy's training vessel ''State of Maine'. Kenneth Honey, a plankton specialist at the BCF Biological Laboratory in Boothbay Harbor, supervised the collection of oceanographic data and instructed the midshipmen in survey techniques. Mr. Honey demonstrated the methods of sampling plankton. The midship- men were told about new underway expendable surface anddeep-water temperature-sensing system. Collections Supplement Lab's Study The collections were made periodically from Castine to Nassau. These will supple- ment the Boothbay Harbor Laboratory's on- going investigation of oceanographic factors controlling the distribution of plankton. In- formation on composition and abundance of the eggs and young stages of fish in the sam- ples will be used in studies of the commer- cial potential of underutilized fishes in the Atlantic's deeper waters. By participating in making the biological and hydrographic collection, the Academy's future merchant marine officers obtained firsthand exper- ience with oceanographic sampling systems. An increasing number of these systems is be- ing put on transoceanic cruises of commer- cial vessels used as "Ships of opportunity" by oceanographers. FOREIGN FISHING OFF U.S. JANUARY 1970 88 foreign fishing and support vessels were NORTHWEST ATLANTIC (Fig. 1) Favorable weather in January permitted reasonably good surveillance of foreignfleets off New England and Middle Atlantic coasts; observed. U.S.-USSR U.S.- POLISH MIDDLE ATLANTIC AGREEMENT AREAS "S| OSOY DJUDS *S} ZN’Q OWUOS ‘s| janbiw vos a= uoidaau0) td hog odsiqgQ sin uos Kkog 01,0/~W 30 Table 2 - Species Composition of Trawl Catches Off California, February 1969 Species Bocaccio (Sebastodes paucispinis). .... California lizardfish (Synodus lucioceps) ....... Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)....-..2-- King~-of-the «salmon (Trachipterus trachypterus) Midshipmen (genus Porichthys) (Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis) Pacific electric ray (Torpedo californica) ........ Pacific hake (Merluccius Pacific pompano (Palometa simillima) . Queenfish (Seriphus politus) Rockfish (genus Sebastodes ..... MmOstly/ Siejordant) Vey netsyssh ei se Scabbardfish (Lepidopus xantusi) .. . Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) ... (Thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) .. . = a 7 lowered todepth and fished for 1 to 14 hours. Catches were sorted by species, and the most numerous were weighed to determine rela- tive abundance, Because large concentrations of fish were lacking, only six drags were made (table 1); sizes and composition of catches varied (table 2), Of the areas surveyed, the most productive were the eastern Santa Barbara Channel and San Pedro Bay; these were the only areas where large schools were dis- covered, and where significant quantities of juvenile Pacific hake were taken. All Pacific hake were measured (fork length ranged from 53 to 153 inches [14 to Haul Number 3 Fish 1/About half of the catch was lost in hauling of the cod end of the trawl up the stern ramp of the vessel. 39 cm.j, andan otolith was collected for age determination. Except for the four Pacific hake inhaul No, 4 (ages 2, 4, 6, and 7 years), all were in, or had just completed, their first year of life. More often than not, ju- venile Pacific hake were taken with large catches of northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax). The anchovies predominated: their total weight exceeded total weight of hake by a factor of 24, These young hake were Similar insize to the anchovy and could have schooled with them. In the areas searched, juvenile Pacific hake apparently do not occur in widely distributed pure schools-- and are dispersed throughout the region and are associated with anchovy schools. PUERTO RICO’S COMMERCIAL MARINE FISHERIES A Statistical Picture José A, Suarez-Caabro Puerto Rico's fishing industry presents a great contrast: it has a modern, productive, and highly capitalized tuna fleet--and an in- shore fishery that has not changed substan- tially in several generations. We began to evaluate the inshore marine fisheries, using statistical information, in June 1967. It was part of the Fisheries Re- search and Development Program cospon- sored by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, Common- wealth of Puerto Rico, The University of Miami's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences was technical adviser from July 1967 through June 1969. The program was authorized under Commercial Fisheries Re- search and Development Act of 1964 (PL 88-309). daans The main objective is to establish a sys- tem for obtaining data on landings and sales of fish and shellfishin Puerto Rico's inshore fisheries. The system will assist the local fishing industry --and fillthe statistical needs of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and other interested agencies. Statistical data include number and types of fishing craft and gear, and number of fishermen, This article presents the results of our work in 1968-1969. FISH & SHELLFISH LANDINGS, 1968-1969 Currently, the information gathered through the sale tickets system is coming directly or indirectly from many fishermen, Inmy opinion, at least 70% of total landings are cATANO SAN JUAN YABUCOA VIEQUES IS. Fig. 1 - Reported landings from inshore commercial fisheries (in 1,000 lbs.) by coastal regions, Oct. 1967-Oct. 1969. Dr. Sudrez-Caabro is Project Leader, Fishery Statistics Program, Department of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 31 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint (Sep.) No. 866 32 being collected by this method. However, a very important goal of our projectis to deter- mine this percentage with greater accuracy. Distribution of Landings Production is highest on the west coast of island and lowest on the north coast (Figs. 1 & 2). Since statistical program was started in October 1967, Cabo Rojo alone has produced consistently nearly 30% of theisland's re- ported landings of fish and shellfish--and about 23% of exvessel value, THOUSAND POUNDS Tpaplicnys Tip Vip Up ine ie Dg Vs pa rg tg a tli Vie] [ie ie | ed eta Fig. 2 - Reported landings of fish and shellfish from coastal wa- ters, Oct. 1967 through Oct. 1969. After Cabo Rojo, the more productive fish- ing centers were Vieques Island and Fajardo (east coast), Guanica and Lajas (south west coast), Aguadilla and Mayaquez (west coast), and Naguaboand Humacao(east coast). Cabo Rojo and the above areas together produce 66% of Puerto Rico's total reported produc- tion. The average price paid to fishermen, for fish and shellfish combined, July 1968-June 1969, was 28 cents, The lowest(23 cents) was recorded on the west coast; the highest (38 cents) on north coast. Fish represent 87.6% of the weight (Fig. 3) and 73% of the exvessel value of the landings. Of the shellfish, spiny lobster (including some sand lobsters) was most abundant--8.4% by weight and 22% by value. It also brings the highest exvessel price per pound (74 cents) of any fish and shellfish; land crab is close behind at 64 cents per pound, The remaining 4% of landings were other shellfish and turtle. These values represent averages for the is- land, but price per pound varies regionally. %NON-EDIBLE AND OTHERS 2 SHELLFISH ANDTURTLE [| Fig. 3 - Distribution of marketing classes of fish and shellfish re- ported from coastal waters, July 1968-June 1969, Information is available for the past two years, but reliable dataare not, Itis difficult and premature to try to make accurate esti- mates of annual production and seasonal var- iation, If magnitude of reported landings of previous years is compared with July 1968- May 1969 data, it can be concluded that figures have increased steadily since July 1968 (Fig. 2). However, it is still questionable whether this increase represents part of a seasonal cycle of availability of fish and shellfish--or simply animprovement in data acquisition, or both. Composition of Catch Accurate information on catch composi- tion is extremely difficult to obtain because of the diversity of species in the catches and the lack of fish-landing records kept by fish dealers and fishermen, The author has seen 15 to 20 speciesin one catch. However, dur- ing 1969, the statistical agents gathered much information on composition by species. In Puerto Rico's coastal waters, there are roughly 130 species of commercially impor- tant fish, including allmarketclasses. About 30 are first class, but the most common are: hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus; king mack- erel, Scomberomorus cavalla; trunk-fishes, Lactophrys spp.; Nassau grouper, Epinephe- lus striatus; silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus; yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus; dol- phin, Coryphaena hippurus; yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa; mysty grouper, Ep- inephelus mystacinus; blackfin snapper, Lu- tjanus buccanella; wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri; barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda; snook, Centropomus undecimalis, and mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis. The most common classified fish are: snapper (35%), mackerels (28%), and groupers (12%). Shellfish are represented mainly by 74% spiny lobster, Panulirus argus; 11% conch, Strombus gigas; 8% seaturtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas and Dermochelys coriacea; 5% octopus, Octo- pus vulgaris; and 2% land crab, Cardisoma quanhumi., FISHERMEN, CRAFT, AND GEAR At every fishing center, the number of fishermen, craft, and gear was surveyed dur- ing April-Sept, 1969. The total number of fishermen was de- termined onthe basis of information in 2,131 fishing license applications for fiscal year 1968-1969, Interviews were based on three main questions: fisherman's status (regular, casual, deckhand), type of boat (name, regis- tration number, propulsion, dimensions), and type of gear (number, quantity). There were 991 fishermen: regular, cas- ual, and deckhand (regular or casual), A reg- ular fisherman receives at least 50% of in- come from fishing, or spends half his work- ing time at it. There were 787 fishing boats (motor and other), Onthe entire island, 38% of the fishermen were regular, 62% casual. Most fishermen were boat owners: 80% of regular, and 69% of casual, 33 The distribution of regular fishermen by region is significant, The west coast, most productive area, had highest number (34%). The lowest number (15%) was on north coast, lowest production area, Of fishing craft, 76% are boat-motor, and 24% boat-other (sail, row, motor and sail), The highest number of motor boats are on the southcoast (33%), followed by east (25%), north (23%), and west coast (19%). A few fishing boats are driven by sail or motor and sail (Fig. 4). Sail boats are 3% of Fig. 4 - Twenty-seven-foot motor and sail fishing boat at El Combate, Cabo Rojo. Fig. 5 - Sixteen-foot outboard motor fishing boat called "yola" is the most popular fishing craft. 34 boat-other, and motor and sail only 11%. Row boats are about 85%: the highest number in the north coast (38%), followed by west (30%), east (18%), and south (14%) coasts. The most popular commercial fishing boat isthe ''yola' (Fig. 5). It is largely a flat-bot- tom skiff of the dory type, small, roughly con- structed, and with arestricted cruising range. About 57% of all fishing boats are 16 to 18 feet long. The most common mode of pro- pulsion isthe outboard motor, 6 to 10 horse- power (38%), In Sept. 1969, inshore fishing gear of all types totaled 12,125 units, divided as follows: Fish pot (62.8%): most common, It is gen- erally arrow -head shaped, with one downward curving entry funnel at apex. This funnel is tapered toprevent escape of the catch (fig. 6). The pot is about 5 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 1.5 feet high; it is constructed of mangrove pole frames and galvanized chicken wire, It is fished as single unit with a separate buoy line or several buoys attached to one main line. Fig. 6 - Conventional fishing pot at El Combate, Cabo Rojo. Troll line (9%): along single line, with one or more barbed hooks at free end of line, baited with either natural or artificial lure, and towed behind moving boat (fig. 7). Hand line (6.2%): a single line with one or more hooks held or attended by one fisherman, At end of line, 4,6, or 8 hooks are hung from a hard frame of galvanized wire ("'balles- tilla"'), with 3- to 5-lb. lead attached to center (fig. 8). Fig. 7 - Troll line with spoon used at La Puntilla, Catatio, Fig. 8 - Hand line for fishing silk snapper at El Combate, Cabo Rojo. Spiny lobster pot ("cajon,'' 5.3%): restricted to a fewfishing centers. Variousdesigns and dimensions resembling fish pots described before (fig. 9). One type is made of galva- nized chicken wire and mangrove poles, Typ- ical Florida-type wooden lobster pots have been introduced in recent years. About 32 inches long, 25 inches wide, 16 inches high, they are constructed of precut cypress slats and1x1inchstrips of pine or spruce (fig. 10). Cast net (4.7%): Almost every fisherman has one cast net ("'Atarraya'') for catching small baitfish. Itisa circular, cone-shaped, 6-15-foot diameter net thrownby hand to trap fish. The leads on net's outer edge sink rapidly tobottom, entrapping fish. The net is then recovered by slowly pulling the recovery line attached to its center. Turtle net (4.6%): a special type of gill net ("'volante’ or "'chinchorro de carey'') for catching seaturtles, A single wall of net 4 to 6 yards deepby 20 to 80 yards long; mesh is 20 to 24 inches, stretched measure. Fig. 10 - Florida-type spiny lobster fishing pot used at Camino Nuevo, Yabucoa. 35 Gill net (3%): common on north coast. It is a fence of fiber webbing (fig. 11) in which fish are caught (gilled) in net's meshes, Sizes of mesh depend on species and size of fish sought. Its height and length are alsovariable, Several types used, such as bottom and sur- face gill net ("trasmallo" or "filete''), and trammel net (''mallorquin"). Fig. 11 - Six hundred yards length by four yards length by four yards depth gill net used by fishermen at Puerto Real, Fajardo. Trot line (1.4%): this type ("'palangre"’) is: a long fishing line with series of baited hooks on short, separate, branch lines (fig. 12). It can be anchored or left drifting, and requires only periodic attention. Fig. 12 - One hundred hooks trot line gear for bottom fishing at Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo. 36 Spear (1%): has limited use in inshore Haul seine (0.9%): an encircling type of commercial fisheries. Generally, the spear netmade of mesh webbing and with two wings ("'fisga"') is used by fishermen with a diving and a bag. Top line has floats to keep it at outfit, They catch mainly lobster or big fish. surface, while bottom or foot line is weighted. Bag is flanked by wings, to which auxiliary lines are attached. A haul seine (''chinchor- ro'') generally is set from row boat and hauled tothe shore line, or to beach, by 8 to 10 aux- iliary fishermen, Pole and line (0.5%): utilized principally by sport fishermen, A fewcommercial fish- ermen uSe it occasionally (fig. 13). 'Others,' the hand reel (0.2%): It holds about 1,500 feet of & stainless steel stranded cable; 4 to 6 circle hooks sizes 7, 8, and 9 are fished from each line, Hand reels have been reported only from Salinas and Vieques Is- land, Deep-water fishes--snappers and grou- pers--are caught withit. Sometimes ahome- made imitation of conventional hand reel (fig. 14) is used. Fig. 14 - Hand made hand reel for deep fishing at La Puntilla, Catafio. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Iam grateful to Mr. Rolf Juhl, Coordina- tor of the Fisheries Development Program (PL 88-309) in Puerto Rico, who reviewed the manuscript and made useful suggestions. Also, to Mr. Félix IMigo, Chief, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Agriculture, and his staff, for accessto files and for shar- ing his long experience in Puerto Rican fish- eries. Mr. Donald S, Erdman, above Division, Fig. 13 - Different types of pole and lines used at La Puntilla, read manuscript and made useful observa- Catafio. tions, Ce => 0 , <> © oS o %, O © ee © 2, Se <> &, O , %, cx? She {> &, Me > ey, © " Ones © 6 Sse S25 > > x % s C2 Cy > ose <> , >, & 2 By, &, , , 2 KK SX XS Ox * < * $35 %S ean QOD 2 *S S QO SS ‘s S ee gx ex ones CxS BO Cx x) &, O e525 , , SR be’, x O29, > ? CARBOHYDRATES * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1970 392-627/9 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Walter J. Hickel, Secretary Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, Parks, and Marine Resources Charles H. Meacham, Commissioner, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Philip M. Roedel, Director, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Depart- ment of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and recreational re- sources, Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's "Department of Natural Resources," The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full | contribution to a better United States -- now and in the future. BACK COVER: Mackerel. (Photo: G. M. Mattson) COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review Hd, VOL. 32, NO. 4 AY¢ES X APRIL 1970 Fs Pes COVER: Eskimo child playing at cockpit of skin-covered kayak, on Nunivak Island, Alaska. Bubble gum is great prize to him. (Photo: E. P. Haddon) COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review A comprehensive view of United States and foreign fishing industries--including catch, processing, market- ing, research, and legislation--prepared by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. FISHERMEN'S MEM‘ DUCESTER, MASS, II Managing Editor: Edward Edelsberg Production: Jean Zalevsky Alma Greene The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife make up The Fish and Wildlife Service of The United States Department of the Interior. Throughout this book, the initials BCF stand for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Address correspondence and requests to: Commercial Fisheries Review, 1801 North Moore Street, Room 200, Arlington, Va. 22209. Telephone: Area Code 703 - 557-4246. Publication of material from sources outside the Bureau is not an endorsement. The Bureau is not responsible for the accuracy of facts, views, or opinions of these sources. Although the contents have not been copyrighted and may be reprinted freely, reference to source is appreciated. Use of funds for printing this publication was approved by the Director, Bureau of the Budget, April 18, 1968. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. Price 60 cents (single copy). Subscription Price: $7.00 a year; $2 additional for foreign mailing. CONTENTS UNITED STATES Vente SmanGwnlbtcCmClSi memes te cise custelreiellalie yelletisitelehomelne ARTICLES BCF Miami Scientists Study Florida Calico Scal- llopss by: Amm) Weeks! 77 jcueccje) esi «ai c.vsuel\e, ells )ei «(6 . Surface Tuna Schools Located & Fished in Equato- rial Hastern’ Pacific, by Thomas 5. Hida. 2...) Night Lighting for Herring--An Old Technique May Have New Possibilities, by Alden P. Stickney TENERERENIATEE @ INANE reise Mele. Dery EES ROT Cote tel ees @arra Gaerne ne deter ter vopis! aie) key elileft ofiieive/ ei eplieh sizsistonlie ENUIIOP SMM eimaemeiien eral sill evieisl foieAs tellers oajsii,elleite Veurensieier isis, Tatlin ATIVE ET CAM eres ei erleiiorreieule) ofl etilst ler teiral!et'leiHoulelfiells) ire Page Il Halibut are stacked like cordwood in this Juneau, Alaska, cold-storage plant. (BCF-Alaska photo: J. M. Olson) U.S. FISHERMEN EARNED RECORD $518 MILLION IN 1969 U.S. fishermen caught 4,292 million pounds of fish and shellfish in 1969. The catch sold for $518 million--the highest dollar value ever. Thevalue was $47 million above 1968, and 31% above previous 10-year average. The catch was 176.4 million pounds, or about 4%, more thanin 1968, and the largest catch since 1966. These data were reported by BCF's Division of Statistics and Market News. There were record landings of Gulf men- haden, Pacific anchovies, yellowfin tuna, shrimp, spiny lobsters, tanner crabs, Dunge- ness crabs, and surfclam meats in 1969; and sharp increases inthe catches of Atlantic cod, Pacific halibut, and blue crabs. Landings of Atlantic flounders, pollock, and soft clams were higher than in 1968. Offsetting any real large gain in overall productivity of domestic fisheries were seri- ous declines in landings of haddock, Atlantic sea herring, Pacific salmon, whiting, otter- trawl-caught industrial fish, sea scallop meats, and king crab, Production of jack mackerel, Atlantic ocean perch, and oyster meats also was below 1968 levels. Record 12.08¢ A Lb. Fishermenwere paid a record average of 12.08 cents per pound for the larger 1969 catch; in 1968, the average was 11.46 cents; in 1967, 10.84 cents. The average price for many fishery items increased substantially in 1969, while other prices were somewhat higher, or at least held steady. The smaller 1969 whiting catch (down 41%) actually gave fishermenas much money as the larger 1968 catch. Average prices paid for most other failing fisheries also increased to where total exvessel value paid was nearly equal to that received for the larger 1968 catches. Average prices paid to fishermen, measured by indexes of exvessel prices re- ceived, rose 13% from 1968 and 40% above 1957-59 average. The index for all finfish prices rose 14% in 1969 because of sharpincreases in prices for New England finfish, salmon, tuna, and in- dustrial fish. Prices paid for all shellfish in- creased 14%. Prices for shrimp increased 9%, while other shellfish prices increased 17%. PROCESSED FISHERY PRODUCTS The 1969 value of processed fishery prod- ucts produced in the U.S. from domestic and imported raw material was $1.5 billion-- about 6% above 1968. The canned pack of 40.3 million standard cases was worth $580.8 mil- lion--slightly below 1968's record $583.9 million, Canned tuna was produced at about 1968 level; packs of crab meat, shrimp, and clam products were larger. Industrial products increased $14.5 mil- lion. The remarkable fish stick and portion in- dustry continued toset new volume and value records: Production was 329.8 million pounds valued at $134.7 million, Breaded shrimp processors turned out 104.6 million pounds (just short of breaking 1966's record 104.9 million pounds). It was worth a record $110.5 million. Domestic production of groundfish fillets and steaks continued to decline as expected, but output of other fillets and steaks in- creased, Totalproduction of these items in- creased in volume and value in 1969. Processors of fishand shellfish specialty dinners, and other packaged fishand shellfish products, continued production increases. Their products were worth over $438 mil- lion--8% above 1968. Exports of U.S.-produced fishery products were worth a record $104.5 million--a gain of $36.8 million--while imports also reached a new high of $844.3 million AT YEAR’S END At the end of 1969, some segments of the industry were facing declines in resource availability due to natural causes and heavy fishing; other segments remained highly com- petitive with foreign fleets and production, With only few exceptions, prices for fishery products generally increased at all levels: exvessel, wholesale, and retail. Fishermen received a high dollar exvessel value in 1969. The processing industry generally made ex- cellent production gains, Many canned items, fish sticks and portions, fillets and steaks, shellfish (lobsters, crab, shrimp) products, and other fish and shellfish products were in good demand throughout 1969; many of these items made new inroads into foreign markets. Civilian per-capita consumption of edible fishery products increased from 11 pounds of edible meat in 1968 to 11.1 pounds in 1969-- the highest since 1954, U.S. REGAINS 5TH PLACE IN WORLD FISHING U.S. commercial fishermen caught about 5.5 billion pounds (live weight) in 1969, an in- crease of about 1 million pounds over 1968. This catch regained for the U.S. fifth place among the world's fishing nations. The catch figure includes the shell weight of mollusks, as isdone by foreignnations. Shell weight is excluded in U.S, data on catch value. Preliminary statistics indicate that Nor- way, formerly No, 5, dropped to sixth, the U.S. position in 1968. Norway's 1969 catch of 4.9 billion pounds was down 800 million pounds from 1968. Japan Regains No, 1 Japan has regained the number one position she had heldfor many years, Her 1969 catch of 20.3 billion pounds was 1.2 billion greater than the 1968 figure. Peru Falls to No, 2 Peru, which had led the world for several years, dropped to second place. Her catch was estimated at 19.5 billion pounds, a de- cline of more than 23 billion pounds, Peru's fishery is primarily anchovies, These are converted into fishmeal, and most of it ex- ported, USSR No. 3 Preliminary data show the USSR No. 3 with 16.1 billion pounds, up 1.4 billion from 14,7 in 1968, Mainland Chinais believed to rank fourth. However, reliable statistics have not been available since 1960. BCF IN COOPERATIVE SURVEY FOR INDUSTRIAL FISH IN ATLANTIC BCF is using advanced electronic equip- ment and fishing gear in a cooperative Gov- ernment-industry survey of herring and herringlike fish underway along the Atlantic Coast. The 3-month study began March 15 and will extend from New Jersey to Florida. The midwater schooling fish are not used much by U.S. fishermen, These fish might supplement the declining Atlantic Coast men- haden, the most important "industrial" fish, which is used primarily for fishmeal. Fishmeal Demand 800,000 Tons The annual U.S. demand for fishmeal fluctuates around 800,000 tons: 200,000 tons are supplied by U. S, fishery, the remainder by imports, Annual imports are worth about $108 million, Use of the many species of herringlike fish by U.S. processors could Significantly strengthen the fishing industry. 4 Survey Vessels Four vessels will be used in the survey: the new stern trawler 'Delaware II' from BCF's North Atlantic Region, the 'Oregon II! from BCF's Gulf and South Atlantic Region, North Carolina's 'Dan Moore!', and a men- haden industry vessel. Commercial Scale Fishing The Oregon II, equipped with sophisticated acoustical devices, will locate fish schools, The Delaware II, with modern acoustical fish- detection gear, will conduct commercial- scale fishing with pelagic (mid-water) and bottom -trawl fishing gear. Catches willbe transferred from Delaware II to the industry vessel and taken to shore. There, their suitability for fishmeal and oil will be evaluated, Preliminary reports of findings are scheduled to be distributed by June 30. A es SKIPJACK & YELLOWFIN TUNA SCHOOLS FOUND NEAR AMERICAN SAMOA Scientists of the BCF Biological Labora- tory in Honolulu have located numerous schools of skipjack tuna in the waters sur- rounding AmericanSamoa, reports Richard S. Shomura, Acting Area Director, BCF, Ha- wali. In additionto skipjack, some mixed schools of skipjack and yellowfin were found, American Samoa lies below the Equator, about 2,500 miles south and a little west of Hawaii. The Laboratory's research vessel "Charles H, Gilbert' completed the first sys- tematic survey of the area's fishery re- sources and returned to Honolulu in mid- April, American Samoa is the site of two can- neries. These depend for their raw materials not on surface-swimming fish caught near the islands--but ondeep-swimming tunas from a broad belt of the open sea reaching almost to the South American coast. The Government of American Samoa seeks to broaden the islands! economic base by harvesting surface-swimming tunas and other fisheries in the surrounding area. Gilbert's Findings The Gilbert's findings substantiate previ- ous fragmentary reports that there are many schools of surface-swimming tunas in the area during the Southern Hemisphere sum- mer. Sightings of fish schools approached five a day, about the average attained during the height of the Hawaiian summer season. The fishery for the skipjack tuna, the largest in Hawaii, reaches its peak in July. Most of the skipjack caught were 10 to 14 pounds, smaller than the ''season'' fish in Hawaii. Fish were taken for tagging so scien- tists may followtheir migrations, More than 500 fish have been tagged to date. These include yellowfintuna, bigeye tuna, and skip- jack. Blood samples were alsotaken. The samples will be analyzed later at the Labo- ratory in an attempt to trace the relation of the tunas of Samoa with those of other Pacific Ocean areas, The Gilbert sighted skipjack tuna schools as far as 200 miles south of the Samoa Islands. To the northand northwest, beyond the inde- pendent nation of Western Samoa, the limits were much closer to shore; most sightings were within 40 or 50 miles of land. The Gilbert carried a supply of live bait-- threadfin shad--from Hawaii. She also was able tolocate local bait supplies in Pago Pago Harbor. SQUID SLURP IS TESTED SUCCESSFULLY The Squid Slurp, a new pumping system, promisestoeliminate much of the hard work in the San Pedro, Calif., squid fishery, re- ports Dr. Alan R. Longhurst, BCF La Jolla Laboratory director. The system was de- veloped by Matt May and Bob Payne, opera- tors of the 68-foot commercial fishing ves- sel, ERM-TOO, and Susumu Kato, fishery bi- ologist at La Jolla. During one day's fishingin February, May and Payne landed 30 tons of squid (now sell- ing for $27.50 a tondockside) at Port Huene- me. This was not unusual for them because they have beenfishing squid for many years. But these squid were caught with a pump-- without any net or brail. It was a coopera- tive experiment in which BCF provided most of the gear, while May and Payne contributed their vessel and fishing experience. Traditional Squid Fishing The traditional way tofish squid, explained Dr, Longhurst, is to anchor the vessel and turn on attracting lights at dusk. Brailing begins when enough squid gather under the lights, Usually, one fisherman holds on to the handle and purse line of the brail, while second pulls the brail throughthe concentra- tion of squid. A third man operates a winch, which lifts the brail out of the water, and dumps the squid into the ship's hold. With the Squid Slurp, the lighting arrange - ment remains unchanged, but the basic fishing unit is a pump withan 8-inch-diameter inlet that sucks in water at the rate of 1,600 gal- lons per minute to the pump inlet. A flanged elbow and 10-foot section of steel tubing is attached to a funnel with an opening measur - ing 3 feet by 13 feet. Inside this funnel is placed a waterproofed light, and the entire unit is submerged, An 8-inch fish hose car- ries the squid to a dewatering screen on board, which leads to either of twofish holds by means of an adjustable chute. On the night of February 25, squid rose abundantly under the lights. The pump on the ERM-TOO.was started at 8 p.m. The squid were pumped slowly and steadily into the well but, during one 15-minute period when they swam directly toward the funnel, about 10 tons weretakenaboard. After4 to 5 hours of pumping, 61,350 pounds of squid were taken aboard, Pump's Advantages Dr. Longhurst noted that the pump will re- duce the crew to two and eliminate brailing. When squid are running directly into the fun- nel, pumping is faster than brailing. Only one man is required to stay ondeck to watch over the pumping operation and to chase away the birds, sharks, pilot whales, and sea lions that prey on the squid and cause them todive. Meanwhile, the second mancan sleep and be ready for the long runto the processing plant. Chief Disadvantage The chief disadvantage of the pump, at least with the present setup, is that operations are difficult in rough seas. Pumping is also slower than brailing when squid are ''dead" under the lights, or when they swim away from the entrance to the funnel. Encouraged by their early success, May and Payne later decided to enlarge the funnel entrance to6 X 4 feet. Withthis modification, they have landed up to 160,600 pounds (80.3 tons) of squid with the pump in one night's fishing. This is a record for a two-man crew. Dr, Longhurst concluded: ''With further improvements in the equipment and perhaps in the lighting system, pumping may even- tually outfish brailing under all condtions," SAN PEDRO FLEET’S FINANCIAL CONDITION STUDIED BCF's Pacific Southwest Region reports that, in 1968, researchers at the BCF Fish- ery-Oceanography Center, La Jolla, Calif., began to investigate the financial condition of the San Pedro ''wetfish'' boat fleet. The fleet is composed of small (40 to 86 feet) purse seiners that operate within 100 miles of port. Its boat owners and fishermen have been financially hard-pressed for years. They complain of static prices for fish and risingcosts,. Between1958 and 1968, the fleet dwindled from 48 to 25 vessels. Its newest vessel was built in 1947; half of the fleet was built before World War II, 1967 Landings In 1967, the fleet landed about 82 million pounds. It accounted for 77% of jack mack- erel, 54% of Pacific mackerel, 58% of bonito, 12% of bluefin tuna, and 54% of anchovies landed in California, Mackerel, bonito, and tuna are canned; anchovies become fish meal and oil. Poor Financial Shape The researchers' first objective was to describe and document the fleet's financial condition. With vessel owners' permission, financial data were gathered from bookkeep- ing firms, Analysis showed the fleet in poor financial shape, During 1963-68, annual rev- enue ranged from $45,000 to $120,000, profits from $1,400 to $34,000, and losses $200 to $10,000, The average gross revenue of $70,000 produced a profit of about $4,000; this cor- responded to break-even point. Crew earn- ings stayed constant and averaged $4,000; crew size decreased from 380 to 240; num- ber of vessels from 48 to 25, Costs-and-Earnings Model The second objective was to construct a costs-and-earnings model for wetfish opera- tions. This would permit examination of the economic feasibility of new-vessel construc~- tion for vessel replacement or fleet expan- sion, The model took account of operating costs, taxes, depreciation, and arbitrary levels of gross revenue corresponding to Their profit return on investment and crew earn- those in the fishery in recent years. ings were predicted for vessels of various sizes--newly constructed or existing--for various conditions of catch. Other Fisheries' Surplus Vessels The researchers concluded that, with proper market conditions, fleet expansion through recruitment of suitable surplus ves~- sels from other fisheries would be econom~- ically feasible. The outlook for new-vessel construction was found unfavorable, Even with a 50% construction subsidy, a vessel would need $225,000 gross revenue, anamount well above present peak levels, to attain the 1967 profit level. However, the picture would change if vessel efficiency could be increased through technological improvements in fish- BCF and the industry are examining these possibilities. ing and handling procedures, GATE DESIGNED TO RELEASE PORPOISE FROM PURSE SEINES After talking to fisaermen, gear technolo- gists, andbehavorists, William Perrinof BCF LaJolla, Calif., developed a tentative design for arescue gate for porpoise caught in purse seines. Atriangular piece of webbing will be cut from the net toleaveagap about 4 fathoms long and 1 fathom deep at the center, Then, a large triangle of webbing will be sewn into the opening. The corkline for this section will consist of several inflatable sections, perhaps constructed of large diameter firehose. A system of independent air conduits will lead to a single connector at the end of the gate area, A skiff equipped with a gasoline-pow- ered vacuum pump andcompressed air tanks will connect tothe air system after the net is set; the skiff willremain stationedat or near the gate during the rescue operation, which will be coordinated from the mast, Opening and Raising Gate The gate will be opened by evacuation of the corkline--and raisedby rapid injection of air from the tanks, A prime requisite is that it be possible to raise the gate in a second or two when fish are seen heading toward it. It is hoped the extra webbing will reduce down- ward pull of the sunken corkline. Modeling experiments using a miniature purse seine are being carriedout. Construc- tion of a prototype will begin immediately thereafter. If all goes well, the gate should be ready for testing under actual fishing con- ditions in late summer 1970. @eoo0o@eooe FISHERIES FEATURED AT MARINE TECHNOLOGY SOC. EXPO. On Monday, June 29, 1970, the Marine Technology Society Conference and Technical Session will open at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., and run through July 1. The Nation's suppliers of oceanographic equipment will meet''to discuss past, present, and future problems and hopes of the ocean environment." One entire afternoon session will be de- voted to Marine Biological Resources--fish, oysters, and lobsters, It will include three papers by BCF speakers: ''Recent Develop- ments in the Economic Theoryof Commercial Fishery Management,'' E.W. Carlsonand A.A. Sokoloski; ''The Determinants of Actual and Subsidized Competitive Strengths and Weak- nesses of the U.S. and Canadian Groundfish Fisheries,'' Donald P. Cleary and A.A. Soko- loski; ''Economic Benefits to Fisherman, Vessels and Society from Limited Entry to the U.S. Northern Lobster Fishery," F.W. Bell. Also, ''Computerized Modeling of an Acoustic Fish Abundance Estimation Sys- tem,'' John B, Suomala Jr. and William Vachon, MIT; "Optimal Conditions for Oys- ters Grown inClosed Environments,'' George Claus and Cyrus Adler, Offshore/Sea Devel- opment Corp. At another session, BCF's Edward F, Klima will talk about the development of an advanced-technology high-seas fishery and processing system. Several other sessions among the 26 should interest CFRreaders: buoys, undersea vehi- cles, marine geodesy, seagoing computers, cables and connectors, power systems for undersea habitats, oceanographic instru- mentation, underwater optics, waste manage- ment and coastal zone, ocean mining, eco- nomic considerations in coastal zone manage - ment, critical legal issues, risks and oppor- tunities in ocean industry, and corrosion of equipment at sea, General Chairman of the MTS Conference is Donald L. McKernan, Special Ambassador for Fisheries and Wildlife to the Secretary of State, president-elect of MTS, and former head of BCF. For more information, contact MTS, 1730 M Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20036 @oo0@eoo0oe INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES SURVEY CONTINUES OFF U.S. WEST COAST The Soviet research vessel 'Ogon' left San Pedro, Calif.,on March13 to continue an international fisheries survey of the popula- tion of Pacifichake off Oregon and Washing- ton. The vesselis operated by the Far East- ern Seas Fisheries Research Institute in Viadivostok. Dr. Alan R. Longhurst, director of the BCF laboratory at La Jolla, reported that Ogon had just completed an egg-and-larva survey of spawning hake off California and Mexico withthe assistance and advice of U.S. fishery biologists. The Pacific hake spawns off California and Mexico each winter. The abundance of adult hake is estimated from the number of their eggs and larvae taken in plankton samples. 2nd Year of Cooperation This is the second year of cooperative re- search on U.S. hake fisheries. The hake is a favorite food of Soviet citizens. It is fished heavily by the Soviet fleet in international waters off the Pacific Coast; inthe U.S., hake is an important raw material in producing fish protein concentrate (FPC). The data from the cooperative surveys are necessary to pro- vide ascientificbasisfor agreements to pro- tect and conserve the species off North Amer- ica. San Francisco to Vancouver Island Ogon is under the scientific leadership of Dr. Nikolai S. Fadeev of Vladivostok. The Soviet vessel rendezvoused on March 18 with a U.S. Coast Guard cutter to take aboard an observer, Eugene S. Maltzeff of BCF's Seattle laboratory. With him aboard, Ogon began using her acoustic echo-sounders to survey hake and rockfish stocks from San Francisco to Vancouver Island. The survey will end at the island bythe end of May. Thevessel will fish only to check the results of the acoustic survey. Already, BCF scientists at La Jolla are working on samples and data from Ogon's plankton survey. They have found that hake, in response to warm ocean conditions, have spawned this year considerably farther north than last year. As in previous years, the data from the acoustic surveys will be received from the Soviets ata scientific meeting in Moscow this fall. Mary Kalin, BCF biological technician, sorts plankton samples for presence of hake eggs and larvae aboard Soviet research vessel Ogon--in presence of Dr. Nikolai S. Fadeev, vessel's chief scientist. 8 U.S. VISITORS WELCOMED ABOARD SOVIET FISHERY VESSEL A9-man U.S. team visited a Soviet factory ship on March 6, about 15 miles off Norfolk, Va., during the vessel's 6-hour stay. The team was permitted full freedom of the ves- sel. A similar visit took place in April 1969. Both were made under a 1968 U.S.-USSR agreement on fisheries of the U.S. Middle Atlantic Coast. The two-year agreement, which extends and modifies one in effect since November 1967, provides that both nations will work together in developing information to conserve certain species: red hake, silver hake, scup, and fluke. These concentrate off- shore in large schools during winter before moving inshore, where they are caughtby U.S. fishermen. The Soviet Unionhas agreednot to fish be- tween Jan. 1 and March 30 in a 3,000-square- mile protected zone extending from Rhode Is- land to Virginia. This area is believed to be the prime spawning grounds of these species. 'Chopin' & the Fleet The Soviet fleet fishing in the Atlantic from Rhode Island to Virginia is commanded by Viktor Zakharov, Western Fisheries Admin- istration, with headquarters in Riga. His flagship is the 'Frederik Chopin,' a 5-year- old, 543-foot vessel built in Poland's Gdansk shipyards. The U.S. visitors described her as ‘clean and well kept with up-to-date fish processing equipment." Zakharov commands a fleet of about 100 fishing vessels, including 5 or 6 additional factory ships and refrigerated transports. Most of the fleet comes from the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian Republics. What They're Fishing The fleet is fishing only for mackerel, sea herring, andriver herring. Most fish is salted in barrels or frozen in freezing trays. The Chopin is equipped to produce canned fishery products as wellas fish meal and oil, but these lines were not in operation during the visit. The vessel has a capacity of 13,600 gross tons. Because stocks of Norway and North Sea herring are dwindling, Zakharov said, the So- viets had become interested in herring fish- eries off the U.S. coast, which are not fished by Americans. He said herring from mid- Atlantic is less desirable than Norway or North Sea herring because of a lower fat con- tent, but larger catches compensate for this. The demand for herring is good in the Soviet Union. No Menhaden The U.S. team also reported the Soviet claim that theyhave caughtno menhaden. The Soviets believe this species stays close to the U.S. shore, where the 12-mile limit prevents foreign fishing. The Soviet Commander ex- plained that his vessel conducts no specialized fishery for scup or fluke. He doubted his fishermen would be interested in these spe- cies because the Soviet Western Fisheries Administration does not rate them commer- cially exploitable. He said the Soviets help enforce the mid-Atlantic agreement with the U.S. by refusing to pay for scup. This did not insure that in bottom trawlingby large stern factory trawlers for other fish, there would be some incidental scup. BCF MIAMI SCIENTISTS STUDY FLORIDA CALICO SCALLOPS Ann Weeks Scientists of BCF's Tropical Atlantic Bio- logical Laboratory (TABL), Miami, Fla., con- ducted their tenth cruise to calico scallop grounds off Cape Kennedy from March 28 to April 3 aboard the 83-foot research vessel ‘Bowers! of BCF Pascagoula, Miss. The 5-man team was directed by Thomas J. Costello, chief of the calico scallop program; it consisted of 3biologists and 2 technicians, much of whose research was done underwater. What They Did They positioned asecond diving buoy near one that has been in place 6 months as a marker for an ocean-floor research station. They installed new sensing devices on the bot- tom, obtained scallops for age-growth and tissue study at TABL, marked and released more scallops for later study, and installed special devices on the bottom and in the water column to collect infant scallops. BAY SCALLOP Stepped-Up BCF Program Dr. Carl J. Sindermann, TABL director, said the intensive investigation of calico scal- lop stocks is part of a heightened BCF effort tohelp U.S. commercial fishermen land sat- isfactory catches of profitable seafood spe- cies, He added; ‘Ordinarily we in the field of marine biology donot indulge in superlatives, but the calico scallop beds--which cover 1,200 square miles just off the north Florida coast-- seem nothing short of fabulous,"' Estimates by BCF and the fishing industry, barring ca- tastrophes, predict an eventual annual catch, perhaps as early as 1975, of 15-20 million pounds. The figure breaks down to an ex- pected annual catch of about a half-million pounds by each of 30 vessels. Sindermann said: "In view of the whole- sale price of about $1.35 per pound paid for calico scallops last year, it's easy to see that this exciting new fishery could be immensely valuable to our fishermen," iy CALICO Mim d K 3 4 5 6 ? 8 3 Io tk 12 3 i DUOMO 1a ne 1 2 3 paieaee 5 + 8 Fig. 1 - Gourmets prize the small, delicately flavored, and expensive bay scallop; most homes and restaurants buy and serve the larger sea scallop; those who have sampled the calico scallop claim that its flavor and delicacy match those of the bay scallop. The cali- co's edible meat is considerably larger than that of the bay scallop. Scallop fishermen are presently catching more calicos in one day than bay scallops in one year. 11 12 Field party chief Costellosaidthat Florida landings of calico scallops in 1969 amounted to 160,300 pounds of shucked meats. He warned, however, that the shellfish were not yet available for home consumption, ''Most of the catchis now sold directly to restaurant corporations, Later--when the fishery emerges from its present experimental stage--supplies will probably be abundant enough for at least limited distributionto food markets," Much Work at Bed Sites TABLmarine scientists seek a better bio- logicalunderstanding of the life history of the bottom-dwelling mollusc. As a new fishery develops, it becomes increasingly important to know everything possible about growth and reproduction cycles, stock sizes, longevity, diseases to which the animal may fall prey, effects of fishing on the stocks, and the ma- rine environment in which a species lives. Much of the scientific work involving calico scallops isdone at the site of the beds. Spec~- imens are marked, returned to their habitat, and retrieved later to ascertain just how far they may move in a given period; ''spat"' (in- fant stages) are planted in certain locations so survival and growth rates can be defined; specimens are examined periodically for evidence of damage by disease or predators; Fig. 2 - RUFAS (remote underwater fisheries assessment system). population rates are closely and frequently monitored; and oceanographic conditions are studied and charted. Controlled Lab Experiments In controlledexperiments at TABL, thou- sands of calico-scallop eggs have been reared from moment of fertilizationthrough several larvalstages, These successful rearings are important to fishery biologists, who rely on written descriptions of the physical charac- teristics of myriad numbers of marine orga- nisms, many of which change drastically as they passfrom larval into adult stages. Be- cause larval calico scallops have never before been described in the scientific literature, a marine biologist who found such larvae ina sample of seawater would be unable to do more than guess its identity. Gear & Vessel Research Gear and vessel research related to the calico scallop is carried out by other BCF laboratories, primarily the Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base at Pasca- goula, Miss. One scallop-locating device that has yielded excellent results is the RUFAS (remote underwater fisheries assessment system), invented through joint efforts of BCF and the electronics industry. The RUFAS is a Sled-like vehicle that can be towed over the (Photo: J. B. Rivers.) scallop beds by a surface vessel. Operated by remote control, the instrument contains a closed-circuit color television, video and audio tape recording equipment, and a high- quality movie camera. In one recent survey, RUFAS took clear pictures of scallopbeds covering 70 miles at 15 to 25 fathoms. The results pinpointed for fishermen the precise location of light, me- dium, and heavy concentrations of scallops. This reduced appreciably the time ordinarily spent trying to locate productive grounds. Last year, BCF hired a Perry ''Cubmobile" (a 3-passenger, deep-diving submarine) for close study of the seabed off Cape Kennedy, Several skippers of scallop vessels accom- panied BCF scientists in exploratory tours of the ocean bottom. Fishing the Scallops In 1969, major catches of calico scallops off north Florida were made from 4 vessels designed specifically for scallop fishing and processing. Two were factory vessels ca- pable of dredging catch, then culling, shuck- ing, eviscerating, freezing, and packaging the scallops while at sea. The vessels generally stay out 5 to 8 days (steaming to and from scallop grounds takes only a few hours), and process as much as 200 pounds of scallop meats perhour. Fishing is continuous, night and day, with a 14-mancrew working 12-hour shifts. As processing methods improve, a 1- week trip is expected to yield about 15,000 pounds of calicoscallop meats. The speciall equipped vessels have beenso successful that their manufacturers are thinking of producing 15 more ships forthe highly promising calico scallop fishery off northern Florida. cath Mis. Weeks is TABL Writer-Editor. ies} SHRIMP-SORTING TRAWL IN GULF OF MEXICO SO FAR INEFFECTIVE Tests aboard the 'George M. Bowers! re- cently revealed that the west-coast-type shrimp-separator trawls of current design were not effective in the Gulf of Mexico. Be- cause the fish associated with shrimp in the Gulf are small, separator trawls using ver- tical panels have been ineffective in sorting fish from shrimp as small fish pass through separator panel in significant amounts. Sixty- five percent of shrimp went into side bags, and 80-90% of trash fish went into fishbag or trash chute. LONGLINER IN GULF OF MEXICO LANDS 22,000 LBS. OF SWORDFISH The east coast longliner, 'Gulf Stream', landed 22,000 pounds of swordfish at Pasca- goula, Mississippi. It was her second trip. The catch was made during 11 days, in- cluding travel to and from grounds; 10 long- line sets were made. The first trip's landings were 18,600 pounds during 9 days; 8 sets were made. BCF Aid Asked As a result of Gulf Stream's landings, BCF's Exploratory Fishing and Gear Re- search Base in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is receiving manyrequests for information and assistance. ~ Sth Soe ‘DELAWARE Il’ FINDS OCEAN QUAHOGS OFF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND Extensive, commercially usable, concen- trations of ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica) were located by BCF's Delaware II in Janu- ary and February off southern New England (Cruise 70-1), More surveys are planned, During the cruise between Nantucket Shoals and Amagansett, Long Island, New York, 382 survey stations were fished. This includes the eastern section of ocean quahog survey area 7 and western section of ocean quahog survey area 8 (see chart). The dredge was fished routinely for 4 minutes during each tow; one tow was made at each station, BS g » Se * ing dredge from vessel's side with a boom) were not practical. A new dredge handling system had to be designed. A recent survey of the New Jersey clam- ming industry uncovered a method of setting and hauling the dredge from a vessel's stern. It was concluded that this method might be adaptedtothe sterntrawler Delaware II], The current installation is a modified stern-haul system devised originally by Captain Eric Kirkeberg of Wildwood, New Jersey. Figure 2isa profile of the deck equipment. It identifies the major components. Toset the Fig. 1 - Ocean quahogs. Size varies from 3 to 4 inches in length, 2.5 to 3.5 inches in height, and 1 to 1.5 inches in width. The colors range from dark mahogany to mottled black and white. In area 7, 139 tows were made in 10 to 35 fathoms, Catches varied from a few individ- ual ocean quahogs and surf clams to 5.2 bush- els of ocean quahogs. Of the 243 towsin area 8, in 20 to 35 fath- oms, catches variedfrom 0 to 11.5 bushels of ocean quahogs. Nolive surfclams were found, although shells were taken. Gear Development The Delaware II has a high freeboard, so conventional dredge handling methods (hoist- 14 dredge, the trawl warp is payed out--permit- ting dredge to slide down ramp and off ves- sel's stern, Tohaul dredge back, the docking ramp is first opened by hydraulic rams, and the wire is captured in the deep ''V"'. Then haulingis started. Justas the dredge breaks the surface, the docking ramp begins closing as the haulback continues. The dredge is hauled to a point on ramp where bottom trap door can be opened to dump catch on sorting table. After dumping catch, the trap door is closed, andthe dredge immediately set again. Sorting is done at tabletop level as trash, 15 ‘TI atemeTeq preoqe pesn dures abpaip ureyo aqnyo usaisg - 2 ‘bry ’ F7IGVL QBIVILYOS PLMHD HSvel HOIMIM TMV ctl OL DMV77 7/7 Whe W71VACAH FIV/7 AFILVUM GISO?) dwrd GIVIdAO AWVA- dOL LY IDNN19 A, HLIM AWYe QMWHIOT IWiId AexLIITI FIDSAINGNS WDdFAIT WV7D FOV7E Ge FIPVL IWLIOS OLIVO dW/77 OL OOM AWvaL WOLlLog HLM FIVID aePLSVY FIACIAT eae M9" 17S OL ACVFES §/ FITIAT Ft1L $AISOI S/ YOON dyel FHL F ‘TIGVL INLLOS FHL NO HOLWO FHL OMV/IWNE GIVIO COOCAVeL WOLLO FHL SONWVY FAL SO SOL IHL OL CIIWHS I9TIIT WL EC ‘ClvORY TOCINAT IHL WWI 'SFNVLWOD OVE IIH FHL Sk C7SO7D S| dWee DWYI0 IHL Z IW IMAIOG FHL OLM C7SON ANY dl? CI7VH S! 7903990 IML / yore OWIVH IT FAVIHS FHL OLM SID7S,A, FHL MW FLAW FO IHL > TIVIO G/ Wve QMAIOA HHL 2 WOILIGOd G7S072 ¥ W/ S/ dWrer DNV/NIOD HHL AWve FHL WHO SIMIC POOF IHL 3 LIIO O7hve GS) HOWM FHL I SIVALIS T FIMIDIO0Vd =O IGNVH 16 sand, and mud are washed out the stern through trash chute. Difficulties were encountered in develop- ing this system. The dredge had to be bal- anced alongits centerline, in respect to port and starboard, and suspended with a rela- tively low center of gravity in relation to haulback attachment points. This was re- quiredtoinsure proper orientation and align- ment at point of docking, A week's handling trials were necessary to develop the proper timing, coordination, and teamwork necessary to accomplish consistently a_ satisfactory docking maneuver. Installation of several additional small refinements to the system will be installed before the next cruise. This system is expected to prove safer, less fatiguing, and generally more efficient than conventional system. During this initial clam-dredging cruise, the Delaware II was able to equal the number of tows per day av- eraged by Delaware I(BCF Gloucester's pre- vious vessel) using conventional methods. Survey Procedure At the intersection of 2-mile spaced grid lines, samples were obtained by dredging along bottom for 4 minutes with a 48-inch (knife width) modified hydraulic dredge. At completion of each tow, the dredge was taken aboard, and the size and composition of catch determined, Ocean quahogs and surf clams were measured. Other species were noted for future reference. Jetting water was furnished to dredge manifold by a dredge-mounted, 65 hp., sub- mersible, electrical pump powered through a 4-conductor electrical cable by one of Del- aware II's 150 kw. generators, Ample water volume and pressure were supplied by this pump. Ocean Quahog Catches About halfthe dredge tows produced ocean quahog catches large enough to be of some commercial interest. Catches were divided into 4 categories: (1) no ocean quahogs, (2) none to 1 bushel, (3) 1 to 2 bushels, and (4) 2 bushels or more. All catches in (4) are classified arbitrarily as commercial-size catches. However, many catches in 1 to 2- bushel category were just under 2 bushels; these would also be commercially valuable. Of 382 survey dredge stations fished, 340 produced ocean quahogs, and 42 produced none, All fruitless tows were in area 8, in sections where bottom sediments were pri- marily softmud. However, some ocean qua- hogs occasionally were found in this type of bottom. Of the productive 340 tows, 94 were 2 bush- els or more, 79 one to 2 bushels; the remain- ing 167 tows produced less than 1 bushel, The maximum catch of 11.5 bushels was made in area 8 at 30 fathoms. Sixteen tows produced 5 or more bushels (14 from area 8, and 2 from area 7); 48 yielded 3 or more bushels (38 from area 8, and 10 from area 7). Catches of ocean quahogs generally were taken throughout both areas and in all depths surveyed(10to 35 fathoms). However, in area 8, no tows were made in less than 20 fathoms; south of Cox Ledge, no tows have been made to date in less than 24 fathoms. This is because bottom in Shoal water of these areas is very hard. Their investigation will wait until all other areas have been surveyed. The shallow waters off Long Island (area 7) produced ocean quahogs and surf clams, but neither in abundance. Commercial-size catches were not made at less than 21 fath- oms. Bottom sediments primarily were sandy and hard, Ocean quahogs may occur in an almost continuous belt from one end of areas sur- veyed tothe other. This assumes that future explorations willfind that beds in unsurveyed intervening sections will be as numerous and dense. Size of Ocean Quahogs Samples from each ocean quahog and surf clam catch were measured, The range of length for ocean quahogs was between 1.3 and 4,4inches. However, the greatest number of ocean quahogs measured were 2.8 to 3.8 inches long. Generally, the larger quahogs were found in area 7 off Long Island; there, although individual clams were larger, aver- age catch size was somewhat smaller thanin area8, Few ocean quahogs over 4 inches long were taken; the same was true for those less than2 inches long. The smallest size clams found probably do not reflect significantly either the occurrence or abundance of small IL MOL YAd SOOHVND NVI9DO 4O SISHSN&€ AYOW HO OML ONIDNGOYd SNOWVLS o G3A3AYNNSNN BY L-OL ASINYD QNV1SI 49018 18 clams because the dredge was not designed to retain the smaller quahogs. The scarcity of larger quahogs probably was due to fact that veryfew quahogs attain a size of over 4 inches during their life cycle in areas sur- veyed. Many shells of the ocean quahog and other shellfish species were taken; abundance var- ied from station to station. Inone section of area 8, bored shells were quite prevalent; these probably reflect a heavy infestation of predators. The veryfew surfclamstaken came from inshore depths of area7. This is compatible with previously collected datafrom shallower waters of area8. Other shellfish were taken from time to time, along with various finfish. It is of special interest that several speci- mens of the common razor clam were taken from some of the deepwater stations. Samples of ocean quahogs were provided to interested industry members--and to BCF's Technological Laboratory at Glouces- ter, Mass. For more information, contact Keith A. Smith, Base Director, or Phillip S. Parker, Fishery Biologist, EF&EGR Base, State Fish Pier, Gloucester, Mass. 01930. Telephone: 617-283-6554. FS CRABS ARE SERIOUS PREDATORS OF CLAMS Studies by BCF's Milford (Conn.) labora- tory of the predation rate of rock crabs and mud crabs on juvenile clams show these crabs to be serious clam predators. A single rock crab can destroy as many as 25 10 mm-longclams per hour;a single mud crab up to 14small clams(5 mm long) within one hour. Rock & Mud Crabs Numerous Rock crabs (Cancer irroratus) may be as numerous as 4 per square meter; mud crabs (Neopanope texana) up to 20 per square meter on shellfish beds. "It seems probable, therefore, that these two species of crab could almost destroy a good commercial set of clams." ss KING-SIZED CLAMS MAY BE MARKETED The geoduck, a king-sized clam (2 to 3 pounds) of the Puget Sound area, is a prize catch of sport clam fishermen on low tides. Currently, reports BCF Seattle, the Wash- ington Department of Fisheries is investi- gating the commercial feasibility of mar- keting geoducks for the first time from an untouched deep-water resource (30 to 40 feet). Large Clam Population Previous studies showed the State has about 9,000 acres of this subtidal land with an estimatedclam population of over 40 mil- lion, The biologists say the average clam is 12 years old,so only a small part of this re- serve should be opened for commercial ex- ploitation, These clams are taken by SCUBA divers witha suction device. Smalltrials are being made for harvesting geoducks on a 500- acrearea, However, itis estimated that sev- eral hundred thousand pounds can be har- vested yearly on a sustained-yield basis. eae ae COLUMBIA RIVER SMELT PROMOTED IN MIDWEST Bach February and March, the lower Co- lumbia River produces large quantities of smelt, reports BCF Seattle. With improved harvesting techniques developed by BCF's Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base, an above-normal surplus is expected this year, BCF marketing personnel discussed with Washington firms the possibility of expanding their markets for freshand frozen Columbia River smelt, Midwest Sales Samples of dressed and round smelt were shipped to Minneapolis for distribution to re- tail chains by BCF marketing personnel. Some 72,500 pounds were sold to retail chains in Houston, Dallas, Milwaukee, and Minneap- olis. BCF Seattle hopes this is just a start in proving that Columbia River smelt canbe sold outside the traditional Washington-Oregon area, 10-YEAR PLAN TO DEVELOP WILLAMETTE R. SYSTEM UNDERWAY A program to speed development of the Willamette River system's potential for in- creased production of salmon and steelhead is being promoted by Oregon's Fish Commis- sion, Game Commission, and BCF. One goal is to develop anatural, self-sustaining spawn- ing run of 55,000 coho adults by 1978. To achieve this, the Fish Commission has begun a program to plant 1.2 million juvenile coho salmon into the system each year for 9 years. The planting of small coho in 27 streams supplying 9 principal tributaries of the Willamette was completed around April 1. These fish willreturnas mature adults in fall Ole "Wild'’ Population Expected During the last 5 years, anaverage of 6,600 coho adults passed above Willamette Falls each year. It is expected that development of a "wild" population that will use completely, for the first time, the potential of the Willamette watershed will result from: completion of the new Willamette Falls fishway in 1971, improved water quality in Portland Harbor, and the heavy yearly planting program. Enhance Anadromous Fish Runs The development area embraces most of the breadth of the Willamette Valley, from the uppermost reaches of the tributaries northward to Oregon City. The Oregon Fish Commission believes development of the Willamette and its tributaries willbe a major step in increasing Oregon's anadromous fish runs. 19 SOLUTION SOUGHT TO SALMON “SHAKER” PROBLEM The Oregon Fish Commission, the Cali- fornia Department of Fish andGame, and west coast trollfishermen are working together to solve the coho ''shaker'' problem. The name "Shaker'' has been given to small coho salmon often shaken off the hook. The agencies and fishermen are concerting their efforts this season to gather information on the losses of sublegal size and out-of-season coho in north- ern California and southern Oregon ocean- troll fisheries. The large number of these illegal coho killed while trolling for legal salmon during May and June concerns fishery agencies and fishermen. Biologists estimate the ''shaker" mortality rate in this area is about 50 per- cent. Basedonthe estimated incidental catch of sublegal coho, it could mean a loss of up to 250,000 or more coho a year. More Information Needed The need for more information is apparent. Jim Bolin, manager of West Coast Trollers Association, offeredthe trollers' services in collecting the needed information during the 1970 season. Selected trollers will keep de- tailed logbooks, noting number, size, area, and time salmon were caught. At end of 1970 troll-salmon season, the logbook information will be summarized and evaluated by Oregon, California, and Wash- ington fishery agencies. The results will be reviewed with troll fishermen before any tegulatory changes are recommended. Solu- tions could consider changes in seasons, minimum size limits, types of gear used, or a combination of these. No Action Before 1971 No regulatory action willbecome effective before the 1971 season. If this isfound neces- sary, legislative action would be required in California. The Oregon Fish Commission has authority to adopt regulations, rage 20 NEW MESH RESTRICTION FOR STEELHEAD IS EFFECTIVE The 74-inch stretch-mesh size restriction placed on gillnets during the Columbia River commercial winter season by Oregon and Washington fishery agencies has effectively reduced the incidental catch of steelhead. So said Edw. G. Huffschmidt, chairman of Oregon Fish Commission, on March 16. This state- ment is supported by reduced steelhead land- ings--and results of a special experiment conducted during the 14-day winter season that ended March 5. The steelhead run ap- pears smaller than average, but the study showed the fish were present and could be caught in goodnumbers with a''steelhead net" of 6-inch mesh, 2 Nets Compared The study compared the effectiveness of the mesh restriction. It used two identical diver nets--except that one was a legal 74- inch taut mesh, while the other was the 6-inch tautmesh. Divernetsare gillnets withtram- mels, which aredrifted near the bottom dur- ing the winter season. Under Oregon Fish Commission supervision, the two nets were fished alternately over the same drift by equally experienced and proficient commer- cial fishermen. The testfisherman using the 6-inch mesh caught 36 steelhead in 8 drifts over a 40-hour test period; the fisherman using the legal gillnet managed only 6 steel- head. Both nets caught 8 chinook, indicating the larger 77-inch mesh net was as effective as the smaller net for chinook. At the same time, the smaller steelhead are escaping the more restrictive gear: just 1 of 36 steelhead caught in the 6-inch mesh net exceeded 30 inches. In the more restric- tive 77-inch net, 2 of 6 steelhead caught ex- ceeded 30 inches. In the recent season, 61% of the steelhead exceeded 30 inches. Mesh Restriction Effective Figures on the recent winter season gill- net landings also bear out the effectiveness of the mesh restriction. Only 3,600 steelhead were taken, while 13,300 chinook were landed. Over the last 10 years, the average winter - season catch during seasons, varying from 14 to 19 days, has been about 5,600 chinook and 8,000 steelhead. NH, é % cane Ge REPORTS ON SHRIMP SEPARATOR TRAWL IN OREGON ARE GOOD The Oregon shrimp fishery has reported encouraging resultsfrom use of shrimp-sep- arator trawls. Commercial vessels using separator trawls continue to make almost pure catchesof shrimp; those using standard shrimp trawls are plagued with a high con- centration of smelt and other contaminants. 4 Such Trawls Ordered Asaresult of the early success of vessels using sorter trawls, fishermen converted an- other standardnetto a sorter trawl recently, and ordered 4new sorter trawls from netting companies, ADVANCES IN CATFISH HARVESTING The BCF Kelso, Ark., Exploratory Fishing Station is testing anew version of a haul seine brailingbag. This has an automatic triggering device that allows the boom operator to empty it without assistance. If successful, this new device willeliminate time loss and manpower during loading. Slightly modified live cars also are being constructed, These have openings at each end for testing feasibility of using two or more live cars in tandem--while attached to the seine during hauling. An experimental catfish grader has been completed and will be field tested. The re- action of catfish to wire meshboxes with var- ious openings is being observed in a test flume. Also, the reaction of catfish in ponds to changes in climatic conditions is being studied. HEAVY ALEWIFE DIE-OFFS POSSIBLE IN LAKE MICHIGAN THIS YEAR Severe winter weather and the predomi- nance of alewivesatcritical age levels could result in heavy die-offs in parts of Lake Michigan this year, said Assistant Secre- tary of the Interior Leslie L. Glasgow. ‘CONNECTING CHANNELS ¢ THE GREAT LAKES ) ) AND THEIR Because the alewife population is much below the 1967 level, when millions of dead fish washed ashore, especiallynear Chicago, a die-off of that magnitude is unlikely. The Llinois and Indiana shores are the areas most likely to be affected by localized 1970 die- offs. Water Temperatures Important The 1969 annual alewife survey by BCF's biological laboratory at Ann Arbor, Mich., showed a 60% increase over the 1968 popu- lation. A severe die-off would not be ex- pected this year under normal conditions; however, the Lake Michigan area had below- normal winter temperatures. Research shows that alewives cannot tolerate exces- sively cold water, although they may not die immediately. If water temperatures warm rapidly this spring, the added stress of ad- justing to it could trigger severe alewife mortalities. A Small, Short-Lived Fish The Great Lakes alewife is small. Adults average about 63 inches and weigh about 2 ounces. It is used principally for fishmeal and pet food locally. Although alewives are live food for larger fish, including Coho and Chinook salmon and lake trout, they compete with other fish for space and food. Lake Michigan alewife stocks are now largely older fish; over half the adults are in their fourth and fifth years. Alewives are short-lived in the Great Lakes. Only about 30% of Great Lakes alewives can be expected to survive their fifth year. It is believed that alewives migrated from their native habitat along the Atlantic coast into the Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence River and canals. They are in all 5 Great Lakes; they are the most abundant fish in Lakes Ontario, Huron, and Michigan. Advance information on die-offs is im- portant to vacationers and operators of resort areas, beaches, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. The annual survey will continue when the Ann Arbor laboratory's role is changed to give greater emphasis to recreational fishing and environment quality. 21 On The cath of eS On March 3, 1970, Carl L. Klein, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water Quality and Research, ad- dressed a meeting in Washington, D. C., on lake restoration. This is what he said: Lake pollution is perhaps the most crucial and most difficult of water pollution prob- lems. This should come as no great surprise to anyone. Lakes generally do not benefit from the same cleansing action as a strong river current which might help flush away contaminants or dissolve them in a powerful flow of clean water. Even without the contribution of man- made pollutants, lakes tend to develop eu- trophication problems because of the nutri- ents that accumulate in them. But man can and must do much more to prevent the process from speeding up and causing the premature aging—and dying—of our fresh- water lakes. Like the living thing that it is, a lake is born, grows—even breathes—and slowly dies. The life cycle may last many thousands of years—or it could be a lot less, Much de- pends on the habitation that surrounds it. Man and his technology have become per- haps the gravest threat of all to the sur- vival of lakes and of the other natural waterways which provide us with so many needs and enjoyment. Death comes as a result of a lake slowly filling with silt and sediment. This is a nat- ural process which manifests itself in reeds and water plant beginning to accumulate in shallow waters. The natural flow of streams through a lake may drain out the water, turning it into a swamp. The swamp plants then may give way to sturdier plants of a drier soil, and eventually, the one-time lake becomes dry land. In this manner, the United States has lost about half the lakes which existed on this continent some 12,000 years ago. Where human habitation around a lake is relatively sparse, its waters can endure the minor damage contained in the wastes and debris thrown into it. The waters can assimilate a certain amount of wastes by de- composing them into harmless chemicals and dispersing them. But there is a limit to what a lake can absorb. As ever-greater numbers of people and in- dustry congregate around a lake and pour increasing amounts of waste into the water, the lake may become saturated and unable to purify itself. Man often does not realize the damage he has done until the lake be- gins to smell and the physical characteristics of pollution become obvious. By then, the pollution problem is already well past the stage of an easy solution. Lake Erie is one of the most flagrant and frequently cited examples of lake pollution and eutrophication in this country. A look at its history and development is needed to help us understand the problem—and to prevent its recurrence elsewhere. Lake Erie is the oldest, the Southernmost and the warmest of the five Great Lakes. It is only 241 miles long and has the smallest volume of water, with almost a 10,000- square mile surface area. The lake is very shallow, with an average water depth of only some 58 feet, and at its deepest point is only about 210 feet. But Lake Erie also happens to be in the heart of one of America’s greatest residential and industrial areas. It provides a resource to 11144 million people in the United States and Canada in terms of water supply, recrea- tion, commercial fishing and shipping. And the annual value added by manufacturing in the Erie Basin stands at more than $17 Dil- lion. By the year 2000—and, remember, that’s only 30 years from now—the population of the Lake Erie area is expected to double, and so is the volume of industry in the Basin. These people and industries will depend on Lake Erie—a lake whose water quality must be. maintained and enhanced so it can be passed on in a condition of unlimited use- fulness. As it now stands, Lake Erie is close to being strangled by the pollutants which pour daily into its waters. Municipal wastewater is the principal cause of pollution in the lake and its tributaries, with industrial wastes also occupying a major role, particularly in tribu- taries and harbors. Among the most harmful discharges are untreated flows, combined sewer overflows and treatment plant effluents. Agricultural runoffs also leave their marks, as do wastes from commercial and pleasure craft, harbor dredging, urban runoff and soil erosion. The wastes most destructive to lake Erie come from three major geographic areas. These are Detroit, Michigan, and the Cleve- land-Cuyahoga and Maumee River basins in Ohio. Waste inputs from the Buffalo area affect the Niagara River more than Lake Erie, but a number of other areas have local prob- lems which add up to significant pollution for the lake. The three major sources of pollution in Lake Erie together discharge about 74 per cent of the phosphorous flowing into the lake, 87 per cent of the biological oxygen demand and 66 per cent of the chlorides, The total BOD discharged to municipal sewage treatment plants in the Lake Erie Basin is equivalent to the raw sewage pro- duced by 9.4 million people. After treatment, this volume is reduced to a load on the receiving waters equal to the raw sewage of 4,7 million people. In effect, this means basin-wide sewage treatment has an efii- ciency of about 50 percent. Only about half of the 360 known sources of industrial wastes in Lake Erie and its tributaries can be classified as providing adequate treatment for their wastes. Yet together these industries account for 87 per cent of the total waste flow discharged into the lake or its tributaries. The total industrial flow amounts to 9.6 billion gallons daily, with electric power pro- duction account for 72 percent and steel pro- duction 19 percent of the total. The steel, chemical, oil and paper industries discharge about 86 percent of the total industrial wastewater in the basin, excluding the elec- tric power installations. There are so many sources of pollution to Lake Erie that it is almost impossible to make an accurate record of all of them, However, the combined sewer systems of the cities of Detroit, Cleveland and Toledo are among the worst offenders, and just their overflows alone annually contribute wastes equivalent to the BOD of raw sewage from approximately 600,000 people. These combined sewer over- flows are expected to represent a high per- centage of future phosphorous contributions to the lake. As you know, phosphorous is a major con- tributor to the process of eutrophication be- cause of its stimulation to the growth of algae. It only takes a small amount of phosphor- ous to create the conditions which precipitate algal growth. As little as 0.01 milligrams per liter at the beginning of the growing sea- son in some lakes or an annual inflow of 0.2 to 0.5 grams per square meter of lake surface in others is all that is necessary. And unlike nitrogen—which also contrib- utes to this problem—phosphorous does not enter into the type of biochemical reactions that permit it to escape from water as & Fig. 1 - Algae on shore and in lake, near Washington, D.C., indicate water is aging. gas, nor is it easily removed from the system by organisms or sediments. With present technology, the preferred way to control eutrophication is to impede plant Production by making phosphorous less available for growth, And one important step in this direction is to reduce the amount of phosphorous-bearing effluents, A certain amount of phosphorous is con- tained in the Earth's crust and enters sur- face waters from many natural sources. These include surface water runoff, soil erosion, waste from, and decay of, plants and ani- mals, and dissolved and suspended materials in rain and snow. Thus, over the course of hundreds and thousands of years, these small, but con- tinuing inputs of phosphorous can by them- selves bring lakes to an end through eu- trophication and sedimentation—without man entering into it. The Green River oil shales of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah are a good example of lake deposits formed by natural euthrophication and sedimentation over a long period of time. But man also produces significant amounts of phosphorous, and because of the tre- mendous population rise in recent years, and even greater increases predicted for the im- mediate future, his contribution to the eu- trophication process is becoming a major challenge. Municipal sewage contains considerable concentrations of phosphorous. It comes principally from phosphorous-bearing de- tergents and from human wastes. On the average, adult humans contribute about 1.4 pounds of phosphorous a year, while the use of detergents adds another 1% to 2 pounds of phosphorous per capita annually, While some of the phosphorous is removed by con- ventional waste treatment processes, sub- stantial amounts are discharged with no treatment at all. The phosphorous used in detergents cur- rently makes up some 50 to 60 percent of the total amount of phosphorous in mu- nicipal sewage. Obviously, this constitutes a Major source of nutrient pollution which must be abated. Our primary thrust on controlling this problem has been the development and dem- onstration of phosphorous removal tech- nology for application at municipal waste treatment plants. This approach has been given priority because it attacks all of the sources of phosphorous in municipal wastes, regardless of its origin. We want to emphasize the fact that we are not out to throttle the 23 detergent industry. Phosphate removal tech- nology would have to be applied to munic- ipal waste waters even if phosphates in detergents were to be completely eliminated from use. The only roadblock that stands in the way of requiring the reduction or elimination of phosphorous from detergents at this time is that a substitute material has not yet been adequately tested which performs the same function as phosphorous. Until it can be proven that such a product will not cause some problem equally harmful to the en- vironment, a substitute probably will not be placed on the market. The Interior Department effort to clean up our lakes and other waterways is a con- tinuing one, which we hope to expand, in order to demonstrate the restoration pos- sibilities for all our water resources. In Lake Erie, the existing backlog of unmet restoration needs includes the upgrading of sewage treatment by no fewer than 287 municipalities. The Lake Erie Basin should actually be served now by treatment suffi- cient to provide a minimum of 85 percent BOD removal, the almost complete removal of suspended solids and 92 percent removal of total phosphorus. It is to be anticipated that by 1990 the removal of over 95 percent of organic pollutants will be required throughout the Basin. At present, there are some 189 industries which still have not installed treatment fa- cilities sufficient to meet water quality stand- ards. This situation is hardly excusable, and. it shows we still have a long way to go just to conform to the pollution control regu- lations that are already on the books. é Our primary consideration must be to stop putting nutrients into our lakes. We must slow down the eutrophication process or we may discover our water resources becoming unusuable. We must also devise ways and means to reverse the entire eutrophication process to assure future generations of last- ing sources of water. In the Interior Department, our strategy is twofold: it consists of prevention and res- toration, By prevention, we mean slowing Fig. 2 - Scum and plant growth on Island Grove Pond, Abington, Mass, Overgrowth of algae spells death to other life, especially fish, in slow-moving water. 24 down eutrophication by removing key nu- trients from wastewater before it enters a lake. At the same time, research and de- velopment must. be carried on to find even more effective methods of nutrient removal. Restoration means removing or inactivat- ing nutrients after they have reached a lake. Restoration techniques must be carefully researched to find an economically accept- able method that is likely to succeed. The mechanical harvesting of algae, the harvesting of organisms which eat algae and eliminating the effects of algae by chemical Means are among the techniques being studied intensively by the National Eutro- phication Research Program of Interior's Federal Water Pollution Control Administra- tion. This work is being done in government and university laboratories, as well by private industry, and often uses small lakes in vari- ous parts of the country as field laboratories. It is altogether doubtful whether Lake Erie could ever be returned to the condition which existed prior to man’s appearance, or even to the condition which existed at the turn of the century. It can, however, be returned bo some intermediate stage of aging, and we can expect a major improvement and pro- tection of water quality. Lake Erie and others threatened by eu- trophication can be saved, but it can be done only with the continued and determined support of the public and its political rep- resentatives. President Nixon set the tone for our efforts to control pollution in his State of the Union Message last January and in programs he launched in February to carry them through. The President said, ‘‘The great question of the seventies‘is, shall we surrender to our surroundings, or shall we make our peace with nature and begin to make reparations for the damage we have done to our air, our land and our water?” While, “The price tag on pollution control = is high . . .” the price will be even higher if Fig. 3 - An Arkansas creek, we fail to act. That is why we at the Interior Department are determined to act now while there is still time. Fig. 4 - A surface blanket of filamentous green algae covers a large area of this river near Washington, D.C. These algae could be Spirogyra, Zygnema, Oedogonium, or Cladophora. (Photos: FWPCA) ‘COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ABSTRACTS’ Commercial Fisheries Abstracts, a monthly journal, contains summaries of se- lected articles from about 350 trade, engi- neering, and scientific journals dealing with the entire spectrum of our fishery industries. These journals cover the biological, physical, and social sciences and the engineering, tech- nological, and legal aspects of the aquatic resource supply, harvesting, processing, use, and distribution. The abstracter clas- sifies each abstract into one of 10 main fields and further into basic subject groups in ac- cordance with a classification system de- signed by BCF. Whenever possible, the ab- stracter includes sufficient information in each abstract to enable the reader to under- stand and use the results of the research CFAB-A 22(10): 1-29 (1969) U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv, Commer, Fish. Abstr. OCTOBER VOL. 22 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ABSTRACTS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES described inthe original article. In addition, he gives pertinent bibliographic information so that the reader can obtain the original ar- ticle from a library or the author. Commercial Fisheries Abstracts is de- signed to serve the needs of fishery scien- tists, engineers, and managers in industry, academic institutions, and government by supplying timely information on current prog- ress in fishery research and technology. For free copy, write to: BCF, Division of Publications, Bldg. 67, U.S. Naval Air Station, Seattle, Wash. 98115. Frank T. Piskur, Editor 1969 No. 10 OCEANOGRAPHY SEA TEMPERATURES MEASURED BY SATELLITE The results of an oceanographic survey called ''Little Window,'' conducted March 17- 22, may Showthat ITOS, a new meteorological satellite, can measure the temperature of water at the seasurface as well as watch the weather. This was reported by Dr, A. R. Longhurst, director of the BCF laboratory in La Jolla, Calif. "Little Window" was an oceanographic sur- vey of a 60 by 30 mile square, or window, in the Gulf of Californiato test the ability of in- frared sensors on ITOS tomeasure sea-sur- face temperatures from space, It was a co- operative effort of BCF, ESSA, NASA, Inter- American Tropical Tuna Commission, U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NOO), and the Mexican Navy and Weather Office. Oceanographic Survey Lines U.S. Government scientists working from BCF's research vessel 'David Starr Jordan! and a Mexican Navy corvette spent March 17- 22 running a series of oceanographic survey lines across the mouth of the Gulf of Califor- nia. The temperature information collected from Jordan will be compared to infrared readings simultaneously collected by the sat- ellite during its twice daily pass over the area. A single track requiring more than 30 hours by ship can be seen in seconds by the satellite, The project was coordinated by NOO oceanographer Paul E, LaViolette from the BCF laboratory. He said: ''We can use in- frared data collected by these polar-orbited Satellites for just about any ocean in the world, The biggest limitationis cloud cover, but withthe satellite's ability to look repeat- edly at an area, we can'see! the ocean, if we wait long enough." Results May Be Valuable The results of the ''Little Window'' survey may show that satellites can furnish a contin- ual source of sea-surface temperature for any ocean of the world, Such information would have many practical applications: for the fishery scientist, who would use it to pre- dict distribution of temperature-oriented fish, suchas the tunas; for the meteorologist, who studies warm and cold ocean fronts and their relationships to short-period meteoro- logical changes, and who is looking towards 26 reliable long-range weather forecasts; for the oceanographer, whohas been searching for a quick way to look at temperature conditions at the sea's surface, The oceanographic ability of a second sat- ellite, NIMBUS III, was also evaluated. The infrared sensor aboard NIMBUS II differs from those of ITOS because it operates at a different frequency and can measure the ocean's temperature only at night. i. ORGANISMS THAT FOUL VESSELS CAN ALSO DETECT POLLUTION Major problems facing ships everywhere are the marine plants and animals, such as barnacles, that attach themselves perma- nently to marine hardware. This problem costs the U.S. Navy alone $50-$100,000,000 a year. Two biologists of the U.S. Naval Oceano- graphic Office (NOO)--John DePalma and Ed Long--use these "biofoulers" for useful pur- poses: towarn of encroaching water pollution. They have found that in populated marine areas, particularly near naval bases, local species of marine biofoulers may serve as indicators of the amount of pollution in the area waters. Biologists' Explanation Long explained: ''For instance, by exam- ining the different species of biofouling plants and animals that attach themselves to test panels in the Wakiki-Pearl Harbor area, we would be able to tell how pollution from the Navy base in Pearl Harbor may be affecting the beaches at Wakiki," DePalma added: ''This is possible because we know that species diversity is lowered in direct relation to the amount of pollution in the area. Bykeepingtrack of species that we know from previous testing to occur only in, say, the Wakiki area, we can study the mean sizes of certain indicator species which vary directly with the distance from the source of pollution, Regular studies of the fouling in areas near naval bases could provide a sort of warning system for the Navy. Now is when we should be getting data, while the situation in places like Wakiki is not yet troublesome," SCIENTISTS SEE RARE MARINE ANIMAL WITH SPECIAL CAMERA In the photograph, it looks like an exotic flower growing alone on a moonlit desert, but itisn't,''explains Water Jahn, the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office scientist who used a deep-sea strobe camera to take the photo, "It's actually a very primitive animal." The creature was photographed on the sea floor 15,900 feet below the USNS 'Kane! when Umbellula" 27 the NOO-controlled oceanographic survey ship stopped at a survey point about 350 miles west of the African coast. Long-Stemmed Polyp To determine ''what type of animal," Jahn sent his phototomarine biologists, who iden- tified it as a member of Phylum Cnideria (Ceolenterate), class Anthozoa, subclass Alcyonaria, Order Pennatulacea, family Um- bellulidae. That means it is a long-stemmed polyp--a multicelled animal akinto hybroids, sea anemones, and living coral. The biologists told Jahn it was the first time they had seenthis variety actually living on the ocean bottom, although they knew it existed. Be Mr. Jahn and his camera. (Photos: U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office) 28 Study Origin of Oceans NOO officials said this probe was designed "totest theories that are relevant tothe origin and history of all the world's oceans--the- ories that willhelpthe Office interpret exist- ing geologic structure and trends,"' Such understanding could becomea scientific base for diagnosing the meaning of soundings and other survey data, NOOuses this informa- tion to chart the lands lying beneath the world's oceans and seas. Like all deep-ocean regions, the sea floor beneath the open Atlantic is largely unex- plored--at least asfar as photographing it is concerned, So, Jahn recalled, ''we lowered the camera to the bottom at 77 different At- lantic stations to get random shots--to see what could be found, and the 'Umbellula' (his name for it) appeared on Station 59," The 'Umbellula' The photo shows the Umbellula as a ten- tacled animal atopa slender stalk, which Jahn estimates to be about three feet long. The tentacles endinclusters of large flower-like polyps, or ''feet,''saidtobe deep red, shading toward orange-red or purplish red. "These agile tentacles,’ Janreports, 'cap- ture food floating by the Umbellula and pass their catch to the creature's center mouth. The tentacles also may serve as a defense against enemies, The Umbellula supports it- self on the bottom by imbedding along, hollow muscular bulb at the end of its stem into the soft sea floor mud," "at KT) *) NEW-TYPE DRIFTING BUOY SET ADRIFT ON GEORGES BANK BCF's 'Albatross IV' set adrift a buoy on Georges Bank in March. On command of the NIMBUS satellite, the buoy radios its position and the water temperature to the satellite. The latter radios the datato a ground station, A series of such positions traces the surface current, The Woods Hole (Mass.) Oceanographic Institution is responsible for U.S, Navy-de- veloped buoys. The Institution requested BCF's Woods Hole Laboratory to select the location forthe buoy, It did--in an area over the haddock spawning grounds, oo0oo000000 ANTARCTICA ONCE JOINED TO S.E. AFRICA, SCIENTISTS SAY Two ESSA scientists, Dr. Robert S. Dietz and Walter Sproll, report they have estab- lished with a computer's help, that Antarctica once was attached to Africa's southeast coast. The continents now are 2,000 miles apart. About 200 millionyears ago, they estimate, there was only a single universal land mass called Pangaea, 80 million square miles in area, Then, for still-unclear reasons, Pan- gaea started to rift apart, like an ice floe breaking up. The fragments--today's con- tinents--were dispersed to their present po- sitions, The split between Africa and Ant- arctica apparently was one of the first events to occur. Support Continental Drift Theory Dietz and Sproll support the continental drift theory. This postulates that the conti- nents are drifting at rates of about an incha year in the earth's mantle. The mantle is that part of the earth's interior lying between the molten central core and the crust. COMPUTER USED TO STUDY WORLD’S OCEANS Scientists areusing a computer at the Na- tional Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), Washington (D.C.) Navy Yard, ''to unravel many of the mysteries locked in the cold and silent depths of the seas."' Its electronic files contain an estimated 85% of world's known oceanographic stationdata, and are the larg- est collection of such information in the U.S. The computer helps "chart the paths of ‘rivers! that flow through the sea, measure the closely related effects of the world's oceans on global weather, even track the life cycle of a single drop of sea water." Many Requests for Data "A few months ago," said Dr. Thomas S, Austin, Director of the Center, ''a scientist asked for all our data on a triangular section of the Atlantic from Gibraltar to the Azores to the coast of Scotland, He wanted readings from the surface down to 10,000 feet. 29 Dr. Thomas S, Austin (center}, Director, National Oceanographic Data Center, James Pugh, computer operator, and Mrs. Charlotte Sparks, a programmer, with IBM System/360 Model 40. station data. "With this kind of information, he plotted the two-way flow of water into and out of the Mediterranean--eastbound forthe upper lay- ers of the water and westbound as the water gets deeper," In another case, the Center's information on the effects of polar icecaps was needed, The freezing action in Arctic and Antarctic areas removes salt from water and makes it heavier. Then, the colder, heavier water flows along layers of equaldensity. It results in the creation of 'rivers' of colder water coursing along the ocean bottom, Dr. Austinpoints out: ''A drop of seawater has a life cycle that can be traced with infor- mation stored in the IBM computer." The cycle can take thousands of years, It starts with the chemical combination of hy- drogen and oxygeninthe atmosphere as pre- Its electronic files contain the largest U. S. collection of oceanographic cipitation. ''Precipitation enters the seas directly as rain, fog, or mist, or through run- off from rivers. It c ompletes the cycle through evaporation by the sun, NODC's Many Sources NODC's information comes from many sources: world's navies, private shipping, scientists, oceanographic vessels, govern- ment agencies, and oil companies, According to Dr. Austin, the data's com- pleteness, currency, and availability are the system's key elements, Nansen Bottles & Other Devices Until recently, water samples were gath- ered mostly in Nansen bottles lowered by cable over the side of a ship. The bottles also have thermometers to take temperatures at 30 variousdepths, The analysis of the contents of these sariples yields information on the amounts of nutrients andchemical elements, the presence of planktonand other small ma- rine life, and the subsurface currents! direc- tion and speed. In the past few years, the use of sophisti- cated continuous-recording devices on ships, buoys, and satellites has increased, Also, more computers aboard oceanographic ves- sels have increased information supplied to NODC, The National Oceanographic Data Center, founded 9 years ago,is sponsored by 10 gov- ernment agencies and administered by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office, S_ —— Deen TE NE = Oe oa EXTRA-HOT PANAMA BASIN OF PACIFIC IS STUDIED Oceanographers of ESSA's Coast and Geo- detic Survey, aboard the 'Oceanographer', this month are seeking "answers to one of the earth's most puzzling riddles." They are studying the welling up of heat from within the earth's bowels, This heat warms the water below the sea as it moves northward from the frigid Antarctic. Scientists know little about the process by which this thermal energy moves upward after it escapes the earth's crust. But the basin ESSA's oceanographers are probing provides an unusual laboratory. The Panama Basin It is a 600-by-600 mile, 9,000-foot-deep, basinat the bottom of the Pacific, hemmed in by undersea mountains, and knownasthe Pan- ama Basin, ESSAsays: ''The heat that rises in it from within the earth is estimated to be three times greater than the average rate elsewhere in the world's oceans, Further- more, the basin floor is marked by abrupt pit-like deeps, ridges and escarpments which provide a wide range of conditions for exam- ining the circulation phenomena." The Panama Basin lies between the coasts of Central and South America and the Galapa- gos Islands. The islands are on the equator, about 600 miles west of Ecuador, DEEP-SEA EXPEDITION CATCHES RECORD FISH A depth recordfor collecting a vertebrate from the deep sea has been claimed by the crew of the 'John Elliot Pillsbury'. A fish of the genus Bassogigas was trawledfrom 26,132 feet, nearly 5 miles down, in the Puerto Rico Trench. The Pillsbury expedition was part of the National Geographic Society/University of Miami Deep-Sea Biological Program di- rected by Dr. Gilbert L. Voss and Dr. Fred- erick M, Bayer of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and repre Nees: Sciences, Se Zassogigas--trawled from 26, 132 feet by R/V Pillsbury. (Photo: Don Heuer} Dr. Voss, expedition's chief scientist said: "Only three or four specimens of Bassogigas are knownin world biological collections, and our specimen is in the best condition of any that have been collected, as well as having beentaken fromthe deepest water.'' The fish is about 63 inches long and, though it inhabited anarea of totaldarkness, hastwosmall eyes. The remains of a squid which probably had reached 15 to 18 feet also were collected from the Puerto Rico Trench, The scientists say itis the first-known record of the carcass of a large animal takenfrom the ocean deeps, The scientists say the Pillsbury is the only vessel in the U.S. oceanographic fleet fully equipped for trawling at these depths. Her main winch has two reels of 75-inch wire; each reel contains 42,000 feet. As much as 35,840 feet were used to make the tows, Pollution 44 Miles Down The Pillsbury's scientists reported: "Man's efforts to pollute the earth were evi- denced by some of the other items brought up when tows were made in water 43 miles deep. From the ocean bottom came empty paint cans, fruit juice cans, flip-top lids of beer cans, clinkers from steamship fire- rooms, pieces of old aluminum, empty bot- tles, and flashlight batteries." Puerto Rico Trench The level floor of the Puerto Rico Trench consists of soft, blue, extremely sticky clay. "The clay is covered with the largest amount of land plant material yet reported from any trench inthe world, Pillsbury tows brought up coconut husks, tree seeds, fronds, tree branches, mangrove roots, and turtle grass remnants," The Trench probably has ''the most uni- form, unchanging environment known in the Atlantic Ocean.” At 43 to 5 miles down, there is no light from the sun, temperature 31 is slightly below 20 C., and pressure is 800 times greater than on earth's surface, The Trench is over 200 miles long; at its widest point, it is almost 40 miles. At its deepest, the Milwaukee Deep, it is about 28,700 feet (4,780 fathoms), The National Geographic Society/ Univer - sity of Miami Deep-Sea Biological Program investigates ''the kinds, distribution, and con- centration of marine life inthe tropical waters of the Atlantic Oceanfrom West Africa to the coast of South America and the Caribbean Sea. DR. J. L McHUGH APPOINTED IDOE COORDINATOR Dr. J. L. McHugh, the former deputy di- rector of BCF, has been appointed head of the new Office for the International Decade of Ocean Exploration (IDOE) by Dr. William D. McElroy, director of the National Science Foundation, The IDOE is an international effort to ex- pand the uses of the oceans--and to design waystoprotect the marine environment from degradation. IDOE's first year willconcentrate onthree areas: identification of factorsthat will help manpredict modifica- tions in the oceans caused by nature or by man; investigation of specific oceanic areas with special attention tofood chains and pol- lutants; and studies of selected areas of the ocean bottom to im- prove man's knowledge of it, and to facilitate location of natural resources, Dr. J. L. McHugh FOREIGN FISHING OFF U.S. IN FEBRUARY 1970 US.-USSR U.S.~ POLISH MIDDLE ATLANTIC AGREEMENT AREAS LEGEND USSR. : Sees NO FISHING ZONE (JAN. 1- APR. 1) gBLock NANTUCKET LOADING ZONE (NOV. 15-MAY 15) 1S. Is . FISHING ZONE (JAN. I- APR.) . LOADING ZONE (SEPT. IS-MAY 15) POLISH A.NO FISHING ZONE(WAN.1 - } LOADING ZOWE p, J NOV. 15 ~ MAY 15 Pun APR. 1) SUB-AREA 5 Vessels Japanese -9 Spanish-1 Catch None observed Vessels Japanese -8 38° Catch None observed Vessels Polish-37 ide German-1 Catch Herring Mackerel Vessels Soviet-104 Nags Head H Catch € Herring Oregon ° Inlet CAPE 2 Mackerel Fig. 1 - Foreign-flag vessels fishing off southern New England and Georges Bank, Feb. 1970 (shows no. of vessels and species fished). 33 “OL6T Ateniqag ‘eyseTy JJo setraysty uBtarog - 2 *6ry oct SCI Sv 09 VaAVNVO SD .OPl SP asouedep | HOYdd NV3I0 asoueder | OSI 25S ie) 59 asouedep 2 _asaueder | HOY¥dd NV390 JALAOS 8 dWIYHS « BLAOS 9S Y4dqNnno14 VASVIV O41 M sa os asouedep 92 asauedep 9g eS HST4GNNOYD 09 asauedep gz FELAOS GIL ONTYYA SURFACE TUNA SCHOOLS LOCATED & FISHED IN EQUATORIAL EASTERN PACIFIC Thomas 5S, Hida Large bird flocks, breezing schools of skipjack tuna, and mixed schools that included yellowfin and bigeye tunas were encountered about 700 miles southwest of Clipperton Island by the BCF research vessel 'Charles H, Gilbert! in October 1969, The vessel returnedto Honolulu on Novem- ber 7 after completing a 5-week voyage. Her primary mission was tocollect samples of surface-swimming skip - jack and yellowfin tunas for a subpopulation study. De- tailed accounts of the schools fished are presented here because there are very few reports of schools in the area surveyed. On a cruise tothe equatorial waters of the swimming tunasfarfrom land, The primary eastern Pacific, Oct. 1-Nov. 7, 1969 (fig.), mission of the cruise was to collect surface- the research vessel Charles H. Gilbert of the swimming skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pela- BCF Biological Laboratory, Honolulu, en- mis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) countered numerous schools of surface- for subpopulation analysis. Although the 259 SAN DIEGO A(NO.) SKIPUACK CAUGHT TROLLING 30° @(NO.) SKIPUACK CAUGHT POLE & LINE X(NO.) SKIPJACK TAGGED HAWAIIAN @/SLANDS Track of Charles H. Gilbert Cruise 116, Oct. 1- Nov. 7, 1969, showing numbers of skip- Jack tuna caught, and number tagged, at different localities. Mr. Hida is Fishery Biologist, U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory, Honolulu, Hawaii 96812. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 34 Reprint (Sep.) No. 868 35 Table 1. - Noon Positions, Dates, and Number and Kinds of Schools Sighted During Cruise 116 of the Charles H. Gilbert Noon position Number of schools sighted DEIYAAE Unidentified Mixed Porpoise Bigeye Mahimahi ONO aE ES tuna tuna tuna On_run to main area 19°28' N. 156°10' W. 10/3 3 1 - 1 - - - 17°05" N2 153°45" Ww. § LO/4 - - 2 3 z 3 “ 14°42' N. 151°04' W 10/5 - - - - S es = 12°37' N. 148°45' W. 10/6 - 1 - - - - = 10°04' N. 147°26' W. 10/7 - 2 - - - - - 07°47' N. 145°09' W 10/8 - - - - - - - 05°39' N. 142°44' Ww. 10/9 5 7 - - - - - 02°52' N. 140°26' W. 10/10 - 3 ~ - - - - 00°30' N. 137°44' W. 10/11 - 3 - - - - - 02205 Sine a5200 Wee LOU - 2 - - - - - Subarea 0422708.) 133°22U wi 10/13 1 1 - - - 1 - 05°03" S. 130°53' Ww. 10/14 1 2 - - - = = 05°00' S. 128°10' W. 10/15 2 - - - - - - 05°09' §. 125°08' W. 10/16 2 2 - - - 2 - O5e36N"S..) 22°35! We 10/17 2 1 - - - 2 - Main area 06°12' §, 120°02' W. 10/18 1 3 - - - 1 - 07°43' S. 117°58')W. 10/19 1 1 - - - - - 06°25' S. 117°05' W. 10/20 - 3 - - - 1 - 04°09' §. 117°47' W. 10/21 1 7 Vy - - - - 01°52' S, 118°21' Ww 10/22 - 1 - - - - - 00°28' S. 118°43' W. 10/23 2 1 - 1 - - - 02°14' N. 119°29' W. 10/24 1 2 - - - - - 02°46' N. 119°10' W 10/25 2 - 1 - - 1 04°12' N, 118°58' W. 10/26 = 1 2hy 2 1 = = 05°04' N. 118°56' W. 10/27 2 3 - ~ - - = On return run 06°37' N. 121°54' W. 10/28 1 3 - - - - - 08°54' N. 124°48' W. 10/29 - 1 - - - - =i 08°36' N. 128°00' w. 10/30 - 6 - - - - - 0933 ONG STAT" w., - 10/31 - 4 - 1 - - - ISSUING 1350320 (Wee t/a - - - - - - = 13°03! N.) 139°07":W.. 11/2 - 1 - - - - - UGS 52U ON 142055) Wen 11/3 - - - - - - = 16°26' N. 146°40' W. 11/4 - - - - - - - USS13" ON. 50°3200We L/S S = = = = = 19°33' N. 154°20' W. 11/6 - 1 - - - - - Off Kewalo Basin 11/7 - 2 = - = = a Totals 27 65 2 6 1 7 1 1/Skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tunas. 2/Skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tunas and mahimahi and rainbow runner. 36 skipjack tuna and 42 yellowfin tuna collected will be invaluable in the subpopulation study, the cruise was alsonoteworthy for a different reason: Numerous surface schools of tuna were sighted far at sea, and skipjack tuna ap- parently were abundant, There are very few previous reports of tuna schools that have come from the area surveyed. The Gilbert departed from Honolulu on Oct. 2, 1969, with 143 buckets of 2- to 3-inch- long threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) which were to be used as live bait in pole- and-line fishing, Fifty baskets of longline gear were also taken aboard, The longline gear wastobe fished in the event bird flocks or fish schools could not be located, or the threadfin shad died before the vessel reached the fishing area. The longline gear was never used. We saw bird flocks and schools of tuna daily in the area of operation, and the threadfin shad held up well. One hundred and nine schools were seen on the cruise (table 1). Most schools were accompanied by flocks of up to 300 birds (table 2), largely shearwaters and terns, Although numerous schools were seen, pursued, and chummed when the vessel first entered the fishing area on October 13, none responded tochumming during the first 8 days of fishing. Before October 21, this was the usual sequence of developments after a bird flock was sighted: (1) change vessel course and pursue, (2) number of birds diminishes upon approach, (3) jig strike, (4) reduce ves- sel speed and start chumming, (5) abandon school--either fish were not skipjack tuna or noresponse, and flock dispersed. The schools sighted from October 13 to October 21 were moving fast and were probably small. The Catch The first school successfully fished by pole and line was encountered on October 21 at lat. 4° §,, long. 119° W. This was a poor-biting school; the average weight of the 13 skipjack, 8 yellowfin, and 2 bigeye (Thunnus obesus) tunas caught was about 3 pounds, Fishing improved asthe Gilbert proceeded northward to about lat. 2° N, along long. 119° W. On October 24, 213 large (17-pound average) skipjack tuna were caught by pole and line; 46 were tagged and released, Since sample requirementsfor subpopulation stud- ies were fulfilled, the school was abandoned, although the catch rate was still good. Two schools were fished on October 26 at lat. 4°N., long. 119° W. The first was a large breezing school of small fish. (''Breezer" refers to a school that can be detected by a Table 2, - Frequency Distribution of Bird Flock Sizes Seen on Cruise 116 of the Charles H. Gilbert Number of birds in ; : 6 flock In main area: lat. 5 N.-10° S. and long. 115°-120° W. 1-5 6-10 = 2:5 26-50 51-100 101-500 Total per day S. between long. 120° Average number of flocks observed per day On runs to and from fishing areas In subarea: lat. 5° and 135° W. light-to-heavy rippling of the water surface, similar to that caused by local wind disturb- ance or a ripcurrent; see Scott 1969.) Pole- and-line fishing yielded the following species and average weights: 519 skipjack tuna, 5 pounds; 13 bigeye tuna, 4 pounds; 28 yellowfin tuna, 4 pounds; 6 mahimahi (Coryphaena hip- purus), 16 pounds; and 1 rainbow runner (Ela- gatis bipinnulatus), 13 pounds. A total of 419 skipjack tuna was tagged and released. Many more bigeye and yellowfin tunas could have been caught had they not been shaken off the hooks by the fishermen during the 1 hour of skipjack-tunatagging. This large school was still breezing and following the vessel when last seenat 1500, althoughfishing had stopped at 1230. The vessel was scouting at a reduced speed of about 3 knots after fishing the school to enable the field party to complete sampling of the catch. The second school of the day to be fished was a large one of bigeye tuna (10-25 pounds) which was "boiling'' the surface when ap- proached. (''Boiler,'' a very active, feedin school that can be detected by the ''boiling' white water caused by jumping fish in pursuit of their prey; see Scott 1969.) Ninety-seven were landed in a few minutes, and the fish were still biting fast whenfishing was stopped. Representative samples of the stomach con- tents were preserved when it was found that the fish had been feeding on a small anchovy, not yet identified, that closely resembles the Hawaiian nehu (Stolephorus purpureus). Two schools of skipjack tuna were fished on October 27 at about lat. 5° N., long. 119° W. The first was a school of medium-sized (10- pound average) fishthat breezed frequently but bit poorly. This school was abandoned soon after the 10th pass when an adequate sample (49 fish) had been caught by pole-and-line. The second school was a large breezing school of medium-sized (8-pound average) skipjack tuna. Although the bait supply was depleted in a few minutes, five fishermen in 37 the racks landed 110 skipjack tuna; this was more than the sample size required for sub- population studies. After exhausting the live - bait supply onthis school, the Gilbert curtailed pole-and-line fishing and returned to Hono- lulu, Surface Trolling Surface trolling with two to six lines was conducted throughout the cruise on all day- light runs, The catch from about 400 hours of trolling (see fig. for areas) consisted of 67 skipjack tuna (1-25 pounds), 9 yellowfin tuna (2-4 pounds), 9 bigeye tuna (2-10 pounds), 22 mahimahi (1-30 pounds), and one 8-lb. wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), Skipjack tuna seemed to be plentiful on 3 days during runs toand from the fishing areas, judging by the many strikes onthetrolling lines. Twelve schools were sighted on October 9 while the vessel was en route to the fishing area, at about lat, 5° N., long, 143° W. During the return trip, seven skipjack tuna were caught on October 28, and 14 on October 29, between lat.6° N., long. 122° W. and lat. 9° N., long. 125° W. Many more came off the hooks and were lost while being retrieved. The strikes on the trolling lines were spread throughout the day. Unless a tuna school followed the vessel during this period--a situation unlikely inview of the vessel speed of about 9 knots-- the area appears to represent rich grounds for skipjacktuna, There was little doubt that pole-and-line fishing would have been very fruitful in these areas. Although bird flocks and schools were seen throughout the fishing area, the best fishing was inthe latitudes a fewdegrees north of the Equator, where surface temperatures were about 25°-28° C. The water was clear and blue in the fishing area. The thermocline depths usually ranged between40 and 100 m., and currents setting easterly at a few knots prevailed in the better fishing area. LITERATURE CITED SCOTT, JAMES MICHAEL, 1969, Tuna schooling terminology. a > California Fish Game 55(2): CU 136-140. NCE (D NIGHT LIGHTING FOR HERRING-- AN OLD TECHNIQUE MAY HAVE NEW POSSIBILITIES Alden P, Stickney One of the most modern fishing techniques, which may also be as ancient as the art of fishing itself, is the use of artificial lights to attract fish at night. Several significant de- velopments have contributedtothe usefulness of this technique: the convenience and ver- satility of modernelectric lighting equipment, new and ingenious methods of catching the fish, and a better understanding of fish be- havior through research, At present, lights are used successfully in fisheries throughout the world. The Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) is one of many species that can be attracted to lights. Modern fishing vessels in several countries carry lights for this purpose, even though routine fishing may be carried on with- out them, Inthe United States, 'torching" for herring is a very old method, Once it was used on the east coast, but now it is largely obsolete, although modern purse sSeiners on the west coast use lights very effectively for Pacific herring, Experimental lighting gear used to attract herring at night. A. 300-watt generator; B. Fuse box and switch; C. Dimming control; D. Waterproof lamp socket and bulb in weighted frame. Mr. Stickney is Fishery Biologist, BCF Biological Laboratory, W. Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint (Sep.) No. 869 38 Not Universally Accepted The acceptance or belief in the efficacy of lights for catching herring is not universal among fishermen, Apparently, this stems from various local prejudices as well as the demonstrable fact that herring vary consid- erably in their response to lights, At the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, ex- periments recently were conducted to learn more about the behavior of herring in re- sponse to lights. The hope is that this fish- ing method may provide a useful supplement to increase the flexibility of the New England herring fishery. In recent years, a decline in the coastal sardine fishery of Maine, for example, seems to have resulted in part from behavioral and distributional anomalies that tend to reduce the availability of the herring schools. In some instances, particularly for the inshore stop Seiners, a diversion of the schools by as little as a few hundred yards may mean the difference between a good catch and none at all. Even in the more flexible purse-seine fishery, slight differences in the depth or lo- cation of schools make significant differences in the ability of the gear to catch them, Lab Experiments Laboratory experiments!/ at Boothbay Harbor have shownthat the efficacy of a light inattracting herringis quite variable. It de- pends, among other things, on its brilliance, its location above or below the surface, the temperature of the water, and the physiolo- gical state ofthe fish. For this reason, some judgmentis necessary in using a light effec- tively and, at times, using a light may be of doubtful value. The Boothbay Harbor experiments showed that a very bright or very weak light is much less effective than one of intermediate bril- lance ;the optimum brilliance is dependent on the distance of the fishfromthe light. An un- derwater light is more effective than one above the surface, and any light seems more effective incold water than in warm, Herring adapted todarkness are attracted less readily than those adapted to light; hence the use of lights would seem to be most advantageous shortly after sundown. 39 Lab Work Field Tested Much of the experimental work was done in the laboratory, but field tests of an under- water light confirmed most of the laboratory conclusions. In trials during October-No- vember 1969, a 250-watt incandescent bulb in a weighted watertight socket, lowered to a depth of about afathomin 3 fathoms of water, attracted large numbers of herring and ale- wives. These results were achieved in a lo- cation usually providing good catches to stop seiners but which, forthe past two years, has been relatively barren of fish. Fathometer recordings made during the day showedtraces of small fish schools about 300 yards away from the location of the light. Shortly after sundown, when the light was turned on, fish began to appear within 15 to 60 minutes, These tests didnot give adequate informa- tion about the ability of the light to attract herring in commercially useful quantities. It is possible, however, that had such quan- tities been in the vicinity, they would have been attracted; also, that one or more such lights would have drawn them into an area in which they could have been caught more easily with conventional gear. Research trials ofunderwater lights were made in 1966 by biologists of the Marine Bio- logical Station at Grande-Riviere, Quebec, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In several trials, 25 to 40 tons of herring were attracted and taken in purse Seines, Good catches were made in some instances when little or no in- dication of herring was shown on the fatho- meter. 'Torching'! In the primitive method of ''torching,'' an open flame is held in front of a moving boat. Although it is seldom used today, fishermen say it has yielded catches of as much as 60 bushels of herring in afew hours--using only a large dip net to capture the fish. There is some question as to whether the herring ac- tually were attracted tothe light, or whether they were already present in the water and were merely dazzled sufficiently to permit capture, Attempts to duplicate the technique with electric lights above the water general- ly have not been found satisfactory. In a comparison of a kerosene torch with an 1/Stickney, Alden P. Factors influencing the attraction of Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus harengus, to artificial lights, U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull., Vol. 68: 73-85. 40 underwater light, we found the latter to be far more effective in attracting herring. For some purposes, underwater light gear need not be expensive. In our field tests, we used a globe-type, 250-watt light bulb in a watertight socket, weighted so it would sink (photo p. 38), A300-watt portable generator, suspended from aloft or set on a cushion to minimize vibration, provided power. The light circuit was connected to the generator through a control panel containing fuses and adimmer. As the wattage rating or number of lights increases, or for illumination at greater depths, more rugged and expensive equipment would be necessary. \ Dip netting at a light attraction station aboard the BCF research vessel 'Oregon.' (Photo: T. Iwamoto) FISHING LIMITS "Timits and Status of the Territorial Sea, Exclusive Fishing Zones, Fishery Conserva-~ tion Zones and the Continental Shelf,'' FAO Legislative Series No. 8, $1. Soldby UNIPUB, Inc. 650 First Ave., P.O. Box 433, New York, N.Y. 10016. This is a new listing of national claims on territorial seas, fishing and conservation zones and adjacent waters, andthe Continental Shelf, It covers 106 countries and territories and is a convenient reference. Forty of the nations listed claim territorial limits of 12 nautical miles; 29 claim 3 miles. The 40 include Mainland China and the USSR. Nations adhering to the 3-mile limit include Canada, Republic of China (Taiwan), France, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. (Tradition has it that 3 miles was the limit of early cannon.) At least 8 nations claim a 200-mile terri- torial sea and/ or exclusive fishing zone: Ar- gentina, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicara- gua, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay*. Guinea's territorial limits extend 130 miles. Fourteen, including Israel, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, maintain6-mile territorial limits. Others vary from 4milesfor Finland, Norway, and Sweden to 10 for Albania and Yugoslavia. Nearly 30 nations claim exclusive contigu- ous fishing zones 12 miles from the coast, Canada, France, the U.K., and the U.S. among others, At least 6 nations, including the U.S. and some Asian countries, maintain fishery conservation zones outside territorial and/or exclusive fishing waters. Most nations assert exclusive claims over exploitation of Continental Shelf resources downto200 meters, Many are parties to the Convention on the Continental Shelf. The study notes that the 1964 Convention onthe Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone “*Brazil has joined group. --Ed. 41 sets nolimits onthe breadth of the territorial sea and may imply it should not exceed 12 miles. INTERNATIONAL CONTROLS "Comparative Study of Laws and Regula- tions Governing the International Traffic in Live Fish and Fish Eggs," by R. B. Zenny, EIFAC Technical Paper No. 10, European In- land Fisheries Advisory Commission, FAO Legislation Branch, FAO, via delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy. International health standards are rigid for humans and livestock, They are notori- ously lax for live fish and fish eggs shipped toforeign countries. Most fish diseases and infections are harmless to humans--yet they can cross frontiers to decimate entire fish populations in ponds, culture stations, lakes, rivers, andstreams. The problem has been acute in some European and North American countries where many fish deaths have been attributed to imports of infected or diseased fish and eggs. This is a report on the growing interna- tional exchange of live fish and eggs for cul- ture (principally salmonand trout). Based on reports received from 86 nations, it reviews national legislation on live fish and egg trade, and finds mostinadequate. Thirty-eight coun- tries reported nocontrol; most others had in- adequate or poorly enforced legislation; only 10 appeared to have effective regulations. "National legislation and policies, where they exist, are fashioned with little regard to the standards and practices in other coun- tries,'' Zenny writes. Moreover, ‘effective controlmay be exercised over internal traf- fic, but not over imports or exports; over in- ternal traffic and imports, but not over ex- ports; or over imports only. The relevant legislation may exist on the statute books and may either not be implemented or only partly so, Warning that fish diseases know no fron- tiers, and citing ever-increasing trade in live 42 fish and eggs, the study urges greater inter- national collaboration onthe establishment of a "uniform system of health control." COD "Géo-Economie de la Morue (Geo-Eco- nomics of Cod-Fisheries), edited by Jean Malaurie, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, published by Mouton & Co., P. O. Box 1132, The Hague, Netherlands. Price 65 Francs, 42 Dutch Guilders. This is a compilation of papers presented at the first International Congress of the North Atlantic Cod Industry. The 25 papers cover production and processing, fishing methods, economics of fishing and production, biology, preservation and freezing, marketing, and recommendations for future action, LOBSTER "Lobster Storage,'' by H. J. Thomas, 55 pp., illus. Order from Sales Section, British In- formation Services, 845 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022, 90¢. _ Long-term storage--keeping lobster for several months--permits operators to take advantage of the high winter prices, and evens supplies in the process. It also enables the operator tosellon a good market rather than a glutted one. Short- and medium-term stor - age canincrease profits by decreasing deaths in transit, andimproving condition at market time. This pamphlet is concerned mainly with medium - and long-term storage. It discusses methods used in Britain and abroad, and de- scribes siting and construction; water condi- tions; handling; pests and diseases; welled boats; floating boxes and cages; pools and lobster ponds; refrigerated storage; and mar- keting. AQUACULTURE "Aquaculture: The New Shrimp Crop," Sea Grant Information Leaflet No. 1, Feb. 1970, U. of Miami, 10 Rickenbacker Cause- way, Miami, Fla. 33149, Interest inthe commercial culture of marine and estuarine animals has been height- tened by increasing need for more protein food--and by growing knowledge of the life histories of some animals that seem capable of being cultured, Some schemes for producing marine re- sources by culture are considered impracti- cal: 1. "It is very unlikely, for example, that aquatic farms will be set up in North America to grow marine plants for food... Although some seaweed are edible, they are relatively nonnutri- tious.'' And more important, there now is no food market for them. 2, ‘It seems unlikely that we can establish extensive marine fish farms in deep water because of the great practical and legal difficulties of creating and controlling large enclosures in these areas, Sea farms will, therefore, onl be feasible in shallow water regions,’ 3, "At least in the beginning stages of marine aquaculture, only animals of market value canbe raised profitably." The possibilities of the commercial cul- ture of crustaceans seem greater than those of other seafood, The U.S, demand for shrimp seems incapable of being satisfied. Demand in several other countries is growing too. Because of this, shrimp prices have reached high levels. ''Consistently high market value encourages the hope that profitable culture operations may be possible." There is a long history of attempts throughout the worldtoraise several species of shrimp: in India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Japan, Several of these are described, At the University of Miami, marine aqua- culture experiments have been launched with the pink shrimp, Penaeus duorarum. The procedures, as elsewhere in the U.S., "are Similar to those of the Japanese and attempt to control the whole life history." THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES ARE IN 'FISHERY BULLETIN,! VOL. 67, NO, 2. IT IS AVAILABLE FROM DIVISION OF PUBLI- CATIONS, BCF, 1801 N. MOORE ST., AR- LINGTON, VA, 22209: CHINOOK SALMON "Egg-to-Migrant Survival of Spring Chi- nook Salmon ('Oncorhynchus tshawytscha') in the Yakima River, Washington," by Richard L, Major and James L. Mighell, pp. 347-359, illus. Thoughthe Columbia River runs are but a fraction of their former size, they are still a major producer of spring chinook salmon. In 1957, a study of egg-to-migrant survival of a population of spring chinook was begun on the Yakima River--a Columbia tributary. This paper summarizes the study from 1957 to 1963. The Yakima was chosen because a trap in a diversion canal at Prosser, Wash., on the lower river, provided an unique opportunity to sample seaward migration, Spring chinook spawning bothintributaries of the Yakima and in its upper stretch mi- grate in their second year. the number of migrants with the number of eggs deposited by female spawners yielded an estimate of survival to the seaward migrant stage. barrett "Contribution of Columbia River Hatch- eries to Harvest of Fall Chinook Salmon ('On- corhynchus tshawytscha'),'' by D.D. Worlund, R.J. Wahle, and P.D. Zimmer, pp. 361-391, illus, There are over 15 salmon-producing hatcheries on the lower 180 miles of the Columbia River. They were built primarily to offset the loss of natural spawning and rearing areas for salmon and steelhead caused by water-development projects. Re- leases of fall chinook have varied from fewer than 10 million fish from 6 hatcheries in 1949, to about 56 millionfrom 14 hatcheriesin 1966. This article describes an experiment with fall chinook from 12 hatcheries. They were marked in 4 consecutive years to estimate their contribution to the sport and commer- cial fisheries. It estimates returns, catch, value and cost-benefit ratios. Comparison of’ 43 ESTUARINE DESTRUCTION "Some Effects of Hydraulic Dredging and Coastal Development in Boca Ciega Bay, Florida,'' by John L, Taylor and Carl H. Salo- man, pp. 213-241, illus. Hydraulic dredging has been an accepted means of creating premium -value waterfront realestate in Florida since 1920. Since 1950, it has become a serious threat. Bay filling has been little regulated and, in most cases, estuarine biological and recreational re- sources have been disregarded. Boca Ciega Bay is a part of Tampa Bay. Coastal development and progressively de- teriorating water quality have affected both its plant and animal production adversely. This report describes some of the biological and physical changes that have followed alter- ation, It also compares estuarine conditions indredged areas with relatively undisturbed areas. Urging against further destruction by de- velopment, the authors note: 'In Florida, and other States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, dredging and other forms of estuarine de- struction damage fisheries, because most of the species taken in sport and commercial fisheries live inestuarines during part or all of their life cycle."' They add: ''Perhaps, the most timely argument against further de- struction of estuarine habitats is the present and potential value of these areas for produc- tion of food," The report also cites economic losses from filling and dredging: "Fishery production alone in Tampa Bay estuary has an annual value of about $300/ acre. In addition, these waters are used by public utilities, industry, and commerce and serve recreational requirements of nearly a million residents and 13 million annual vaca- tioners, Hence, total worth of each water acre inthe estuary canbe conservatively es- timated at $400/acre. At this rate, the 3,500 acres covered by bayfills in Boca Ciega Bay represent an annual loss of about $1.40 mil- lion, which if capitalized at 6% would total a natural investment of $23.3 million. Thisac- counting is not complete because the undesir- able aspects of coastal development extend well beyond bulkheads and outfalls." 44 PESTICIDES "Effects of Pesticides on Embryonic De- velopment of Clams and Oysters and on Sur- vival and Growth of the Larvae," by J.C. Davis and H. Hidu, pp. 393-404, Tocontrolcertaininsects and undesirable plants, highly persistent pesticides have been used extensively inrecent years--not only on agricultural lands, but onrecreational areas, lakes, streams, andmarshes. This has made evaluation of their effects on fish and wild- life imperative. Attaining control of undesir- able species, while doing the least possible harm to desirable ones, requires extensive knowledge of how eachpesticide affects each species, This is a summary of data obtained at BCF's Milford(Conn.) Biological Laboratory on the effects of various pesticides on de- velopment of fertilized eggs of hardclams and American oysters, and onsurvival and growth of the larvae. It also describes study meth- ods, and cites the need for further work. SHELLFISH PREDATORS "Changes in Abundance of the Green Crab (Carcinus maenas, L.) in Relation to Recent Temperature Changes,''by Walter R. Welch, pp. 337-345, illus. The green crab catch is of minor com- mercialimportance, It is fished only as bait for sport fishermen. Major interest in the species arises from the fact that it is a sig- nificant predator of the commercially valu- able soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria. Mass mortalities of greencrabs coincide with pe- riods of severe cold, Thecommercial catch of soft-shellclamsincreases markedly when the crabs decline. This paper documents the changes in abun- dance of greencrabfromits peak in the mid- 1950s, relating changes toconcurrent changes in temperature. act "The Feeding Habits of the Green Crab, Carcinus maenas, L.,'' by John W. Ropes, pp.. NGs=203% This is a study of the feeding habits of green crabs, It contains observations on the relation of feeding behavior to environment and available food. MARINE RESOURCES & COURSES "Oceanography in Florida 1970,'' Florida Department of Commerce, 262 pp., $1. Avail- able from E, Earl Donaldson, Executive Di- rector, the Florida Council of 100, P.O. Box 2192,601 Twiggs Street, Tampa, Fla. 33601. A comprehensive analysis of marine sci- ence, technology, and oceanographic activ- ities. It includes a complete description of all Florida's sea-related organizations, fa- cilities, and natural resources. Tt "Directory of Academic Marine Sciences Programs in New England,'' New England Marine Resources Information Program, University of Rhode Island, 51 pp. Free copies available from NEMRIP, Narragansett Bay Campus, URI, Narragansett, R.I, 02882. The directory lists the courses in marine sciences offered by 41 institutions of higher learning inthe six-state New England region. It includes those of the Woods Hole Oceano- graphic Institution, --Barbara Lundy INTERNATIONAL FORECAST SLIGHT RISE IN MARINE-OIL OUTPUT FOR 1970 Although fish-oil production declined in 1969, world output of marine oils is forecast to increase slightly in 1970. However, it is expected to be somewhat below 1968's record. Baleen-whale oil mayrise slightly; no appre- ciable change insperm-whale output is antic- ipated. Baleen Oil After a long downtrend starting in 1962, baleen-whale oil production is expected to in- crease, This estimate is based on a fairly large Norwegian Antarctic catch. Production outside the Antarctic isnot expected to change significantly. Quotas The 1969/70 Antarctic pelagic whaling countries (Japan, Norway, USSR) agreed to a reduced global quota of 2,700 blue-whale units (BWU)--roughly equivalent to 56,000 tons of oil. The 1968/69 quota was 3,200 BWU. The catch was only2,469 BWU, with an estimated output of about 51,000 tons of oil. Japan and the USSR both filled their 1968/69 quotas. Norway (quota of 731 BWU) didnot participate; her quotalater was cut to231 BWU--roughly equivalent to 5,000 tons of oil. Reportedly, Norway plans to participate in the 1970 ex- pedition. Forecast Assumptions The 1970forecast assumes: 1).fulfillment of the 2,700 BWU global quota; 2) an oil yield approximating 1969's 20.8tons per BWU; and 3) continuance of output outside the Antarctic at the 1969 level. Sperm-Whale Oil Sperm-whale oil production is not control- led under the Antarctic quota agreement. It is not expected to change significantly. This production has continued to be relatively stable, slightly above volume produced during 1962-66, The biggest producer, the Soviet Union, has expanded output substantially in recent years, while output by small producers has been sharply reduced. The North Pacific 45 output has expanded; Antarctic pelagic output has remained about the same; output from shore stations outside the Antarctic has de- clined. Fish-Oil Prediction Difficult Forecasting world output of fish body and liver oils a year in advance is a precarious task. Among theuncertainties are: probable catches by major countries; possible changes in catch restrictions in countries like Peru; closed seasons; possible strikes; probable oil yields; and possible effects of higher prices tending to stimulate fishing activity. Forecast Peruvian fish-oil output in 1969/70 season is not expected to change appreciably, despite a probable decline in the catch limit. The Peruvian Marine Institute has recommended an anchovy catch limit of 9.4 million short tons, compared to 10.9 million tons in 1968/69. The expected oil output is based on an anticipated recovery in oil extraction rate, Some recovery in output from last year's reduced volumes is expected in Norway and Iceland. Possible small increases by Canada, the USSR, and Japan may lead to some overall increase in 1970 world fish-oil production. (‘World Agriculture Production and Trade,! Jan. 1970.) —\ WORLD FISHERY TRADE INCREASED IN 1968 Both quantity and value of world trade in fishery commodities increased in 1968, The share of fishusedfor fish mealreached a new high. This information comes from FAO's recently released 'Yearbook of Fishery Sta- tistics (Commodities).' The volume lists 1968 commercial and production figures for 150 countries, excluding Mainland China, Quantity & Value The value of trade infish and fish products increased to about US$2,560 million from about $2,400 million in 1966 and 1967. The rise was due largely to improved fish-meal 46 prices. Volume increased from 6,400,000 metric tons in 1966, and 7,103,000 tons in 1967, to 7,841,000 tons in 1968. Fish meal accounted for 3,591,000 tons and $456 million. Consumption The Yearbook also shows consumption of the 64,000,000-metric-ton 1968 world catch of marine and inland-water fish. Almost two- thirds (40,200,000 tons) was frozen, cured, canned, or eaten fresh; 22,800,000 tons, or 35.6%, went into fish meal for animal feed. In 1958, only 13% of the total fish catch was used for fish meal. =o —— “3 HALIBUT SURVEYED IN SOUTHEASTERN BERING SEA The trawler 'St. Michael' left Bellingham, Washington, Feb, 17,1970, ona 65-day halibut survey in the southeastern Bering Sea. Sail- ing under charter to the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), she is evaluating the incidental catches of halibut in the food- fish catches of foreign trawl fleets. Small, and probably large, halibut are particularly vulnerable to suchfishing atthis season. The vessel's crew also is doing extensive tagging. The Commission is responsible to Canada and the U.S.for maintaining halibut stocks at maximum productivity. (IPHC, Feb. 16.) ATLANTIC SALMON HIGH-SEAS FISHERY INCREASED IN 1969 The 1969 Atlantic salmon catch off Green- land was about 2,210 metric tons, 39% over the previous high in 1967. Fish were preva- lent over a wide area of Davis Strait anda substantial fleet took advantage of the situa- tion. Fleets from Denmark, Norway, and the Faroes notably expanded the offshore drift- net fishery. They caught 1,280 tons compared to 544 in 1968. Greenland's catch, up from near-failure in 1968, was still 25% less than her 1967 and 1966 inshore catches; 1969 was the first time Greenland had participated in the offshore fishery. Larger Fleets & Catches Danishfishermen made the largest gains, With 18 vessels, they tripled their 1968 catch, when theyhadonly 7. Norwegian and Faroese vessels more than doubled, but catches rose only about two-thirds. Catch Off Norway Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian vessels are rapidly expanding the high-seas fishery for Atlantic salmon off Norway. The fishery is some 12 to 200 miles offshore, northward from Bergen to Finmark. Norway is seri- ously concerned that her valuable salmon stocks are being depleted. The 1969 catch probably will be over 800 metric tons, more than double 1968's. A sharp increase is re- ported in participating Norwegian and Danish vessels. Norway has protested the salmon's "ruthless exploitation’ by Danish vessels. Five German vessels participated for the first time. Norwegian Restrictions Norway severely curtailed her inshore and river fisheries. Longline fishing has been forbidden for some time in Norwegian fishing limits. However, drift gillnets are permitted up to the inshore base lines of her territorial sea. Danish and Swedish fishermen initiated longlining beyond the fishing limits, and Nor- wegians recently entered the fishery with great vigor, Charges that offshore fisheries are destroying the benefits of inshore con- servation are being discussed violently. Reports from Norway indicate that if de- velopments in the salmonfishery continue to be favorable, as many as 300 vessels might participate in the offshore fishery. Baltic Fishing Atlantic salmon are exploited extensively in the practically land-locked, brackish-water Baltic Sea. The salmon exchange between the Baltic, the North Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean is relatively minor, Total Baltic high-seas catch in recent years has been 2,000-2,500 tons. More thanhalf is taken by Danish fish- ermen; Sweden takes 20%, and West Germany 10%. Denmark catches almost equal quantities of salmon in the Baltic and off Greenland. In the 1968/69 season (July-June), the catch totaled 1,465 metric tons, 13% below the pre- vious record but still near 1966/67 (and ear- lier) catch levels. Up to 1963/64, annual catches were mostly near, or below, 1,000 tons. (Reg. Fish. Attaché, Copenhagen, Feb. 19.) og WORLD’S FIRST FLOATING FPC FACTORY IS OPERATING Last month, Astra Nutrition began oper- ating the world's first floating factory to pro- duce high-quality fish protein concentrate (FPC). The firm is part of the Astra group, Sweden's largest pharmaceutical house. Harry Wendeus, managi ng director of Astra Nutrition, said recently: "The world's first continuous processing plant for produc- ing human grade fish proteinconcentrate went into production late in 1969 at Bua, a fishing community onthe West Coast of Sweden. Its output will be supplemented when a 25,000- ton modernized and fully-equipped 'floating factory', upon which more than $7,000,000 has been spent, goes into operationin internation- al waters. This ship will be attended by 11 fishing boats that will provide the mother ship with a constant supply of freshfish."' He noted the importance of afreshfish supply to insure quality control, Astra Nutrition has applied for process patents in 40 countries, Fig. 1 - Motor/Ship *Astra', a 25,000-ton, $7-million "floating factory" operated by Astra Nutrition of Sweden. It will process high-grade fish protein concentrate (FPC) from daily catch of fishing boats, 47 The principle usedin the Astra process is extraction of water and oil from the fish with isopropyl alcohol. This is the basic method for making wholesome and acceptable fish protein concentrate that the Bureau of Com- mercial Fisheries developed and demonstra- ted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administra- tion--enabling FPC tobe used as a food in the United States. The protein will be used as an ingredient in products for developing countries, Obstacles Overcome Astra developed a laboratory method of producing defatted fish protein concentrate in 1957, producing 20 grams during the first year Fig. 2 - Astra's FPC processing method first removes fat and bones, The stainless steel equipment readies powdered concentrate for storage in 20 large silos that extend above and below decks. 48 Astra Nutrition believes factory ships can solve problem of obtaining large quantities of fish needed’ to produce high-grade protein. The M/S Astra will operate in international waters, accompanied and sup- pliedby 11 smaller fishing boats. The landing capacity of these boats is estimated at 200,000 tons annually. Combined crews will number 160 persons. The 20 silos on board will hold 6,000 tons of finished product. This will be transferred by vacuum every 35 days to a bulk carrier. in 4 days. In 1960, the difficulties of trans- ferring the manufacturing process from lab- oratory to plant scale ''seemed unsurmount- able,'' Wendeus said, 'By 1961 we had to re- evaluate the entire method and start over again.’ By 1963, Swedish authorities ap- proved FPC as a foodstuff. A continuous, rather than batch, process was developed. Wendeus said product compares favorably with animal proteinfrom other sources. It is a ''complete animal protein with a high nutri- tional content, about 93% protein, with a good aminoacid balance. It contains phosphorous, calcium and mineralsin proper proportion," All protein molecules combine smaller chemicals called amino acids, Generally, proteins from animal sources are of higher quality than those from vegetables. Of 22 amino acids that have been isolated, eight are regarded essential in the diet. Astra Joins National Biscuit In Jan, 1970, Astra and National Biscuit Co. of New York formed joint venture-- Nabisco-Astra Nutrition Development Corp.--to research and develop sources of essential low-cost protein for use in human food products. The new company will direct its efforts toward reducing the serious protein deficiency in many developing nations. aes. FAO MASTERFISHERMAN FOR DEVELOPING WORLD An FAO feature written by Gabriel De Sabatino tells the story of Captain Pierre A. Lusyne, a 60-year-old Belgian who went to sea in sailing ships at 14and who, as an FAO Masterfisherman, has been sharing his ex- perience with apprentice fishermen in devel- oping countries for the past 15 years. Lusyne, a native of Ostend, has organized and directed some of the fishing training cen- ters FAO has established around the world under the United Nations Development Pro- gramme, FAO believes the centers are essential to train crewmenproperly at a time when fish- ing vessels have computers and other com- plex equipment for finding and catching fish. Highly skilled hands arerequired, Education and training are so vital to fishery develop- ment and to food production that the matters will be discussed at the Second World Food Congress FAO is convening at The Hague, Netherlands, June 16 to 30. His Proudest Achievement Lusyne's proudest achievement is the Deep Sea Fishing Training Centre he organized for the Republic of Korea (S. Korea) to provide trained crewmen for the country's growing fishing fleet. The center was established in Pusanin1965 under a 5-year $2,800,000 FAO project financed jointly by UNDP and Korean Government, The center was so successful that Lusyne turned its direction over to the Koreans on schedule in1969, ''They are op- erating it entirely on their own with just oc- casionalhelpfromus,''hesaidinRome. "It's all their show now." Lusyne, who speaks no Korean, had to start from scratch, as he did with the other proj- ects. Inlessthana year after the project was negotiated, the center was operating. He noted: ''We started out with 50 trainees out of 300 applicants and only five instructors, all of whom I had to brief myself. Now there is a much larger staff and the centre grad- uates about 150 apprentice fishermena year." The Center The course lasts 18 months: 10 months! shore training, 73 months at sea aboard the center's two training ships. Then there are 15 days of summing up and examination, The trainees, who include non-Korean na- tionals, are selectedcarefully and live at the center. The center is well equipped with workshops and demonstration rooms, The trainees receive blue uniforms, red caps, and a smallallowance, They make their owntools and gear for the fishing trials aboard the ships. The tunathey catchis soldtoa cannery in Samoa, and the money helps pay for the school, Discipline and cooperation are excellent, reports Lusyne, who runs his schools with near-navaldiscipline, ''Thetrainees are en- couraged to keep busy even in their spare moments and physical exercise is a daily 'must.' It is good for morale as well as for physical fitness, Itinstils a goodteam spirit and a sense of participation among the men," Inhis 5years at the school, Lusyne never hadtoput a traineein his place. ''Only once, aboard one of the training vessels, we had a little incident when the trainees got tired of being at sea and wanted toreturnto port. The FAO Masterfishermantold them he would be fired if he did soand retired to his cabin until they reported ready for work. The matter ended there and then." ‘Survived Dunkirk Lusyne became an instructor after a World War Ileye injury disqualified him for sea duty. He had taken part in the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940 and was almost killed when his ship was rammed accidentally in the dark by a destroyer and sank with 300 troops. He says his survival was a pure miracle. In 1945, he organized a fishing-training schoolin Ostendas part of Belgium's recon- struction efforts. In 1955, he joined FAO and was sent to India. There, working under a Technical Assistance project, he organized 4 training centers, which later expanded to 12. Later, he set up schools in New Caledonia in the western Pacific, in Suez, U.A.R., and in Vang Tau, Vietnam. He also served as a training adviser in Pakistan. In 1964, he was sent to Koreato establish the deep-sea train- ing center. The Sea at 134 The Belgian sea veteran has excellent cre- dentials as a seagoing schoolmaster. His father rana fleet of fishing smacks that sailed 49 50 by wind power alone. He gave Pierre his first taste of the sea when he was 134. The elder Lusyne, an old-school captain, rejected en- gines--and lostoutto motorized competitors. 'He had put all his faith in sails," Lusyne says noStalgically. Now Lusyne is preparing for yet another assignment, perhaps South America, Fal 1970 YELLOWFIN TUNA SEASON IN EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC ENDS The season for harvesting yellowfin tuna in the eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean ended at 12:01 a.m., local time, on March 23, 1970. On March 18, the Director of Investiga- tions, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Com- mission, recommended the closure data to all nations with vessels in the regulatory area. It was done to assure that the established catch limit of 120,000 short tons for 1970 would not be exceeded. Nearly 68,000 Short Tons The catch reported by the Commission, Jan, 1-Mar, 23, 1970, was 67,913 short tons. This is 14,383 tons, or 27%, greater than the 53,530 tons of the comparable period in 1969, am JAPANESE SOUND OUT MEXICANS ON JOINT FISHING IN MEXICO The Japanese Nichiro Fishing Co, is sounding out Mexican fishery interests on the proposed joint fishing venture to promote Mexico's fisheries, Although the details are unknown, the proposed plan calls for Japa- nese-U.S.-Mexican fishing company in Ense- nada to produce tuna, shrimp, and fish meal, Also planned is the sale of fish-meal plants. U.S. Firm Would Sell Catch The U.S. partners reportedly would handle all sales of fish caught. The Japanese firm is seeking a loan from its government on grounds that the venture would extend Japa- nese technology to Mexico. Japan has con- cluded a fishery agreement with Mexico, If the proposal takes shape, the Japanese firm plans tosenda survey team to Mexico around May. ('Suisan Keizai Shimbun,' Mar, 6.) 2. JAPAN AND MAURITANIA REACH FISHERY AGREEMENT On Feb. 19, 1970, Japan and Mauritania signed an agreement permitting Japanese trawlers to fish inside Mauritania's 12-mile exclusive fishery zone. The pact became effective April 10 and will run one year. Then it may be extended by mutual agreement. What Agreement Provides The agreement provides that: (1) 24 large Japanese trawlers will be permitted to enter Mauritania's 12-mile exclusive fishery zone from April 10; also 5 small vessels (30-50 grosstons) will be allowed inside the 3-mile territorial water zone to train 1-3 Mauritan- ian fishermen aboard those vessels; (2) fish catches by the 5 small vessels will be de- liveredtoshore-basedcold storages for sale at prices determined by committee of Japa- nese and Mauritanians; and (4) fishing fee will be assessed as 'cooperation fee!; it will includes charges for use of port and other fishing-connected facilities, The amount of assessment reported was about US$27.80 per gross ton of vessel, agreed toinearlier talks. (‘Suisan Tsushin,! Feb. 26.) CANADA NEWFOUNDLAND'S 1969 LANDINGS TOPPED BILLION LBS, FIRST TIME Newfoundland's sea fish landings in 1969 exceeded one billionpounds for the first time on record, reported the Canadian Dept. of Fisheries & Forestry. It was an increase of 6.7% over 1968's 951 million pounds, The gross landed value of C$28.2 million was up 1.1% from 1968'srecord C$27.9 million. The lower relative increase in landed value re- flected a further increase in herring land- ings--as average groundfish and shellfish prices remained stable. Groundfish Down Groundfish landings were 610 million pounds, down 1.8% from 1968. Cod landings, which fell 11.3% to 329 million pounds, ac- counting for most of decrease in groundfish catch. Apoor Labrador fishery and decreased catches in northern Labrador caused the de- cline. Flounder landings rose to 163 million pounds from 136 million pounds in 1968, The ocean perch (redfish) catch declined slightly from 1968's 76 million pounds, Landings of Greenland turbot rose 27% from 1968's 30 million pounds because fishing increased on new grounds, Other groundfish amounted to 11 million pounds, compared to 1968's 8 mil- lion pounds. Offshore Trawler Landings Groundfish landings by Newfoundland's off- shore trawler fleet were 276 million pounds, 2.6% over 1968. This fleet accounted for 45.3% of total groundfish landings, 20% of cod land- ings, 87% of flounder and ocean perch. Pelagic & Estuarial Species Landings of pelagic and estuarial species were 401 million pounds, up 22.6% from 1968, Herring landings of 390 million pounds showed another substantial increase, Reduction plants continued to operate at full capacity during herring season; there was increased demand by producers of pickled products. Salmon landings declined slightly from 1968's 3.2 million pounds, Capelin landings of 7.6 millionpounds were virtually the same. 51 Shellfish Climbed 11.3% Landings of shellfish increased 11.3% from 1968's 4.4 million pounds due to higher catches of scallops and crabs. The lobster catch fell 4.9% from 1968's 4 million pounds; however, higher prices offset volume decline, and value remained C$2.4 million, The scallop fishery yielded 275,000 pounds, more than double 1968's catch. Crab landings were 730,000 pounds; 190,000 pounds in 1968, Squid landings were insignificant. Fewer Fishermen The number of commercial fishermen fell from 19,355 in1968to18,150. Of these, 3,430 fished 10 months or more, 8,500 5 to 10 months, and 6,220 less than 5 months. There were 16,700 inshore fishermen in 1969, 18,041 in 1968. There were substan- tially fewer Labrador fishermen. The stationers and floaters who did not go to Labrador apparently remained out of the fishery from the islandas well. The offshore fleet provided jobs for 1,450 men; in 1968, 1,314. Fewer Motor Boats With fewer fishermen andthe shift tosmall longliners continuing, the number of motor boats decreased by 1,000to09,500. The num- ber of row boats also declined to 3,900 from 4,440 in 1968. The fleet of small longliners (under 25 gross tons) increased by 44 to 375 at year's end. Most of this increase occurred in the Fogo Island-Twillingate and Port au Choix areas, Variety of Vessels Some large longliners and jackboats (over 25 gross tons) remained inuse, with new ves- sels replacing those not used, At year's end, there were 67 otter trawlers in operation, compared with 60 a year earlier, Also, five small inshore draggers operated, two fewer than in 1968, 52 CANADA (Contd.): BRITISH COLUMBIA'S FISHING INDUSTRY VIEWS THE 1970s The Fisheries Association of British Co- lumbia, in its monthly "Facts on Fish" (Jan. 1970), listed problems it wouldlike to see re- solved in the 1970s; (1) Protection of coastal fish stocks from foreign fleets. This refers primarily to U.S. fishermen, (2) Protectionfrom huge Japanese and Soviet trawl fleets. (3) Exclusive juris- diction by coastal state over its Continental Shelf; control of fisheries resources made a part of international law. (4) Protection of halibut nursery stocks from Soviet and Ja- panese trawl fisheries. (5) Control of pol- lution. (6) Increase of salmon resources and more consistent production. (7) Better use of dogfish. (8) Better pay for fishermen, and (9) Greater consumption of fish. Difficult Decade The Jan. 1970 ''Western Fisheries,'' a Van- couver monthly trade magazine, states that the 1970s willbring a decade of hard negotia- tion between Canada and the U.S. The article concedes that the fisheries of the two coun- tries are so interwoven that compromise and full cooperation in conserving and exploiting the stocks are primary requirements, How- ever, two views are elaborated that seem to indicate that either Canada should go it alone--or renegotiate a treaty with a greater percentage of increase in fisheries going to Canadian fishermen. %* OK OK EXTENDS BAN ON HUNTING BABY SEALS The ban onkilling baby 'Wwhitecoat'' seals, announced in October 1969, has been extended tothe North Atlantic. Norway is honoring the ban, The March 22 opening date for the hunt, bothinthe Gulf of St. Lawrence and off Labra- dor's east coast, should prevent the taking of baby seals. (Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Forestry, Jan. 30.) APPROVES LEGISLATION FOR SALT FISH CORPORATION The House of Commons! Fisheries and Forestry Committee has approved authori- zing legislation for a Salt Fish Corporation, The corporation would regulate interprovin- cialand export tradein salt fish. It would be provided with C$10 million to buy and hold fish in advance of sales. The money also could be used for loans to fishermen. ———————————— EUROPE USSR PLAN TO EXPAND FISH FARMING The Soviets are speculating on the possi- bility of farming algae (Ahnfeltia, Phyllo- phora, Furcellaria, Laminaria, and Chlorella) for human and animal food, Scuba divers would ''farm''the sea algae; fresh-water spe- cies would be cultured at animal-breeding farms. Soviet scientists claim 20% of fish- ery resources of world's oceans must be left intact to ensure safe replacement of stocks. This danger limit" is being approached rap- idly. It is why need arises for effective "management.'' Wow, only half world's catch is used for food; the other half is processed into fish meal, fertilizers, oils, etc. The Soviet Continental Shelf covers 6.6 million square kilometers--nearly half in waters less than 50 meters deep. This area offers greatest potential for resource man- agement or fish farming. ('Sots. Ind.,' Nov. 23, 1969.) V.P. Zaitsev, a leading scientist, reported experimental Ahnfeltiafarmingin Soviet Far East and on Solovetskie Islands in White Sea; this showed that algae can be improved by hybridizing and fertilization, He claims Chlo- rella has as much vitamin C as lemons and 4 times as much proteinas wheat. Many tasty dishes canbe prepared from sea kale, which also has medicinal value. Black Sea Experimental oyster and mussel (Mytilus) farms on the Black Sea become economi- cally self-sufficient in 3 years, according to Zaitsev. Fish can be ''pastured'' in lagoons saturated with nutrients. ('Pravda,' Oct. 22, 1969.) Far East In the Far East, a special 80-vessel fleet is "harvesting seaweeds and mollusks" for several processing plants, The Far East is their main harvesting and processing base for Pacific algae, squid, octopus, sea cu- cumbers, crustaceans, and shells. Catches of marine products other than fish reach tens of thousands of metric tons. 53 Barents Sea The first Soviet commercial farm to op- erate onthe Barents Sea will experiment with breeding flounder, cod, haddock, and herring, It will be equipped with hatcheries, aquaria, and forage grounds for fish, If the experi- ment is successful, the Soviets plan a ''net- work of underwater 'farms! with a sizable yield.’ (TASS, Dec. 2, 13, 1969.) 7% OK OK SCIENTISTS OBSERVE FISH WITH UNDERWATER TV In1969, scientists of the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Fisheries and Oceanography Research Institute (TINRO) used underwater TV cameras to observe salmon migration into Kuril Lake (Soviet Far East), They deter- mined with "absolute accuracy" the number of migrating salmon, The new observation method is claimed to have great importance for determining fishery stocks and directing fishing operations. Research continues, Detect Salmon 2 Km, Away The scientists are alsoexperimenting with a new hydroacoustic detection device aboard vessels onthe high seas, The device has lo- cated salmon accumulations 2 kilometers away, and determined their number and mi- gration path, The expanded 1970 test program with the new deviceis aimed at making it suitable for detection of smaller fish like herring and perch. a8 OR OK UNDERWATER FILM SHOWS FISH CAN 'LEARN'! An underwater film on trawls and fish be- havior shows that fish can "learn" how toavoid or escape nets, and hide behind rocks and be- tween bottom rises where trawls cannot get them, Since this ability will make conventional fishing gradually less efficient, scientists have suggested the use of artificial schooling 54 USSR (Contd.): techniques with electric light, ultrasounds, feed concentrations, and even aromatic sub- stances, The photographers were 2 scientists of the Soviet Atlantic Fisheries and Oceanography Research Institute. ('Sotsialisticheskaia In- dustria,' Nov. 23, 1969.) SEIZED 39 JAPANESE FISHING VESSELS IN 1969 In 1969, the Soviet Union seized and de- tained 39 Japanese fishing vessels and 363 fishermen. By year's end, 33 fishermenwere still held, The Soviets captured 40 Japanese vessels in 1968. From the end of World War II to December 1969, the Soviets seized 1,314 Ja- panese fishing vessels and 11,126 fishermen. Japan Plans Aid Japan plans todevelop relief measures for owners andcrewmen of the captured vessels; 7,488,000 yen (US$20,800) have been ear- marked for that purpose in fiscal 1970 (April 1970-March1971). ('Suisan Tsushin,' Feb. 2, and 'Nihon Suisan Shimbun,! Jan, 21.) NORWAY CANNED FISH EXPORTS FELL IN 1969 Although official Norwegian figures were available only through October 1969, it was predicted in January 1970 that 1969 canned fish exports would not match 1968 volume, This was attributed toinadequate supplies of raw material, particularly for the most im- portant canned commodity, sild sardines. Stocks of several of the most popular packs were extremely short. Kippers Kipper exports fared even worse due to lack of raw material. For the past 2 years, exports have been less than half the volume of the late 1950s, Herring Roe Exports of soft herring roes dropped dras- tically as the winter herring fishery vanished. Shrimp Exports of peeled shrimp were only 3-4% of the volume of 10 years ago, The main reasonis that the raw material has been used for other consumption and processing. Also, canned-shrimp production has developed tremendously in many other countries. Brisling Despite the canners! lack of raw materials for sild sardines and kippers, they were able to keep factories running fairly well due to good supplies of brisling. Brisling stocks were at normal levels. There were small stocks of severaltypes of sild sardines. Kip- per stocks were negligible and normally would have been completely exhausted, but small quantities were being held in reserve for old customers. ('Norwegian Canners Export Journal,' Jan, 1970.) Exports (calculated in Z cases): Mid-Dec. 1967 Mid-Dec. 1968 Mid-Dec. 1969 373,000 336, 000 1,023, 000 940, 000 182, 000 197, 000 Brisling 347 , 000 Sild 849 , 000 Kippers 254, 000 OK OK HERRING FISHERY ON GEORGES BANK IS UNSUCCESSFUL The factory vessel 'Gadus! returned to Norway after a 4-month fishing trip to Georges Bank and other areas of the Amer- ican coast, where whe fished herring with a floating trawl. The results were below ex- pectations. The pack amounted to about 600 metric tons of herring fillets. Herring was consid- erably less abundant on Georges Bank, They arrived one month later than usual and were difficult to fish because they congregated in very shallow waters, Night fishing took place in 20 to 40 fathoms, and day fishing in deeper waters. In August, the fish were found in en- tirely uncustomary places, The Fishing Most herring were fished on Georges Bank toward northwest and northeast; some in the NORWAY (Contd.): Gulf of Maine. During the last leg, Gadus fished off Nova Scotia, where the herring were large and of high quality. During the end of October, the crew caught about 150 to 160 metric tons during one week. The herring were different from the species found on and near Georges Bank. Poor weather intensified toward season's end and retarded catch. The bulk of the pack was delivered to Cux- haven in Germany. (Reg. Fish, Attaché, Co- penhagen, Feb. 19.) * CK OK SAITHE SALES TO EAST EUROPEAN MARKET WILL SET RECORD Norwegian sales of deep-frozen saithe fil- lets to COMECON (Communist East Europe- an) countries willtotalarecord 20,000 metric tonsthis year, The Soviet Union is expected to purchase most, 10,000 tons, after several years of decliningpurchases, This large pur- chase will not affect Soviet purchases from other areas, mainly Iceland and Britain. Soviet Saithe Catch Drops The Soviet catch of saithe decreased from 33,800 tons in 1966 to 11,900 tons in 1968; it is most likely reason for increased Soviet purchases abroad. Norway does not expect the increased sales to the Soviet Union to ad- versely affect sales to her more stable mar- kets, such as Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Wants Larger Saithe Market Deliveries to the U.S., Western Europe, and other markets are based on cod, haddock, and other white fish, not saithe. Norway would like to change this, She considers saithe a delicacy and would like to expand its market. (Export Council of Norway, Mar. 1970.) NEW WHALING FACTORYSHIP IS DELIVERED A new factory whale catcher, 'Peder Huse, ! has beendelivered to Torodd Huse and Part- ners, Steinshamn, Norway. 55 She has been equipped with up-to-date machinery that willclean-cut vacuum -packed and frozen whale beef, freeze whale meat in blocks as raw material for sausage and fod- der, and increase production of whale oil. Her loading capacity is 500 metric tons of whale meat and 250 tons of oil. Packing & Production Whale meat is stored in 2 cooling tanks aft. It is processed on 3 production lines consisting of conveyors, cutting tables, and freezers. The beef, clean-cut and packed by a special machine, is frozen and packed in cartons. The frozen blocks of sausage meat and fodder are glazed and packed in plastic bags. The whale oil is produced aft of the factory area. Contracts Made Contracts have beenmadeto deliver whale meat to Japan, and fodder to England, after the 1969/70 Antarctic season ends. Norway returned to whaling for the 1969/70 season after a year's absence. ('Norwegian Fishing and Maritime News,' Vol. 4, 1969.) OK OK WILL PURCHASE FLOATING HERRING-MEAL FACTORYSHIP Norway may obtain her first herring-meal- and-oil factoryship. The 27,000-ton, US$8 millionvessel will fish globally, aided by 10- 20 purse seiners. NORGLOBAL A/Sis back- ing the project. NORGLOBAL The cooperative NORGLOBAL has capital of about US$1 million; 53% is owned by north Norwegianinterests, Factory and equipment is estimated at $3.5 million, and vessel pur- chase at $2 million, Total capital require- ments amount to $7.4 million. The vessel will require 20-25 men to work in its floating factory and 20-25-man crew. (Reg. Fish. Att., Copenhagen, Feb, 19.) SHRIMP FACTORY SHIPPED TO KUWAIT A complete shrimp factory has been ship- ped to Kuwait from the Norwegian engineer ~- ing concern, Haahjem Mekaniske A/S of Vi- gra. The firm alsois working on other orders for Kuwait. 56 NORWAY (Contd.): The factory will be operated in connection with a fleet of shrimp trawlers, also built in Norway, which has been fishing with good re- sults in the Persian Gulf for several years, Previously, the Norwegian factory ex- ported fish-processing plants and equipment for installation aboard factoryships, (Export Council of Norway, Feb, 1970.) WEST GERMANY HERRING FISHERY DEVELOPS OFF U.S, ATLANTIC COAST The developing West German fishery for herring off the U.S. Atlantic coast was spur- red by recent failures on European herring grounds, West Germanvessels began fishing the Georges Bank area to ensure adequate supplies for their domestic industry. This fishery beganin earnest in Aug, 1967 with the appearance of 5 freezer-trawlers, Vessels arrive in July and stay until Dec. The main months are Aug., Sept., and Oct., with up to 35 vessels fishing. The Catches The 1968 catch was about 38,000 metric tons, product weight--double 1967's, The 1969 catch was expected tobe close to 90,000 tons (50,000 tons). Such quantities guarantee suf- ficient supplies, Becoming More Important For economic reasons, the bulk of herring from Georges and Banquereau Banks was landed and transshipped from St, Pierre et Miquelon on reefer ships to West Germany. Production of frozen herring off the U.S. will become more important in West Ger- many's herringindustry. Marketing of frozen herring rests exclusively with Seefrostvert- rieg GmbH, This year'scontract betweenthe firm and German industry was arrived at quickly, It led to greater employment of the fleet on Georges Bank, UNITED KINGDOM FISH LEVY INCREASED & EXTENDED The White Fish Authority's (WFA) general levy on fish was increased and extended on Feb. 15,1970. Previously, WFA had collected a levy only on first-hand sales of white fish- seafish, fresh or preserved, other than her- ring, salmon, and migratorytrout, Now there are differential rates for landed or imported white-fish products, The levy also has been extended to include imported fish meal, and fresh and processed shellfish. The levy's purpose is to expand and diversify further WFA's current services to the white fish in- dustry. New Regulations The WFA levy was increased from 1.0d. to 1.2d. per stone of white fish landed or im- ported, (1d, =1 US¢;1 stone = 14 lbs.;1 sh. = 12 US¢.) The new regulations extend the levy's scope: (a) For first time, a levy is imposed on oysters, scallops (Pecten maximus and Clamys opercularis), crabs, lobsters, craw- fish, nephrops, shrimps, and other edible crustaceans, Molluscs in Shell, other than oysters and scallops, are exempt from levy. (b) Fish landed or imported in processed form carries a differential levy calculated by ref- erence to the approximate whole-fish equiv- alent. The rates are shown below. (c) A levy of 8 shillings per tonis imposed on imported fish meal, whether manufacturered from white fish or herring; a proportion of income from this levy will be paid to Herring Indus- try Board, (d) The levy on white fish pur- chased at first hand for the manufacture of fish meal has been reduced from one cent (U.S.) to 0.12d. per stone (14 lbs.). (e) Im- ports of processed shellfish (frozen crab meat, peeled shrimps, shelled Norway lob- sters) will be levied at rate applicable to "any white fish product not referred to above.’ (f) The levy does not apply to imports of can- ned and bottled fish. Who Pays Levy When The increased rate is payable by first- hand purchaser unless the seller collects levy and addsit to his sales invoice, The levy on imports is payable by first-hand purchaser, usually the importer. UNITED KINGDOM (Contd.): The levy is payable weekly, unless other arrangements have been made. Payment is due 7 days after end of week in which fish were purchased, (U.S. Embassy, London, Feb. 11.) The new rates of levy are: Rate Per Stone} FISH LANDED WHOLE OR GUTTED & WHOLE SHELLFISH 1.2d IFFERENTIAL LEVIES Fresh Frozen and Chilled White Fish: Headless & gutted 1.6d Fillets, skin on 2.4d Fillets, skinless 3.0d Smoked White Fish: Headless and gutted 2.0d Fillets, skin on 3.0d Fillets, skinless 3.2d Salted and Cured White Fish: Wet 2.4d Dried 3.6d Fish Meal 0.6d White Fish Sold at First Hand for Fish-Meal Production 0.12d Any White Fish Product Not Referred to Above 2.4d ICELAND JOINS EFTA Iceland will join EFTA sometime in 1970 and come under all EFTA trade and tariff policies. On Jan. 1, 1970, she gained the same access to British market for frozen fishery products as other Nordic countries. On same date, Britain lifted all import restrictions on frozen fish in return for a minimum price system--increasing prices about 10%. 57 LATIN AMERICA PERU FISH-MEAL PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS ARE HIGH Peruvian fish-meal productionin Jan. 1970 set a recordfor Jan, It followed the excellent (a record) Dec. 1969 production. Exports continued high. Stocks on hand, Feb. 1, 1970, were exceeded for that date only in 1967 and 1968. Preliminary reports show high production (about 180,000 metric tons) for early Feb., although final figures have not been issued. (Fishery closed for 4 weeks on Feb. 14.) Whether fishing would be as good when "veda,'' or closed season, ended on Mar, 16 remained to be seen. Fish-Meal Production & Exports, Jan. 1968-70 _ 1970 1969 1968 (Metric Tons) Production: Jan. 362, 869 240, 495 284,021 Exports: Jan. 173, 404 140, 283 192,056 Stocks on hand Feb, 1: 493,577 487, 348 688, 943 The current excellent fishing has given the industry a much-needed boost. (Sociedad Na- cional de Pesqueria, Feb. 26.) KOK WORLD'S LARGEST STICKWATER MACHINERY BUILT FOR PERU The Norwegian engineering concern, Bergs Maskin A/S, Trondheim, has produced the world's largest manufacturing unit for stick- water for a Peruvian company. The machin- ery, valued at US$2 million, will be installed by Bergs. Two similar but smaller stick- water machines are being produced at Bergs for other Peruvian firms, (Export Council of Norway, Feb. 1970.) 58 In Indonesia, breeding fish involves 200,000 Javanese, Fish and rice are staple diet. FAO encourages raising fish in ponds. (Photo: UNations) ASIA JAPAN "INVISIBLE" NET CATCHES MORE FISH Fishermen in Japan and other countries are increasing their use of "invisible" nets. The nets aretransparent nylon strand that is virtually invisible under water. Fish swim blindly into the net and become entangled. The nets are so effective that almost all gillnet fishing in Japanis now done with them. Because they are so effective, they are ban- ned in areas such as the salmon fisheries of Canada, where there is a serious need for conservation, The Japanese alsouse "invisible" nets for trawling, especially in inshore waters where light penetrates to the bottom. The wings of the trawls are made of more visible material which deflects the fish into the transparent after body and codend where they are trapped. Use of the nets was reported by Hilmar Kristjonsson, FAO fishing technologist, who recently visited the Far East to stimulate in- terest in FAO's world fishing conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, May 24 to 30. His Report Kristjonsson said; ''In Japan, which pro- duces about half of allthe nettingusedin world fisheries, virtually all gillnets are now made of this material. It consists of a wire-like nylon monofilament which, because of its transparency, has proved far more effective in catching fish than the traditional twine. "More thana decade ago, transparent nylon monofilaments, like those used by anglers, were used insome commercial gillnet fisher - ies but mainly in lakes, Recently there has beenanalmost 100 percent changeover to this invisible material in marine gillnetting in Japan," Kristjonsson foresaw great possibilities in the use of such nets, particularly with low- powered fishing boats inclear tropical waters of developing countries at coastal depths of 5 to 20 fathoms. Small boats are very im- portant to countries like India. There, the mechanized fishing fleet consists of about 7,000 vessels 30 to 36 feet long. In India, 59 Kristjonsson said, "it will be interesting to test the effectiveness of monofilament trawl nets as compared with the twine nets used now in these countries," Small Net Invisibility He noted that net visibility generally is more important when fishing with small rath- er thanlargetrawlnets. It is likely that nets with invisible’ sections may also be impor- tant to industrialized fisheries, especially in shallow grounds and in midwater. These and other developments will be dis- cussed at the FAO Technical Conference on Fish Finding, Purse Seining, and Aimed Trawling, ok Ok FISHERIES AGENCY BUDGET INCREASED FOR FISCAL 1970 The Fisheries Agency budget for fiscal year (FY) 1970 (Apr. 1970-Mar. 1971) sur- passed the US$100 million mark for the first time. It is about US$112.8 million, 22% over FY 1969's $92.4 million, It includes large increases in funding for fishing-port im- provements; shallow-water fishing develop- ment; and biological research. The latter relates to international fisheries, such as North Pacific Alaska pollock and crab fish- eries. Overseas Developments Overseas fishery development will include saury surveys by 350- and 530-ton explora- tory vessels; bottomfish surveys off New Proposed FY 1970 Budget FY 1969 Budget (in Millions US$) Program Fishing-port improvements . 60.11 48.16 Shallow -water fishery development ....... 0.71 0.09 Overseas fishery develop- MUON ene tre estas icine eMa[howe PARES 1.96 Biological research relating to international fisheries . 0.65 0.53 Marine resources conserva - tion and cultivation. ... 1.69 LS} Coastal fishery structural reorganization. 29. » 0 « « 3.84 4.34 Improvement of fishery dis- aster compensation system 6.40 PATE) Experimental undersea fish CUICUILE RiememesaretsiohT-Inente 0.19 0) 60 JAPAN (Contd.): Zealand and west Africa; and exploratory tuna longlining in the high latitudes of the South Pacific. ('Suisan Keizai Shimbun,' Feb. 3.) se ook ok Tn COASTAL FISHERIES HURT BY SOVIET AND SOUTH KOREAN VESSELS Since early Feb, 1970, Japanese octopus fishermen off Hokkaido's Pacific coast (8-11 miles off Shiranuka) have suffered substan- tial damage from one 300-ton South Korean (ROK) and 2 Soviet fishing vessels trawling in an area banned to Japanese trawlers. Gear Damaged Reportedly, the Soviet vessels came close tothe Japanese territorial limit (3 miles) and badly damaged coastal octopus fishing gear. The damage was estimated at about US$30,000. The Japanese fishery cooperative is demanding compensation from the Soviets via the Japanese Foreign Office. Soviet Bombing Exercises An additional irritant: The Soviet Union informed Japan of 2-week bombing exercises onthe high seas off Iturup Island (South Kuril Islands) beginning Mar.1. The area is a Ja- panese cod fishing ground; its season usually opens prior to Mar. 1. ('Asahi Evening News,!' Feb, 13.) Ok TUNA SEINING IN EASTERN PACIFIC IS POOR The seiner 'Hakuryu Maru No, 55! (500 gross tons), the only Japanese seiner in the easterntropical tuna fishery since the season began January 1970, caught only about 35 tons of yellowfin by late February. Because the vessel must catch 1,000 tons to cover ex- penses, its catch so far has been disappoint - ing. 2 Unsuccessful Years The vessel experienced two bad years in the fishery. So this year she is using three speed boats, like those used by U. S. seiners in pursuing porpoise-associated yellowfin schools. However, unsatisfactory radiocom- munication between speed boats and mother- ship is hampering coordination of operations, (‘Shin Suisan Shimbun Sokuho!, Feb. 25.) KOK OK WILL EXPORT ALASKA POLLOCK TO U.S. The Federation of Hokkaido Fishery Co- operative Associations is planning to export frozen Alaska pollock fillets to the U.S. Ini- tially the Federationplans to sell around 500 tons. Ifa steady trade canbe built up, it hopes to increase shipments to around 4,000 tons. Trial Shipment Made Sales negotiations began in October 1969, whenthe president of a U.S. firm visited Hok- kaido to study Japanese fillet processing. This resultedin a 5-ton trial shipment to the U.S. for quality evaluation and to determine U.S. consumer reaction, May Open New Market The planned shipment is attracting atten- tion in Japan as opening a new market. The Japanese use Alaska pollock primarily for 'surimi!' (minced fish meat) for use in 'kama- boko.! ('Suisancho Nippo,! Feb. 7.) *k ook OK MAY BUY SEA URCHIN FROM AUSTRALIA A leading Japanese sea-urchin paste manufactureris investigating the possibility of importing sea urchin roe from Australia because of the supply shortage. Sea urchin, abundant along the coast of Australia, are not harvested. The Japanese company recently obtained samples from Australia andfoundthem com- parable in quality to imports from South Ko- rea, North Korea, Taiwan, and Okinawa, May Begin Importing If first-stage processing (removing the shells) can be performed in Australia, the Japanese firm hopes to begin importing around US$28,000 worth a month. In 1969, three major sea-urchin proc- essorsin Shimonoseki importedin 6 months a combined monthly average of around $83,000 worth. ('Minato Shimbun,!' Feb. 11.) JAPAN (Contd.): JAPAN AND KENYA TO BUILD JOINT COLD STORAGE Japan's Taiyo Fishing Co. and Ataka In- dustries, withthe government of Kenya and a local fishing company, plan to build a 2,000- ton capacity cold-storage in Mombasa. Half the financing will come from the government of Kenya; the other half will be shared equally by the 3 companies, Construction was sched- uled to begin in February 1970. Completion is scheduled for October. The plant will store tuna for Taiyo, and other fish for the local market. Taiyo already operates a fishing base at Mombasa, It buys tunafrom South Korean and Taiwanese longliners for export to Italy and other countries, ('Katsuo-maguro Tsushin,! Feb. 6.) OK OK EXPORTS OF CANNED TUNA WENT UP IN 1969 Japanese canned -tuna exports in1969 were 64,489.3 metric tons worth US$65.8 million, In standard cases of 48.7-oz. cans, this was about 6.72 million cases, a 9% increase over 1968 exports of 6.14 million cases, Exports of canned-tuna-in-brine in 1969 surpassed the 3-million case level for the first time. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Feb. 19.) EXPORTS OF FROZEN TUNA DOWN SHARPLY, OTHER FISH ROSE IN 1969 In1969, Japanese frozen-tuna exports were 65,280 metric tons worth US$27.46 million. These were down about 40% in quantity and 33% in value from 1968 exports of 197,000 tons worth $41.06 million. Tuna exports peaked at 177,000 tons in 1966, declined to 107,000 tons in 1967 and 1968, and dipped sharply in 1969, This one- time earnings leader of all fishery and agri- cultural products dropped from top place. Yellowfin Fell Far By species, yellowfin declined drastically as reflected inthe sharply reduced shipments 61 toltaly. Italy, a major importer, uses an es- timated 40,000-45,000 tons of rawtuna ayear. She is becoming a very important market for Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. Saury Exports Continue Rise The 1969 exports of other fishery products show saury up with 16,171 tons; this com- pares with 14,367 tons in 1968, and 13,000 tons in 1967. Saury exports are rising steadily despite poor catches in recent years. The 1969 average export price for frozen saury was $460a metric ton, over 50% above the 1968 average price of $305 a ton, Seed oyster exports totaled 2,672 tons, in- cluding 2,238 tons sold tothe U.S., 321 tons toSouth Korea, 102 tonsto France, and 8 tons to Spain. Previously, they were exported al- most entirely to the U.S. which, in 1968, took 1,858 tons, ('Suisan Tsushin,'! Feb. 18.) MS 205 *K OK OK PET-FOOD TUNA EXPORTS DOWN IN APR.-NOV. 1969 Canned pet-food tuna exports totaled 504,026 cases Apr.-Nov. 1969, 200,000 fewer than same period 1968 (707,726 cases). The decline was attributed to short supplies of raw material and increased production in the U.S. The U.S. imported almost 90% of the 1969 exports. ('Katsuo-maguro Tsushin,' Feb. 10.) Canned Pet Food Tuna Exports, Apr.-Nov. 1969 Can and Case Size 6-02. 48's 1-lb. tall 24's (No. of Cases} IMPORTS OF FROZEN SHRIMP ROSE SHARPLY IN 1969 Japanese imports of frozen shrimp in 1969 reached 48,886 metric tons worth about US$121.75 million. This is an increase of nearly 39% in volume and 56% in value from 1968 imports of 35,204tons worth $78.06 mil- lion, 62 JAPAN (Contd.): Since Japan liberalized her shrimp im- ports in 1961, these began to rise steadily until 1968, Then they declined for first time due largely to drastically reduced shipments from the Soviet Union, 1969 Imports Up Sharply In 1969, imports rose sharply--a recent highinvolume andvalue. This resulted from continued imports particularly during second- half 1969, despite domestic oversupply, which disrupted shrimp market. Firms that had purchase arrangements with foreign suppli- ers had to buy regardless of Japanese demand. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Feb. 14, & 'Nihon Suisan Shimbun,' Jan, 7.) 1% OK OK CANNED-MACKEREL EXPORT PRICE TOU, S. DROPS Japanese prices for canned-mackerel ex- ports to the U.S, declined in early Feb. 1970 to around c, & f, US$6.10 a case (48 1-pound tall cans); the mid-Jan. price was around $6.30 a case, The drop was attributed pri- marily to softening of Philippine market, the biggest, and in other southeast Asian coun- tries, Another contributing factor were foreign customers who, anticipating further price decline, did not buy. They were aware of reports Japanese packers and trading firms were carrying large unsold stocks. The ex- port outlook appeared gloomy because the mackerel packers were in full production, 5 Million Cans Canned-mackerel exports during Jan.- Dec. 1969 by 21 member firms of the Japan Canned Food Exporters Association were about five million cases, The trading firms Mitsui, Mitsubishi, and Taiyo handled over 50% of exports; the rest were sold mostly by Nozaki, Marubeni, C. Itoh & Co., and Kans- matsu. ('Kanzume Tokuho,! Feb. 9, 'Suisan Tsushin,' Feb. 9, and 'Katsuo-maguro Tsu- shin,' Feb. 4.) se ook ok OK OK EXPORTS OF CANNED MACKEREL TO U.S. ARE GROWING Japanese exports of canned mackerel to the U.S. in 1969 totaled 395,000 cases (1-lb, tall 48's) ofnatural pack. The U.S. is Japan's second largest market, next to the Philip- pines; in 1969, the latter took 1.15 million cases of naturalpack. This was 40% of about 3 million cases of that style pack, Canned mackerel exports to the U.S. began growing around 1967, when U.S. packers were the principal buyers, Private Brands Promoted In recent years, major firms have been promoting their ownbrands in the U.S.; these sales now exceed quantity sold to U.S. pack- ers. The outlookfor mackerel exports to the U.S. isof steady increase. ('Suisan Tsushin,! Mar. 6 & Feb. 20.) OK OK MAY SELL MACKEREL PET FOOD TO CANADA The Japanese Northern District Purse Seine Fishery Assoc. expects to export canned mackerel pet food to Canada. This would be the first time the Japanese have used mack- erel in pet food; normally the dark meat of tuna is used, The product was developed by the Aomori Prefectural Marine Products Research In- stitute, at the Association's request, to help stabilize mackerel prices in Japan. Sample Favorably Received The sample product was sent to Canada, where it was favorably received. A Canadian importing firm was sending a buyer to Japan to sign a purchase contract. (‘Minato Shim- bun,! Feb, 21.) * OK OK JAPAN (Contd.): SAURY FISHERY PLANNED OFF U.S. WEST COAST About 10 large and small Japanese firms have indicateda desire to fish saury experi- mentally off U.S. west coast in 1970. Many more are reported interested. License ap- plications may involve 30 vessels. Some independent vessel owners want to operate with the big firms. Some coastal saury operators want to go it alone. Most major firms hope to conduct independent or two-boat operations; at least one firm plans to senda mothership accompanied by several vessels, The Fisheries Agency is studying licensing policy. Reportedly, it doesnot plan to restrict number of vessels if these are only15 to 20. However, its decision will depend on attitude of coastal saury operators. 1969 Operation The 1969 Japanese saurycatchoff the U.S. west coast by six exploratory vessels was about 460 metric tons, The saury operations were east of 124° W. longitude from Sept. 23 untillate Nov. Medium andsmall saury were abundant between 40° N.-45° N, latitudes; small fish ran heavy north of 44°N, latitude. Good catches were made between 40° N.- 43° N. latitudes, where medium fish were mixed with small. Saury were concentrated in areas with well-defined current boundaries located not very far from shore. Conditions relating to seaward and north-south migra- tions are unknown; the relationship between fishing season and fish concentrations could not be established. Narrow & Light Weight The eastern Pacific saury had many par- asites. Their bodies were narrow and light in weight--considering their length, From early Oct., stormy weather persisted, ('Shin Suisan Shimbun Sokuho' and 'Suisan Tsushin,' Mar, 3.) 63 SOUTH KOREA 1969 CATCH WAS 98% OF GOAL The Republic of Korea's 1969 catch totaled 858,000 metric tons, 98% of the goal set early in the year. The coastal catch was 534,000 tons; offshore, 158,000 tons; fish culture, 85,000 tons; and distant water fishery, 81,000. ('‘Suisancho Nippo,!' Jan. 31.) Growth Rate Slowing South Korea's catch has grown rapidly during the last4 years: from 701,000 metric tons in 1966, it increased over 20% in 1969. However, the growth rate is beginningto slow. It was 6.8% in 1967 (749,000 tons), 12.3% in 1968 (841,000 tons), and only a little over 2% ime L969. ok OK OK KOREAN & TAIWANESE TUNA FLEETS GROW STRONGER In January 1970, Taiwan had about 80 tuna vessels inthe Atlantic Oceanand the Republic of Korea(S. Korea) around70, Together, they had almost four times as many vessels in the Atlantic as Japan (40 longliners), Their op- erations extended from north of the equator to off Brazil. Most of the vessels concen- trated on albacore. In January 1970, there were 60 Taiwanese, 50 South Korean, and only 3 Japanese long liners operating out of American Samoa, (‘Suisancho Nippo,' Jan. 22, 1970.) Dominate American Samoa Scene In November 1969, the Korean tuna fleet out of American Samoa had 73 long liners, Taiwan had 58 long liners, and Japan only 7. The Japanese are steadily withdrawing their long liners because of smaller profits. ('Kat- suo-maguro Tsushin,' Dec, 4, 1969.) ; : Anarene ik i — ply MID EAST UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC FISHERIES AFFECTED BY ASWAN DAM Partly because of the Aswan Dam, United Arab Republic (UAR) fishery catches have declined steadily since 1964. This is dis- closed ina report by FAO's General Fisheries Council of the Mediterranean: 'GFCM Studies and Reviews, No. 43, Marine Resources of the United Arab Republic.! It covers the years up to 1967. It notes that catches of marine and freshwater fish increased from about 52,000 metric tons in 1952 to about 125,000 tons in 1962. Over the next 5 years, average annual total was about 106,000 tons, Catches Drop After 1964 After the Aswan High Dam became opera- tional in 1964, catches began to drop along the northern coast. ‘Sardine catches that previ- ously averaged 15,000 tons a year decreased to 4,600 tons in 1965, andto 554 in 1966. Total UAR catches reached a record 135,000 tons in 1964, declined to 102,400 tons in 1965, and dropped to 85,000 in 1967. Decreased Water Fertility The report attributes the decline to the dam. In checking the periodic Nile floods, the dam reduced the flow of water rich in natural fertilizers--phosphates, nitrates, and other nutrients--into the Mediterranean, The coastal fisheries, especially sardine, had thrivedonthese, The lowered water fertility discouraged fish concentrations and migra- tions in the area, Increased Erosion and Salinity The report recognizes the dam's value in providing water for power, irrigation, and in flood-control. But itemphasizes the need for a close watch on the ecological and physical changes dam has caused. These include in- creasing salination of the delta's coastal (and eventually lake) waters, and increased coastal erosion. The Nile used to counteract this erosion by depositing 140 million tons of mud and silt a year in the area. The dam has greatly reduced this natural action. Other factors contributing to reduced catches are growing water pollution (industry and tankers), overfishing, use of prohibited gear and small-mesh nets, and reclamation of lakes for agricultural purposes. The Future However, the report is optimistic about future development. It describes the ‘vast! fishery potential of Lake Nasser. When fully realized, the lake will flood 4,200 square kilo- meters of UAR and Sudanese territory. FAO already has begun a 5-year, US$2,684,000 project to develop fishery, forestry, water, and other resources. Inland & Distant-Water Fisheries The report also recommends development of inland fisheries elsewhere in the country, particularly inthe northernlakes. Salt-water fish have been introduced successfully in these lakes to meet their already increased salinity. The possibility of speeding develop- ment of a high-seas fleet to fish in interna- tional waters is cited. Coastal Fisheries It urges wider exploitation of the northern Continental Shelf, where fishing now tends to hug a narrow area between Alexandria and Port Said. The flat, muddy bottom offers ex- cellent trawling possibilities, especially for shrimp. Other recommendations are: devel- opment of Red Sea's fisheries, especially for shark-liver oil, fish meal, and shellfish; im- proved fishery education and training; more marine biological research; and water-pollu- tion control. The report emphasizes the need for in- creasing protein production in the UAR, An- nual per-capita consumption of animal protein isnow only 10 kilograms (22 lbs.), The popu- lation of 30 million is expected to double by the year 2000. 64 AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA IMPROVES FISHING FLEET The 1970 fishing season opened in South Africa on January 1; in South-West Africa, on February 1. In South Africa, the January catch was 41,000 short tons of fish; it was 69,000 tons in January 1969, Weather im- proves inFebruary and fishing was expected to be better. 9 New Steel Vessels This year the fishing fleet was strengthened by nine steel purse seiners, 100 to 120 feet long. (The largest wood vesselis only 85 feet long.) Seven of the steel vessels were purchased in Norway, andtwoinIceland, These vessels are faster, more comfortable, and have re- frigeration. All will be used for the Walvis Bay factories, or fish for the factoryships. Spotter Aircraft Added Also, a new spotter aircraft was obtained: a twin-engined, sh or t-take-off-and-landing aircraft (STOL), Itcan cruise from 40 to 200 miles an nour, It flies at night at about 700 feet tohelp locate fish schools, which appear as readily identifiable luminous patches, (‘Cape Times,! Feb, 21.) * OK OK IMPROVES FISHING HARBORS To provide better facilities for a rapidly growing fleet, South Africa's Fisheries De- velopment Corporation is spending US$15.4 million on fishing-harbor extensions, accord- ing to the 'South African Financial Gazette’. The work, underway or just completed, is being done at sevenfishing ports along South Africa's coast. The 7 Harbors The biggest project is at Gansbaai, where $4.9 million is being spent. Construction of a new breakwater and quay will ultimately increase the little port's berthing capacity by about 50%. Expenditure at Saldanha Bay is $3.5 mil- lion and includes reclamation work, a new quay, a1,200-tonslipway, and anew crayfish- ing jetty. This project will be completed around mid-1970. The corporation is spending $3.5 million on construction of a new breakwater, slip- way, and coaster berth at St, Helena Bay, fur- ther up the west coast. The corporation also is financing exten- sions worth $1.9 million at Hout Bay, $1.5 million at the Berg River mouth, $322,000 at Hermanus, and $280,000 at Lamberts Bay, 65 66 i FOOD FISH FACTS Surf Clam (Spisula solidissima) The name ''clam''covers a wide variety of bivalve mollusks found along the coastlines of the United States. For thousands of years Indians utilized clams as food and used the shells of some species as decorations and as wampum. Early settlers in America soon found ways to enjoy these tasty gifts from the sea which were free-for-the-taking, Today clams are more popular than ever and the fishery has increased enormously in the past two decades, In 1967 thefishery yielded 71.5 millionpounds of meats as compared to39.6 mil- lion pounds in 1950. Surf clams accounted for over 45 million pounds of the total catch. DESCRIPTION The bivalve shells which encase the clam's body are joined together at the back by a hinge ligament whichis usually visible fromthe outside. The shells, while varying in shape, are composed of three layers. The outer layer is often varnishlike; the thick middle layer is somewhat chalky; and the inner layer, which is usually hard, is often iridescent or lus- trous in some species, Concentric rings are laid down on the shells as the clam grows. Some species have ridges which radiate from the hinge to the edge of the shell. Colors of the shell vary as they are affected by the habitat. The two most prominent features of the clam's body are the foot or adductor muscle and the siphon or ''neck.'' The muscular foot aids the clam in digging up or down in the soft sand or mud as well asin the opening andclosing ofthe valves. The retractable siphon is a tube-like extension which conducts water in and out of the clam. In some species the siphon consists of two tubes, The incoming water brings food and oxygen to the clam; the outgoing water carries waste products and, during spawning, the eggs or sperm. Along the Atlantic coast the three species which rank highest in commercial impor- tancerare: The hard clams (Venus mercenaria) are known locally as quahogs. These clams are the most valuable of the three. Littlenecks andcherrystones aretrade names for smaller- sized hard clams, The surf clams (Spisula solidissima) are also known as skimmer, beach, giant, sea, hen, or bar clams, This species makes up the largest volume caught along Atlantic shores, but is not as valuable as the hard or soft-shell clams, Canned clams are practically all surf clams, The soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) are known in the Chesapeake Bay areaas ''manni- nose.'' These popular clams, unlike the hard and surf clams, have elongated shells that are very thin and brittle. The soft-shell clams cannot close tightly because their long necks extend beyond the shells. (Continued following page.) 67 Pacific coast clams accounted for nearly 600 thousands pounds taken commercially in 1967. Pacific coast clams include: The razor clams (Siliqua patula); butter clams (Saxidomus nuttalli) and (Saxidomus giganteus); littleneck clams (Protothaca staminea); the Atlantic softshell clams (Mya arenaria) which have been transplanted; and the geoducks (Panope generosa) which may become commercially important with new beds discovered off the coast of Washington State. HABITAT Clams are found in subtidal or intertidal zones of beaches and mud flats out to depths of over 30 fathoms. Some live in quiet waters along the bottoms of protected bays, inlets, and sounds while others prefer sandy beaches on the open coast. Clams are usually buried in the bottom from just under the bottom surface to depths of over 4 feet, depending on the species. Atlantic clams range along coastlines of New England, the Middle Atlantic States, Chesapeake Bay, and some are found along South Atlantic shores. Pacific clams are found all along the coast with the largest commercial production in Washington. HARVESTING CLAMS Commercial harvesting of clams employs approximately 11,700 persons. These fish- ermen utilize around 346 vessels of 5net tons or more and about 5,600 boats. Many of the boats or vessels are equipped with electronic depth recorders and hydraulic escalator dredges which are pushed along the bottom. The clams are loosened from the bottom with a high-pressure water spray, scooped onto a chain-mesh belt, carried up to the boat, and sorted by the crew. Commercially sized clams are retained, all debris and small clams fall back into the water. Fishing is restricted to certain areas and most dredges have a daily quota. Clam dredges are not used as extensively for commercial purposes on the Pacific coast as they are onthe Atlantic coast. Other methods of taking clams include tongs, rakes, forks, shovels, or by hand, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT Many factors, some beyond man's control, affect the abundance of clams. However, it is well knownthat pesticides; pollutants such as fuel oil, gasoline, and other liquid petrole- um products; and the dumping of industrial wastes can and dodestroy or otherwise damage this valuable resource. In most States special fishery agencies have been established to enforce laws and protect supplies of fishery products. The Bureau of Commercial Fish- eries is making extensive studies of the occurrence andeffects of pesticides and pollutants on shellfish. Recent advances in techniques at the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Laboratory in Milford, Connecticut, show that commercial propagation of clams may soon be feasible as well as profitable. The Washington State Laboratories at Brinnon, Washington have also done considerable study inthe cultivation of clams. Within the next few years clam farm- ing may be a new and profitable venture. USES OF CLAMS Clams, one of our most delicious shellfish, are high in protein, contain some calcium and iron, and have no fat. Fresh clams may be purchased alive in the shell; shucked; or shucked and quick frozen. Live clams in the shell should be tightly closed. Canned whole shucked meats; minced meats; bottled clam juice; and many frozen clam specialties are also available. Clams maybe usedin a variety of ways including a clambake; steamed-in- the -shell; broiled-on-the-half-shell; in chowders, fritters, sauces, dips, salads, or canapes; fried; or combined with other foods. (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Department of the Interior, 100 East Ohio Street,Rm. 526, Chicago, Illinois 60611.) 68 SOUPS AND SANDWICHES BEGIN WITH SEAFOODS Here's a meal that was made for flavorful family enjoyment. Serve Saucy Sandwiches and Savory Chowder, and watcheveryone from Junior to Grandpa dig in. You won't needto be a French chef to set this combination aglow with goodness; it sells itself with built-in helpings of heartiness. Seafood is a favorite of the younger set, and they will quickly tackle this Saucy Sand- wich, made with inspected fish portions. Its crisp fresh freshness is topped tantalizingly with an easy-to-do combination of cheese, chili sauce, mustard, and horseradish that will set taste buds a-tingling. Its familiar wholesomeness will appeal to the youngsters, who want plenty of good food without frills and who usually want it ina hurry. Be at your alert best with this high-protein sandwich, Complete the meal with Savory Chowder. Your family's appetite will rise to the occa- sion when you place a steaming pot of chow- der on thetable. It is highly nutritious, based on tender minced clams, with bits of bacon, onion, celery, potatoes, carrots, and butter included to help balance the daily diet. You won't need a dinner bell to call a hungry crew to this meal. Junior will even leave the television before the end of the program to get his share of this tasty duo, Who could blame him if he forgets to comb his hair? Histhoughts are already seated at the table. Dad's newspaper willstop rustling the minute chowder flavors drift past his nose. So break out the ingredients for these tasty sea treats, and you will soonbe queen of a crowded kitchen. SAVORY CHOWDER SAUCY SANDWICH 1 , 3 cans (75 or 8 ounces each) 1 cup clam liquor ic pounds frozen, raw, 1 tablespoon prepared minced clams 1 cup diced potatoes breaded fish portions mustard 3 cups milk > cup sliced carrots 1 cup grated cheese 2 teaspoons horseradish > cup crushed saltines + cup chopped bacon 1 small bay leaf 2 tablespoons chili sauce 6 hamburger rolls 2 tablespoon butter or margarine Place frozen portions in asingle layer inafrying basket. Fry indeep fat, 350° F., for 4to 6 minutes or until brown. Drain on absorbent paper. Combine cheese, chili sauce, mustard, and horseradish. Split rolls and toast. Place the bottom half of L cup chopped onion 2 cup chopped celery Chopped parsley Drain clams and reserve liquor. Com- bine milk and saltines, Fry bacon until erisp. Add onion and celery and cook until tender. Add clam liquor, potatoes, carrots, and bay leaf. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add butter, milk mixture, and clams. Heat. Sprinkle with parsley. Makes 6 servings. the rolls on a cookie sheet, 15x12 inches. Place a fish portion on each half. Spread one tablespoon cheese mixture over each. portion. Broilabout 3 inches from source of heat, 2 to3 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with second half of roll. Serves 6. The latest methods for purchasing, handling, storing, and preparing fish are included in the new, 60-page, complete guide to fish cookery, ''Let's Cook Fish.'' This valuable, full-color reference and recipe book is available by sending 60¢ to the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. 20240, | Sa 69 — Food product research conducted during the past year by scientists of the BCF Tech- nology Laboratory, Seattle, Wash., and a Japanese scientist from the Tokai Research Lab- oratory, Tokyo, has opened possibilities of using for food many abundant and unutilized spe- cies present in U.S. coastal waters. JAPANESE KNOW-HOW BENEFITS U. S, FISHERMEN The cooperative study developed from the interest of scientists at the Seattle laboratory inprocessing techniques used by the Japanese fishing industry. And the Japanese scientists were very interested in studying the little-used species off U.S. Pacific coast for possible import by Japanese industry. So a leading Japanese biochemist, Dr. Minoru Okada, visited the Seattle laboratory for 10 months to study the suitability of various Pacific coast fish for manufacture into food items popular in Japan. These products are fish sausage, fried fish cakes, and kamaboko--a sort of steamed fish pudding or cake. All Edible Flesh Used An attractive aspect of these Japanese processed foods is that all of the edible flesh from several species--including pollock, hake, rockfish, shark, and even dogfish-- can be used. The flesh is ground, washed, and modified during processing to form a food that nolonger resembles fish. In some cases, the resulting pudding or fish cake can be flavored and modified to taste like anything from cheese to spiced meat. Once the Seattle scientists learned techniques of changing texture as wellas flavor, they were able toproduce a variety of products ranging from cocktail-type spreads of different flav- ors tothe firm elastic-gel product known as kamaboko. Fig. 1 - This Japanese machine separates fish flesh from skin and bones. It was put to use recently by scientists at the BCF Fish- Fig. 2 - Technologists at the BCF Technology Laboratory in eries Technology Laboratory in Seattle, Washington. The ma- chine was used during cooperative U.S. -Japan studies on in- creased use of latent Northeast Pacific fishery resources. BCF scientists believe the potential for mechanizing the process of flesh separation and recovery could lead to a new concept in fish utilization and processing in the U.S. Seattle, Washington, test the textures of new products made from ground fish. Scientists can modify texture over a wide range and simulate that found in wieners, sausages, hard cheeses, and spreads. The lab designed this shear-texture instrument to produce the cutting and pressure action of the teeth in chewing various foods. The instrument registers hydraulically the jaw pressure on the dial as test samples are cut by the machine teeth. 70 A valuable offshoot of the cooperative research has been the opportunity for U.S. scientists to learn techniques and equipment used by the Japanese to recover separate fish fleshfrom skinand bones. Conventional filleting techniques used to remove meat from rock- fish will yield about one-third the original fish weight. With one Japanese flesh-separating machine being tested by the laboratory, over half the weight of the whole fish can be recov- ered as edible flesh for processing, The laboratory staff says the economics of this in- creased yield andthe potential for mechanizing the whole process of flesh separation and recovery can lead to a new concept in fish utilization and processing in the U.S. What's Ahead Much research still is needed to determine how fish should be handled, but the door has been opened to new areas of fish utilization. Dr. Okada has returned home, but the Seattle lab now has a full-time research team using the new knowledge. As the BCF scientists see it, the real future is using the new technology to exploit long-neglected species to produce processed fishfoods and snack-type, high-protein items that will benefit the U.S. fisherman [ine consumer. (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U. S. Department of the Interior, 100 East Ohio Street, Rm. 526, Chicago, Illinois 60611.) SEAFOOD STORAGE AND THAWING Whether they are cooked within hours of being caught or prepared later for a family man, fish taste better when properly handled, say the seafood marketing experts of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. If fish are to be stored between hooking and cooking, it must be remembered that they are perishable and should be protected against bacteria which can lead to spoilage. Before storing fish, wash themin cold running water and then wrap in a moisture- proof, vapor-proof paper, or place in an airtight, rigid container. Fish should always be storedin the coldest part of the refrigerator since a storage temperature of 35° to 40° F, is needed to maintain the quality of the fish product. Do not hold fresh fish in the refrigerator longer than a day or two before cooking. Commercially packaged frozen fish should remain in the unopened package and stored in a freezer which maintains 0° F. When fish is to be frozen, it should be wrapped in heavy freezer paper or placed in freezer containers, Wax paper or thin polyethylene materials are not moisture or vapor-proof and will not properly preserve the quality of the fish during freezing. When fish thaws, it should be cooked immediate- ly. Never refreeze fish! Freezer storage is a convenient way to keep fish; however, storage time should be limitedin order to enjoy optimum flavor of the frozen fish. It is a good practice to date the packages as they are put in the freezer, and they should not be kept frozen for more than six months, Frozenfish should be thawed in the refrigerator at 37° to 40° F, The fish should be held at this temperature only long enough to permit ease in preparation. It takes about 24 hours to thaw a one-pound package in this manner. If a quicker method is preferred, the fish, still wrapped in the moisture-proof, vapor-proof wrapping, may be | held under cold running water until thawed. 38 41 INDEX UNITED STATES: U.S. Fishermen Earned Record $518 Million in 1969 U.S. Regains 5th Place in World Fishing BCF in Cooperative Survey for Industrial Fish in Atlantic Skipjack & Yellowfin Tuna Schools Found Near American Samoa Squid Slurp Is Tested Successfully San Pedro Fleet's Financial Condition Studied Gate Designed to Release Porpoise from Purse Seines Fisheries Featured at Marine Technology Society Exposition International Fisheries Survey Continues Off U.S. West Coast U.S. Visitors Welcomed Aboard Soviet Fishery Vessel BCF Miami Scientists Study Florida Calico Scallops, by Ann Weeks Shrimp-Sorting Trawl in Gulf of Mexico So Far Ineffective Longliner in Gulf of Mexico Lands 22,000 Lbs. of Swordfish "Delaware II’ Finds Ocean Quahogs Off South- ern New England Crabs Are Serious Predators of Clams King-Sized Clams May Be Marketed Columbia River Smelt Promoted in Midwest 10-Year Plan to Develop Willamette R. System Underway Solution Sought to Salmon ''Shaker" Problem New Mesh Restriction for Steelhead Is Ef- fective Reports on Shrimp Separator Trawl in Oregon Are Good Advances in Catfish Harvesting Heavy Alewife Die-Offs Possible in Lake Michigan This Year On the Death of Lakes ‘Commercial Fisheries Abstracts! Oceanography: Sea Temperatures Measured by Satellite Organisms That Foul Vessels Can Also Detect Pollution Scientists See Rare Marine Animal With Special Camera New-Type Drifting Buoy Set Adrift on Georges Bank Antarctica Once Joined to S.E. Africa, Scientists Say Computer Used to Study World's Oceans Extra-Hot Panama Basin of Pacific Is Stud- ied Deep-Sea Expedition Catches Record Fish Dr. J. L. McHugh Appointed IDOE Coordi- nator Foreign Fishing Off U.S, in February 1970 ARTICLES: Surface Tuna Schools Located & Fished in Equatorial Eastern Pacific, by Thomas 5S, Hida Night Lighting for Herring-~An Old Technique May Have New Possibilities, by Alden P, Stickney BOOKS 60 60 60 61 61 INTERNATIONAL: Forecast Slight Rise in Marine-Oil Output for 1970 World Fishery Trade Increased in 1968 Halibut Surveyed in Southeastern Bering Sea Atlantic Salmon High-Seas Fishery Increased in 1969 World's First Floating FPC Factory Is Oper- ating FAO Masterfisherman for Developing World 1970 Yellowfin Tuna Season in Eastern Trop- ical Pacific Ends Japanese Sound out Mexicans on Joint Fishing in Mexico Japan and Mauritania Reach Fishery Agree- ment Canada: Newfoundland's 1969 Landings Topped Bil- lion Lbs, First Time British Columbia's Fishing Industry Views the 1970s Extends Ban on Hunting Baby Seals Approves Legislation for Salt Fish Corpora- tion Europe: USSR: Plan to Expand Fish Farming Scientists Observe Fish With Underwater aa; Underwater Film Shows Fish Can 'Learn! Seized 39 Japanese Fishing Vessels in1969 Norway: Canned Fish Exports Fell in 1969 Herring Fishery on Georges Bank Is Un- successful Saithe Sales to East European Market Will Set Record New Whaling Factoryship Is Delivered Will Purchase Floating Herring-Meal Factoryship Shrimp Factory Shipped to Kuwait West Germany: Herring Fishery Develops Off U.S. Atlan- tic Coast United Kingdom: Fish Levy Increased & Extended Iceland: Joins EFTA Peru: Fish-Meal Production and Exports Are High World's Largest Stickwater Machinery Built for Peru Asia: Japan: "Invisible Net Catches More Fish Fisheries Agency Budget Increased for Fiscal 1970 Coastal Fisheries Hurt by Soviet and South Korean Vessels Tuna Seining in Eastern Pacific Is Poor Will Export Alaska Pollock to U.S. May Buy Sea Urchin from Australia Japan and Kenya to Build Joint Cold Storage Exports of Canned Tuna Went Up in 1969 Index continued page 72. Al 72 INDEX (CONTINUED) Page Page INTERNATIONAL (Contd.): INTERNATIONAL (Contd.): Asia (Contd.): Asia (Contd.): Japan (Contd.): South Korea: 61 Exports of Frozen Tuna Down Sharply, Goerens 1969 Catch Was 98% of Goal Other Fish Rose in 1969 GSatene Korean & Taiwanese Tuna Fleets Grov 61 Pet-Food Tuna Exports Down in Apr.- Stronger Nov. 1969 Mid East: 61 Imports of Frozen Shrimp Rose Sharply United Arab Republic: in 1969 64 Fisheries Affected by Aswan Dam 62 Canned-Mackerel Export Price to U. S. Africa: Drops South Africa: 62 Exports of Canned Mackerel to U.S. Are Gower Improves Fishing Fleet Growing 65 2. Improves Fishing Harbors 62 May Sell Mackerel Pet Food to Canada 66 ..Food Fish Facts--Surf Clam 63 Saury Fishery Planned Off U.S. West Coast 71 . INDEX THE ROLE OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE A major problem facing the nation is adjusting its fish and wildlife resources to the changing combina- tions and conditions of land and water and in meeting the challenge of developing the food potential of the lakes and oceans. To that task the Fish and Wildlife Service is dedi- cated. The degree of its success in that important undertaking is the measure of its contribution to the cause of conservation. Science helps us perpetuate our fish and wildlife. as EG \. WON © UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Walter J. Hickel, Secretary Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, Parks, and Marine Resources Charles H. Meacham, Commissioner, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Philip M. Roedel, Director, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Depart- | ment of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and recreational re- sources, Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's "Department of Natural Resources," The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States -- now and in the future. BACK COVER: Home of Cordova, Alaska, fishing fleet. (Photo: J. M. Olson) SOMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review 2, VOL. 32, NO. 5 MAY 1970 A+ FET X Fishes COVER: 'Perry Cubmarine' on 1969 scallop survey off Cape Kennedy, Florida. (L. May) COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review A comprehensive view of United States and foreign fishing industries--including catch, processing, market- ing, research, and legislation--prepared by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. FISHERMEN'S MEMORiAL--GLOUCESTER, MASS. Il Managing Editor: Edward Edelsberg Production: Jean Zalevsky Alma Greene The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife make up The Fish and Wildlife Service of The United States Department of the Interior. Throughout this book, the initials BCF stand for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Address correspondence and requests to: Commercial Fisheries Review, 1801 North Moore Street, Room 200, Arlington, Va. 22209. Telephone: Area Code 703 - 557-4246. Publication of material from sources outside the Bureau is not an endorsement. The Bureau is not responsible for the accuracy of facts, views, or opinions of these sources. Although the contents have not been copyrighted and may be reprinted freely, reference to source is appreciated. Use of funds for printing this publication was approved by the Director, Bureau of the Budget, April 18, 1968. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. Price 60 cents (single copy). Subscription Price: $7.00 a year; $2 additional for foreign mailing. CONTENTS UNITED STATES ESVeMtSe at Ger eniG'S!c, cure euetrelecieivervecsr wis aniston edits ARTICLES Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) of Hawaiian Waters, byghanwo Otsu and: hay el. Sumida Vs 2.6 ne Seasonal and Geographic Characteristics of Fish- ery Resources - California Current Region-- I. Jack Mackerel, by David Kramer and Paul E. SORIA) BS" SE Bl Oth Go ee Cacanbe S16 (ony Meme meas ied nerer Brit Herring Along Maine's Coast, by C.W. Davis BAG! Vodls Greeloeigar 4G Go ordi Ole eleeG Lod acmd cactus oo A Bathysphere for Fishery Research, by John R. Pughvand Richard’ B. Thompson .. 2... esses CATA AMRVNe yienee mete teal Volicuiells leis cy penta Ghee weds: Cacia cetites auton te TUNE OO Chur nee nein tleuaeter me aan ato acl elt ralilen eyo! Tollte emo tl sical tollnei ie Nerea ti Tae Niner NaC UM SACI Wa aS idle aa Saal, Aeulahue MM aicvetiia gh aluieuas NESTE (Oy Siest/ GMOSH OMS RRR ET EU aN RO ui Ea ier Page 18 III Unloading catch aboard BCF's 'Albatross IV'. (R. K. Brigham) FORECAST GROUNDFISH ABUNDANCE ON NEW ENGLAND BANKS The abundance levels of groundfish species fished by New England fishermen are expected to show patterns of change in 1970, reports Russell T. Norris, Director of BCF's North Atlantic Region. e Haddock and whiting are expected to con- tinue at low levels of abundance. @e Cod, ocean perch, and industrial fish species are expectedto equalor exceed 1969 levels. e The yellowtail flounder has been at high level, but there are signs of somewhat lower abundance in the next years. Information by BCF Biologists These forecasts were basedon information provided by biologists of BCF's Woods Hole (Mass.) Laboratory. They normally monitor landings by commercialfishermen. They also study populations of fish and shellfish on off- shore banks by samples taken by BCF's ‘Albatross IV.! Georges & Browns Bank Haddock The vessel's annual fall groundfish survey showed 1969 year-class of haddock was poor on Georges Bank, It was the sixth continuous year of very low indexes. Asa result, low abundance was expected to continue for at least three years. On Browns Bank, the survey showed abun- dance of 1969 year-class haddock had im- proved over previous years, Because of previous poor year-classes, however, abun- dance was expected to decrease for the next three to four years, ICNAF Conservation Measures As conservation measures for haddock on Georges and Browns Banks, the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fish- eries (ICNAF) has instituted catch quotas and closed seasons, It is hoped these measures will aid recovery of depleted haddock stocks off New England. GEORGES BANK HADDOCK SPAWNING IS WATCHED CLOSELY The success of haddock spawning on Georges Bank and Browns Bank again is being followed carefully by biologists of the BCF Woods Hole Biological Laboratory and Cana- dian Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, The Georges Bank area is of particular interest this season. Itused tobe the primary producer of haddock, but now the population is at an all-time low. Haddock born in 1963 and age seven in 1970 are still the mainstay of the Georges Bank fishery. Haddock-spawn- ing studies underway at the Boston Fish Pier and aboard research vessels surveying the fishing banks could provide earliest evidence of the emergence of a large year-class. General Conclusions By frequent exam ination of samples of had- dock gonads, it has been possible to monitor the progress of spawning--and to draw these general conclusions about the duration of the spawning season on Georges Bank: 1. The largest haddock spawn first, usually in shoal water on top of the banks, both in- shore and offshore. 2. Prior to onset of spawning, ripening haddock of all sizes are found indeep waters along Northern Edge of Georges Bank and in South Channel, The maturity of fish from deep water usually is one or two stages be- hind those from the shoals. 3. Ripening of fish and their movement from deep water seem associated with sea- sonal warming of bottom waters. However, this does not explain the early spawning of large haddock on the shoals. 4, Thenumber of immature haddock in the samples has decreased steadily since sam- pling began in 1968. Less than 2% of fish sampled through March 1970 have been im- mature. BCF LOOKS FOR BLUEFIN TUNA "Bluefin tuna are great travelers,'' con- fides BCF La Jolla, Calif. released in the California fishery have been Fish tagged and recaptured several years later off Japan. Dur ing late spring, the bluefin visit the waters Intlg69..Uss. fishermen caught 7,500 tons of the highly off southern Baja California. prized fish. Waiting for the bluefin this year as they approached the coast were oceanographers and fishery biologists of the BCF La Jolla laboratory and the Scripps Tuna Oceanogra- phy Research program (STOR). They had left San Diego on April 13 aboard BCF's 'David Starr Jordan',led by Dr. Maurice Blackburn of STOR, ona21-day, 4,100-mile cruise. Its purpose, explained Dr. Alan R. Longhurst, director of BCF La Jolla, was to give the tuna industry up-to-date information on the ocean- ographic mechanisms that determine routes of bluefin tuna into the coastal region--hence, the location the fishery would open in 1970. Equipment Used Ninety percent of bluefin tunaare caught in 62°-70° F. water, beginning in late May each year. Almost nothing else is known about their environmental preferences. The scientists hoped to locate offshore bluefin by longlining, basing the fishing tracks on the long-term mean position of the 62° and 70° isotherms. They were using a battery of oceanographic, biological, and meteorologi- cal instruments to measure the ocean envi- ronment--and to attempt to relate findings to tuna fishery. Early Information Important The weeks before theynormally reach Baja Cali- information on bluefin distribution fornia has immediate practical value to U.S. tuna fishermen. These fishermen were look- ing for alternate resources because the yel- lowfin tuna quota had been filled for 1970. Locations of anybluefin catches would be ra- dioed to La Jolla by the David Starr Jordan. The information wouldbe passed on to south- ern California tuna fishermen. AMERICANS EAT MILLION POUNDS OF SHRIMP A DAY n1968 and 1969, Americans ate a million pounds of shrimp a day. In1969, consumption of shrimp in all forms was 361.6 million pounds, heads-off weight. This was adrop of 1.3% from 1968's record 366.2 million pounds, Nevertheless, shrimp remained unchallenged as the most popular shellfish. On a per-capita basis, Americans are eat- ing abouttwice asmuch shrimp as they did in years immediately following World War II, Reasons for Growth BCF economists say nosingle answer ex- plains why Americans are eating more shrimp. Contributing factors have been rising purchasing power, growing popularity of shrimp, new products, wider distribution, im- proved quality, and more promotion. U.S. Shrimp Industry The U.S. shrimp industry is located pri- marily in the Gulf and South Atlantic States. Additional supplies come from New England, Pacific Coast, and Alaska. The U.S. also im- ports large quantities. In recent years, Latin American and Asian countries have supplied larger quantities. BROWN SHRIMP REARED IN ARTIFICIAL MEDIA Techniques for rearing larval penaeid shrimp that were developed at the BCF Biol- ogical Laboratory, Galveston, Texas, con- tinue topay dividends. Inarecent experiment, about 250,000 brown shrimp were reared to postlarvae from eggs spawned in the labora- tory. Survival rates of up to 84% were ob- served as the young shrimp developed from the naupliar to the postlarval stage. Maintained in 250-gallon tanks, one batch of shrimp was cultured inacompletely defined medium consisting of distilled water with an artificial sea salt added. This technique in- terests scientists working with larval shrimp nutrition because of the possibility that the larvae may absorb organic molecules directly fromthe water. It also provides a method of culturing shrimp larvae that can be duplicated at any laboratory--and is not dependent upon unknown characteristics of the water. Greater Densities Obtained Cultures of the diatom Skeletonema, used as food for the larval shrimp, were maintained intap water and the artificial sea salt. Den- sities of 8,000,000-10,000,000 cells per mil- liliter of water were obtained, Previously, maximum densities were 300,000-500,000 The variable chemical nature of the sea water cells per milliliter in naturalsea water. used previously made it difficult to obtain optimum concentrations of the nutrients util- ized by the diatoms. Of all postlarval shrimp harvested, about 100,000 were supplied to five organizations involvedin research on shrimp mariculture, HAWAII'S COMMERCIAL FISH LANDINGS DROP BUT VALUE RISES Commercial landings of fishand shellfish in Hawaii during the 1968-69 fiscal period totaled 11,096,116 pounds worth $3,378,553 to the fishermen--a decrease of 1,733,210 pounds, or 13.5%, from previous year. How- ever, generally better prices prevailed, so exvessel value rose $124,931 (3.8%). Ups & Downs The lower total harvest was due largely to decreased landings of aku (Katsuwonus These dropped 1,453,033 pounds, or 16.1%. Other important fisheries fell too: pelamis). yellowfin tuna (Neothunnus macropterus) by 108,262 pounds (23.3%), akule (Trachurops crumenophthalmus) 215,826 pounds (20.8%), and striped marlin (Makaira audax) 172,572 pounds (35%). Fisheries that increased were: bigeye tuna (Parathunnus sibi) by 95,552 pounds (19.5%), and opelu (Decapterus pinnulatus) by 53,811 pounds (27.7%). Oahu Led Oahu led the islands in landings with 9,027,407 pounds, or 81.4% of total State land- ings, followed by Hawaii, 897,134 pounds (8.1%), Maui with 847,269 pounds (7.6%), Kauai 282,830 pounds (2.5%), and Lanai and Molokai combined, 41,476 pounds, 0.4%. ails 2 PRAWN CULTURE IN HAWAII PROGRESSES The development of techniques to mass- rear the giant, long-legged, fresh-water prawn (shrimp), 'Macrobrachium rosen- bergi', continued in Hawaii during July 1968- June 1969, Burns by the Department of Land and Natural This was reported to Governor Resources. During that year, 700,000 juvenile prawns were produced--500,000 more than in the pre- vious year. The planners believe this ''dem- onstrates that sufficient numbers of young prawns can be propagated to supply commer- cialprawnfarmers," They are concentrating now onreducing production costs from $6.47 per thousand to about $2. Fishpond Owners Cooperate The number of privately owned fishponds cooperating with the Division of Fish and Game to test-rear young juveniles to market size rose from 2 to 9. The ponds are { to 6 acres; combined surface area is about 10 acres. About 207,000 juvenile prawns were stocked. The use of supplemental feed im- proved growth rate of pond-raised prawns. It used to take 2 years to raise a prawn from egg to market size; now, just over 1 year. Wild Stocks In continuing attempts to establish wild stocks, 128,000 prawns were released into streams throughout Hawaii. DR. GLASGOW URGES ADOPTION OF EFFECTIVE FISH DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM Dr. Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secre- tary, Fish and Wildlife, Parks, and Marine Resources, U.S. Department of the Interior, testified before the Energy, Natural Re- sources, and Environment Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee, March 13, on the need for a fish disease control pro- gram, i Dr. Glasgow said: Efforts to conirol fish diseases in this country were beguna century ago by Spencer Fullerton Baird, the first Commissioner of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, In 1898, the Commission requested Congress to authorize a full time fish pathologist, In 1915 the position was authorized and the study of fish diseases has been animportant function ever since. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife in 1968 expended 380,000 dollars onfish disease research and 120,000 dollars on fish disease controlin national fish hatch- eries. Yet these are minuscule amounts in relation to the total values of our fish re- sources. Value of Hatchery & Pond Fish In 1966 alone, the Pacific salmon and steel- head trout caught by commercial and sport fishermen were valued at 28.5 milliondollars, At least 55% of the salmonand steelhead catch originated in either a State or Federal fish hatchery. Commercial hatcheries in 1968 produced 18 to 20 million pounds of trout valued at 11 million dollars. In the South Central States fishfarmers produced 40 mil- lion pounds of channel catfish valued at 12 million dollars, and 40 to 50 million pounds of bait minnows valued at 50 million dollars are produced annually. The stocking pro- grams carried out by State and Federal fish hatcheries provide one third of the sport fish- ing inthe United States and result in 943 mil- lion dollars being spent for recreation with a total contribution of 3,9 billion dollars to the gross national product of the United States, Fish Resources Threatened Asthe industry continuesto grow, the lack of attention to matters of fish health on both the state and national level brings us to the point where our fish resources are threatened by uncontrolled diseases. There are a number of serious fish dis- eases, some of which are causing losses in the United States, and at least two diseases, currently rampant in Europe, that have not been introduced into North America. These diseases include whirling disease, infectious pancreatic necrosis, viral hemorrhagic sep- ticemia, corynebacterial kidney disease, in- fectious hematopoietic necrosis, virus dis- ease of channel catfish, Ceratomyza infec- tion of salmonids, Minchiniainfection of oys- ters, microcell disease of mollusks, mollus- can neoplasm disease and French mycelial disease of oysters. Whirling Disease Closes Hatcheries Whirling disease has had a serious impact wherever it has occurred. Authorities in Pennsylvania report that this disease caused the closing of five commercial trout hatcher- ies which had a combined production worth over 250,000 dollars wholesale. The hatch- eries were forced to close because the dis- ease had infested the ponds tothe point where, without expensive rehabilitation, they were useless for further production of trout. In New Jersey, whirling disease had been a problem since July 1967. Brook trout pro- duction at a major State installation was re- duced by 40 percent and expensive changes in hatchery operations were required. The recent confirmation of whirling dis- ease in the State of Michigan caused the De- partment of Natural Resources to impose on August 30, 1968, a quarantine on all fish- rearingfirms inthe State. Investigations are stillin progress andthere is concern that the disease might spread to the highly popular coho salmon in the Great Lakes. Evenclosertohome, whirling disease was found at the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery in November 1969, We will have to destroy three quarters of a million cutthroat trout. In addition, we have lost 12,000 cutthroat broodstock. It took us ten years to develop this broodstock. The Lehontan cutthroat trout is considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Na- ture and we regret havingto take such drastic measures with an endangered species, Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife has records of outbreaks of infectious pan- creatic necrosis from at least 23 States, sev- eral Provinces of Canada, and from France and Denmark, The disease directly affects the output of commercial, State and Federal fish hatcheries whenever it occurs, Follow- ing an outbreak, facilities must be disinfected and the fish must be replaced. If the fish are replaced witheggs, a delay of several months in the production program is encountered, This is a great setback, particularly for the smallcommercial producer, Egg producers are especially hardhit whenIPN occurs since, in most cases, valuable broodstocks must be destroyed and a loss of consumer confidence often results. Interior's Authority Fragmentary The existing authority of the Secretary of the Interior to control fish diseases is frag- mentary. The Lacey Act of 1900 gives the Secretary the authority to regulate the importation of fish and wildlife to protect the resources of the United States. Under the Lacey Act, Title 50, CFR, Part 13.7 was revised on December 21, 1967, to prevent the introduction of two fish diseases into this country. The Black Bass Act of 1926, as recently amended in 1969, prohibits importation or transportation in interstate or foreign com- merce of fishin violation of foreign, State, or other law. The 1934 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended in August 1958, authorizes the Secretary toprovide assistance to and co- operate with Federal, State, and public and private agencies and organizations in the de- velopment, protection, rearing and stocking of all wildlife resources and in controlling losses from disease. The Act of March 15, 1958 (16 U.S.C. 778- 778c) authorized the Secretary of the Interior to establish fish farming experimental sta- tions to conduct research on methods of fish farming including the control of fish diseases, Two such stations have been established in the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. The Act of September 2, 1960 (16 U.S.C. 753a-753b) authorized the Secretary of the Interior toenter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, with State game and fish departments, and with non- profit or ganizations, relative tothe establish- ment of research and training programs for fish resources. There are 238 cooperative fishery units operated by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. The Act of August 9, 1962(16 U.S.C. 760j- 7601) authorized the Secretary of the Interior to assist the States in developing disease re- sistant oysters, The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries now operates this and other disease control programs under PL 88-309. Under the disaster clause of this law, the State of Michigan received 65,000 dollars to control whirling disease, but a similar request by the State of California for 400,000 dollars to con- trol a virus and a parasite disease at a State hatchery was denied because of a shortage of funds. Senate Bill Useful None of the above Acts was specifically in- tended topromote the control of fish diseases, and all of these collectively are still inade- quate. S, 1151 includes in one piece of legis~ lation the authority to set up and operate an ‘effective fish disease control program, The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) Control the interstate traffic of dis- eased fish, (2) Inspect premises and conveyances, (3) Compensate the owner for fish which must be destroyed. The bill also instructs the Secretary to prepare regulations to: (1) Control the traffic of diseased fish, (2) Set up methods whereby fish diseases can be eradicated. Under such authority I believe that the menaces of fish diseases can be effectively reduced and finally eliminated. Weurge early enactment of this legislation. HICKEL PLEDGES LAKE ERIE CLEAN-UP Secretary Walter J. Hickel announced on April 21 that Interior Department was initia- ting a campaignto clean up Lake Erie. This followed reports of lethaldischarges of mer- cury intothe lake--andintothe Detroit River, which empties into Lake Erie. He said he was distressed by the economic losses and possible health hazards to resi- dents of Lake Erie area by mercury contam- ination of fish. Secretary Hickel moved onthese fronts: e Anenforcement conference on Lake Erie will be reconvenedin Detroit. It will be fol- lowed by enforcement workshops in Toledo, Cleveland, Lorain, Dandusky, and Ashtabula, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; and Lackawanna, New York. e Increased monitoring and research will begin on the toxicity of mercury and other metal compounds, and their effect on fish and other aquatic life, The work will be done by BCF Ann Arbor, Michigan, e The Federal Water Quality Administra- tion (formerly Federal Water Pollution Con- trol Adm.) has been directed to identify and list all toxic substances being discharged into U.S. waters. Ss ar ie CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION SCHEDULED The Department of the Interior will spon- sor a 4-day conference and exposition on en- vironmental pollution at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., Sept. 29-Oct. 2. Secretary Walter J. Hickel said the con- ference was being calledin response to Pres- ident Nixon's call for ''a total mobilization" to clean up the environment. More than 3,000 leaders from industry, government, national organizations, and uni- versities are expected to participate. Hickel's Statement Secretary Hickel said: "In his message to the Congress onthe environment on February 10, President Nixon said that the task of clean- ingup our environment calls for a total mobi- lization of all ofus--involving governments at every level and requiring the help of every citizen. "We hope to make this conference a pro- ductive answer tothe search for new and more efficient inethods, approaches, and techniques for winning the battle for a better national environment. "Our purpose is not only to focus national attention onthe threat to our environment but tohelp muster a nationwide effort in correc- tive actions to improve it." Exhibits At the concurrent national exposition, the participating groups will be invitedto display pollution abatement equipment, techniques, and services. MAN COMPETES WITH OTTER FOR ABALONE Wallace Turner (This article appeared in The New York Times May 10.) InSan Francisco, a waterfront diner raises a bite of the succulent, delicately flavored shellfishtohis mouth and chews dreamily as he gazes out at the boats bobbing in the swells. A hundred miles or so to the south, a sea otter slumps comfortably on his back as he rides the swells of the open sea and with quick, tiny bites rips through the rubbery flesh of the same kind of shellfish. They are competing, the sea otter and the gourmet, for a dwindling population of aba- lone, a prized shellfish that grows amid the kelp beds on the rocky sea floor along the central California coast, To the competitors themselves, the aba- lone simply means choice food. But both sides have allies in the turbulent world of conservationist and economic pressures, and to them serious issues are at stake. Seek Thinning of Herd Working for the gourmet are the divers who walk the sea floor in search of the aba- lone and the processors who slice the meat and pound it for tenderizing. They have sought legislation to permit the thinning of the otter herd as a means of protecting the abalone fishery. And speaking for the small furry sea ani- mals is Margaret Owings, president of Friends of the Sea Otter, a group demanding that nothing be allowed to interefere with the natural growth of the otter population. Mrs. Owings, the wife of Nathaniel A. Owings, the architect, directs her campaign from Wild Bird, one of the nation's most stunning homes, designed by her husband and built on a point hundreds of feet above the surf of Big Sur. From her balcony shecanseea crescent of sand that is a sunning place for a herd of sea lions and a kelp bed that is home for a half-dozen sea otter. Gray whales pass sometimes just outside the kelp. "Man and Wildlife! "We're not just dealing with otter,'' Mrs. Owings said in a recent interview. ''We're dealing with the whole question of man and wildlife. If we lose this one, we've lost a foothold on future attempts to preserve a rare species." Far to the north, a larger band of sea ot- ter wanders around Amchitka Island in the fog, cold and gloom of the outer Aleutian chain. It feeds heavily on sea urchins, who have no friends, The smaller herd to the south, regener- ated from a few individuals that escaped the fur hunters of the 18th and 19th centuries, now number about 1,500 between Morro Bay and Monterey. They are increasing at the rate of 4 to6 per cent a year, and they are gobbling up the abalone. Mrs. Owings argues that a part of the decrease in abalone comes from over- harvesting by divers, but she agrees that ''we know perfectly well that the otter like aba- lone. The divers who go down in bulky suits, trailing yards and yards of rubber hose, to pry the abalone from the rocks have great respect for their rivals! fishing skill. "Don't Waste Any Time! "T remember the first time I saw an otter break an abalone with a rock," said Ernest Porter, who has been diving for about 20 years, ''They don't waste any time with it. They get a rock, and just like a carpenter nailing a board, they know what todo with it." The Pacific coast abalone grow large enough for their edible portions to weigh as much as five or six pounds. But the seven- and-three-quarters inch size that may be harvested commercially usually produces about two to two-and-a-half pounds, "Of course the sea otter doesn't under- stand about the limits,''said Dr. H. G. Orcutt, laboratory supervisor for the California Fish and Game Department. ''He eats any abalone he can get." The abalone has an oval shell top and travels on a snail-like ''foot"' that holds it to rocks, along which it moves, slowly feeding on the leaves that fall from the kelp. While divers must use a Steel bar to pry it free, the sea otter simply takes a rock and breaks the shell so that the abalone loses its grip and can be carried to the surface and eaten. Hunt Other Shellfish The otter also hunt other shellfish. They break clams open by banging them together until they crack, and they handle a dungeness crab by holding one pinching claw while eating the other, then eating the one that was held, and then ripping off the bottom shell to clean out the crab's insides. The otter live in a coldsea, They lack the fat layer that protects the sea lion, harbor seal or whale, but they have a thick fur that they constantly preen to prevent heat loss. And they eat. A sea otter will consume his weight of 45 to 75 pounds in shellfishin three or four days. After a complex calcu- lation, and allowing a wide margin for vari- ables, Mr. Odemar, the fish and game biolo- gist, estimated that one herd of 97 otter in one year ate between 627,800 and 1.15 mil- lion pounds of abalone. There is no question that the supply of abalone is disappearing. The divers maintain that abalone disappear wherever the otter population isfoundas it moves slowly south- ward fromthe fastnesses of the rugged coast along Big Sur. In 1957 divers limited them- selves to50 dozeneach a day; now getting five dozen abalone is a struggle. The divers work in water 20 to 70 feet deep, in a cold that after a couple of hours penetrates their black rubber suits, the lining and their bones so that they must go topside and warm up. Water Rough All Year The water here is rough the year around, "Sometimes a surge in the waves will throw you 60 feet and up against the rocks," said Duane Brown, 35 years old, who five years ago left a dough mixing job in a Phoe- nix, Ariz., bakery to be an abalone diver. He worked for eight hours that day to have about three hours on the sea bottom, and he brought back akout $41 worth of abalone. He dived alone, too, which means that any seri- ous accident would have been fatal. Charles Sites, who operates an abalone processing plant, pays $18 a dozen for aba- lone. He said there were no more than 10 abalone boats, with about 20 divers, working out of Morro Bay now. In 1960 there were more than 50 boats. "The otter have moved south and they just clean up the abalone,'' he said. The diving now centers near Santa Barbara, but divers here maintainthat the otter will spread there and wipe out the marketable shellfish, Abalone Sure to Survive Biologists for the State Fish and Game Department say that the abalone species will not be wiped out, for they spread too many eggs for that. But they agree that a com- mercial fishery cannot exist alongside an un- limited herd of sea otter, who eat the abalone before they reach marketable size. State Senator Donald L. Grunsky, who rep- resents this area at Sacramento, introduced a bill this year that would have allowed state biologists to capture and try to move the ot- ters to keep population down, After hearings at which Mrs, Owings and other friends of the otter testified, he asked that his bill be turned into a study proposal, which means the end of it for now. Charles Sites' wife spoke in good humor of "our group that we called Friends of the Abalone. ''We had a little money and opened a check- ing account, and a while back we wrote a check for $10 andit bounced," she said. 'We'd for- gotten about the service charges." —= 10 RENOWNED SCOTTISH MARINE BIOLOGIST VISITS BCF OXFORD LAB Dr. C. Maurice Yonge, a world leader in marine biology, toured BCF's Biological Lab- oratory at Oxford (Md,) on April 13 and pres- ented an informal seminar. Dr. Yonge holds the Regius Chair of Zool- ogy at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He is president of the Scottish Marine Bio- logical Association, He received his doctor- ate fromthe University of Edinburgh in 1922 for original studies of food and feeding in "Mya arenaria'--the U.S, common soft-shell clam, or mannose, His research career began at the Plymouth, England, marine biological lab where he studied metabolism in the European oyster. In the late 1920s, he led an expedition to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, It resulted in significant contributions tomarine science and the founding of the Heron Island lab for continuing reef studies, He has worked at marine stations all over the world, Classics of Marine Biology Dr. Yonge'stwo most famous books, ''The Oyster'' and 'The Sea Shore," are classics. The results of his research have influenced the direction of modern invertebrate biology. He is now interested in the relationship be- tween the shape or anatomy of marine bivalves (oysters, clams, mussels) and their ability to adapt to the environment. Oxford Seminar His seminar at Oxford reviewed the world status of molluscan culture, or sea-farming,. He related the development of aquaculture to biologicalevents. Heused personal observa- tions from more than 20 visits to the U.S, and Canada as examples of dynamic changes in the shellfisheries, 2 2 a James B. Engle, Chief, Shellfish Advisory Service (left), Dr. C. Maurice Yonge (center), and Arthur S. Merrill, Laboratory Director, BCF Biological Laboratory, Oxford (right). This was Dr. Yonge's first visit to the Eastern Shore and he was impressed by its natural beauty and by the ever-present arti- facts of the Bay fisheries, He was fascinated by the similarities between small U.S. vil- lages, such as Oxford, and coastal villages in England. Dr. Yonge lauded the European oyster as "the best in the world''--but he admitted the possibility that the U.S. oyster might be sec- ond best! Lal JAPANESE SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE AUTHORITY VISITS U.S. Dr. TakeoImai, Professor Emeritus Toh- oku University and Director of Oyster Re- search Institute in Sendai, Japan, was a recent visitor to BCF Washington, D.C. Dr. Imai, a world-famous authorityon shellfish aquaculture, was inthe United States primarily to study the effects of warm-water effluents on shellfish culture. He toured Fed- eral, State, and industry installations on both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Imaialso lectured at the University of Washington's School of Fisheries in Seattle. Lto R: William N. Shaw, BCF, Oxford, Md., Neal Kelly, HEW, Washington, D.C., Dr. Takeo Imai, William M. Terry, Acting Deputy Director, BCF, Washington, D.C.,James B. Engle, BCF, Oxford, Md., William Davis, BCF, Washington, D.C. (Photo: Bob Williams) 12 GULF OF MEXICO JAMAICA CARIBBEAN SEA VENEZUELA COLOMBIA GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Route of U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey ship 'Oceanographer' during one-month cruise on which scientists from nine nations will attempt to establish an international standard for measuring ocean phenomena. OCEANOGRAPHY 9 NATIONS SEEK STANDARDS TO MEASURE OCEAN & ATMOSPHERE On April 30, 25 scientists from 9 nations sailedfrom Miami, Fla., aboard the 'Discov- erer' to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Pacific Oceaninal-month attempt to es- tablish international standards for measuring ocean and atmospheric phenomena. The Dis- covereris an oceanographic 'floating labora- tory' of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. The scientists are oceanographers, physi- cists, and meteorologists from the U.S., the Soviet Union, Australia, Denmark, France, Japan, Norway, Great Britain, and West Ger- many. Sea and air experiments are being con- ducted in and over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and in the offshore waters of South America southwest of Panama. The ship will return to Miami via the Caribbean and the Sargasso Sea, Measuring Sea's Productivity Scientists from the U.S., Soviet Union, Australia, Denmark, France, Japan, Norway, and Great Britain are measuring the ocean's primary productivity. Essentially, this is a measure of the rate phytoplankton utilize ra- diant energy fromthe sun and nutrients from the seatoproduce carbohydrates, oxygen, and other products through photosynthesis, Incoming radiation at sea's surface and several levels below will be measured, to- gether with the water's optical properties. By bringing together scientists, measuring devices, and techniques from different coun- tries, the planners aim todevelop a means for intercalibrating the results--so measure- ments can be compared on an international basis, If a technique is agreed upon, it will be recommended to scientists throughout the world concerned with measurement of the sea's productivity. Measure Radiation in Atmosphere Meteorologists and technicians from the U.S., Soviet Union, Japan, and West Germany are attempting a comparable intercalibration of radiometersondes they use to measure ra- diation inthe atmosphere. The instruments, carried aloft by helium-filled balloons, radio back tothe ship data on variations in radiant energy versus height above sea. Instruments of the 4 nations fly fromthe same balloon. So the scientists are measuring the same thing and will be able tointercalibrate their equip- ment. The radiometersondes are measuring the thermal radiation emitted upward and down- ward fromthe atmosphere, and upward from the sea. Asthe balloons rise, the instruments gather datatoprovide avertical profile of the variationinradiation. The radiation is emit- ted by water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, dust, andice crystals in the atmosphere; ra- diation increases in intensity as temperature increases. Suchdata are considered vital for a useful understanding of what drives the global weather ''machine." PHOTOGRAPH MARINE LIFE AT ARCTIC BOTTOM J. H. Kravitz, a geologist at the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NOO) has presented photographic evidence that there is marine life even in near-freezing conditions on the bottom of Arctic waters. NOO says it prob- ably was the first time it has been photo- graphed. Starfish live on Arctic bottom. (Photo: U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office) 13 14 Kravitz reported: ''We have a picture of brittle stars and starfish living on the sea floor at a point about 30 miles westof Franz Josef Land,'"' He and5 other scientists aboard the Navy icebreaker 'Atka' reached the far northernpoint in early autumn, At that sea- son, the Arctic ice pack surrounding the 70 Franz Josef Landislands--alllie above west- ern USSR in Barents Sea--yields somewhat to warmer temperatures. Camera Near Sea Bottom "But, even then, we had to ward off ice flows and smallicebergs called 'growlers' to get this shot,'' Kravitz recalls. The camera system was lowered about 1,000 feet to apoint about sixtonine feet above the bottom. Then it was activated long enough to get 61 pictures "before the ice forced us to cut the camera run short and abandon the site.'’ The photo on page 13 shows the marine animals living on a “rather smooth, tranquil bottom" close to the freezing point--0.52 degrees centi- grade. May Be First According to Kravitz, the photo may rep- resent ''the first time scientists have ever used a camera aboard an icebreaker, or any surface ship for that matter, to photograph the oceanfloor this far north, although photo- graphs of the Arctic Basin have been taken from floating ice islands," GULF OF MEXICO ‘ESSENTIALLY SAME’ AS 100 MILLION YEARS AGO "The Gulf of Mexicois essentially the same now as it was 100 million years ago."' That was the conclusion of scientists who com- pleted Leg Ten of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. "We found nothing inthe Gulf to support or deny the theory of continental drift,'' said Dr. J. Lamar Worzel, Associate Director of Co- lumbia University's Lamont -Doherty Geolog- ical Observatory in Palisades, New York. "Our findings do deny any continental drift occurring there for about the past 100-135 million years, Beyond that I cannot say, but up to that time the deep basin was there and existedin essentially that same environment and location as it does today."' Dr. Worzel was co-chief scientist with Dr. William R. Bryant, Texas A & M University, College Station, aboard the research vessel 'Glomar Challen- ger' during the cruise across the Gulf of Mexicofrom Galveston, Texas, to Miami, Fla. A Theory About Gulf Some geologists have theorized that the Gulf of Mexico once had been shallow and had sunk, Their estimates of when this happened range from 10 million to over 100 million year ago. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Uni- versity of California at San Diego, is managing the Deep Sea Drilling Project under contract tothe National Science Foundation, The Proj- ectis a part of the Foundation's Ocean Sedi- ment Coring Program, STUDY PESTICIDES DISCHARGED BY MISSISSIPPI R. INTO GULF In April, researchers aboard the Univer - sity of Miami's 'John Elliott Pillsbury! sam- pled and analyzed hydrocarbon pesticides in the water and bottom sediments of the Missis- sippi River delta and similar estuarine areas along the Gulf of Mexico's northeast coast. Dr. Eugene F. Corcoran, Chief Scientist, said: ''The Mississippi River is grossly mod- ified as it flows nearly 2,500 miles from its beginning in a small lake in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexicoby the agricultural, industrial, and urban activities of a large complex so- ciety. Whenthe river system discharges into the Gulf of Mexico, it carries with it much of the man-made pollution resulting from these activities. An important part of our expedi- tion will be toshow how the contaminated ef- fluent is dispersed in tne deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and what effect it has on the chemical and biological production in these areas." The expedition also gathered information on the pesticide content of water taken from the Mississippi River delta for human con- sumption. Chlorinated Hydrocarbons The pesticides studied included DDT, diel- drin, aldrin, endrin, toxaphene, lindane, chlordane, and heptachlor. Almost insoluble, and extremely resistant to microbial degra- dation, these compounds can persist almost indefinitely in the water. They are also the most toxic to higher forms of aquatic life. In addition to pesticides, the researchers alsomeasured the salinity, oxygen, inorganic phosphates, nutrients, and trace metals at each sampling station. U.S. COAST PILOTS 1 & 3 WILL BE UPDATED The Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) an- nounced in late Marchthatit will inspect nav- igational facilities and conditions between Eastport, Maine, and Cape Cod, Mass., and between Sandy Hook, N. J., and Cape Henry, Va., including Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. Findings will be incorporated into new editions of ''U.S. Coast Pilot 1, Atlantic Coast, Eastport to Cape Cod," and ''U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Atlantic Coast, Sandy Hook toCape Henry," scheduled for 1971. Eight of the nautical books are issued by C&GS; new editions are published at intervals of four to ten years. The Information Furnished Generally, the books furnish in narrative form information that cannot be shown graphi- cally on marine charts--navigation regula- tions, weather, ice, freshets, routes, and port facilities. Coast Pilots and the annual cumulative sup- plements that keep them up to date are used by skippers of naval andcommercial craft and by small-boat operators. ill 15 SPLIT OF EUROPE & N. AMERICA AGES AGO STUDIED Deep-sea sediment now being recovered by the research vessel 'Glomar Challenger' during Leg Eleven of the Deep Sea Drilling Project is expected to produce scientific in- formation on what happened millions of years ago when North America and Europe were pulled apart. Leg Eleven began in Miami, Fla., April 7, and ends in New York May 31. Scientists are interestedin what happened to the earth's crust as the continents tore apart. A major objective of the drilling is the investigation of this event by examining the oldest sediments in the Atlantic Ocean deposited when the continents separated. LEG XI Proposed Drilling Program @® Ist Priority @ 2nd Priority O 3rd Priority FOREIGN FISHING OFF U.S. IN MARCH 1970 POLISH MIDOLE ATLANTIC AGREEMENT AREAS U.S.-USSR U.S LEGEND x. U.S.S.R. 1. NO FISHING ZONE (JAN. 1- APR. 1) NANTUCKET 2. LOADING ZONE (NOV. I5-MAY |5) 3. FISHING ZONE (JAN. I- APR.1) Vessels ae 4. LOADING ZONE(SEPT. I5-MAY 15) Polish - 40 POLISH A.NO FISHING ZONE(JAN.I-APR. 1) Fe 6 ZONES Z Catch LOADING ZON >= o je 15 - MAY |5 Herring Mackerel E-SILVER HAKE AREA Atlantic. . City Japanese Catch Red Hake Fa Vessels Herring 4 Soviet - 170 iG Bulgarian - 2 ; Spanish - 1 37° ‘ Japanese Catch Herring Mackerel i £ fo} Q ! CAPE HATTERAS , Fig. 1 - Foreign-flag vessels fishing off southern New England and Georges Bank, Mar. 1970 (shows no. of vessels and species fished). 16 17 “OL6T YOIEW ‘eHSeTY JO satroysty ubrorog - 2 “61a ott : oSCl orl Sv Ost SSI OF Sl 74 Aiczl 08! a SLI fe) Sol os PELAOS PL j HIYAd »NWAIO PELAOS 8 | asouedep ef POLAOS OL ssl dWIYHS ; asauedep ¢ PALAOS € —exe 2 asaueder Ol HOYad NW3I90 : asourdep g NaS Ry HSI44198VS , asauedep 2 AR , 5 JALAOS 9 = <— asauedep ¢ ew, ae , eee HS14QNN0U9 Ss .* Howad NV300 2 Uaannold 09 : i i Z ‘ asaueder ¢| 5 A Ae? x ONTYYSH VOVNVO VASVTV 59 ALBACORE OF HAWAIIAN WATERS e Thunnus alalunga e Tamio Otsu and Ray F. Sumida Only a small quantity of albacore is caught in Hawaiian waters by the long-line fishery, incidental to catches of other species of tunas and billfishes, The fish are large and ap- pear to be part of the reproductive component of the North Pacific albacore population, The albacore arrive in Hawaiian waters in early summer after spending about 6 years in the temperate North Pacific, This paper documentstheir occurrence, describes their size composition and abundance, and discusses their possible role in the North Pacific population, Intheir model of albacore migration in the North Pacific Ocean, Otsu and Uchida postu- lated in 1963 that the albacore in Hawaiian waters belongto the reproductive segment of the North Pacific population, The history of the fish would be this: they spent several years in the temperate North Pacific where, alternately, they were exposed to American and Japanese fisheries during their extensive east-west migrations, After attaining sexual maturity at about age 6 (90 cm. in length), they migrated south into subtropical waters. The inferred spawning grounds of the alba- core extendin a wide belt centered along lat. 15° N., and reach from the Philippines in the west toabout the Hawaiian Islands inthe east. Thus, say Otsu and Uchida, the albacore in Hawaiiare probably the easternmost compo- nent of the North Pacific spawning population. The albacore are only a small part of the landings of Hawaiian fisheries: in weight, less than 3% of total tuna and billfish landings. Though relatively scarce, these albacore are, nevertheless, an important reproductive component of the North Pacific population. NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE FISHERIES There arethree major fisheries for alba- core in the temperate North Pacific Ocean: (1) the Japanese live-bait fishery during April-July off Japan (Van Campen, 1960); (2) the Japanese long-line fishery during Oc- tober-March from Japan east to about long. 170° W. (Nankai Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory, 1954); and(3)the U.S. west coast trolling and live-bait fishery during June- November between Baja California and the Pacific Northwest (Clemens, 1955), These account for virtually allthe commercial land- ings of albacore in the Northern Hemisphere. Albacore are alsotakeninsmall quantities throughout the tropical and subtropical re- gions of the Northern Hemisphere by the Jap- anese long-line fishery (Nankai Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory, 1959), and off Hawaii by the Hawaiian long-line fishery. The albacore in Hawaiian waters are found only at great depths, perhaps 150 or 200 m., They are taken by deep-fishing long-line gear (Yoshida, 1966)--unlike albacore in temper- ate waters, which also occur at the surface, In the temperate waters, they are taken by surface fishing: surface trolling and live- bait fishing by Americans in eastern Pacific, live-bait fishing by Japanese in western Pa- cific. Young albacore (less than about 90 cm. long) are found in temperate latitudes. In temperate North Pacific, between Japan and the U.S., they are both at surface and at con- siderable depth. The adults migrate south into tropical and subtropical waters, where Mr. Otsu is Fishery Biologist and Mr. Sumida Biological Technician with BCF Biological Laboratory, P. O. Box 3830, Honolulu, Ha- waii 96812. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint No. 870 18 they are exclusively at great depths (Otsu and Yoshida, 1967). The fisheries are geared to take advantage of this unwavering regularity in the fish's life pattern, Thus, throughout the tropics, including Hawaii, the long-line method is the only way known for capturing these deep-Sswimming albacore. The Fleet and the Catch In Hawaii, the long-line fishery operates mostly in 'inshore'' waters; boats range in size from 5 to 38 gross tons (Hida, 1966). In 1950, the fleet consisted of 76 boats; not all fished full time. The number has dwindled steadily since thenand, by 1968, only 22 boats operated. The boats have crews of two to five men and make trips averaging about 9 days. Although most fishing is within 40 km. of the main Hawaiian Islands, a few boats occasion- ally have ventured as far as 500 km. from port. A new long-line vessel, the 'Kilauea', joined the fleetin1969. She has made regular trips to fishing grounds 500 to 800 km. south of Honolulu, The principal long-line catches in Hawaiian waters are the bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus, and the yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, Among the billfishes, the Pacific blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, and the striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax, are the most abundant, Less abundant species are the broadbill swordfish, Xiphias gladius; sailfish, Istiop- horus orientalis; shortbill spearfish, Tetra- pturus angustirostris; black marlin, Makaira indica; wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri; skip- jack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis; dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus; and the albacore. More detailed descriptions ofthe Hawaiian long-line fishery are found in June (1950), Otsu (1954), Shomura (1959), Hida (1966), and Yoshida (1966). LANDINGS OF ALBACORE IN HAWAII The annual landings of albacore in the Ha- waiian long-line fishery in 1948-68 ranged from 3 metric tons in 1965 to 48 metric tons in 1952 (fig. 1); these accounted for 0.4 to 3.0% of total tuna and billfish landings (table 1). The catches were relatively higher in earlier years of study period, 1948-53, when 23 to 48 metric tons were landed each year. Since then, however, the landings have been consid- erably lower: less than 13 metric tons. 19 Go 5 -F go (4 = Ww = a to) z fal 2 < = a a =] 2 2 < Fig. 1 - Annual landings of albacore in Hawaiian long-line fishery, 1948-68. Monthly landings of albacore increase markedly in June and are relatively good for remainder of year (fig. 2). The best catches, however, are between June and October. PERCENT Y 7 | 7 6 YAY Yy JAN. FEB. MAR APR. M Le Fig. 2 - The average monthly landings, in percent, of albacore in Hawaiian long-line fishery, 1948-68. SIZE COMPOSITION OF CATCH The albacore takenin Hawaiiare generally large fish; they range in length from about 85 to 130 cm, (14 to 44 kg.). Eighty percent of the fish landed are longer than 100 cm. (21 kg.). The males are larger and more numer- ous than the females. The average length in 1965-68 was 102.2 cm. for females and 106.0 cm. for males; the males outnumbered fe- males 1.9 to 1. There has been a marked decline in albacore lengths since the 1950s. Because sofew albacore are landed each year, the size data were grouped into three time 20 Table 1. Landings of Tunas and Billfishes in the Hawaiian Long-line Fishery, 1948-682! Total Tunas Total Albacore vege and Billfishes Albacore Landings Metric Tons Metric Tons Percent 1,435 43 3.0 1,419 32 De2 1,787 28 1.6 1,811 26 1.4 1,876 48 2.5 2,032 23 1.1 1,985 0.7 1,540 0.6 1,511 0.4 LoS 0.4 1,236 0.6 218 0.4 1,016 0.4 926 0.7 976 8 0.8 865 7 0.8 1964 939 4 0.5 849 3 0.4 817 798 704 1/Data obtained from State of Hawaii, Division of Fish and Game Statistics, Annual Summary, and ~ may include small amounts of tunas and billfishes taken by methods other than the long-line. 21 Ticalpolieal 1955 - 1956 N= 289 X= 110.0 LENGTH (CM) Fig. 3 - Length frequency distributions of albacore from Hawaiian waters, 1955-56, 1960-64, and 1965-68. periods: 1955-56, 1960-64, and 1965-68 (fig. 3). Nodata are available for 1957-59 because the Honolulumarkets were not sampled then. The average length(sexes combined) of 110.0 em. in 1955-56 decreased to 107.9 cm, in 1960-64, and to 104.7 cm, in 1965-68, This decrease is even more striking when males are considered separately. The modal sizes decreased from about 116 cm, in 1955-56 to 109 cm. in 1960-64, and to about 105 cm. in 1965-68, There was noreductionin mean size of females over the years. An outstanding feature of the albacore taken in Hawaii is their very large size; in fact, they are generally larger than those taken anywhere else inthe Pacific. Otsu and Uchida reported in 1959 a 127.6-cm., (42.2 kg. or 93 lb.) male as the largest albacore landed in Hawaii in 1955 or 1956, Since sampling was resumed in 1960, four unusually large speci- mens (all males) have beenrecorded (table 2). The longest (taken July 21, 1966) measured Table 2 - Records of the Five Largest Albacore (All Males} Taken by the Hawaiian Long-line Fishery and Sampled at the Honolulu Markets Since 1955 Length Cm. 127.6 129.7 128.2 128.4 132.7 132.7-cm. and weighed 40.8 kg. (90 1b.); the heaviest (taken October 25, 1965) weighed 44.5 kg. (98 lb.; length, 128.4 cm.), In com- parison, only 22 of 373,754 albacore sampled from the Japanese long-line fishery in the North Pacific in 1949-59 (Suda, 1963a) were longer than120cm.;the maximum length was 124 cm, The albacore caught throughout the South Pacific by long-line vessels based at Ameri- can Samoa are alsoconsiderably smaller than Hawaiian, They are believed to be the South- ern Hemisphere counterpart of the albacore, which appear in the tropical and subtropical regions of the North Pacific (Otsu and Yos- hida, 1967); populations inthe North and South Pacific are believed tobe separate, The alba- core taken in the fishery based at American Samoa average about 90 cm, in length (16 kg. or 351b.). The largest caught in 1968 (in Janu- ary, at lat.18°S., long. 171° W.) was 113 cm. long (31 kg. or 68 lb.). APPARENT ABUNDANCE Because albacore have been uncommon in the landings of recent years, it is surprising to learn that Hawaii exported albacore to California in the late 1920s and early 1930s (table 3), These exports, probably not the en- tire catch, indicate that landings were consid - erably greater then. The relatively good catches may have continued into the early 22 Table 3 - Export of Hawaiian Albacore to California Amount Exported Pounds Metric Tons 57, 500 43,054 5,426 98,720 43,612 25, 900 1/No albacore exported in 1931, Source: California Department of Fish and Game, 1937. 1950s (no catch statistics are available for 1935-47), Albacore landings were under 10 metric tons per year in 1955-66, but totaled 12 metric tons in 1967 and 10 metric tons in 1968 (fig. 1). Although this decrease in Hawaii albacore catch may have been due at least partly to smaller fishing effort (decrease in fishing vessels), it is reasonably certain that low ALL TUNAS AND BILLFISHES ALBACORE CATCH PER BOAT (METRIC TONS) Fig. 4 - The catch per boat of tunas and billfishes and of alba - core in the Hawaiian long-line fishery, 1948-68. PERCENT Fig. 5S - The proportion of albacore in the total tuna and billfish landings in the Hawaiian long-line fishery, 1948-68. catches in1954-65 were due largely to actual decrease in abundance. Figure 4 shows the per -boat catch of albacore and of all tunas and billfishes in long-line fishery from 1948 to 1968. The catch of tunas and billfishes per boat--exceptin 1952, 1953, and 1954--tended to increase gradually over the years, though fluctuating greatly from year toyear. Nosuch tendency was seen in the catch of albacore. Furthermore, the proportion of albacore in totaltuna and billfish landings was markedly lower in 1954-65 than in other years (table 1 and fig. 5). SIGNIFICANCE OF HAWAITAN-CAUGHT ALBACORE Albacore occur in temperate waters when they are young. They migrate seasonally from eastern Pacific, where they form basis of an American summer fishery, intocentral west- ern Pacific, where they are basis of Japanese winter long-line fishery. They next appear in the Japanese coastal fishery in the spring; from there, they return once again to winter long-line fishery (fig. 6: Otsu and Uchida, 1963). One hypothesis is that when the fish attain sexual maturity, some adults in Jap- anese winter long-line fishery move south into subtropical waters during spring; there they form reproductive segment of North Pacific population. Ithas beenpostulated further that fish of this reproductive segment appear in Hawaiianfishery, These points are supported by the abrupt increase in albacore catches in Hawaii beginning in June, near the keginning of their spawning period in Hawaiian waters, Otsu-Uchida Study Intheir 1959 study, Otsu and Uchida found no albacore in spawning or near-spawning condition intemperate North Pacific, but they noted that albacore from Hawaii possessed well-developed gonads, The fish from the central equatorial Pacific were in an inter- mediate stage between the two groups; a few had ovaries in the "late developing" stage. The evidence presented by the Hawaiian alba- core pointed to a summer spawning, probably between June and August. Thus, it appears that the increased land- ings of albacore in Hawaii beginning in June mark the arrival of fish from the North Pa- cific Japanese winter long-line grounds. Furthermore, since increased landings cor- respond in time to spawning period, we may state with some confidence that the Hawaiian = sama | 2-YEAR-OLDS 1 a ce f aed JUNE-JULY q-MAR: ; Met ; pp TEMPERATE WATERS Ya. Yap SUBTROPICAL WATERS : = 20° Fig. 6 - Model of albacore migrations in the North Pacific Ocean, by age groups (ages encircled). (Reproduced from fig. 9: Otsu and Uchida, 1963.) 23 24 fish are part of the reproductive segment of North Pacific population. The significance, if any, of the relative scarcity of albacore in Hawaiian waters in recent years is not clear. It is possible that the few fish taken in Hawaii can serve as an index of the relative abundance of albacore in the North Pacific population. Rothschild and Yong* reported a clear decline in albacore abundance in North Pacific long-line grounds during their 1949-61 study period. The decrease in average size of albacore taken in Hawaii during 1955-68 may reflect further such a decline in the North Pacific Table 4. 2/ Season— 1962 Oct.-Dec.. 1962 0.57 Jan.-Mar. 1963 1.18 Season average 0.88 1963 Oct.-Dec. 1963 1.06 Jan.-Mar. 1964 2.43 Season average 1.66 1964 Oct.-Dec. 1964 0.41 Jan.-Mar. 1965 1.54 Season average 1.05 1965 Oct.-Dec. 1965 0.96 Jan.-Mar. 1966 2.58 Season average 1.76 1966 Oct.-Dec. 1966 1.09 Jan.-Mar. 1967 2.54 Season average 1917 1/The data were compiled from "Annual report of effort and catch statistics by area in Japanese tuna longline fishery" for the years 1962-67, published by the Research Division, Fisheries Agency of Japan. 2/A fishing season extends from about October of 1 year through March of the following year. The Average Catch Rates of Albacore in the Japanese Winter Long- line Fishery, by Quarters, for the 1962-66 Fishing serene Quarters fishing grounds are limited to lat. 20°-40° N., long. 140° E, -180°. population. If albacore abundance inthe North Pacific had decreased due to an increase in total mortality, we might expect to see such a decrease in average size (age). Fewer Older Albacore, Average Lengths Stable Rothschild and Yong noted that such a re- duction of older albacore in the North Pacific was indicated by Suda (1959, 1963b). On the other hand, having computed the average lengths of albacore taken in all three North Pacific fisheries, they could find no apparent decline in average lengths. They concluded: "We cannot, at present, reconcile the decline Catch Per 100 Hooks Numbers * Rothschild, Brian J. and Marian Y. Y. Yong. MS. Apparent abundance, distribution, and migrations ofalbacore, Thunnus alalunga, on the North Pacific longline grounds. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory, Honolulu, Hawaii 96812. in one set of the Japanese data and the lack of a decline in the other." Although a decline in average fish sizes inthe North Pacific has not beenclearly dem- onstrated in the Japanese data, reduction in relative abundance of the oldest segment of the populationis evident inthe Hawaiian data. We believe that this decrease is related toa decline inthe apparent abundance of albacore in the North Pacific Ocean as a result of in- creased total mortality. Catch Rates Compared To determine this relationship, the Jap- anese catchrates inthe North Pacific and the Hawaiian landings were compared, Table 4 shows the albacore catch rates inthe Japanese Table 5S - Average Catch Rate of Albacore in the Japanese North Pacific Winter Long-line Fishery, 1949-57 {from Suda, 1958: Table 2) Number of Albacore Per 100 Hooks 1949 2.36 1950 anes 1951 2.86 1952 2.71 1953 1.86 1954 abies) 1955 1.20 1956 2.54 1957 2.82 Year 25 winter long-line fishery during the 1962-66 fishing seasons as compiled from data pub- lished by the Fisheries Agency of Japan, To maintain consistency in the data, we did not attempt to compile unpublished datafor ear- lier years. The catch rates were generally low, under two fish per 100 hooks, but in- creased slightly during the 1965 and 1966 seasons; this corresponded toincreased land- ings in Hawaii after 1966. Suda (1958) published average catch rates for the same fishery during 1949-57 (table 5). These data are not strictly comparable with those in table 4 because different data sets are probably involved. Sudareported slightly higher catchrates than those in more recent years, There was little correlation between these catch rates and annual Hawaiian land- ings. Despite this lack of correlation, we feel that Hawaiian landings, particularly if stand- ardized in catch-per-unit effort, should re- flect changes in albacore abundance in the North Pacific long-line grounds--and, more particularly, in abundance of older fish in the population, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Brian J. Rothchild, Fisheries Research Institute, University of Washington, and William L, Craig, California State Fish- eries Laboratory, for their critical reading of this paper. LITERATURE CITED CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 1937. The commercial fish catch of California for the year 1935. Calif. Dep. Fish Game, Fish Bull. 49, 170 pp. CLEMENS, HAROLD B, 1955. Catch localities for Pacific albacore (Thunnus germo)} landed in California, 1951 through 1953. Calif, Dep. Fish Game, Fish Bull. 100, 28 pp. HIDA, THOMAS S. 1966. Catchesof bigeye and yellowfin tunas in the Hawaiian longline fishery. In Thomas A. Manar (editor), Pro- ceedings, Governor's Conference on Central Pacific Fishery Resources, State of Hawaii, pp. 161-167. JUNE, FRED C, 1950. Preliminary fisheries survey of the Hawaiian-Line Is- lands area. Part. I. - The Hawaiian long-line fish- ery. Commer, Fish. Rev. 12(1): 1-23. NANKAI REGIONAL FISHERIES RESEARCH LABORATORY 1954, Average year's fishing condition of tuna longline fish- eries, 1952 edition, albacore section. Published by Tokyo Federation of Japan Tuna Fishermen's Co- Operative Associations. (In Japanese with English translation.) U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Spec. Sci. Rep. Fish. 169, 131 pp. (editor) 1959, Average year's fishing condition of tuna long-line fisheries, 1958 edition. Published by Tokyo Federa- tion of Japan Tuna Fishermen's Co-operative Associ- ations, 2 vols., text and atlas. (In Japanese with English figure and table captions.) OTSU, TAMIO 1954, Analysis of the Hawaiian long-line fishery, 1948-52 Commer. Fish. Rev. 16(9}: 1-17. and RAY F, SUMIDA 1968. Distribution, apparent abundance, and size composi- tion of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) taken in the longline fishery based in American Samoa, 1954-65. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. 67: 47-69. and RICHARD N, UCHIDA 1959. Sexual maturity and spawning of albacore in the Pa- cificOcean. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. 59: 287-305. 1963. Modelof the migration of albacore inthe North Pacific Ocean. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. 63: 33-44, and HOWARD O, YOSHIDA 1967. Distribution and migration of albacore (Thunnus ala- lunga}) in the Pacific Ocean. Proc. Indo-Pac. Fish- Counc., 12 Sess., Sec. 2: 49-64. 26 LITERATURE CITED (CONTD.) SHOMURA, RICHARD S. 1959, Changes in tuna landings of the Hawaiian longline fishery, 1948-1956. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. 60: 87-106. SUDA, AKIRA . 1958. Catch variations in the North Pacific albacore. . .I. Recruitment and dispersion of the North Pacific alba- core. Rep. Nankai Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 9: 103- 116. (In Japanese with English translation.) 1959, Catch variations in the North Pacific albacore. . . I. Variation in the amount of recruitment. Rep. Nankai Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 10: 72-87. (In Japa- nese with English translation.) 1963a. Catch variations inthe North Pacific albacore. . .IV. The survival rate in the fishing grounds of the North- westPacific. Rep. Nankai Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 17: 103-110. (In Japanese with English translation.) 1963b. Structure of the albacore stock and fluctuation in the catch in the North Pacific areas. InH. Rosa, Jr. (editor), Proc. World Sci. Meet. Biol. Tunas Re- lated Species. FAO Fish. Rep. 6, 3: 1237-1277. VAN CAMPEN, WILVAN G,. 1960. Japanese summer fishery for albacore (Germo ala- lunga}. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Res. Rep. 52, 29 pp. YOSHIDA, HOWARD O. 1966. Tuna fishing vessels, gear, and techniques in the Pacific Ocean. In Thomas A. Manar (editor), Pro- ceedings, Governor's Conference on Central Pacific Fishery Resources, State of Hawaii, pp. 67-89. SEASONAL AND GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FISHERY RESOURCES California Current Region--l. Jack Mackerel David Kramer and Paul E. Smith This is the first of aseries of brief.reports in which we intend to describe seasonal and geographic characteristics of the fishery re- sources in the California Current region. Emphasis will be placed on the use of sum- marized datatopredict when and where adult spawning populations may be found--and whether or not such populations might be available tothe fisheries during their spawn- ing cycles, This first report deals with the jack mackerel, These accounts will introduce a series of existing and future comprehensive reports and analyses in a program of intensive re- searchcarried on for more than 20 years by the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). The investigations were founded in1949todetermine the reasons for the decline of the sardine fishery, The chief participants of the CalCOFI are the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), the California Department of Fish and Game (CF&G), andthe Bureau of Commercial Fish-. eries (BCF). The investigations designated an area for their studies covering approxi- imately 500,000 square miles from the California-Oregon border to the tip of Baja California (fig. 1), Their major task was to study the effects of the biological, physical and chemical environment uponthe resources. The role of BCF was to determine the dis- tribution and size of adult fish populations from egg and larva censuses. In order to determine when and where spawning populations may be found, the data for 10 years, 1951-60, are summarized by grouping ("pooling") stations on the CalCOFI pattern into 40 X 120-mile areas (fig, 2) and observing percentages of occurrences of fish eggs andjor larvae. (Percentages of occur- rence are the number of times larvae are found in a sample, divided by the number of samples takenin a particular seasonand area during the decade.) In the instance of jack mackerel (fig. 3), the data show that the major centers of spawn- ing (49 percent or greater occurrence of larvae) occur first in March off southern California and northern Baja California; then, as the waters grow warmer, the major centers spread gradually northward as far as San Francisco in July. The absolute range of jack mackerel spawning areas has not been de- limited by the CalCOFI, We know from addi- tional surveys by CalCOFI, and other organizations inthe United States and Canada, that the jack mackerel populations may extend as far offshore as 800-1,200 miles, as far northasthe Gulf of Alaska (Blunt, 1969), and as far south as Cape San Lucas. The jack mackerel fishery, once only in- cidental to those of the sardine and Pacific mackerel, suddenly became a major one in 1947--whenits total landings were 65,000 tons from a few-thousand-ton fishery in previous years, In the next two decades, 1947-56 and 1957-66, it averaged 40,000 and 35,000 tons per year respectively. Most landings of jack mackerel are juve- niles or young: adults taken within 50 miles offshore from San Diego to Point Conception. A small, variable fishery is carried on in Monterey Bay. The Mexican fishery, based in Ensenada, is a moderate one off northern Baja California. The fishery probably uses only a small part of the adult resource, which is estimated to be about 1.4-2.4 million tons within the CalCOFI pattern alone--and ap- proximately twice that amount by adding what is estimatedtobeinthe portion not delimited by the CalCOFI surveys (Ahlstrom, 1968). In The authors are Fishery Biologists, BCF Fishery -Oceanography Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, P. O. Box 271, La Jolla, California 92037. 27 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint No. 871 28 *(IYOOTeD) suorjebrysaauy satieysty O1aeadO aAtjyeIedooD erusJOF{[eED ay} Jo usayed uorjeis - T “bry Ol! Sil 202! Sci 20E! oSEl 202 202 0SZ oSZ vIN39N3 \, VANNd 5 00f 20€ oSE oSE NO1Ld39NO9 ANIOd OOSIONVYS NYS 0b ob ONISO0NIW Ol! eS 202! 2Szl 20E! ; , 493dS0¥d SVIHOVW 3NIVW NY3LSV3 36 Ht) Fig. 1 - BCF's new bathysphere will transport two observers at atmospheric pressure to a depth of 675 feet. The bathysphere is about 8 feet high and weighs nearly 9, 300 pounds (including 2,500 pounds of ballast). A BATHYSPHERE FOR FISHERY RESEARCH John R, Pugh and Richard B, Thompson The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (BCF) Biological Laboratory in Seattle, Wash., has acquired a bathysphere and a sup- port barge for fishery research, The system will be used in studies to determine the be- havior of commercially important marine organisms in their natural environment, BATHYSPHERE The bathysphere (fig. 1) was constructed by the Ocean Engineering Division of Reading and Bates of Tulsa, Okla. It is designedto transport two observers at atmospheric pres- sure to a depth of 675 feet. The sphere is constructed of special steel-plate alloy; the walls are 0.625-inch thick, and the total weight, including the ballast, is about 9,300 pounds, The inside diameter is 5 feet 6 inches. The overall height, including a sturdy-steel framework that supports the bathysphere, is about 8 feet. The bathysphere has two access hatches--one onthe side tofacilitate entry on deck and horizontal mating with a deck decom- pression chamber, the other on the bottom to permit diverstoexit or enter the pressurized bathysphere at depth. Bothhatches have dou- ble doors--an external one to withstand sea pressure, and aninternal one to withstand in- terior pressure during lock-out dives, Six- teen portholes (six, 12-inch; ten, 6-inch) provide excellent viewing in all directions. Neoprene bumper pads spaced around the horizontal centerline between the ports help protect the bathysphere during operations at sea. Twofixed quartz iodide lights, each 750 watts, provide illumination for underwater viewing. Electricity forthe lightsis supplied by surface generators, Life -support equipment inthe bathysphere includes a 48-hour oxygen supply for two ob- servers, and the necessary equipment for removal of carbon dioxide. There is also an auxiliary air supply that can be used: (1) in an emergency, such as failure or contamina- tion of the regular oxygen supply, or (2) for pressurizing the bathysphere at shallow depths (less than100 feet) for lock-out dives, or (3) by divers with ''Hookah"' attachments working outside the bathysphere. During dives of long duration, the breathing mixture can be supplied from surface compressors. One instrument allows the observers to moni- tor the percentage of oxygen in the bathy- sphere; another allows them to check the carbon dioxide level. A hardwire communi- cations system provides direct contact be- tweenthe bathysphere and the support barge. One depth gauge allows the observers to moni- tor their rate of descent or ascent; a second gauge allows themto monitor the pressure in the bathysphere when pressurization is re- quired for lock-out dives. The bathysphere is about 600 pounds buoy - ant. Sufficient ballast to make it sink and to stabilize it (about 2,500 pounds) is attached by a 32-inch diameter cable, 100 feet long, to an electrically powered submersible winch fastened tothe support frame on the sphere's underside. Under normal operating condi- tions, the winch cable is wound tight, and the ballast is carried close to the bottom of the sphere. In an emergency, the ballast can be jettisoned, allowing the bathysphere to return to the surface. The bathysphere is also equip- ped with a release mechanism on the main lifting cable; the occupants can free the sphere from the cable if it becomes fouled. Flexibility of operation was a major con- sideration in the bathysphere's design. The submersible winch attached to the support frame is controlled from within the sphere and allows the occupants to position it at var- ious distances above the ocean floor --depend- ing on length of ballast support cable--while remaining independent of the motion of the surface vessel. By directing crane operator to slacken main lifting-cable, and by rever- sing drive motor on submersible winch, the occupants can leave the ballast on the ocean floortoserve asan anchor. The bathysphere The authors are Fishery Biologists, BCF Biological Laboratory, 2725 Montlake Blvd. E., Seattle, Washington 98102. oi U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint No. 873 38 willrise toward the surface, allowing the oc- cupants tomake observations anda controlled ascent up to the length of the winch cable. Since the winch is electrically powered, the occupants can winch the bathysphere back to the bottom if they desire. SUPPORT BARGE In Puget Sound, the bathysphere is trans- ported and supported by a self-propelled barge (fig. 2), which is 104 feet long, 31 feet wide, and displaces 240 grosstons. (However, the sphere canbe supported by any vessel that has adequate deck space and is capable of lifting about 5 tons.) The barge is equipped with a diesel-powered, friction-driven crane that has a 15-ton lifting capacity. The crane drum holds about 1,200 feet of nonrotating 7-inch cable with a rated breaking strength of 32,000 pounds. About 1,100 square feet of uncluttered deck space forward of the crane provides ample room to stow or support the bathysphere. The barge requires a minimum crew of three--a helmsman, an operating engineer, and a deckhand, During diving operations, when the barge is securely moored, the en- gineer operates the crane and the helmsman Fig. 2 - The bathysphere's self-propelled support barge, a converted airplane salvage barge, 104 feet long, has a cruising speed of and deckhand tend thebathysphere. Usually, two or more biologists serve as observers in the bathysphere and assist the barge crew wherever needed during station changes and mooring operations, PRELIMINARY TESTS In June 1969, the bathysphere, unmanned, was successfully tested to a depth of 1,500 feet. The BCF research vessel 'Miller Free- man! (fig. 3) transported the sphere to Jervis Inlet, about 60 miles north of Vancouver, B.C., the. only nearby site in protected waters with suitable depth. The bathysphere was lowered and raised with the conventional trawling winches, cable, and gantry permanently in- stalled aboard the vessel, The purposes of the tests were: the final acceptance trial under the terms of the con- tract; to demonstrate the bathysphere's structuralintegrity, andto show its ability to withstand pressures at depths far greater than those at whichit will be used in fish behavior research, The first manned dives were conducted at the BCF research station at Manchester, Wash., on Puget Sound, from September 30 to about § knots; it carries two scientists and a crew of three, The crane on the barge is capable of lifting 15 tons. 39 Fig. 3 - The bathysphere can be lowered and raised with the trawling winches, cables, and gantry that are permanently installed aboard the 215-foot Miller Freeman, the Seattle Biological Laboratory's research vessel. October 8,1969. The various safety devices and life-support systems of the bathysphere weretested, All systems functioned accord- ing to design, There were additional tests to determine the ability of observers to recognize objects of unknown size and to estimate the distance of various objectsfromthe bathysphere. The results showed that each of four observers tended tounderestimate both the size and the distance of objects from the bathysphere, Another test at Manchester was designed to determine underwater viewing capability from the bathysphere. It showed that the cone of vision through the view ports decreased from about 120° when the bathysphere was above the surface to about 90° underwater. An example of the underwater view through one of the 12-inch ports is shown in figure 4. There was variation caused by the diameter of the viewports; also, the cone of vision varies according tothe porthole used because the arrangement of instruments restricts observer's ability to place his eyes close to the inside surface of some portholes, Since the portholes tested were in favorable loca- tions, a 90° cone of vision probably is the maximum attainable viewing capability. The 16 viewports spaced around the bathysphere provide a good view in all directions. Fig. 4 - Sea anemones (Metridium) attached to concrete blocks as observed at a depthof 40 feet from one of bathysphere's 12- inch viewports. 40 APPLICATION The bathysphere has the flexibility to per- mit 'lock-out'' dives; trained SCUBA divers canexit fromthe pressurized sphere through the lower hatch to perform work outside (fig. 5). Captured fish may be examined, tagged, and released at depth by divers; this capability will eliminate the damaging effects of pres- sure changes that can occur when fish are brought to the surface for tagging. Species studied will probably be shellfish (scallops), rockfishes (Pacific ocean perch), and flat- fishes (soles, flounders), The initial use of the bathysphere, however, will be as a per- sonnel-transfer capsule in the TEKTITE II program. The Department of the Interior is responsible for implementing and managing program now underway in the U.S. Virgin Is- lands. Fig. 5 - Trained SCUBA divers can emerge from the pressurized bell through the lower hatch to perform work outside. —wy rs Fig. 6 - The weathervane scallop ('Patinopecten caurinus') will be the object of study in one of the bathysphere's first applica- tions. Scientists hope observations on scallop behavior will ex- plain inconsistency of commercial catches. As one of the first practical applications for the bathysphere locally, we propose to study the natural behavior of weathervane scallops, Patinopecten caurinus (fig. 6) on commercial dredging grounds near Belling- ham, Wash, On the basis of reports from commercial scallop fishermen, we believe the species may be exhibiting some natural evasive reaction to scallopdredges. A dif- ference between their day and night behavior is also suspected. Perhaps these responses can be observed from the bathysphere. We will look for natural behavior patterns--such as burrowing, prolonged or erratic swim- ming, mass migrations, and reactions to changes in light intensity, tidal flow, turbidity, and temperature--which might help explain the inconsistency of scallop catches. Future observations on rockfish and flatfish may take the bathysphere onto the Continental Shelf, DISEASES "Principal Diseases of Marine Fish and Shellfish," by Dr. Carl J, Sindermann. Aca- demic Press of New York and London. The book "represents the first attempt ever to summarize information about diseases of marine fish and shellfish." It ''first reviews the principal diseases of marine organisms, then examines disease-caused mortalities, disease problems inmariculture, internal de- fense mechanisms, and the relation of human diseasesto those of marine animals. It also assesses the impact of disease on marine populations." The book will be useful particularly to persons involved in oceanography, marine biology, and aquaculture, Because Dr, Sin- dermann's style is ''straightforward and his language not unduly scientific,'' the book will interest both layman and scientist. Dr, Sindermann is director of BCF Trop- ical Atlantic Biological Laboratory (TABL), Miami, Fla, POLLUTION "Effects of Abatement of Domestic Sewage Pollution on the Benthos, Volumes of Zoo- plankton, and the Fouling Organisms of Bis- cayne Bay, Florida,'' by Dr. J. Kneeland McNulty. University of Miami Press, Drawer 9088, Coral Gables, Florida 33124. 128 pp., clothbound, $6.95. A study of the effects of pollution on marine life. ''Such studies are rare because the onset of pollution is generally gradual, and, by the time that the need for a study is recognized, itistoo late to obtain data on earlier, unpol- luted conditions.'' The study "is especially important because the fauna and flora of Bis- cayne Bay are tropical, and very little is known of the effects of pollutioninthe tropics. 41 Florida's Biscayne Bay offered the oppor- tunity of comparing polluted conditions with the situation some years after a sewage treat- ment plant was installed. Various elements of the biota of northern Biscayne Bay were studied before and after abatement of pollu- tion. The pollution consisted of 136 to 227 million liters per day of untreated domestic sewage, Four years after removal of pollution, some changes had taken place. Dr. McNulty states: 'At distances of 100 to 740 meters seaward from outfalls, in water depths of one to three meters in hard bottom, populations of benthic macroinverte- brates had declined from abnormally large numbers of species and individuals to normal numbers of each, while soft-bottom popula- tions had changed qualitatively but not quan- titatively. Adjacent to outfalls, populations had increased innumbers of species and num- bers of individuals in hard sandy bottoms only, Volumes of zooplankton had decreased to about one-half the pre-abatement values in poorly flushed waters; elsewhere, they re- mained about the same. Dissolved inorganic phosphate-phosphorus decreased similarly. Abundance of amphipod tubes had declined markedly, a change not shared by quantities of other fouling organisms (including bar- nacles), which remained about the same, There was noevidence of improved commer- cial and sport fishing following abatement; this is interpreted to mean that long-lasting detrimental effects have resulted from pollu- tion and dredging." THERMAL WORKSHOP Proceedings of the 2nd Thermal Workshop, U.S. International Biological Program, 'Chesapeake Science’, Sept. & Dec. 1969. The workshop was sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences and held at the Univer- sity of Maryland Nov. 3-7, 1968. Attending 42 were about 200 persons representing Uni- versity, Federal, state, and industrial inter - ests from 27 states and 6 nations. The conference focused on ''the effects of temperature and temperature change in the aquatic environment.'' The biological role of temperature was stressed, although some physical and chemical aspects were covered. It was divided into4 sessions: 1) presenta- tions concerning role of temperature--in basic and applied sense--on plant and animal populations; 2) results of cooperative study on ecologicaleffects of thermal discharge from a steam electric station uponthe Patuxent Es- tuary; 3) demonstrations of field and labora- tory equipment and methods used in the Patuxent Estuary studies; 4) discussions of research design, methodology, equipment in such areas as primary production, inverte- brates, vertebrates, management, and res- piration. -—__—_——_/ THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE, ARE AVAILABLE FROM DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS, BCF, 1801 N. MOORE ST., ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22209: FISH HANDLING "Recommended Practices For Vessel San- itation And Fish Handling," by Edgar W. Bow- man and Alfred Larsen, Circ. 333, March 1970, pp. 1-27, illus. Fish-handling practices aboard commer- cial fishing vessels have evolved "largely through trial and error''--and not through adoption of research findings, Fishermen "have not always kept pace" with public's in- creasing demands for higher-quality fishery products. This booklet provides industry with a measuring rod to evaluate itself, Also, it recommends waysto improve vessel sanita- tion and fish-handling techniques. The gear andtechniques of modern fishing have facilitated larger catches in shorter time. The technology of processing and fish use gives the public more new products: from traditional dried and salted fish to the ultra- convenient boil-in-the -pouchitems,"' Despite sophisticated processing, however, there is no way torestore fish quality once it has been lost through mishandling aboard the vessel. "The final product placed on sale in the mar- ket can be no better than the fish itself." The booklet covers: fish-handling proce- dures, refrigeration of fresh fish, holding fresh fish, effective and constant sanitation, personnel sanitation practices, present and future vessel design, SALMON "Effect of Flow on Performance and Be- havior of Chinook Salmon in Fishways,'' by Clark S. Thompson, SSR--Fish. No. 601, March 1970, 11 pp., illus. The author studied adult fall-run chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) during "plunging and streaming conditions of flow in a pool-and-overfall fishway that permitted recycling of fish after each completed cir- cuit.'' The flows were controlled by adjusting valvesin a lock at head of fishway. Individual] fish were timed as they ascended a certain number of pools under each condition. The data suggest that "plunging and streaming flows may be equally suitable for the passage of chinook salmon ina pool-and- overallfishway.'' About 60% of fish "ascended slightly faster in the streaming flow''; the average ascent rate for all fish was "slightly higher in a plunging flow." Mr. Thompson describes orientation of fish totype and velocity of flow. He states: ''Most fish preferredtorest inthe lower downstream quadrant of the pool in a plunging flow; con- versely, the lower upstream quadrant was preferred ina streaming flow. Resting fish always faced the current." Ed "Birectilinear Recruitment Curves to Assess Influence of Lake Size on Survival of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to Bristol Bay and Forecast Runs,'' by Ralph P, Silliman, SSR--Fish, No. 600, March 1970, 9 pp. "Comparison of the sizes of lakes and the sizes of sockeye salmon runs to Bristol Bay shows that the two variables are closely re- lated. Birectilinear reproduction curves express quantitatively the dependence of smallreturns on escapement numbers and of large returns on lake capacity. Comparison of 'hindcasts' from the birectilinear curves with published forecasts for 1961-67 showed that those from the birectilinear curves were closest to the actual returns. This situation changed in 1968-69. A composite of birecti- linear returnestimates and ‘probability tree! age allocations is worth considering.' SHRIMP "Western Atlantic Shrimps of the Genus Penaeus,'' by Isabel Perez Farfante, Fishery Bulletin, Vol. 67, No. 3, June 1969, pp. 461- HOM: "Four subgenera of the genus Penaeus are described (Litopenaeus, Penaeus s.s., Fen- neropenaeus, and Melicertus). Eight species and subspecies (P. setiferus, P. schmitti, P, duorarum duorarum, P. duorarum, notialis, P, aztecus aztecus, P. aztecus subtilis, P. paulensis, and P, brasiliensis) are recognized as occurringinthe western Atlantic. Synony- mies are given, Lectotypes have been desig- nated for two species, and the disposition of all types is shown. Diagnoses, detailed de- scriptions, and illustrations are presented for each species and subspecies. Geographic and bathymetric distributions are given. Affini- ties are discussed, andconclusions concern- ing ranges of variation and their spatial distribution are based onmorphometric stud- ies and other characters. The development of the external genitalia through the juvenile stage and the size range at which each taxon reaches the subadult stage are presented. Many details of ecology and life history are critically summarized andreviewed. A brief appraisal of the commercial importance of each form is also given," 43 ROCKFISHES "Fecundity, Multiple Spawning, and De- scription of the Gonads in Sebastodes," by Johns, MacGregor, SSR-Fish. No. 596, 12 pp., Mar. 1970, "The rockfishes of the genus 'Sebastodes! (family Scorpaenidae) support an important commercial and sport fishery along the coast of California, where more than 50 species occur... . These fishes are of special biolo- icalinterest because they are ovoviviparous producing eggs that have a well-developed shell as in oviparous animals, but which hatch within parent's body, as in many reptiles and elasmobranch fishes/. Together with 18 spe- cies of viviparous Embiotocidae they contrib- ute to a marine fauna that probably contains a higher proportion of species of live -bearing fishes than that in any other similar area in the world. "Estimating the seasonal fecundity of afish species presentstwoprimary problems. The first and easier problem is to determine the numbers and size distribution of yolked eggs in the ovary. The second and more difficult is to determine how many times the fish spawns during the spawning season," "In the ovaries of nine species examined, evidence of twospawnings per spawning sea- son was found in three (S. ovalis, S, constel- latus, S, paucispinis) but not in the other six (S. carnatus, S. rosaceus, 5S. serriceps, S. serranoides, S, atrovirens, 8. ruberrimus). Two spawnings were indicated by either (1) smallnumbers of advanced larvae entrapped in the ovaries and associated with full com- plements of developing eggs or early embryos or (2) a secondary group of developing eggs along with about equal numbers of advanced embryos. The relative number of eggs or embryos was lower in the three species that gave evidence of two spawnings (162 eggs or embryos per gram of fish) than in the other six species (280 eggs or embryos per gram of fish)." INTERNATIONAL FAO AIDS ARGENTINE FISHING INDUSTRY An FAO/UNDP fishery research vessel, the 'Cruz Del Sur' (Southern Cross), is help- ing toimprove fish productionin a land where beefis king: Argentina. The 107-foot, Nor- wegian-built, steel-hulled vessel belongs to an FAO development project. The 5-year, $3,133,350 project, financed jointly by Argentina and the UN Development Program, seeks to develop the fishing indus- try, including marketing and distribution. It aims at abetter, more varied, diet for Argen- tinians--and at building fishery exports and reducing imports through resources survey and exploratory and experimental fishing. Fish Consumption Low In1968, Argentinians consumed an average of only 2.7 kilograms of fish, compared with 83.5 kilograms of beef and varying amounts of other meat products, (A kilogram is 2.2 pounds.) Fishconsumptionin greater Buenos Aires was almost 5 kilograms per inhabitant; in Corrientes and elsewhere, it was as low as 50 grams, Fishery imports increased from 1,438 tons in 1964 to 3,095 tons in 1968. Vessel's Mission The Cruz Del Sur was designed and built to FAO specifications for experimental trawl- ing and purse seining., ''Her mission: to con- duct exploratory surveys and scientific re- searchindemersal (bottom) and pelagic (open water) species--suchas bonito, mackerel and hake--along Argentina's 4,100-kilometer coast." She was launched in1968. By 1969, she had set high standards of performance for her class. Inll months, she sailed 45,000 miles, logged 220 days at sea, and soldher total catch for almost $40,000 in Mar del Plata. The money was put back into the project to buy fishing gear and other equipment. Finds Fish "Even more important, the vessel identi- fied large stocks of anchovy, hake, bonito, mackerel, and other commercially valuable fish,"' She reported her findings to local fish- 44 ermen. The vesselis studying and evaluating fishery stocks and helping to locate new and more profitable fishing grounds, She is introducing new fishing techniques and gear for pelagic and demersal fishing. The FAO project has helped local fishermen catch enough bonito to reduce substantially bonito imports. Studies aim at improving marketing and distribution facilities for fresh and processed fish. Housewives have been polledtodetermine their preferences for fish foods, Project manager is A.E, Fernandez y Fer- nandez of Spain, who heads a multinational staff of master fishermen, technologists, bio- logists, and economists. FAO Fleet The Cruz Del Sur will be joined by another research vessel provided by Argentina, There are more than 30 FAO/UNDP fishery research vessels--large stern trawlers- purse sSeiners to fresh water catamarans-- which operate in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Two sisterships of the Cruz Del Sur are attached to projects in Colombia and Peru, & SCANDINAVIANS REJECT BRITISH SALMON-BAN PROPOSAL Fishery associations in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have rejecteda British proposal for a total ban onsalmon fishing in North At- lantic international waters, reports the Dan- ish Fisheries Association (vessel owners), The associations stated that the proposal lacked scientific basis and countered the prin- ciple of using the seas' riches. The associations were willing to discuss arrangements to avoid excessive expansion of the international salmonfishery. (Reg. Fish- eries Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Copenhagen, Mar, 24.) FISHERY EDUCATION & TRAINING VITAL TO DEVELOPING NATIONS "Fishery development requires urgent action to promote education and training in developing countries,'' an FAO conference concluded on April 16. This is particularly true for those fishermen who live off their catch. Andthey comprise 80% of the world's fishermen, This was one recommendation of the 34- nation FAO Committee on Fisheries after a six-day review of world fishery problems in Rome. Observers from 23 member states and the USSR and representatives of a dozen international groups attended. Klaus Sun- nanaa, Norway's Director of Fisheries, was chairman, Educational Tools Needed The need to train fishermen in developing countries in new industrial techniques was highlighted. The Committee agreed that the plight of subsistence fishermen, who literally live on what they catch, must be recognized. Speakers emphasized the need for simple teaching manuals, more training and use of extension workers, and manpower surveys. Subsistence Fishermen This need is "a great human problem," said A.W.H. Needler, Canada's Deputy Min- ister for Fisheries and Forestry. Subsist- ence fishermen account for half his country's fish catch, noted Domingo D. Tapiador, Deputy Commissioner for Fisheries of the Philip- pines. Any improvement in their lot would mean more production. He emphasized the need for better marketing and distribution facilities. He recommended joint ventures between government and private industry to promote fisheries, Tapiador's points were supported by Stephen A. Tolbert, president of Mesurado Group of Companies Ltd., Monrovia, Liberia, in his keynote address. He urged combined efforts by government, industry, and private institutions to help developing countries es- tablish and operate modern fishing industries. Studies Needed The Committee alsourged continued work by FAO's Department of Fisheries in develop- ment and management of fishery resources, including stock assessment. 45 NORDIC FISH-MEAL FACTORYSHIP OPERATES OFF AFRICA A Swedish-Norwegian firm has started fishing off West and South Africa with the mothership 'Astra' and 11 Norwegian purse seiners. The Swedish medical-supply firm Astra A/S and Thor Dahl's whaling concern of Sandefjord, Norway, are the principal oper - ators. Whaling Firm Involved Sandefjord has reconstructed the 19,168- GRT whaling ship 'Thorshavet! into a floating fish-meal factory. Thefirm is registered in Bermuda as Astra Overseas Fishing Ltd. It has made Las Palmas, Canary Islands, its home port for the expedition. The vessel is designed to produce fish meal from fresh fish especially for fish protein concentrate (FPC). The Astra's move into FPC field requires that it insure sufficient supplies of high-grade raw materials. The Crew The crew aboard the purse seiners are Norwegians, Theyare paid a monthly salary of US$285--plus a bonus of two kroners (28 US¢) a ton on deliveredcatch, Their 9-month contract will be in force through 1970. The Catch The catch, mostly pilchards, is expected to reach 200,000 metric tons of raw mate- rial. This would produce about 25,000 tons of concentrate, The fleet sailed from Norway inlate March 1970 for a rendezvous in Las Palmas. The seiners had been fitted out in Norway with netting costing $428,000. Bad Year for Norwegians The large Norwegian purse-seine fleet has had problems in the past year. Herring and mackerel were scarce in the Norwegian Sea and in the North Sea. International regula- tions of these waters are under consideration. The only chance today for profitable fishing is for capelin off NorthNorway's coast, How- ever, the present fleet is too large and seeks new fishing areas, ('Fiskaren,' Mar. 12.) 46 JAPAN-USSR 1967-69 SALMON CATCHES REPORTED On March2,1970, the Japanese Fisheries Agency released data on the 1967-69 salmon catches of Japan and the USSR, then meeting in Moscow to set 1970 quota. ('Suisan Tsu- shin', Mar, 4.) fa a Gn | Japan-USSR Salmon Catches, 1967-69 Salmon Japan USSR Species 1967 1968 1969 1967 1968 1969 (Metric Tons) Red 20,493 16,766 15,502 3,018 2,249 1,640 Chum 51,630 42,519 30,171 20,639 13,697 5,867 Pink 64,481 42,787 69,520 50,701 16,253 63,436 Others 4,904 _ 7,039 11,127 4,523 3,992 4,525 Total 141,508 109,111 126,320 78,881 36,191 75,468 Sy) ECUADOR SEIZES 2 JAPANESE FISHING VESSELS Since the beginning of 1970, two Japanese fishing vessels (presumably tuna longliners) were Seized by Ecuador: 'Seiyu Maru No, 12! (403 gross tons), on Feb. 19 near 0.5° S, lati- tude and 94° W, longitude off Galapagos Is- lands; and 'Sanyo Maru No, 38! (494 gross tons), an Okinawan vessel, on Feb. 25. Allcrew members of the Seiyu Maru were reported released on Mar, 2. ('Katsuo-mag- uro Tsushin,' Mar. 5.) JAPANESE PLAN JOINT SHRIMP OPERATIONS The Hokuyo Suisan Fishing Co, was plan- ning joint shrimp-fishing ventures with Sierra Leone and Gambia around April 1970. In Sierra Leone, where there is no shrimp fish- ery, the operation will be set up at Freetown. The Japanese will put up 60% of capital; Sierra Leone 40%, In Gambia, Bathurst will be the site. In- vestment will be 50-50. Gambia Favors Hokuyo Suisan In Gambia, U.S., British, French, and Span- ish fishery firms also are seeking shrimp- fishing licenses, Reportedly, Gambia intends to grant permission first to Hokuyo Suisan, That firm plans touse two100-gross-tonves- sels to serve both ventures. ('Shin Suisan Shimbun,! Mar. 2.) SAVE ‘CLEAN’ WATERS OF AFRICA, FAO URGES Action to protect the ''clean'’ waters of Africa and other areas from pollution was urged by FAO's 34-nation Committee on Fish- eries meeting in Rome in April, E. S. Kanyike, Uganda Fisheries Depart- ment, said pollution in Africa was less seri- ous than in Europe, but action should start immediately to meet the threat. He warned that agricultural development in his own country had increased the problem of water and fish contamination from insecticides. "We send out pamphlets urging people to eat more fish. Perhaps we are saying to them to eat more DDT," he remarked. Domingo D. Tapiador of the Philippines endorsed the FAO proposal. He said 12 fac- tories inhis country had been closed because of their discharges, and lawsuits were pend- ing over pollution. Fish culture is especial- ly vulnerable to pollution, he warned. Philip M. Roedel, Director of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, U.S. Department of the Interior, said the U.S. was very aware of the "urgent need" to safeguard the quality of the environment. He urged FAO to study the inland waters of Africa which may be threatened by pollution, He strongly endorsed FAO plansto hold a conference in December 1970 on the effects of marine pollution on fisheries and other living resources. Cedric G,. Setter, Assistant Secretary of Australia's Fisheries Division, said pollu- tion was beginning to threaten the famed Great Barrier Reef. One major oil spill already had taken place. His government was studying the whole subject. He urged a study and evaluation of detergents used in combating oil spills on the sea. CH CASH SR CANADA EARMARKS PRICE STABILIZATION FUNDS FOR LAKE ERIE PERCH C$1 million has been earmarked for a price-stabilization program for Lake Erie perch in 1970-71. It will be made available tothe Fisheries Prices Support Board to en- sure minimum prices to fishermen during peak periods. This was reported by Dept. of Fisheries and Forestry on March 16, Under the program, the Board will pur- chase frozenperch fillets from processors-- provided fishermen have been paid a minimum of 10 cents per pound for spring perch (April 1 to May 31) and 12 cents a pound for fall perch (June 1 to March31). These prices are based on whole fish packed and delivered to processing plants. Much Like 1969 Program The program is similar to 1969 program except there will be no blending of spring price. Last year, spring production surplus that could not be filleted immediately was sold at a lower price; fishermenreceived average of lower and higher prices. In 1969, Lake Erie fishermen harvested a record catch of nearly 30 million pounds worth C$3.2 million. The Fisheries Prices Support Boardis ex- pectedtorecover cost of program later in the year. Processors selling fillets to Board during peak production periods undertake to buy back at cost all products in the program, KOKO CONFERENCE ON CANADIAN SHRIMP FISHERY SLATED FOR OCT. 1970 The firm establishment of a prosperous shrimp fishery in Canada's Atlantic Coast provinces is the main objective of a confer- ence tobe heldin Fredericton, N.B., Oct. 27- 29, 1970. The three-day meeting will en- courage development of a new fishery. During past years, Federal and provincial explorations showed that commercial quan- 47 tities of pink shrimp, Pandalus borealis, are presentinthe Gulf of St. Lawrence; compar- atively small-scale fishing has supported prospects of profitable operations. The Conference Agenda At the conference, specialists from Canada and other countries will focus on successful catching and processing methods outside of Canada, Governmental and other experts will outline possibilities indicated by exploration work findings and discuss future plans. Qual- ity control, storage, and marketing also will be discussed, Pink Shrimp Fishery The pink shrimp is smaller than Gulf of Mexico shrimp; it has a ready market in U.S, and Europe, There has been a limited fishery in Quebec in recent years and, for the past two years, in Bay of Fundy. There, 37 new Brunswick draggers landed about 2 million pounds in1969, Most of catch was cooked be- fore being landed for further processing at five shore-based plants, Besides Gulf of St. Lawrence, good possi- bilities are reported from southwest coast of Nova Scotia, and off Newfoundland, The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Forestry, in cooperation with the provinces, is continuing shrimp explorations, EXPANSION CONTINUES Major constructionis planned tobegin this summer as part of St. Pierre's plan to expand facilities to attract more fishing vessels. A new 450-ft. wharf will be built, (U.S. Consul, St. Johns, Mar. 18.) EUROPE NORWAY STUDIES COSTS AND EARNINGS OF FISHING VESSELS Since 1950, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has carried out annual costs and earnings investigations based on annual and seasonal accounts submitted by debtors of the State Fisheries Bank. This was reported on Feb.12 by 'Fiskets Gang', a Directorate pub- lication, The investigation covers fishing vessels 40 to 169 feet long (except trawlers more than 200 GRT) fishing for at least 30 weeks in 1967. The Findings The investigation shows increasing gross earnings with increasing size of vessels; on average, these range from about US$14,500 for vessels between 40 and 50 feet (South Nor- way) up to $246,000 for vessels above 120 feet (South Norway). Operating costs and depre- ciation increased correspondingly from $6,000 to $131,000. Average Surplus The average surplus on vessel and gear to the owner varied from minus $1,500 for ves- sels 80 to 100 feet (South Norway) to $19,700 inbiggest size group (above 120 feet in South Norway). The three largest groups, IV, V, and VIinboth South and North Norway, are dom- inated by herring purse Seiners, Wages The average wage earning capacity per man-week varied from $47 to $139. This is gross earnings minus aggregate operating costs, depreciation, and calculated interest on capital. Except for vessels 40 to 50 feet, there was a covariation between wage-earn- ing capacity per man-week and vessel size. But covariation was less clear than in 1966. Fisherman's Annual Share Also, fisherman's annual share increased with vessel size, except for vessels 40 to 50 feet. In1967, fisherman's annual share varied on an average from $2,300 to $5,600. The fisherman's annual share is defined as share attained for a whole year's work, It is purely a work share; capital surplus is not included. 48 Rate of Capital Surplus The rate of capital surplus, which is the amount of capital surplus as percentage of the market value of the capital employed, varied substantially--from minus 1 to plus 18% for vessels under 100 feet, andbetweenplus 1 and 9 for vessels above 100 feet. The vessels under study had been occupied in a variety of seasonal fisheries with highly varying economic results during the year. The average economic results of the vessels decreased considerably from 1966 to 1967 in majority of size groups, For the most part, average wage-earning capacity too decreased from 1966 to 1967. % OK OK SEES U.S, AS GROWING MARKET FOR FROZEN FISH Frozen-fish exports from Norway to all markets was about 117,000 tons in 1969, a substantial rise above 1968. Sales were han- dled by Frionor, Findus, and the Nordic Group. The U.S. isa growing market. During 1967, only 7,000 metric tons were exported; in 1969, 42,000tons: 30,000 tons produced by Frionor, one of world's largest exporters of these products, and 12,000 tons by Nordic Group, alsofirmly established in this highly impor- tant market. Nordic Uses Other Trademarks The Nordic Group has not sold its products under its owntrademark. In most cases, the trademark of First National Stores (Finast) is used, but the frozen fish fillets are also sold under other private labels. Main Items Researched The mainproducts are skinless and bone- less fillets of cod and haddock. The items result from intensive market research by Nordic Group experts. U.S. preferences in taste, appearance, and packaging were exam- ined thoroughly. The products marketed through First National Stores have proved very successful, NORWAY (Contd.): Nordic Group is joint export organization for 21 freezing plants, headquartered in Trondheim. ('Norwegian American Com- merce!, Jan.-Feb. 1970.) WEST GERMANY HERRING FISHERY OFF U.S. & CANADA GROWS STRONGER The manager of a Norwegian herring fish- ery off Canada (Carino Company, Ltd.) has described to his firm the operation of West German factory vessels inthe Western Atlan- tic; There are 24 large factory vessels, 84 meters long, 3,200 h.p., with daily freezing capacity of about 50 metric tons a day. The vessels have up-to-date equipment to fillet herring and other fish. They use both a bot- tom and pelagic trawl guided by latest elec- tronic gear, Eightpelagictrawls are carried on board each vessel of 4 different types. The factory vessels use St. Pierre as home base for repairs and transfer of catch and crew. Aboard each vessel are 60-70 men serving 7-month hitches. They choose their vacation time on three months! notice. Mostly Cod Fishing The fleet goes to Greenland from Febru- ary to May to fish mostly cod. It uses a bot- tom trawl. The 1969 fillet production was about 2,000 metric tons per vessel. Herring Fillets After reloading and repairs in St. Pierre, the vessels sail to the banks outside Nova Scotia and to Georges Bank in June to fish herring with a pelagic trawl. They fish in the Gulf of Maine and elsewhere up to U.S. 12-mile limit. About 1,500 tons of herring fillets were packed from June to August, in additiontoherring meal and oil. From mid- September to Christmas, ''Vollherring" (her- ring without heads, frozen in the round) is produced. Thecaptains estimated they could produce easily 2,000 tons per boat, which would yield annually 5,500 tons of frozen prod- ucts, plus meal and oil. 49 20% Herring Fillets Salted The Germans long ago stopped salting round herring from Georges Bank because they were unable to obtain acceptable quality with methods used, They now salt about 20% of herring fillets and have no prob- lem achieving excellent quality. Double Trawler Size From avery smallstart in North Sea and Iceland, where they used reconstructed fresh fishtrawlers, they have doubled size of giant trawlers. During last three years, they have beeninfull operation with floating trawls for herring. Germans Outfished Norwegians In 1969, the Norwegian factoryships that fished during same period and area produced 100 tons of herring fillets; the Germans pro- duced 750 tons, This may show that more gear and equipment experience is needed than that with which Norwegians began, Compared to bottom trawling, it appears pelagic trawlrequires more powerful motors and winches. The vessel must be capable of changing trawl type according to conditions and be manned by experienced crew knowing the techniques. (Reg. Fisheries Attaché, Copenhagen, Mar, 24.) MARKET FOR HERRING AND MACKEREL The Norwegian Fisheries Attaché in Ham - burg recently advised the Norwegian indus- try to pay more attention to W. German market for herring and mackerel. He re- ported: West Germany is still the largest im- porter of fish and fishery products, after U.S. and Great Britain, In 1968, Germany's total consumption of fresh-frozen herring was about 250,000 metrictons (catch weight). Her ownproduction reachedtopin1965;: catch weight of 774,000 tons, of which 40% was her- ring. Since then, however, North Sea fishery declined, Herring Stock Decline The decline in herring stocks produced large deficit in supply. Denmark took over 50 WEST GERMANY (Contd.,): more and more of market. To-compensate for this, the German fleet looked for new herring grounds, During recent years, it succeeded in fishing herring on Georges Bank in Atlantic off U.S. The 1967 production of frozen herring and herring fillets reached about 19,000 tons. In 1968, number of herring fillets 32,000 tons; round herring was 5,500 tons. The number of W. German factory ves- sels in Georges Bank fishery was 18 during 1958, and more in 1969. W. German scien- tists fear that Georges Bank herring is being overexploited and that supplies from there will be reduced, Denmark Is Main Supplier Itis questionable, however, whether Ger- man vessel owners will be able to cover expenses during 1970. Denmark has strength- ened position as main supplier of herring to West Germany. Germany's imports from Denmark were 120,514 tons, or about 73% of herring imports. Norway's share of German imports during 1968 was 11,385 tons, about 7.5%. Her exports of fresh round herring to Denmark in 1967 was considerable; the herring were filleted and reexported to West Germany. Obtaining Enough Herring Difficult West Germany's demand for raw material in catch weight (in addition to salted herring) is about 250,000 tons; of these 80,000 is used incanned products, 95,000tons for marinated products, and remainder for smoking, fresh fish, and other purposes, The possibility of obtaining sufficient herring for all those pur- poses is limited, If North Sea herring fishing declines fur- ther, unexpected possibilities might open for frozen mackerel filletstoW. Germancanning industry infuture years, Mackerel consump- tion now is about 6,000 tons a year. The Future In 1968, Germanimports of fresh mackerel were about 2,500 tons: 280tons from Norway and about 1,740 tons from Denmark, Ex- panded ferry connections in recent years be- tween Norway and W. Germany should enable Norway toincrease her share of fresh mack- erel market. Majority of mackerel is for smoking; a smaller part for canned products. Good pos- sibilities exist to increase use of mackerel fillets for canning because several W. Ger- man canning factories fear insufficient her- ring supplies. They believe they must intro- duce new products from other fish. (Reg. Fish, Attache, Copenhagen, Mar, 24.) EN. UNITED KINGDOM TO ABANDON FATHOM MEASUREMENT The British Government has asked Par- liament to authorize use of the metric system aboard ships as part of ageneral move toward that system. The fathom, an ancient nautical measure for 6 feet (0.914 of a meter), will be replaced by the meter. ('New York Times,! Feb. 26.) The tradition-weighed British Navy is last tobowto the inevitable. Bankers were first: British pounds were converted to the decimal system. USSR WORRY ABOUT LAKE BAIKAL FISHERY RESOURCES Fifteen years of overfishing have so de- creased the omul, or fresh-water whitefish (‘Coregonus autumnalis migratorius'), re- source on Lake Baikal that Soviet scientists believe it will take about 7 years to restore it to commercial level. Omul is one of the mostimportant fisheriesin Lake Baikal. To improve the situation, Soviet Fisheries Min- ister Ishkov, May 1969, banned commercial and sports fishing of omul, sig, a species of whitefishfound only in Lake Baikal, 'C. lav- aretus baicalensis', and sturgeon. 1970-75 Plans According tochairman of Siberian Branch of Ministry's Ichthyological Commission, new omul hatcheries will be built and existing ones USSR (Contd.): expanded in Baikal area between 1970-1975. A "new" reproduction technique will be intro- duced: part of spawning omul will be allowed tospawn naturally; the rest will be harvested for artificial reproduction, After banis lifted, omul will be caught only in the rivers where it migrates, butnotin Lake Baikal. This will eliminate fishing fleets and save manpower and gear. ('Vostochno-Sibirskaia Pravda!) Controversy Over Baikal Pollution Soviet concern about Lake Baikal was ex- pressed too in a motion picture centering on 12-year-old controversy between conserva- tionists and industry managers. The lake's fauna is threatened by pollution from wood pulp factories onits shores. The motion pic- ture is pessimistic: there are no signs of improvement. ('New York Times,' Mar. 2.) POLAND ESTABLISHES EXCLUSIVE FISHING ZONE Poland has established an exclusive fishing zone along her Baltic coast. It extends 12 nautical miles from the base line used to de- termine her 3-mile territorial waters. Vessels of countries traditionally fishing in the 6-12 mile zone, and in the 3-6 mile zone, will be allowed to continue fishing; the latter on a temporary, transitional basis, In both cases, however, the countries must nego- tiate bilateral agreements with Poland in order to fish after January 1, 1971. (U.S, Embassy, Warsaw, Feb. 19.) OK OK PLANS INCREASED CATCHES OF BALTIC SALMON Under the 1970-1985 fisheries development plan, Polandplans catches of salmon species inthe Baltic of 740 tons a year. Several pro- grams have been devised: (1) conversion of drift-net materials from hemp to synthetic fibers; (2) training fishermen in modern salmon-catching techniques; (3) equipping nets with floats having radar reflectors; and (4) construction of prototype salmon cutter to 51 begin a series of salmon-fishing vessels. Until now, most Polish Baltic salmon fishing has been done with 7-meter-long beach-type boats. Future salmon fishing will be con- ducted mostly by cooperative fishermen; private fishermen may continue their tra- ditional fishery but will not be supported by the government. Catches Fluctuated Catches by all countries fishing in the Baltic fluctuated between 2,000 (1958) and 3,700 metric tons (1964). The 1966 catch of 2,907 tons was made mostly by Danes (1,659 tons). Poland landed only 116 tons in 1966; her catches never exceeded 350 tons (1964). Salmon & Salmon-Trout Salmon('Salmo salar') are fished in winter and spring by Danish, Swedish, and German fishermen in the Southern Baltic, to which they migrate from Swedish waters. The Poles have stocked salmontrout (‘Salmotrutta') extensively, the second most important Baltic salmon-like species; it orig- inates in Polish rivers. Two salmon-trout hatcheries have been built. ('Polish Mari- time News') HUNGARY EXPANDS FISH-POND PRODUCTION Hungary plans to increase production of pond fishtomake more animal protein avail- able at relatively low cost. The aim is to increase annual fishconsumptionto 5 kg, (11 lbs.) per person by 1980, in 1968; it was 2.55 kg, (5.6 lbss)? Asks UN Help To achieve this, Hungary has asked the United Nations Development Program (Spe - cial Fund) to help her improve research and training facilities in fish culture, Hungary also is increasing production of grains required for fish feeding. ('World Food Program News,! Jan.-Feb. 1970.) oF ax Ox 52 CZECHOSLOVAKIA FISH CULTURE TRENDS The- first Czechoslovak experiments on carp culture in ponds fed with warm-water effluents from power plants were conducted in1968-1969. Breeding was hastened by one month compared with normal pond conditions, At water temperature of 25-30° C, (77- 86° F.) and fed granulated feeds, 1 to 1+ year- old commoncarp in cages gained about 1,500 kilograms/hectare in 3 months; the average weight per fishat harvesting was 1 kilogram. The research is aimed at achieving mass production of carp fingerlings, Ducks & Carp The university raised ducks for a short period tosee whether this intensive fertiliza- tion would increase production of carp fry. Carp larvae were released into ponds after duck rearing ended, After 25 days, fry pro- duction was considerably more than in control ponds, The university is now trying to increase production of carp yearlings through optimum combination of fertilization, feeding, and pop- ulationdensity. ('FAO Fish Culture Bulletin') > s Re ICELAND CAPELIN FISHING SEASON LOOKS GOOD As of mid-March, the capelin catch totaled 110,000 metric tons. Already, 1970 is Ice- land's third best capelin year (1969: 171,000 and 1966: 125,000 tons). Several weeks of fishing remained before season ended (traditionally early April). Capelin is used exclusively for fish meal and oil, (U.S. Embassy, Reykjavik, Mar. 17.) ae EAST GERMANS & SOVIETS COOPERATE IN APPLYING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TO FISHERIES A conference between Soviet and East German computer specialists in Rostock (E. Germany) last year concerned problems of computer techniques applied to fisheries. Joint researchis aimed at improving control of fishing-vessel operations and devising mathematical and arithmetical models for shipboard computers. Models for tactical and strategic fishing control also are being studied, The Soviets and E, Germans would like to solve at sea: generaleconomic data analysis (without computers); optimum correlation be - tweencatch, production, and processing cap- ability of vessels; optimum deployment of vessels (by mathematical programming and games theory). Marine Biological Research The 2 countries also plan to apply mathe- matical methods and computers to marine biological research: devise mathematical models to forecast yields and catch, design experimental population dynamics models to determine stocks of individual species, and to forecast commercial fish concentrations from biotic and abiotic factors. The 2 parties are developing a unified system of collecting, storing, and exchanging commercial fishery data according to a uni- fied mathematical processing technique. They also are developing standard symbols for block diagrams and information process~- ing, as wellas a standard computer language. ('Rybnoe Khoziaistvo,' 1969.) System to Control Whole Fleet The Soviet Caspian Fisheries Administra- tion installed data-processing computer in August 1969, The Soviet Fisheries Ministry is working on anautomatic data-control sys- tem that will make it possible to control the operations of the entire Soviet fishing fleet. LATIN AMERICA PERU FISH-MEAL PRODUCTION & EXPORTS DECLINED IN 1969 In 1969, fish meal supplies in Peru-- world's major supplier and leading competi- tor for U.S. exports of soybean meal-- declined 519,700 metric tons. This equaled crude protein content of 35.9 million bushels of soybeans, Thedecline produced sharp in- crease in prices and exports fell 427,600 tons--equal to 29.5 million bushels of soy- beans. In 1969, supplies were 2 million tons and exports 1.7 million tons. Last 4 Months Crucial In 1969, 257,700 tons (83% of decline in production) and 389,600 tons (91% of decline in exports) occurredinlast 4 months of fish- ing season, which began Sept. 1, 1969; it re- flected reduced catches of anchovy. Stocks during 1969 dwindled from over 490,000 tons on May 1 toless than 50,000 tons on Sept. 1. Prices Rose In 1969, average monthly prices--cost, insurance, freight (c.i.f.) European ports-- rose sharply from low of about $137 a metric tonin January tonearly $228 a ton in Novem- ber. The 1969 annual average price of $177 a ton was markedly above 1968's $134 aver- age, the highest since 1966. _ Prices have declined significantly since Jan, 1970 as catch improved and stocks in- creased. OnMarch5, prices were $175 a ton. 8.5 Million Metric Tons Virtually all of Peru's fish meal is pro- duced from anchovies, which are subject to seasonal catch limits. The 1969/70 fishing season quota is 8.5 million metric tons; last season's was 10 milliontons. If achieved, it could produce 1.6 million tons of meal. Exports to U.S. & Canada Fell Exports to U.S. and Canada declined 361,400 tons in 1969; this is crude protein 53 equivalent of 25 million bushels of soybeans. This decline and reduced exports to other Western Hemisphere nations accounted for 96% of total decline. Peru's Fish Meal Exports United States and Canada . 6.4" 1891.5 1.4 South America 143.4 OSS 210357, 6.3 West Germany RITE | Ra eee PRGA Other Western Europe BIO) s (749 EERIE ISAO Eastern Europe CAS 3 toc Of Ome LOmc Japan and all others 157.9 Ay ai yr) 6.9 Total 2,083.2 100.0 1,655.6 100.0 Total exports excluding those to Western Hemis- phere 1,388.9 66.7 1,362.4 82.3 Exports to Europe Up Exports to Europe totaled 1.25 milliontons, slightly above 1968. West Germany emerged as largestmarket: 384,200 tons, or over 23% of all Peruvian exports; in1968, 396,900 tons (18%). West Germanimports are expected to decline significantly this year; her recent changes in mixed-feed regulations will accen- tuate import decline. ('Foreign Agriculture,' U.S. Dept. Agric., Mar. 30.) sek *K OK FISH MEAL FUTURES UP Fish meal futures prices have increased sharply, said the 'Wall St. Journal’ on April 21. New York fish meal futures prices rose $5 ametric ton, thedailylimit. The May 1970 contract was quoted at $205.50. In Hamburg, Germany, fish meal prices rocketed $18 a ton. Supplies for April-June delivery were tagged there at $208, and for July-December ship- ment at $213. Demand was sparked by reports that the Peruvian Government has prohibited all fur- ther sales of the high-protein livestock and animalfeed. According to private sources in Peru, the Government will take over com- pletely the marketing of fish meal. Action Expected Apparently, the Peruvian fishing industry and foreign buyers expected the action. Asa result, about 750,000 tons were sold for export prior to the ban. 54 PERU (Contd.): Some supplies soldfor export already have been shipped. Some will be taken from re- serve stocks; on April 1, these amounted to 444,000 tons. A year earlier, the stock was 450,000 tons. Export orders call for shipments as far ahead as December 1970. It is understood Peru willallow shippers to take supplies from new production without any defaults. MEXICO FISH PRODUCTION WAS ONLY ECONOMIC SECTOR TO DECLINE IN 1969 Mexico's 1969 fish production was 232,701 metric tons, adrop of 3.1% from1968. These were preliminary data from Secretary of In- dustry and Commerce. Thus, for second consecutive year, fishing was only economic sector to decline. Ups & Downs Continuing the trendbegun in 1967, shrimp production in 1969 of 32,056 metric tons was a drop of another 11.1%. Anchovy output fell 72.8%. There were gains in oysters (31.7%), grouper (30.4%), and spiny lobsters (up 116.7%). In industrial products, fish-meal produc- tion gained 30.2%, continuing upward trend of recent years and moving toward goal of self- sufficiency in fish meal. Shrimp No. 4 Export Shrimp exports in 1969 were worth US$51.8 million, down 4.2%. This was a smaller de- cline thanin1968. Itisexplainedby generally higher prices in the U.S., which took most of these exports. Because of high prices, shrimp remained No. 4 in exports after cotton, sugar, and cof- fee. (Reg. Fish. Attache, U.S. Embassy, Mex., Apr. 11.) CUBA BUYS ITALIAN-BUILT REFRIGERATED FISH CARRIER-MOTHERSHIPS Cuba has acquired 2 sister carrier-moth- erships, 'Oceano Pacifico!’ and 'Oceano Indico'. Builtin La Spezia, they are the larg- est, fastest, most modern and best-equipped vessels of Cuba's high-seas fishing fleet (Flota Cubana de Pesca). In November 1969, vessels were transporting catches from trawlers and tuna fishing vessels in Atlantic. Oceano Pacifico was deployed off Equatorial Africa. The Vessels The vessels are: 6,651 GRT; length over- all 140.5 meters; breadth 17.8 meters; 10,500-hp. engine; cruising speed 20 knots an hour fully loaded. Eight have refrigerated holds and have atotal capacity of 8,350 cubic meters. Temperatures of holds canbe ther- mostatically controlled down to -20°C. (CAC Hs). Equipment Equipment includes radar (48-mile range), automatic pilot, radiogoniometer (direction finder), echo-sounder (range to 300 fathoms), 1-kilowatt transmitter, and an automatic alarm system. Crew's quarters, with dining, living, study and recreation rooms, are said to "resemble hotel accommodations." ("'Granma") sabi i! 4 PANAMA FISHERY PRODUCTS WERE 10.6% OF ALL EXPORTS Panama's fishery exports (fish meal and shrimp) were 10.6% of total exports during Apr.-Sept. 1969. Total shrimp exports were 2,440 metric tons worth US$5.6 million; fish meal exports were 1,569 metric tons worth US$202,000. (U.S. Embassy, Panama, Mar. 17.) ag ASIA JAPAN TUNA FLEET SIZE DECLINES BUT GROSS TONNAGE RISES In 1969, the gross tonnage of large Japanese tuna vessels over 300 tons, and of mother- ships, declined about 7,000 tons from 1968, The tonnage of vessels in the 210-300-ton category increased. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Mar. 10.) Tuna Fleet 1968-69 Vessels Engaged Exclusively in Tuna Fishery Vessel Size 1969 1968 No. Vessels Gross Tons No. Vessels Gross Tons [Under 120 240 24,435 318 31, 865 120-210 285 53197, 263 48, 450 210-300 435 115,950 381 100, 464 ver 300 201 78, 327 203 79891 1,161 271, 909 1,165 260, 670 Vessels Engaged Seasonally 122 11,023 125 11,002 Distant-water Motherships otherships 35 34, 633 37 39, 898 ortable boats= 70 86 Vessels Engaged in Coastal Tuna Fishery 1, 634 71,234 1,671 69, 082 Grand Total!/ 2,952 388,799 2,998 380, 652 ortable boats carried by motherships are not included in gran total. ource: Second Ocean Section, Fisheries Agency. edie! Bes ONLY YELLOWFIN TUNA SEINER IN E, PACIFIC FAILS AGAIN After losing her skiff, the 500-gross-ton ‘Hakuryu Maru No. 55', Japan's only seiner in the 1970 eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna fishery, sailed for home. She began fishing in early January and had landed a disappoint- ing 100 tons of yellowfin. It was her second unsuccessful try in the eastern Pacific purse- seine fishery. She'll Try Again in 1971 In 1969, she and 3 other Japanese seiners experienced adisastrous failure in that fish- ery. The Hakuryu Maru is scheduled to undergo extensive gear modifications in pre- paration for a third try next year. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Mar. 27.) ok OOK Ok 55 TUNA LONGLINE CATCH RATE IS DECLINING The hook rate in the tuna longline fishery during 1969 generally declined from 1968. This was reportedby the Japan National Fed- eration of Tuna Fishery Cooperative Associ- ations (NIKKATSUREN). Its study was based on 100,000 sets, or about 6 months! longline fishing effort. Catches in 3 Oceans The catch per set in 1969 was 1.7 metric tons in the Pacific; 2.2 tons in Atlantic; and 1.6 tons in Indian Ocean. The 1969 catch per set in Pacific was about 1968 level, but in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans the rate was 20- 30% below 1968. The outlook for 1970 is that longline catch may decline further. It is believed that tuna landings have declined in proportion to in- crease in fishing effort of South Korean and Taiwanese fleets. ('Minato Shimbun,' Mar. L745) poet oy rit eet es VESSEL COMPLETES TUNA SURVEY IN SOUTH ATLANTIC The Japanese tunalongliner 'Azuma Maru No. 37'(314 gross tons) returned to Tokyo on Mar. 15, 1970, after an 11-month government- subsidized, tuna-resource survey in the South Atlantic. The vessel caught 311 metric tons of fish: 37% albacore, 27% big-eyed, 24% swordfish, 15 tons southern bluefin (400 fish), and others. Best Fishing Grounds The best fishing grounds were near 3 5p Se latitude and 45° W. longitude, where good big- eyed catches were made. Swordfish were taken near 36° S,-37° S, latitudes and 50° W. - 52° W. longitudes. Blackfin Tuna Caught The catch also included 2-3 tons of Atlantic blackfin tuna, which contain much oil and are likely to bring good price on Japanese fresh- fish market. 56 JAPAN (Contd.): Another Cruise In April, the Azuma Maru was scheduled to depart on another cruise, for which the Government budgeted about $177,800. ('Kat- suo-maguro Tsushin,' Mar. 17.) kK OK TO INCREASE SKIPJACK TUNA FISHING EFFORT The Japanese Fisheries Agency is focusing on development of skipjacktunaresources. It is developing survey plans. Despite opinion of some scientists that there is an overabun- dance of skipjack, the annual catch is only around 200,000 metric tons. 1969 Catch 20.3 Billion Lbs. The greater Japanese catch in 1969--20.3 billion pounds--was due primarily to in- creased landings of Alaska pollock. But the pollock catch cannot be expected to continue increasing, so the Agency is eyeing skipjack to boost production further. Exploratory purse-seine cruises are being scheduled for this year in the southwest Pacific north of New Zealand, and inthe mid-eastern Pacific. About US$861,000 has been allocated for fiscal year 1970 (April 1970-March 1971). The Agency is considering initial surveys off Palau(U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific) and off northwest Australia. ('Shin Suisan Shimbun Sokuho,' Mar. 10.) oa ah * 3k ok EXPECT IMPROVEMENT IN SHRIMP MARKET, IMPORTS DOWN Japanese imports of frozen shrimp in 1969 reached a record of nearly 49,000 metric tons, although the domestic shrimp market continued sluggish. Since Jan. 1, 1970, the market has shown signs of recovering; cold- storage holdings have decreased gradually. However, since the shrimp Situation in Japan has not yet stabilized, the trade journal 'Sui- san Keizai Shimbun! polled about 30 major firms on the present state andoutlook for the shrimp business. Survey Results The responses generally were: (1) No sharp uptrend in market conditions during first 6 months but, in view of present firm movement, market should improve grad- ually; (2) the quantity of shrimp imports de- pends on price, among other factors, but opti- mum level is around 40,000-45,000 metric tons a year; (3) promising shrimp grounds are off southeast Asian countries (Philippines and Indonesia), and off west Africa; and (4) consumer pack is an effective way to increase demand, and packing product at source of sup- ply is preferable to repacking in Japan. Imports Down Japanese imports of frozen shrimp during January 1970 totaled 3,113 metric tons valued at about US$7.94«million, down sharply from Dec. 1969 imports of 4,306 metric tons worth $11.1 million. Jan. 1970 imports were con- tracted during Nov. and Dec. 1969, when the Japanese market was weak. ('Suisancho Nip- po,' Feb. 17 & 28.) irene rate *k ok Ok SALMON FISHING IN JAPAN SEA STARTED MARCH 1 Japanese salmon fishing in the Japan Sea startedon March1. Thisfishery andthe North Pacific salmon fishery are controlled by the Japan-USSR Northwest Pacific Fisheries Convention. Vessels must report location and catch each day to patrol boats of Japanese Fisheries Agency. Large Fleet Operates About 760 vessels from eight Japanese prefectures were expected to operate. This leads to complications in radio communica- tion. In 1970, at least three radio bands will be used to ease communications problems. (‘Minato Shimbun,! Feb. 25.) sk sk ook ret eS TRAWL FLEETS LEAVE FOR EASTERN BERING SEA Three trawl fleets departed Japan in late February-for the eastern Bering Sea to pro- duce minced fish meat (surimi), fish meal, frozen fish, and fish oil and solubles. The fleet is expected to operate there until late September. ('Suisancho Nippo,' Feb. 23.) Their production plans are: Frozen Fish Fleet Surimi Meal Oil (Metric Tons) Gyokuei Maru! 7,000 22,000 1,500 2,000 0 Mineshima Maru' 15,000 20,000 6,500 1,800 2,000 Shikishima Maru! 15,000 15,000 3,000 1,400 0 Total 37,000 57,000 11,000 5,200 4 A THAILAND BANGKOK UNIVERSITY TRAINS LAOTIAN FISH-CULTURE SPECIALISTS Since 1967, the College of Fisheries of Kasetsart Unversity, Bangkok, Thailand, has been training Laotians infish culture under a program sponsored by U.S. Operations Mis- sion (USOM) in Thailand. So far, 16 Laotians have received 4 weeks' training, and participated in study tours and field work under the guidance of Thailand's Department of Fisheries. 3 Fish-Culture Stations Three fish-culture stations were estab- lished in Laos in 1966--in Vientiane, Luang- pravang, and Pakse Provinces. They have successfully bred the common carp intro- duced from Thailand. Fingerlings are dis- tributed to interested farmers. There is now considerable interest among farmers to cul- ture fish. By 1971, the 3 stations may produce an- nually 2.8 million fingerlings and 65 to 70 tons of edible fish. (FAO Fish Culture Bul- letin') TAIWAN MARINE FISH-CULTURE LABORATORY BUILT A marine fish-culture laboratoryhas been erected at Tungkang in southern Taiwan under a research project financed by the Rockefeller Foundation. The buildings include a research laboratory, storage building, andadormitory, Concrete ponds with circulating sea water are under construction. Shrimp & Grey Mullet The work of the laboratory is directed mainly toward the biology and culture of shrimp, and the induced spawning of grey mullet, Mugil cephalus. ('FAO Fish Culture Bulletin') 57 SOUTH VIETNAM SAIGON FISH MARKET IN OPERATION The recently opened Saigon Fish Market is Vietnam's newest and largest wholesale fish-marketingfacility. Built with U.S. funds, the modern US$2,360,000 structure will help reorganize South Vietnam's traditional fish- marketing system. The Fish Market The complex consists of a landing wharf, market building, offices, cold-storage rooms, and paved approach roads. About $65,000 additional funds were usedforaparking area and supplementaryfacilities. (U.S. Embassy, Saigon, Feb. 14.) SOUTH KOREA DEEP-SEA FLEET SHOWS STRONG GROWTH The deep-sea fishing fleet of the Republic of Korea (South Korea), though increasing steadily over the past few years, suffereda small setback during second half of 1969. On July 1, 1969, it included 209 vessels (over 63,000 gross tons). By Jan. 1, 1970, only 1 vessel had been added, but total gross tonnage had decreased to 56,600 tons. Net gain for 1969 was 20 vessels (10,300 gross tons), a growth rate of 22%, one of the world's fastest. 1 Firm Liquidated Much of the decrease between July and December 1969 was due to the liquidation of the Shin Hung Fisheries Company. The com- pany had entered 17 vessels (13,560 tons) in Northeast Pacific high-seas fishing in sum- mer 1969. Apparently operations were finan- cially unsuccessful and the company, with no vessels in January 1970, merged with Sam Yang Company. SOUTH PACIFIC AUSTRALIA SHRIMP CATCH ROSE IN 1969 The 1969 shrimp catch by trawlers in northern Australia has been estimated at 9.5 million lbs., live weight--more than double 1968's 4.5 millionlbs, The official 1969 total could reach 10 million lbs. The recordcatch was made by 350 trawlers--100 more than in 1968. Northern Territory Production in Northern Territory is now emerging asoneof Australia's major shrimp fishing areas; 3trawlers took an estimated 7 million lbs., compared with only 200,000 lbs. in 1968. Arafura Sea Most Productive International waters in Arafura Sea, the most productive grounds, yielded 2.4 million lbs. of shrimp. Trawlers in Arnhemland- Gove area caught 2 million lbs.; in Melville Island grounds, 1.3 million lbs. Queensland Queensland grounds north of Townsville and in the Gulf of Carpentaria produced 2.5 million lbs. (1.5 million lbs. from Karumba- Weipa area in Gulf). In 1968, these eastern Gulf grounds produced 4.4 million lbs. Species Of 9.5 million lbs. of shrimp caught in northern Australia in 1969, 7.1 million lbs. were 'bananas', 1.4 million lbs. 'tigers', and 500,000 lbs. 'endeavours'. Dec.-Jan. Fall Off During December and January, catches by northern trawlers dropped off. Many boats were laidup for overhaul to prepare for 1970 season expected in March. Above-average rain, particularly in Dar- win-Cape York Peninsula coastal strip, has raised hopes of good 1970 season in Gulf of Carpentaria. Northern Territory Activity In Northern Territory, 60-70 trawlers were expected to operate. Three shore-based factories have been established--at Groote Eylandt, Katherine, and Darwin. Construction of a fourth new processing plant at Darwin, in advanced state, is for joint Australian- Japanese enterprise. This company has four 70-ft. trawlers un- der construction in Australia and expected to be delivered in this season. Seven fishing companies (three joint ven- tures) will be operating fleets in waters adjacent to Northern Territory and in inter- national waters. Queensland East Coast _On Queensland east coast, trawlers_were waiting in late January for wet season to end before proceeding to shrimp grounds in north and in Gulf of Carpentaria. ('Australian Fish- eries,' Feb. 1970.) 58 59 FOOD FISH FACTS TUNA, ALBACORE (Thunnus alalunga) Tuna, one of mankind's most ancient and honored foods, were pursued by fishermen hun- dreds of years before the time of Christ. Ancient Greeks referred to tuna as ''thunnos'' and they had an intense taste and admiration for these fish. Their admiration was evidenced in verse and decorating themes of that era. In the still undiscovered New World, ancient Incas and other civilizations were also har- vesting tuna along the coasts of Peru and other South American coasts along the Pacific Ocean. Their two-man reed boats, used in searching for tuna, were almost unsinkable. In the United States, over a billion cans of tuna are consumed annually. DESCRIPTION There are four kinds of tuna: albacore, yellowfin, bluefin, and skipjack. All AND four belong toalarge family of fish which includes the mackerels and bonitos. HABITAT: The members of this family are similar in that they travel in schools and are among the most rapid swimmers of allfish. Nautical engineers have described the contours of these fish as being perfect for passage through the water with the least resistance. The bodies are streamlined and smooth, and the fins, set in grooves on the bodies, offer little resistance as the fish glide through the water. ALBACORE (Thunnus alalunga), varyfrom other tuna in flavor and in the whiteness of the flesh. Theyare also known as "longfins'' and can be recognized by long, sabre-sharp pectoral fins. They are further distinguished by the metallic steely-blue color on the tops and sides of the body anda silvery color onthe bottom side, as well as by the absence of stripes. The usual weight of albacore is between 10 and 60 pounds; however, the maximum recorded weight is 93 pounds. Albacore range from Southern California to mid-Mexican waters, sometimes goingas far north as Puget Sound in the late summer. YELLOWFIN (Thunnus albacares), probably the favorite of the tuna fishing fleet, are light- fleshed. They are considered one of the most commercially valuable of the four, and are also popular as game fish. Yellowfin describes these fish as they are distinguished by elongated, yellowish dorsal and anal fins, and yellowish coloring on the sides. They vary in weight from 30 to 150 pounds; however, fish from 40 to 100 pounds are considered choicest for canning. Yellowfin tuna are found from the Gulf of California south to the waters off northern Chile. BLUEFIN (Thunnus thynnus), sometimes called horse mackerel, have light flesh and vary in commercial weight from 15 to 80 pounds. Bluefin tuna have a history as a game fish that goes back to Greek and Roman times. They are distinguished-by the deep blue or green color on the tops and sides of the body. Unlike most fishes, the high metabolic rate of the bluefin tuna maintains a body temperature warmer than the water. Bluefin are found from Alaska to lower California; however, this species is sometimes found in the Atlantic Ocean. (Continued following page) 60 SKIPJACK (Katsuwonus pelamis), are also known as striped tuna. They have light flesh and are distinguished by parallel black to dusky stripes on the lower sides of the body. Skip- jack tuna are dark metallic blueonthetops and sides, shading to a silvery color on the bottom surfaces. They are the smallest of the four tunas, weighing from 4to 24 pounds. Skipjack are found in tropical waters similar to the yellowfin. At one time tuna were taken by pole and line fishing from the famed tuna Ene clippers. Now, however, most of the tuna industry has converted to the more Tuna: efficient purse seines. This change was made possible because of the intro- duction of nylon seines and the development of power blocks to handle the great nets. Purse seining has many advantages; the voyages are shorter, the need for bait has been eliminated, and the hazard to the fishermen is lessened. Thetunaare transferred to re- frigerated holds where immediate freezing of the catch occurs. Thus the fish are fresh upon reaching the canning and processing plants. In the early 1960's it became apparent that the stocks of Pacific yellowfin Conservation: tunahadreached their maximum sustainable harvest. In 1966 this tuna came under effective regulation on the recommendation of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. An effort began to increase the harvest of underutilized species of tuna. Fortunately, the skipjack population and perhaps those of the temperate tunas appear not to befullyharvested. The Fishery-Oceanography Center of the Bureau of Commercial Fisher- ies, the [ATTC, and other agencies are now involved in research designed to increase the take of these tunas through discovery of new fishing grounds, and increased knowledge of the week- to-week movements of the fish. Tuna supplies a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is easily Uses of digested, and can be used as it comes from the can or combined with other Tuna: foods. It is economical because there is no waste in the compactly packed and compressed cans. Although the packs are labeled white meat or light meat, they can be used interchangeably. It is available in solid-pack, chunk-style, or grated; and comes in 3g to 33; 63 to 7, 94, and 124 to 13 ounce ‘cans. (National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 100 E. Ohio St., Rm. 526, Chicago, Illinois 60611.) 61 TUNA -- CANNED CONVENIENCE FOR BUSY DAYS Tuna does it again! That versatile performer, always ready and reasonable, stars again in a recipe that is just right for leisurely entertaining. Tuna, everybody's finny fa- vorite, goes to a picnic or wears a party dress with equal ease and a minimum of effort. Crusty-Tuna-Bean Bake, a new Bureau of Commercial Fisheries recipe, spells good eating any time of year but is especially appropriate when the homemaker is short of time. In this easy recipe, the tuna is blended with mushroom soup, bread crumbs, eggs, and onion to makea tuna crust. The green beans, plus pimiento and dill weed for fla- voring variety, make the filling; and shred- ded cheddar cheese crowns the top. Baked in a moderate oven until thoroughly heated and the cheese is bubbly, this tasty casse- role isreadyto serve. This casserole may be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated until baking time. Tuna is oneof the greatest of all pro- tein foods and also supplies vitamins and minerals inabundance. There is no waste in the compactly packed and compressed cans which assures 100 percent value to the consumer. The tuna industry had the homemaker's convenience in mind in choosing its three different pack styles. Solid-pack tuna is greatfor salads; chunk- style is just right for casseroles or skil- let dishes; and grated or flaked tuna's small bits are ready for sandwiches or dips. Tuna is available in cans for indi- vidual servings (34 to 33 ounces); enough for two 63 to 7 ounces); medium-sized families (94 ounces); and larger families (124 to 13 ounces). CRUSTY TUNA-BEAN BAKE 4 cans (64 or 7 ounces each) 2 packages (9 ounces each) tuna ‘i frozen cut green beans 2 cans (105 ounces each @ cup diced pimiento condensed cream of mush- ‘i room soup z teaspoon dill weed 33 cup dry bread crumbs Drainand flake tuna, Mix tuna with $ cup soup, dry bread crumbs, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Line a well-greased baking dish, 13 by 9 by 2 inches, with tuna mixture letting the mixture extend up the sides of the dish. Cook beans according to directions on package, omitting butteror margarine, Combine beans, remaining 5 1 teaspoon pepper soup, pimiento, dill weed, andpepper. Pourbean mixture into tuna 3 cup finely chopped onion 8 lining andspreadevenly, Place cheese around edge of bean mixture, 4 eggs, beaten 1 cup shredded sharp Sprinkle cheese with paprika, Bake ina moderate oven 350° F., for 4 teaspoon salt cheddar cheese 30 to 45 minutes, Makes 12 servings. Paprika 1 teaspoon pepper 8 Tuna Cheesies, Tuna Nuggets, Tuna Puffs, and Tuna Tomato Teasers are just four of 26 tempting seafood recipes found in Nautical Notions For Nibbling, Fishery Market De- velopment Series No. 10. For your copy, send 45¢ to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. (National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U.S. Department of the Interior, 100 East Ohio Street, Rm. 526, Chicago, Illinois 60611.) 62 BCF PUTS SNAP IN SNAPPER Up until a few months ago, if Mrs. Housewife, U.S.A., wished to prepare red snapper for her table, she had to fillet or steak the fish in her kitchen. Although the fishing indus- try would have delighted in providing a ready-to-cook item, the fish would not cooperate. It seems that even with the best of care a few weeks of frozen storage would bring about a reaction in the flesh causing it to turn brown. Fig. 1 - The distinctive red snapper, a popular gourmet fish throughout the U.S., is now available frozen through a new process developed by BCF technologists. The BCF Technological Laboratory in Seattle was aware of this problem. If it could be solved, a tremendous new retail market for red snapper would be created. Snapper has long been known as a gourmet dish, such as baked red snapper with sour cream stuffing--or as quick-and-easy broiled fillet with lemon butter sauce. The Research The laboratory staff felt that the brown- ing of the flesh was due to chemical processes taking place even at frozen storage tempera- ture. In this day of new food-manufacturing processes, there are easily applied, safe ad- ditives that may be used to combat undesir- Fig. 2 - Two red snapper fillets were kept in storage for the ble changes same period of time. The smaller fillet was treated with a Stk: the new BCF process; the larger fillet was not treated and Sifting among the 20 or so available Gee cesar catanitTe i ge additives was a formidable task. Some were eliminated out of hand as not being at all useful or not suitable to the process. An evendozen were chosen as promising. These were applied either by dipping the fillet into a solution, or by injecting the fish with it. Also used were two methods of packaging the frozen product--a heavy glaze, or a package from which air could be eliminated entirely or replaced with an inert gas. After two years of testing, the laboratory found a way of delaying or preventing the darkening of color. Dipping the fish fillets or steaks in a weak solution of TDP (thiodipro- pionic acid) and freezing in an air-free package would allow high-quality frozen storage for at least 12 months. The new product was taste-tested by 100 families and given an excel- lent report. News of the breakthrough was communicated to the fishing community and food process- ors. Judging from the enthusiasm with which the process was greeted, we may expect to see ready-to-eat snapper inthe frozen-food section of the retailmarket very soon. (Source: National Marketing Services Office, BCF, U. S. Department of the Interior, 100 East Ohio Street, Rm. 526, Chicago, Illinois 60611.) 63 SAVORY HALIBUT North Pacific halibut has long been a favorite food for good eating. This largest mem- ber of the curious-looking flatfish family, and one of the tastiest of all fish, is taken along the continental shelf and slope of the North Pacific adjacent to Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington State. Anexcellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, halibut steaks are also a favorite with dieters because of the low sodium and fat content. The flesh is white, firm, and tender; and its mild satisfying flavor adapts readily to many preparation methods. Savory Halibut, a BCF recipe, presents the halibut in a zippy, sour cream-green onion sauce with just a touch of basil. Topped with Parmesan cheese just before baking, the final touch is a few minutes under the broiler--just enough for the sour cream mixture and the cheese to turn golden brown and bubbly. This easily prepared recipe will be a favorite that you will want to serve often. Fortunately for halibut fanciers, North Pacific halibut steaks are available fresh or frozen the year round. So go ahead and indulge your fancy. SAVORY HALIBUT 2 pounds halibut steaks, fresh 1 teaspoon basil or frozen < 1 : Oa 4 teaspoon white pepper $ cup sliced green onion i cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon salt Thaw frozen steaks. Remove skin and bones and cut into 6portions. Place fish ina single layer in a well-greased baking dish, 12 x8x 2 inches. Combine remaining in- gredients except Parmesan cheese. Pour sauce over fish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a moderate oven, 350° F., for 20 to 25 minutes or untilfishflake easily when tested with a fork. To brown, place fish in the broiler about 3 inches from source of heat and broil 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Makes 6 servings. Washington State has so many tasty fish and shellfish to share with the nation, we want to tell you about her brand new ''Marine Fish Cookbook.'' The 39-page booklet has recipes for sole and flounder, rockfish, cod, sturgeon, albacore (tuna), smelt, and shad as well as halibut. The 9-page section on halibut contains recipes from the National Fishermen and Wives, Inc.--and who couldknow more about cooking halibut than the wife of a halibut fisher - man? The book costs 50¢ and is available from the State of Washington Department of Fish- eries, General Administration Building, Olympia, Washington 98501. A companion booklet, "Shellfish Cookbook,'' is available from the same source and the cost is 25¢. (National Marketing Services Office, BCF U.S. Department of the Interior, 100 East Ohio St., Rm. 526, Chicago, Ill. 60611.) Page a PA ieee Dams 307 eae 41 44. 44... 45°.. 45... 46 .. 46... AG Gat: Asters Aa Al ene 47 INDEX UNITED STATES Forecast Groundfish Abundance on New Eng- land Banks Georges Bank Haddock Spawning Is Watched Closely BCF Looks for Bluefin Tuna Americans Eat Million Pounds of Shrimpa Day Brown Shrimp Reared in Artificial Media Hawaii's Commercial Fish Landings Drop But Value Rises Prawn Culture in Hawaii Progresses Dr. Glasgow Urges Adoption of Effective Fish Disease Control Program Hickel Pledges Lake Erie Clean-Up Conference on Environmental Pollution Scheduled Man Competes With Otter for Abalone, by Wallace Turner Renowned Scottish Marine Biologist Visits BCF Oxford Lab Japanese Shellfish Aquaculture Authority Visits U.S. Oceanography: 9 Nations Seek Standards to Measure Ocean & Atmosphere Photograph Marine Life at Arctic Bottom Gulf of Mexico 'Essentially Same! As 100 Million Years Ago Study Festicides Discharged by Mississippi River Into Gulf U.S. Coast Pilots 1 & 3 Will Be Updated Split of Europe & N. America Ages Ago Studied Foreign Fishing Off U.S. in March 1970 ARTICLES: Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) of Hawaiian Waters, by Tamio Otsu and Ray F. Sumida Seasonal and Geographic Characteristics of Fishery Resources - California Current Re- gion--I, Jack Mackerel, by David Kramer and Paul E. Smith Brit Herring Along Maine's Coast, by C. W. Davis and J. J. Graham A Bathysphere for Fishery Research, by John R. Pugh and Richard B. Thompson - BOOKS INTERNATIONAL FAO Aids Argentine Fishing Industry Scandinavians Reject British Salmon-Ban Proposal Fishery Education & Training Vital to De- veloping Nations Nordic Fish-Meal Factoryship Operates Off Africa Japan-USSR 1967-69 Salmon Catches Re- ported , Ecuador Seizes 2 Japanese Fishing Vessels Japanese Plan Joint Shrimp Operations Save 'Clean' Waters of Africa, FAO Urges Canada: Earmarks Price Stabilization Funds for Lake Erie Perch Conference on Canadian Shrimp Fishery Slated for Oct. 1970 St. Pierre et Miquelon Expansion Continues 64 Page 48 48 49 49 50 50 51 51 51 52 52 52 53 53 54 54 54 55 55 55 55 56 56 56 56 57 57 57 57 58 59 64 Europe: Norway: Studies Costs and Earnings of Fishing Vessels Sees U.S. as Growing Market for Frozen Fish West Germany: Herring Fishery Off U.S. & Canada Grows Stronger Market for Herring and Mackerel United Kingdom: To Abandon Fathom Measurement USSR: Worry About Lake Baikal Fishery Resources Poland: Establishes Exclusive Fishing Zone Plans Increased Catches of Baltic Salmon Hungary: Expands Fish-Pond Production Czechoslovakia: Fish Culture Trends Iceland: Capelin Fishing Season Looks Good East Germans & Soviets: Cooperate in Applying Computer Technol- ogy to Fisheries Latin America: Peru: Fish-Meal Production & Exports Declined in 1969 Fish Meal Futures Up Mexico: Fish Production Was Only Economic Sector to Decline in 1969 Cuba: Buys Italian-Built Refrigerated Fish-Car- rier-Motherships Panama: Fishery Products Were 10.6% of all Exports Asia: Japan: Tuna Fleet Size Declines But Gross Tonnage Rises Only Yellowfin Tuna Seiner in E. Pacific Fails Again Tuna Longline Catch Rate is Declining Vessel Completes Tuna Survey in South Atlantic To Increase Skipjack Tuna Fishing Effort Expect Improvement in Shrimp Market, Imports Down Salmon Fishing in Japan Sea Started March 1 Trawl Fleets Leave For Eastern Bering Sea Thailand: Bangkok University Trains Laotian Fish- Culture Specialists Taiwan: Marine Fish-Culture Laboratory Built South Vietnam: Saigon Fish Market in Operation South Korea: Deep-Sea Fleet Shows Strong Growth South Pacific: Australia: Shrimp Catch Rose in 1969 . . Food Fish Facts (Tuna) . . INDEX * U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE ; 1970 392-629/11 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Walter J. Hickel, Secretary - Fred J. Russell, Under Secretary Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Charles H. Meacham, Commissioner, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Philip M. Roedel, Director, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Depart- ment of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and recreational re- sources, Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's "Department of Natural Resources." The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States -- now and in the future. BACK COVER: Maine sardines. (R.K. Brigham) COMMERCIAL FISHERTES Review 7 VOL 32,NO.6 4'44e3x JUNE 1970 f/f bes COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Review A comprehensive view of United States and foreign fishing industries--including catch, processing, market- ing, research, and legislation--prepared by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. FISHERMFN'S MEMORIAL--GLOUCESTER, MASS, II Managing Editor: Edward Edelsberg Production: Jean Zalevsky Alma Greene The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife make up The Fish and Wildlife Service of The United States Department of the Interior. Throughout this book, the initials BCF stand for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Address correspondence and requests to: Commercial Fisheries Review, 1801 North Moore Street, Room 200, Arlington, Va. 22209. Telephone: Area Code 703 - 557-4246. Publication of material from sources outside the Bureau is not an endorsement. The Bureau is not responsible for the accuracy of facts, views, or opinions of these sources. Although the contents have not been copyrighted and may be reprinted freely, reference to source is appreciated. Use of funds for printing this publication was approved by the Director, Bureau of the Budget, April 18, 1968. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. Price 60 cents (single copy). Subscription Price: $7.00 a year; $2 additional for foreign mailing. CONTENTS UNITED STATES BventsfanduirendSi sce. 66 es er isnehioperones suo cetours ARTICLES Experimental Sablefish Fishing Off San Diego, California, by Charles F, Phleger, Nils Schultz, Andrew Soutar, and Erich Duffrin ......... The Atlantic Albacore Fishery, by Grant L. Bear dsleyg Iitem@escga ede s icone: eis lotion trate sWelitclie Seasonal and Geographic Characteristics of Fish- ery Resources: California Current Region-- II. Pacific Saury, by David Kramer and Paul E, SIN LCG Wemiars ed oe erence ener '8 BY OAONB NOD O60 oheine EN AUER INAMMODMAM ey hate are cy ith es ae ane eialtelie PAS Veit ib ake ec onesie) savoMelheyre isl ellasheiveei, (cir crt Ste aN ers ISUTOPE Ma cuits Lue edensencolfon ojetheillelsutontenie’ sikeniehieiiene Page 31 41 47 55 52 55 72 73 75 76 88 III (R. K. Brigham) NIXON PROPOSES WORLD TREATY TO SHARE SEABED RESOURCES On May 23, President Nixonissued the fol- lowing statement on U.S. Oceans Policy: The nations of the world are now facing decisions of momentous importance to man's use of the oceans for decades ahead, At is- sue is whether the oceans will be used ration- ally and equitably and for the benefit of mankind or whether they will become anarena of unrestrained exploitation and conflicting jurisdictional claims in which even the most advantaged states will be losers. The issue arises now--and with urgency-- because nations have grownincreasingly con- scious of the wealth to be exploited from the seabeds and throughout the waters above, and because they are also becoming apprehensive about ecological hazards of unregulated use of the oceans and seabeds, The stark fact is that the law of the sea is inadequate to meet the needs of modern technology and the con- cerns of the internationalcommunity. If it is not modernized multilaterally, unilateral ac- tion andinternational conflict are inevitable. This is the time then for all nations to set about resolving the basic issues of the future regime for the oceans--and to resolve itin a way that redounds to the general bene- fitinthe era of intensive exploitationthat lies ahead, The United States as amajor maritime power and a leader in ocean technology to unlock the riches of the ocean has a special responsibility to move this effort forward. Therefore, I am today proposing that all nations adopt as soon as possible a treaty under which they would renounce all national claims over the naturalresources of the sea- bed beyond the point where the high seas reach a depth of 200 meters (218.8 yards) and would agree toregard these resources as the com- mon heritage of mankind, The treaty should establish an international regime for the exploitation of seabed re- sources beyondthis limit. The regime should provide for the collection of substantial min- eral royalties to be used for international community purposes, particularly economic assistance todeveloping countries, It should alsoestablish generalrulestoprevent unrea- sonable interference with other uses of the ocean, toprotect the ocean from pollution, to assure the integrity of the investment neces- sary for such exploitation, and to provide for peaceful and compulsory settlement of dis- putes. I propose two types of machinery for au- thorizing exploitation of seabed resources beyond a depth of 200 meters. First, [propose that coastal nations act as trustees for the international community in an international trusteeship zone comprised of the continental margins beyond a depth of 200 meters off their coasts. In return, each coastal state would receive a share of the international revenues from the zone in which itacts astrustee andcould impose additional taxes if these were deemed desirable. As asecond step, agreed international ma- chinery would authorize and regulate explor- ation and use of seabed resources beyond the continental margins. The United States will introduce specific proposals at the next meeting of the United Nations Seabeds Committee tocarry out these objectives. Although I hope agreement on such steps can be reached quickly, the negotiations of such a complex treaty may take some time. Ido not, however, believe it is either neces- sary or desirable to try to halt exploration and exploitation of the seabeds beyond a depth of 200 meters during the negotiating process. Accordingly, Icallon other nations to join the United States inan interim policy. I sug- gest that all permits for exploration and exploitation of the seabeds beyond 200 meters be issued subject tothe international regime to be agreedupon, The regime should according- ly include due protection for the integrity of investments made in the interim period. A substantial portion of the revenues derived by a state from exploitation beyond 200 me- ters during this interim period should be turn- ed over to an appropriate international devel- opment agency for assistance to developing countries. I would plan to seek appropriate Congressional action to make such funds available as soon as a sufficient number of other states alsoindicate their willingness to join this interim policy. I will propose necessary changes in the domestic import andtax laws and regulations of the United States to assure that our own laws and regulations do not discriminate against U.S. nationals operating in the trust- eeship zone off our coast or under the author- ity of the international machinery to be established. It is equally important to assure unfettered and harmonious uSe of the oceans as an avenue of commerce and transportation, and asa source of food. For this reason the United States is currently engaged with other states in an effort to obtain a new law of the sea treaty. Thistreaty wouldestablisha 12-mile limit for territorial seas and provide for free transit through international straits. It would alsoaccommodate the problems of developing countries and other nations regarding the con- servation and use of the living resources of the high seas. I believe that these proposals are essential tothe interests of all nations, rich and poor, coastal and landlocked, regardless of their political systems. If they result in interna- tional agreements, we can Save over two- thirds of the earth's surface from national conflict and rivalry, protect it from pollution, This would be a fitting achievement for this 25th and put it to use for the benefit of all. anniversary year of the United Nations. INFORMATION FOR PACIFIC ALBACORE FISHING MAY BE BEST EVER LA fT 7 SSS SQA Ar. Albacore fishermen, buyers, processors, and other interested parties have been noti- fied that advisory information to the albacore fishing industry this season promises to be the bestonrecord. It willinclude "a forecast of the outlook for the 1970 season, daily broad- casts of albacore information over marine radio bands, temperature charts, fish bulle- tins, and early and late season scouting and survey cruises." The information resultsfrom the cooper- ation of BCF Fishery-Oceanography Center at La Jolla, Calif., Oregon State University (OSU), Navy Fleet Numerical Weather Central at Monterey, Fish Commission of Oregon, California Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fisheries, U.S. Weather Bureau, NASA, and albacore fisher- men, buyers, and processors. BCF Issues Forecast Aforecast of the outlook for the 1970 alba- core season was issuedby BCF inearly June. It includes short-term projections of albacore distribution, oceanographic and atmospheric trends, and landings. Much environmental information used by BCF in albacore fore- casting operations is made available through cooperation with the Navy at Monterey. BCF and OSU Albacore Central are coop- erating closely in dailybroadcast over radio station WWD, licensed to BCF and located on campus of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at La Jolla, and Astoria Marine Operator (KFX, 2598 Khz). Broadcasts include latest albacore informationfrom research vessels, cooperating fishing vessels, and unloading station operators. Broadcasts contain sea- surface temperature and other oceanographic and weather information that may be useful to albacore fishermen. 15-Day Temperature Charts BCF is continuing decade-old practice of issuing 15-day sea-surface temperature charts from April 15 to October 31, or until season ends, for area roughlybetween central Baja California and Vancouver Island out to 135° W. A fish bulletin is issued with each temperature chart. Thisbeganabout June 15 and will continue to end of season, These bulletins include: information on oceanographic and atmospheric trends, loca- tions of productive fishing areas, changes in market and unloading conditions that may af- fect effort. Also, BCF is publishing a 30-day chart showing barometric pressure and wind direc- tion and speed for the previous 30 days; and a chart showing 10-year average barometric pressure and winds for that month. In addition, OSU Albacore Central again is issuing fish bulletins and sea-surface tem- perature charts. These charts concentrate on small-scale features along Oregon coast out to 200 nautical miles as information be- comes available. These probably will not be issued as often as last summer's weekly. BCF and OSU temperature charts and fish bulletins are bulk-mailed to fish-buying sta- tions and others for hand distribution to fish- ermen. BCF and OSU have exchanged bulk- mailing lists to extend advisory information to more fishermen. Calif. & Oregon Waters Best Scouted This season, California and Oregon waters are best-scouted for albacore of any recent year. BCF's research vessel 'David Starr Jordan' sailed on June 22 from San Diego southwesterly to about 150 miles offshore. It is proceeding northwesterly to vicinity of San Juan Seamount, and then north up coasts of California and Oregon in waters of favor- able temperature, probably about 150 miles off-shore. This track is flexible. It will be alteredif necessary depending on early-June conditions. The cruise will end on July 3 in Newport, Oregon. Jordan will sailon for oth- er studies. Trolling During Cruise Trolling for albacore during daylight is being carriedout along entire track of scout- ing cruise. Each day's fishing begins where it stopped the day before. The thermo-salin- ograph is operating continuously. Informa- tion on mixed layer depth is obtained from XBT drops. Other oceanographic observa- tions are made at night, including midwater trawl and zooplankton hauls. These will be used to obtainestimates of potential albacore forage; subsurface salinity and temperature observations are being made. Jordan also willcruise in October to study where albacore exit the Pacific coast fish- ery--and what environmental condition ac- company decay of albacore season. Oregon Fish Commission Cruise The Fish Commission of Oregon plans a 10-day charter cruise to scout for albacore in waters of favorable temperature off Oregon starting about July 1 aboard F/V 'Sunrise'. Between June 19 and July 3, Oregon State Uni- versity research vessels 'Yaquina!' and 'Cay- use' are occupying hydrographic survey lines off Oregon out to about 200 miles. Vessels will troll for albacore during daylight when in favorable water temperatures. OSU Cruises Oregon State University also plans addi- tional albacore oceanography cruises on Cayuse offOregon: July 27-Aug. 2, Aug. 7-12, Aug. 25-Sept. 1, and Sept. 8-14. OSU will coordinate series of remote- sensing overflights by Coast Guard, Air Force, and NASA aircraft off Oregon and Washington. These flights will examine sea- surface temperature and water color pat- terns. Information collected willbe included in daily messages andperiodicbulletins. All fish reports from scouting vessels, negative as well as positive, will be incorporated into daily albacore advisory broadcasts over WWD and Astoria Marine Operator. The Jordan also will transmit her fishing reports to in- terested boats over normal fishing-boat fre- quencies. Her call letters are WTDK. Everybody's Help Needed The success of the cooperative albacore advisory program depends on the input of timely, first-hand information from fisher- men at sea, dock operators, and processors. Insufficient information restricts quality and timeliness of the advisory materials. Fishermen have been asked to aid the re- search programs that seek to learn more about the ''distribution, abundance and avail- ability of albacore tuna in the northeast Pa- cific Ocean."' Satisfactory measurement of the biological aspects of the albacore tuna populations and the effects of varying eco- nomic conditions have lagged far behind pro- gress in monitoring and understanding the environment. Little progress has been made in estimating year-class strength, apparent fish abundance, and fishing effort for alba- core. Thefishermencanhelpby keeping log- book records. ‘ALBATROSS IV’ SURVEYS GROUNDFISH OFF ATLANTIC COAST BCF's Albatross IV has completed its an- nual spring groundfish survey from western Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A "quick appraisal of the unprocessed field logs'--compared to spring 1969's--"indi- cates an expected further drop in haddock abundance on Georges Bank." On the optimistic side, catches of young silver hake in Southern New England were "definitely greater" than in fall 1969. The fall 1969 catch of young silver hake also was considerably higher thanfall 1968 catch. This indicates the hake population should increase in the near future. New Stations Occupied In addition to the standard survey stations on Georges Bank, 2 more series of stations were occupied to monitor progress of haddock spawning. The area closed to commercial fishing was included. Maturity stages of haddock were exam- ined. By mid-April, spawning was well along on Georges Bank--but had not yet begun on Browns Bank. COAST GUARD-BCF ICNAF RESEARCH CRUISE UNDERWAY On May 19, USCGC 'Rockaway! departed Norfolk, Va., to conduct an oceanographic survey of coastalwaters between Nova Scotia and Cape Hatteras, N.C. It will end June 14. Itis eighth in a series to support fishery re- search program of International Commission for Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF). International Program This cooperative undertaking involves study of offshore fishery resources fished by U.S. and other member nations. The aim of the international program is to seek an under- standing of natural fluctuations in abundance of commercial fishes and to assess effects of fishing. BCF Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass., is coordinating U.S. efforts. coc men = SURVEY TEMPERATURE IN ATLANTIC & EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO The U.S. Coast Guard Oceanographic Unit extended its Airborne Radiation Thermome- ter (ART) coverage into Gulf of Mexico during late April-early May 1970 to support EGMEX- 70 surveys. EGMEX is a combined, long-range pro- gram of Federal, state, and local oceano- graphic facilities to study eastern Gulf of Mexico. During EGMEX-70, scientists and tech- nicians are studying the Gulf Loop Current. Loop Important The Gulf Loop Current, a branch of the Yucatan Current, interests marine scientists and sport and commercial fishermen because of its influence on fish distribution. It enters the Gulf of Mexico through the Yucatan Straits, flows north towards Louisiana, bends east towards Panama City, then south along Flor- ida's west coast to the Straits of Florida; there, it joins the eastward-flowing Florida Current. Monthly ART Flights The Coast Guard conducts monthly ART flights on U.S. East Coast from Cape Cod to Miami, Florida. Monthly charts depicting surface temperature contours and marine- animal observations are mailed to fishermen, universities, and government agencies on request from: Oceanographic Unit, Bldg. 159-E, Navy Yard Annex, Washington, D.C. 20390. NEW ENGLAND FISHING FUTURE LOOKS GOOD TO BANK OFFICER Allen P, Keith Jr., waterfront loan officer for the Merchants National Bank of New Bed- ford, Mass., says the future of the New En- gland commercial fishing industry looks good to him. ''People have to eat, And as long as they do, New England fishermen will be able to sellallthefreshfishtheycan catch. Fish- ing isn't an easy business, it never was, but you can still make a doggone good living at it." Mr. Keith's views appeared in the April 1970 New England Marine Resources leaflet. His bank probably handles more fishing boat mortgages than any other bank in New En- gland. Hehas specialized in them for nearly 7 years and knows the local fishery intimately. Foreign Competition He emphasizes that he does not underrate competitionfromforeignfleets, but he main- tains that ''we still have the fresh fish market, and fresh fish will always be preferred. That's what keeps New Bedford going. Our fleet can sell everything they bring in." Boats & Men Aging He worries about aging men and boats. "It's too bad that more young men are not fol- lowing intheir dad's footsteps, because once aman goes into fishing, he rarely leaves it." The age of most commercial fishing ves- sels is aneven greater problem--one that can never be solved without great government aid, hesays. He points out that 80% of boats fish- ing out of New Bedford are "overage"; the situationis even more critical in Gloucester. Painful Economics The figures explain why. To replace an overage $30,000 vessel today would cost around $150,000. Private dollars cannot han- dle the modernization of entire fleets, Keith points out. He sees U.S, subsidies as neces- sary to keep industry going. He and others feel that insurance rates on fishing vessels must belowered. A boat own- er has to pay $8,000 to $10,000a year ininsur- ance before he even brings in his first catch. His bank handles many loans that are in- surance loans. Itwillfinance them up to 75%: for many fishermen, this is a lifesaver. Boat Mortgage Loans A larger proportion of his business is in boat mortgage loans. The average one is for a $150,000 vessel. Interest runs between 85 and 9%. Inthefirst three months of 1970, the bank has had 20 such loan applications; 6 were accepted. The bank has standards for accepting or refusing a mortgage application. The most frequent refusal is for age of boat. After 7 years, Keith points out, there is always dan- gerof engine trouble, which is expensive. A new engine costs $40,000 to $50,000; instal- lation costs another $8-10,000. Putting a new engine in an old boat is throwing good money after bad, the bankbelieves. It is reluctant to lend money for a secondhand boat. Size and design of vesselalso are impor- tant. The bank won't touch a boat under 65 feet because it would not be practical for win- ter fishing. And year-round use is a neces- sity if it is to be profitable. Design also influences bank's decision: "A boat that can't be converted easily from one kind of fishing to another just isn't efficient." To getaboat mortgage loan from his bank, the applicant's home port must be New Bed- ford. His boat must be documented there and buy its supplies there, though it may go afield tofish, if necessary. Keith says, ‘'my job is to finance the port of New Bedford." Personal Criteria Among personal criteria of loan applicant on which bank makes its decision are age, experience, and character. The youngest captain for whom Keithwrote a loan was 25. Before the bank lends a man money to go in- to fishing for himself, it wants him to show "afew year's experience, either as a captain or a mate, and to show some indication that he's a 'producer'." Three mainstays of fishing industry: skilled hands and nylon net. Average age of fish- ermen continues to rise as too few youths choose the sea. Nylon makes possible large (Photo: Rex Gary Schmidt) nets and large catches. However, the percentage of capital the ap- plicant must put up that is his own money does not influence the bank's decision. The length of mortgage varies from 3 to 5 years ona secondhand boat to 7 years on a new one to 10 years on a subsidy vessel. Keith Offers Advice For would-be fishing boat owners, Keith of - fers other useful tips. ''Go to a good, repu- table bank for your loan and be sure you go with a concrete, worked-out plan to show them. Very few banks do as much boat mortgaging as we do; they're not familiar with the fish- ing industry and they won't even listen to you if you don't have a firm program to show them." He also advises anyone planning to acquire a boat.to incorporate before he does so. "If you ownitas an individual," he explains, and something goes wrong, you can lose your car and everything else you own." It is also advisable to apply for a mortgage before starting to build. Government mort- gage insurance should be applied for while boatis still in planning stage. It costs 1% of mortgage and diminishes proportionately as mortgage is paid. Ordinarily, the bank does not loan money to fishermen for working capital. But Keith says this isn'ta severe handicap because cre- dit for equipment and supplies usually is read- ily available. Keith's most valuable advice to young men going into commercial fishing is: 'Be adap- table. Don't make up your mind you're going to do just one kind of fishing and have your boat built for that. I know of one new boat that can lobster, crab, seine, bottom trawl and midwater trawl, and she is easy to con- vert from one kindoffishing to another. That means she is one hundred per cent usable." This same boat, Keith adds, has not suffered, as many in the fleet have, from haddock short- age. It is simply converted to seining for herring, which is immensely popular in Eu- rope, but almost entirely fished out in the NorthSea. 'They can't fill their foreign or- ders,'' he says. aa "The fishing industry isn't standing still," Keith concludes. ''Aslong as you keep diver- sifying, you have some place to go." OBB BO ‘BOWERS’ EXPLORES FOR SCALLOP OFF FLORIDA’S EAST COAST BCF's exploratory fishing vessel George M. Bowers arrived at St. Simons Island, Geor - gia, on April 27 after 21 days of scallop ex- ploration off Florida's eastcoast. It was the second in a series of S@@tlop-stock assess- ments using the Remote Underwater Fisher- ies Assessment System(RUFAS). The vessel is part of the BCF Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base in Pascagoula, Miss. Cruise Purposes The cruise's principal objectives were to "evaluate the current calico scallop occur- rence in the area; locate areas of highest yield potential; provide demonstrations of survey equipment, monitoring procedures and sample dredging operations for industry ob- servers, andto further evaluate the modified survey equipment's capabilities in the time available." 15 Transects 15 transects were run in an easterly or westerly direction covering 156 miles. Transects were established on major loran lines and were run between the 15 and 25 fath- omcurve. Theloranlines covered were from 3H7-1700 (east of Malibar, Florida) to 3H7- 3200 (northeast of St. Augustine, Florida). Bottom visibility with TV camera was exceptionally good. It exceeded 20 feet on many transects. On only one transect (3H7- 2200) was visibility less than 5 feet, Heaviest Concentrations Preliminary evaluation of the video tapes indicates heaviest scallop concentrations on this survey were off Cape Kennedy between 3H7-2100 and 3H7-2400 along 19 to 25 fathem curves. Scattered scallops were observed on most other transects. For the most part, scallops were settled individually in small conical depressions in sandy substrate--or were lying singularly or in small groupings at bottom of furrows crossing transects at When 2650 feet of 35mm film are processed, a more northwest-southeast direction. detailed evaluation will be possible. Sled System Improved The sled system showed marked improve- ments over 1969 fall survey. Numerous modifications provided increased maneu- verability and improved visual observation. As facility was gainedon launchandrecovery techniques, procedures became routine, with no noticeable strain to system. During the day, television monitoring of the sea floor was done without artificial lighting. Twonight-time transects, however, required dysprosium light; attimesthis gave a pronounced back-scattering effect that obscured video image. It was found that guiding the sled very close to the substrate greatly reduced this problem. A one-day RUFAS demonstration was pro- vided for four industry observers; fishing information andassistance were provided two scallop vessels. (Map following page.) ; a! 3H7 GREED 4) ne TRANSECT NEW SMYRNA ee hee o_. MELBOURNE R/V George M. Bowers, Cruise No. 90, April 7-27, 1970. 10 HAKE CATCH IN PUGET SOUND ABOUT 8 MILLION POUNDS Landings of hake from Puget Sound (Wash.) were about 8 million pounds by the end of April. From October through December 1969, the fishery was in Saratoga Passage, where 600,000 pounds were caught, From January through April 1970, the fish- ery operated in Port Susan and produced 7,400,000 pounds. Monthly landings were: Pounds Landed Oct. (1969) 134,000 Nov. 370,000 Dec. 100,000 Jan. (1970) 190,000 Feb. 1,922,000 Mar. 3,863,000 Apr. 1,454,000 8,033,000 One or two vessels planned to continue fish- ing as long asthey made successful catches. Normally, the fishery in Puget Sound ends by mid-May. ‘SEATTLE’ LANDS LARGEST BLACKCOD CATCH On May 6, the M/V Seattle landed 24,432 pounds of blackcod using the BCF-modified king crab pots, This was the Seattle's largest catch, It was made during a 9-day trip. The vessel began pot fishing trials for blackcod in November 1969, About two-thirds the catch were large fish: over 5 pounds, heads off and gutted. These were sold for about 28 cents a pound; the smaller fish for about 14 cents, EDA AIDS FISHERIES IN WASHINGTON The Economic Development Administra- tion (EDA) has approved a $24,900 grant to help continue a program to train workers for the fishing industry in Pacific County, Wash- ington. The funds will be used to help pay administrative costs for a year, Training Center Chinook, Wash., is establishing a skill- training center to qualify young people for jobs in commercial and sport fishing and re- lated industries. Inaddition to marine skills, the program includes conservation courses to increase the area's supply of fish and shell- fish. The 13 students who have completed courses have been employed in the local fish- ing industry. The program now has 36 stu- dents. BCF CONDUCTS SEAFOOD SEMINAR FOR REFORMATORY YOUTHS BCF Seattle personnel conducted a retail seafood seminar for meatcutter trainees at the State of Washington Monroe Reformatory. When released, each young man who partici- pated in the seminar will be offered a job as a meatcutter (and seafood counter man) ina retail market, TEST PROFITABILITY OF FARMING SHRIMP IN SALTWATER PONDS Anattempt totest the profitability of farm- ing shrimp in saltwater ponds in the Coastal Plains Region of eastern U.S. will start soon near Dale, South Carolina. It will be conducted by Walter F.. Lubkin Jr. of Beaufort, $.C., who wants to put to commercial use the aquacul- ture techniques developed by research biolo- gists. This was reported by the Coastal Plains Regional Commission (CPRC), a U.S. part- nership with Georgia, S. Carolina and N, Carolina. It is sponsoring this one-year economic feasibility demonstration under a Job will be conducted withthe technical assistance and guarantee -against-loss agreement. supervision of biologists of the Division of Commercial Fisheries, South Carolina De- partment of Wildlife Resources. Brown and white shrimp have been selected for cultivation because research at Bears Bluff Laboratory in South Carolina and else- where has shown these species adaptable to impounded conditions. Also, they are avail- able locally and have high market value. Shrimp No, 1 in Value Shrimp isthe most valuable of all seafood species harvested in the Coastal Plains Re- gion. Inrecent years, the demand for shrimp (and price per pound) has been increasing Between 1967 and 1969, shrimp harvestedin Coastal Plains Re- much faster than supply. gion of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina jumped from 16 million pounds to 113) 22 million pounds; its value doubled--from $6.5 millionto $13 million. Although the U.S. consumes about $400 million of shrimp a year, only half is caught by U.S. fishing fleet. Commission Goal Successful application of aquaculture tech- niques to cultivation of brown and white shrimp would increase Region's share of shrimp market. It would create more jobs and income. The Coastal Plains Regional Commission seeks "to induce orderly, accelerated eco- nomic growthin159 Coastal Plains counties" of the 3 states. region's income gap with the rest of the U.S. CPRC's goal is to close its "by creating favorable conditions for private investment through a planned program of eco- nomic development." ZAR AREY BCF FILM ON ENVIRONMENT HONORED 'The Biologist and the Boy' has won for BCF a certificate of creative excellence" fromthe U.S. Industrial Film Festival. It is one of two films on pollution produced by BCF's Elliot A. Macklow, Chief, Audio-Visual Services, in cooperation with the 5 Gulf States. Nationwide Distribution The film was recently renamed 'Crisis on the Coasts'. It will be distributed to theaters through United Artists: in New York City area on May 29, inSan Francisco and Washington, D.C., in June, and later nationally. 12 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE EXPANDS ALASKAN ROLE The Department of the Interior's Fishand Wildlife Service (FWS) is expanding its work in Alaska, Secretary Hickel has announced. This recognizes the State's wildlife and fish- eries resources--largest in the Nation--and the need for effective State-Federal cooper- ation to conserve them, Mr. Hickel said. BCF has establisheda fisheries center at Kodiak. ANavy facilityis being renovated to house research and office personnel. Located there also will be BCF's Alaska Associate Regional Director for Fisheries, who will supervise BCF research programs through- out the State. Sport Fisheries Bureau Expands An Area Office for the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (BSFW) will be estab- lished in Anchorage, effective July 1, 1970. It will coordinate and direct BSFW's efforts in Alaska to protect and enhance the impor- tant sport fish and wildlife populations. Charles H. Meacham, FWS Commissioner, said: ''Economic changes, population growth and natural resources development have created increasing problems which require additional effort in Alaska. A particular ad- vantage in having an Alaska Area Office is the greater facility for direction and coordi- nation of future BSFW programs and planning with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. BSFW will now have in Alaska an office with decision-making capability to serve State TAGGED FISH SORTED AUTOMATICALLY A device to detect and sort out adult mi- grating salmon that were tagged as fingerlings with coded magnetic wire tags has been oper- ating successfully since late April 1970 in an Ice Harbor Dam Fishway on the Columbia Riv- er. By May 14, the device had detected and segregated 109 tagged fish. LABS COMPARE THEIR ANALYSES OF INSECTICIDE RESIDUES Several laboratories analyzing insecticide residues inthe Great Lakes are participating in an interlaboratory quality-control check sponsored by BCF. Trout & Salmon Sampled A lake trout and a coho salmon from Lake Michigan were ground and frozen. Samples were shipped to the laboratories to be tested for insecticide residues. The results will be compared. If there are differences, methods will be checked to determine the reason--and corrections made to insure standard results. (2 corel, ARMY ENGINEERS TO WEIGH ENVIRONMENT MORE U.S. Army regulations governing permits for work in navigable waterways will give greater emphasis to environmental values. This was announced May 19. The impact on the public of the proposed work will be evaluated to include such factors as fish and wildlife, water quality, economics, conservation, esthetics, recreation, water supply, flood damage prevention, ecosystems, and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people, as well as navigation. FIRST WORLD FISH STANDARD DISTRIBUTED FOR ADOPTION On April 1, 1970, the Directors-General of the Foodand Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization transmitted to U.S. State Department thefirst of a series of rec- ommended international food standards for acceptance by member and associate member nations. Among the standards are an Interna- tional Standard for Canned Pacific Salmon, an International General Standard for Label- ing Prepackaged Foods, and International Tolerance for Pesticide Residues. 13 Ocean-going vessels are used to transport Alaska's fishery products. Seward. (J. M. Olson) ‘OREGON’ SAMPLES RESOURCES NEAR PROPOSED S.E. ALASKA INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX The R/V Oregon completedon April 18 the first of several scheduled quarterly cruises in Berners Bay, Southeastern Alaska, ''to de- termine the occurrence and abundance of cur- rent and potentially valuable fish and shellfish resources" that maybe affected by a proposed plywood-paper industry in Berners Bay, The vessel is part of BCF's Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base in Juneau. Fishing Gear The Oregon used: e A Gulf-of-Mexico-type, 40-ft. trawl shrimp e Twelve (12) 6'by6'by 30" king crab pots e Four (4) standard (42'') Dungeness pots e Four (4) longline strings of 3 Herculite- covered shrimp traps (18" by 18" by 30") e 14''stretched mesh monofilament gillnet, 13 fathoms deep by 10 fathoms long 5 Trawl Hauls Five trawl hauls were made, three within Berners Bay and two in Lynn Canal, immedi- ately adjacent (chart). Hauls were 30 minutes long in 42-82 fathoms within the bay, and 158 to 163 fathoms in Lynn Canal. Species varied more intrawl catches than in other gear. Commercially important spec- ies occurring in highest abundance were sablefish and golden crab in Lynn Canal, hauls 3 and 4, and starry flounder in Slate Creek Bight, haul 5, King Crab Pots Thirty king crab pots were set, all within bay, in28to11llfathoms. All pots were-fished 24 hours, except 19-24, which were fished 48 hours. Tanner crab was dominant species; catches ranged from 1 (Pot 5) to 19 (Pot 17); only one female was captured. Pots Caught All Halibut All 32 halibut were captured in king crab pots: 4 in Pot 16, and largest (14.93 kg) in Pot 8. Most halibut were alive and in good condition, except those in pots fished 48 hours. In those, several halibut had been reduced to skin and bones by amphipods. Golden Crab Golden crab were taken in two king crab pots: 4 males and one female in Pot 22 and 3 males in Pot 24. Onlyone king crab was tak- en, a 3.39 kg male in Pot 2. Shrimp Sampling Fails Sampling for shrimp with traps was un- successful. Bottom locations where spot shrimp might be encountered were so precip- itous that gear could not be set. Alternate locations caught only snails and amphipods. Dungeness Crab Pots Dungeness crab pots were set in Echo Cove, Slate Creek Bight, and off mouth of Berners River. Pot 3 captured 16 male Dungeness crab and Pot 4 captured 8 males and one female; these were set near mouth of Echo Cove in 10 to12feet. One Dungeness crab was taken in Pot 1 set at head of Echo Cove in 40 feet. Yellowfin sole and spider crab were only other organisms taken in Dun- geness pots. Gillnets Yield Herring Two gillnet sets in Slate Creek Bight pro- duced 9 herring and 2 capelin. For further information contact: Base Director, BCF Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base, P. O. Box 1668, Juneau, Alaska 99801. (Map following page.) LEGEND King crab pots Dungeness pots Shrimp traps 40-ft. shrimp trawl Herring gill net R/V Oregon Cruise 70-1 gear locations. 15 ‘COBB’ SURVEYS CLAMS IN SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA BCF's research vessel John N. Cobb re- turned to Seattle, Wash., on April 16 after a 32-day subtidal clam survey in southeastern Alaska. The survey was conducted jointly with BCF's Juneau base. Cruise objectives were to: "locate and delineate clam beds in selected areas in southeastern Alaska, evaluate the effective- ness of a modified east coast hydraulic clam GEEgeS:, and collect clam samples for the Bur- eau's Ketchikan Technological Laboratoryfor paralytic shellfish poisoning and the meat yield studies.' Area of Operation The Cobb surveyed Pleasant Island and Mud Bay inIcy Strait, Neka Bay in Port Fred- erick, Tebenkof Bay off Chatham Straits, Dun- can CanalinKupreanof Island, Cape Fanshaw at junction of Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound, Mole Harbor and Windfall Harbor on Seymour Canal, Taku Harbor on Stephens Passage, and Funter Bay off Lynn Canal. Gear A 2,250-pound, east-coast hydraulic cla me dredge was used. Its sides consisted of 7 inch rods spaced 1g inches apart, and the af- tercage with a 13 by 1¢-inch steel screen. The bottom panel of cod end was constructed of 2-inchhog rings; the top panel was 33-inch (stretched mesh) nylon webbing. A diesel engine supplied water to dredge via a 6-inch-diameter hose 285 feet long. It was run at 1,550 r.p.m. and developed a hy- draulic pressure of 80 p.s.i. The water was distributed through the main hydraulic mani- fold. This contained 7 cutting jets and 3 wash- out jets. The cutting jets were special brass nozzles producing a flat spray; the washout jets were $-inch pipe nipples. Two interchangeable blades were used: a narrow 18-inch blade, and a wider 36-inch blade. The dredge was towed witha 2-inch, twist- ed, three-strand polypropylene line 260 feet long. It was connected at lowest point of at- tachment next to runners at front of dredge. 16 Methods Ineach bay and inlet, at least one haul was made. The position and duration of each haul and the number of hauls in an area depended on: space available for maneuvering vessel while setting and retrieving gear, the bottom depth, bottom contour, nature of substrate, and number of clams captured. Haul duration variedfrom 5to15 minutes. Each haul catch was enumerated by species. During the first part of cruise, scuba di- vers observed trenches cut by dredge, in- spected bottom substrate, collected clam samples, and estimated clams missed by dredge. Unfortunately, a diving accident sus - pended these diving operations. Samples of each haul were retained and frozenfor BCF's Ketchikan Technology Lab- oratory. Samples were taken from intertidal zone in most areas where dredging was con- ducted. Thesewillbe tested also for paraly- tic shellfish poisoning. Results In most areas, ''the dredge would become plugged with mud, rocks, boulders, water- soaked wood, or a combination of these items.'' The only two productive areas were Pleasant Island and Tebenkof Bay. Pleasant Island is in Icy Strait at northern end of Chi- chagof Island. A communication or power cable passes through middle of Pleasant Is- land grounds; however, there is enough area and depth to fish dredge on either side of ca- ble. Tenhauls were made next to Pleasant Is- land on southwest side of cable in 6 to 8 fath- oms. The narrow blade, set to dig 14 inches, was used in these hauls, except Number 30. The dredge had trouble clearing itself of mud andwormtubes. Whenthe wider blade, set to dig 10 inches, was used, the dredge filled with mud and anchored itself. The Catches Butter clams, Alaska surf clarns, and cock- les occurredinalmostallhauls. Of all clams, the percentages of eachof these species were 22, 25, and 10, respectively. Catch rates of clams varied significantly by haul. The highest of butter clams, which ranged 2.6 to 4.4 inches in height, was 58 clams per 15-minute haul. The largest catch rate of Alaska surf clam, which rangedfrom 1.8 to 5.9 inches in height, was 54clams per 15 minutes of towing. Cock- les, ranging from 2 to 4.6 inches wide, were taken in the dredge at rate up to 17 clams per 15 minutes of towing. Narrow & Wide Blades On northeast side of cable area, 17 hauls were made in 53 to 12fathoms: 6 with narrow blade set to dig 14 inches; 11 with wide blade set to dig 10 inches. When using narrow blade, vessel had to be taken out of gear to slow it. This indicated narrow blade was not digging into bottom. However, the wide blade seemed to dig well; withfull throttle, the Cobb moved the dredge only 75 mile in 15 minutes. Another indicator was the catch. Cockles, which are known to be near top of substrate, comprised 43% of catch when narrow blade was used. The largest catch of cockles ina 15-minute haulwas 15 clams 2.3 to 4,2 inches wide. When wide blade was used, the Alaska surf clam, which lies deeper in the substrate, dom- inated the catch: 90% of total. Catch rates were as high as 345 clams per haul. About 90 clams made a bushel; their heights ranged from 1.9 to 5.6 inches. Tebenkof Bay The bay is located on Kuiu Island and faces Chatham Strait. It includes 3 smaller bays: Thelis, Elena, and Petrof. Thelis, relatively deep, was unproductive. The dredge normal- ly was clogged with rocks and mud. In Elena and Petrof, 9 hauls were made at 4 to 133 fathoms. The bent-nosed clam was only clam taken in abundance. Catch rates varied from 17 to 343 clams per 10 minutes ofhauling. Specimens rangedfrom 1.5 to 4.5 inches inheight. About 340 clams made up a bushel. Thebottomin these two bays appar- ently is quite soft because there was no resis- tance on dredge, and it cleared itself very well. For further information contact: A. T. Pruter, Acting Base Di- rector, Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research Base, 2725 Mont- lake Blvd. East, Seattle, Wash. 98102. (Phone: 583-7729) 17 ALASKA’S KODIAK IS LEADING U.S. HALIBUT PORT Kodiak continues as the leading U.S. halibut port: this season, to May 15, landings were 1,223,000 pounds (dressed weight). This is 73% greater than landings at Petersburg, Alaska, and more than triple Seattle (Wash.) landings. However, Canada's Prince Rupert is leading Pacific coast: to May 15, halibut landings were 2,184,000. To May 15, the 1970 North Pacific halibut landings from Areas 2 and 3A at U.S. and Can- adian ports were about 6 million pounds--up 62% over same date during 1969 season. The 1970 season opened on April 25, 11 fishing days earlier than May 7, 1969, opening for Areas 2 and 3A, the 2 major production areas. 1970 Quotas The 1970 catch quotas set by International Pacific Halibut Commission for these two ar- eas are 20 million pounds for Area 2 and 30 million pounds for 3A. This is one million pounds less than 1969 quotas. Preliminary records show total halibut landings at Pacific ports during 1969 season were 58.4 million pounds (dressed weight)-- 25.1 million pounds taken by U.S. and 33.3 million pounds by Canada. ALASKAN WATERS WILL BE CHARTED Six Seattle-based ships of ESSA's Coast and Geodetic Survey (CGS) will chart and map Alaskan waters this year. CGS will gather information needed to prepare up-to-date charts of the waterways leading to ports of Anchorage, Sitka, and Ketchikan; and for de- tailed maps of the sea bottom of Bering Sea, Norton Sound, and the Gulf of Alaska for ex- ploration and marine studies. RESEARCHERS PERFECT SURGICAL PROCEDURE FOR FISH Science will benefit from a fish surgery procedure perfected by researchers of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (BSFW). The procedure permits scientists to see internally the success or failure of re- search efforts, Assistant Secretary Leslie L. Glasgow, who heads Interior's programs for fish, wild- life, and parks, said: "Fish are sensitive indicators of bothfavorable and harmful ele- ments, and the surgical procedure allows scientists to get first hand views of the effects of the elements onlive specimens."' The pro- cedure enables researchers tokeep fish alive after one or more operations--so they can be used incontinuing labresearch. More than 98% of the fish operated onrecover afterward. Researchers in medicine, toxicology, pharmacology, veterinary science, and nutri- tion can benefit from using fish in their ex- periments, Dr. Glasgow noted. Background of Research BSFW researchers developed the technique to inspect damage to fish's diseased organs and to see how therapeutic drugs and special diets help. Itis part of the Bureau's research program to develop healthier fish for plant- ing in U.S. waters. In the late 1940s, Dr. O.H. Robertson of Chicago University pioneered surgery on fish. Inthe early 1960s, BSFW put together a team headed by Dr. John E, Halver to establish fish surgery as a standard laboratory procedure for test purposes, By the late 1960s, the technique had been standardized sufficiently for routine use by scientists at BSFW's Western Fish Nutrition Laboratory at Cook, Washington, and its field station at Hagerman, Idaho, The technique helped amass information on fish nutrition, health, and capability of growing or develop- ing in different environments, In 1968, the technique produced a major success inthe cure of hepatoma--a liver can- cer in rainbow trout that was threatening to destroy U.S. trout culture. Internal inspec- tion of diseased fishenabled BSFW scientists to isolate a mold in commercial fish feed as the cause. By advising improved preparation 18 and storage procedures in manufacturing the fishfood, BSFW scientists eliminated the dis- ease from trout hatcheries. The Surgical Technique At the BSFW laboratory, conventional sur- gicalinstruments and sutures are used. The fish receive light and deep anesthesia for the operation, whichcan last 5 minutes to several hours. Special probing tools inspect the vital organs and can remove diseased tissues for special analysis. Teams of surgeons operate in a special room to which fish are sent on a conveyor. The fish's head is kept immersed to permit gillsto extract vital oxygen during the oper- ation; also, skin is kept moist to prevent in- jury. Special plastic tags are applied to identify each "patient." Incisions usually are made on the belly side, but other sites are possible. After in- ternal inspection, an antibiotic is applied to prevent infection, sutures are sewn, and the fish is placed in a special postoperative tank for one to several hours. Then it is placed in a specialrecovery tank; after 3 days, it is able to accept food. The procedure permits internal inspec- tions at intervals of 3 or more months. So the scientists are able tosee changes for bet- ter or worse over a considerable period. Over 10,000 Operations Over 10,000 operations have been per- formed at the BSFW laboratory. Less than 2% of fish have died from either trauma or other postoperative complications, Those that recover show only a slight scar and can be operated on again. Primarily rainbow trout have been used, but researchers have been successful too with salmon, carp, and catfish. BSFW researchers are convinced that proper diet and selective breeding can pro- duce in fish disease resistance, faster growth, and greater tolerance of unfavorable environ- mental conditions, such as heat. And, asa result of these factors, healthier fish can be grown for planting. 19 Surgery is performed on fish under hospital conditions to find out how organs are affected by certain diseases. The fish recover. (Photo: N. Mariana, BSFW) DRUGS FROM THE SEA New healing drugs have long been hunted and often found in the most unlikely places. Penicillin originated on the overripe canta- loupe; chloramphenicol, the most effective drug against typhoid fever, originally came from a Venezuelan soil mold. Cephalothin, a new weapon against penicillin-resistant germs, was found near a sewer outlet in the sea off Sardinia, Althoughthe medicinal properties of some ocean inhabitants have been known for thou- sands of years, nothorough exploration of the seaas a source of drugs has ever been made, Now a number of researchers are system- atically seining the oceans with definite ex- pectations that the next generation of drug products may be derived from the natural or- ganisms living there. Hoffman-LaRoche and Lederle Laborat ories, have undertaken full-scale col- At least two drug companies, lecting andresearch programs, And several universities, including the University of Rhode Island, are involved in investigations of the medicinal properties of various ma- rine organisms. At Lederle, Dr. J. J. Denton, director of organic chemical research, and Dr, John Webb, head of the laboratory's structure and analysis department, explained some of the objectives of their firm's year-old research program, Itsprime aim, they say, is to iso- late and evaluate marine plant and animal life in order to develop new therapeutic agents. Previous investigators of the sea were usually looking for a specific pharmacological activ- 20 ity. The present researchinvolves collecting any likely looking specimens and testing them for a variety of properties. Lederle's collectingis currently centered in the Caribbean, under the direction of its consultant, 66-year-old Dr. Paul R. Burk- holder, professor emeritus of Columbia Un- iversity, famed for his 20-year-old discovery of chloramphenicol. Diving with one or more assistants, Dr. Burkholder, who also teaches at the University of Puerto Rico, has been exploring principally the reefs around the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, mostly for corals, sponges, algae, and the bacteria that live in and on them. Whatever is brought up in the collecting sacks is within a few hours dried, frozen or suspended in a preserving liquid like ethanol and shipped to Lederle's Pearl River, New York laboratory for de- tailed analysis. This involves obtaining crude extracts which are tested in a variety of ways for bio- logical activity, including antibacterial prop- erties, as wellas potency against a wide range of diseases, Promising extracts are purified and separated into individual chemical com- ponents, The active components are then identified chemically by various methods, including x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, high resolution mass spectroscopy, etc., to determine accurately their structure for future testing and synthe- sis. A number of the samples they have re- ceived look "extremely promising," the doctors say, but competition inthe drug 21 Marine Specimens that show promise as sources of new drugs: STONEFISH: secretes a potent poison found to reduce blood pressure in animals. SEA CUCUMBER: an extract from it inhibits tumor growth in mice. GREEN SPONGE: extracts have been found to have antibiotic capabilities. QUAHOG: and show anti-tumor activity. SEA URCHIN: CORALS: among organisms currently collected for testing. 22 industry being the fierce thing it is, they de- cline to identify them. Needless to say, research of this sort is not quickly or inexpensively accomplished, The potential drug must be tested on animals to make sure its germ-killing properties out- weigh any possible side effects. Finally, if it has not beenabandoned by then, it is consid- ered safe and effective enough to be tested on humans. It may take up to seven years be- tween the time a company finds something it And an application to the Food and Drug Admin- thinks is good and the marketing of it. istration to market a new drug can cost as much as seven million dollars, most of it going to develop the required information. Talking about the program, Dr. Webb em- phasized that Lederle is not planning the large-scale manufacture of drugs derived directly from marine organisms. To attempt to harvest the sea in that way would be im- practicaland wasteful. Instead, the company gathers small quantities of many materials, hoping to discover from them clues to new varieties of pharmacological substances that can be synthesized in the laboratory. This was the same approach that was used in pro- ducing many of the earlier drugs from land sources. Expensive and complicated as this program is, Lederle, and presumably one or more oth- er companies, feel it is worthwhile because the field of terrestrial plants, from which many drugs have been derived, has beenpretty thoroughly picked over in the past 20 years. Marine organisms represent practically vir- ginterritory, Also, Dr. Dentonpoints out, the organisms they are interested in are those of relatively simple structure, which simplifies the task of determining their chemical make- up. 'What we plan to do," he says, "is skim the surface and gather up the most easily used organisms. We're not planning to get any more involvedthan that. We hope that by the time a lot of other people get around to this kind of marine research we will already have been in and out of the sea." Besides exploring the Caribbean, Lederle plans future underwater investigations of the Pacific, including the Philippine Islands and Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Of the thou- sands of marine organisms known to contain biotoxic substances, less than one per cent have been examined for biological activity. And of the one per cent studied, only about a dozen have been evaluated to a point where their chemical and pharmacological charac- teristics are known. The finds that have been made to date are undoubtedly encouraging: extracts from the greensponge have shown antibiotic capabili- ties; an extract from a seacucumber has in- hibited the growth of malignant tumors in mice, A poisonsecreted by the stonefish has been able to reduce blood pressure in ani- mals, Eventhe common quahog had produced anextract that shows strong anti-tumor activ- ity. So, if the next skin diver you see has a small mesh bag fastened to his wrist, the chances are he's not just a Sunday snorkeler but a scientist out, for big game--the wonder drug of 1980. (Reprinted from New England Marine Resources Information 11, April 1970.) SR TEXAS MARINE RESEARCH STATION IS STEP TOWARD FARMING SEA The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has beguna research program "'to find a way to increase and use the potential protein pro- duction in the sea to meet the increasing world demand for food.'' The research will be car- ried out at the Department's new Marine Fish- eries Research Station near Palacios on Matagorda Bay. The station is designed to give biologists at least a partially controlled environment for research. The Research Station In 1967, the Department bought 40 acres near Well Point on Matagorda Bay because area had good-quality salt and fresh water, was above storm tides, had watertight soil, and utilities readily available. Construction began on a channel, a small-boat harbor, and 21 ponds one-quarter to 4 acres. A water system pumps salt water from the bay and fresh water from a well. The ponds can be drained completely by gravity flow. Four ponds have dual water systems for circulating seawater; one pond is paved with asphalt to provide a hard surface for oyster culture. Electrical outlets are available throughout pond area for aeration equipment and record- ing instruments. Filters can be installed on water lines to prevent introduction of unwant- ed organisms. A 3,000-square-foot laboratory building has facilities for chemical and biological analysis, andawet lab for holding and study- ing live specimens. Two residences and a storage building also have been built. What Biologist Seek The research station canbe used for many kinds of studies. Itis one of few installations in the world with facilities for adjusting the water's salt content. The ponds are a large-enough controlled environment to simulate part of the bay. ''By observing and analyzing the results of con- tained studies, biologists hope to learn more about bay populations and the effects of such factors as salinity, temperature, turbidity and 23 water condition on fishery ecology, growth and production! Present Research Early research aimed at determining methods for holding fish and shellfish in a controlled and limited marine environment. Present research seeks to determine the im- portance of ecological factors that affect growth and survival of fish and shellfish; to evaluate mortality by fishing gear and fish tags; and to measure effects of various pol- lutants on fishery ecology. Research also will consider the feasibility of cultivating bait shrimp for off-season sale, the artificial propagation and selective breed- ing of selected species, and development of methods to maintain organisms under condi- tions conducive to reproduction in artificial habitats. Research at the station will supplement studies on marine species underway in other Texas estuaries. Onesuchproject is the de- velopment of a disease-resistant oyster to restore oyster beds devastated recently by a disease caused by a slime mold. Biologists are seeking disease-resistant oysters to be cultivated in the ponds. They hope the seed for restocking will be obtained from these experiments. Another basic research objective is to pro- vide foundations for fish and shellfish cultures inmanmade environments. There is consid- erable interest in the practicability of farming or raising shrimp, fish, and oysters in man- made ponds. Research could solve, or atleast get around, biological and technical obstacles to profitable farming of fish and shellfish in artificial impoundments. 80,000 Brown Shrimp Stocked In 1969, more than 80,000 baby brown shrimp were stocked in 9 ponds at rate of 20,000 peracre, These shrimp reached mar- ketable size in 65 days when supplemental feed was applied, but the food conversion (pounds of feed needed to get one pound of shrimp) was poor. 24 Different rates of growthand survival re- sulted in ponds receiving same amount of food. This suggests that other factors affected the results. Oysters in the ponds grew rapidly. Survival was high when compared to oysters in Matagorda Bay. 1970 Research In 1970, the effect of high and low salinity levels on growth of shrimp isbeing studied to provide basic data for freshwater require- ments of Texas bays and estuaries. The re- searchers monitor closely the water chem- Neg oR PH MENG IESE os. (ae Wat EPP a a | ae by istry and physical factors within each pond during experiments. Researchers also are studying growth and survivalof redfish, speckled trout, and south- ern flounder in other ponds. Preliminary findings in the projects have been encouraging. Biologists are confident that resulting data can be applied to setting up a sound management program for some Texas marine resources. This information could provide foundation for raising seafood in man- made ponds. 1 BCF biologists periodically sample shrimp grown in {6-acre ponds at Galveston, Texas. CRAWFISH FARMING A TRICKY BUSINESS, SAYS TEXAS AGENCY Crawfish farming is possible in Texas, advises the State's Parks and Wildlife Depart- ment, ''But before you look up the recipe for etouffe, bisque or some other cajun culinary treat, consider the difficulties." Crawfish, resistant to management, are vulnerable tofish and other predators. They spend much of their life in deep underwater burrows, and require for survival a fairly stable body of water with vegetation, They tend to be cannibalistic under some circum- stances. Pays off in Louisiana Marion Toole, inland fisheries coordina- tor, saysthese and other problems have kept crawfish farming from getting much of a start in Texas. It has paid off in Louisiana, where it can be considered an industry. Much of the Louisiana catch is made from swampy areas and rice fields, rather than on "farms," How to Do It "To 'farm! the tasty crustaceans, a con- trolled water supply is needed--a lake that canbe drained easily. The reservoir should be drained dry by March to eliminate all fish The pond should remain dry long enoughfor some The field should be flooded in May. The water supply should be and other aquatic life from the basin. vegetation to grow." 25 stable enough toprevent a sudden water drop that could damage the crawfish. Ifthese crawfish were in the impoundment before draining, it might not be necessary to about 15 pounds per acre sometimes are helpful, Af- stock the reservoir. However, ter stocking, the water level should be main- tained for about three weeks. Then it should be lowered slowly during the next weeks. This allows the female crawfish to burrow into the mud. During the summer, the female lays e, s and attaches them to appendages onthe under - side of her tail. The pond should be flooded during Septem - ber to furnish growing space for the young. Whenthe juvenile crawfish scatter and begin to grow, the prime considerations are avail- ability of vegetation and oxygen in the water. "With good management and a little luck," the Texas agency notes, ''a good harvest will be the result inmid-winter, beginning around Christmas and continuing through February or March," Start Small New crawfish farmers are advised to start small, First determine if the crop will re- spond tothe particular habitat established in the impoundments. The crawfishcanbe harvested by seining, which is sometimes difficult, or by special baited traps. The farmer can trap the crus- taceans himself, or adopt the Louisiana pro- cedure of farming out the job to others ona fee or percentage basis. 1970 CHESAPEAKE BLUE CRAB CATCH PREDICTION IS LOWERED The Chesapeake Bay catch of blue crab for the 12 months ending August 1970 is expected to fall short of the predicted 100 million pounds, reports W.A. Van Engel of the Vir- ginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Blue Crab The prediction of 100 million pounds was made in 1969 from estimates of young crabs. Crabs hatched insummer 1968 first appeared on Virginia and Maryland nursery grounds in October 1968. During 1969 they were found in greater numbers than ever before. VIMS scientists believe that unusual weath- er during last summer and winter reduced blue crab stocks. Unfavorable Weather Crabs have been scarce in the rivers during routine winter and spring surveys. This con- firmed fears that freshwater runoff in early August and after Hurricane Camille in late August 1969, and the cold winter, brought about salinity and temperature conditions that many crabs could not tolerate. Crabs in the James and York rivers were hithardestby Camille, socrab pot fishermen are likely to find fewer this summer in these rivers than inother years, including 1968 and Typical Chesapeake Bay crab pot. 1969. Adult female crabs (sooks) willbe very scarce. Most available crabs will be large and fat jimmies (males). Less damage to crab stocks should have occurred inother Virginia rivers and farther up the bay, says Van Engel. Problems Ahead The market for crab meat appears good. Crab fishermen are anxious to work, but pro- duction of fresh crab meat has been slowed by scarcity of pickers in some houses. The longer outlook contains more prob- lems. Crab supplies in Virginia from Sep- tember 1970 through August 1971 are expected to be lower than the previous 10-year average, Van Engel concludes that the 1969 hatch of crabs appears from present surveys to have been light. It is expected to produce a small crab catch: similar to the below- average landings of 1968 and the first two- thirds of 1969. o0@00 26 ANNUAL RIVER HERRING CATCH BY FOREIGN FLEETS ESTIMATED Jackson Davis For the third year, the USSR and Poland have sent fleets of more than 100 trawlers to fish for mackerel and herring off the Mid- Atlantic coast from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to Ocean City, Maryland. From in- formation obtained on Coast Guard surveil- lance flights, in cooperation with the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (BCF), it has been determined that the number of Soviet vessels has fluctuated between10to110trawlers, and the size of the Polishfleet has averaged about 10 trawlers during 1970. In 1969, the com- bined fleet numbered about 150 vessels; in 1968, about 100. Prior to 1968, the foreign fleet fished north of Maryland, for the most part, andonly 10 to 30 vessels worked off the Virginia Capes, Virginia finfishermen have expressed con- cern about the effects of these harvesting activities on the success of their own fishing operations. A Visit to Fleet Under BCF auspices, a 9-man party of Americans, including the author, boarded a Soviet factory ship off the Virginia Capes to talk with the fleet commander, V.A. Zakharov, and his deputies. The commander indicated that the average daily catch of his SRT-class vessels (145-foot side trawlers) was 2 tons of mackerel and2 tons of herring--a total of 4 tons per vessel per day. He did not state the average daily catch of the larger side trawlers and stern trawlers. About 30% of the herring catch was sea her - ring (Clupea harengus), also called Labrador herring, and the remaining 70% (2800 pounds per vessel per day)was river herring. 1970 Catch Estimate If the average daily catch is multiplied by the number of vessels reported operating, an estimate of the smallest probable catch is obtained. Thus, the 1970 catch of river her- ring by the Soviet fleet probably is not less than 12 million pounds; that of the smaller Polish fleet probably not less than 3 million pounds. Because we do not know the catch- rate of the larger vessels, we are unable to calculate a more accurate estimate at this time. However, our observations of the for- eign fleet at sea lead us to guess that their catchof river herring does not exceed 30 mil- lion pounds. Where Caught These 15 to 30 million pounds were caught south of 38° 30'N latitude (Ocean City, Mary- land) and, therefore, represent fish that might have spawned in tributaries of Chesa- peake Bay and in other streams up the coast. To put the oceanic harvest by foreign fleets in perspective, one should realize that the annual landings of river herring in Virginia have av- eraged around 30 million pounds in the last few years. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science has peen collecting data on the ages and spawning history of river herring in the James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers since 1965. This information is now being inter- preted to determine the influence of the for- eign fishery on herring stocks. Results will be announced in future issues of the Bulletin. ‘Dr. Davis is Head, Ichthyology Dept., Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Article appeared in 'Bulletin,' May 15, 1970. 27 FOREIGN FISHING OFF U.S. IN APRIL 1970 U.S.- USSR&U.S.- POLISH MIDDLE ATLANTIC AGREEMENT AREAS LEGEND U.S.S.R. 1. NO FISHING ZONE (JAN. 1-APR. | 2. LOADING ZONE(NOV. I5-MAY 15) 3. FISHING ZONE (JAN. 1-APR.1) 4. LOADING ZONE(SEPT. I5-MAY 15 FOLISH A.NO FISHING ZONE(JAN.! BLOCK ANT 6 is. NAN Peis 10-12 Soviet vessels used loading zone for support operations ~ APR. UES “| LOADING ZONES NOV. 15 - MAY 15 Sandy Hook 10 Polish vessels used loading zone for support operations Canyon Vessels Soviet-15 Polish-3 —E.German-6 W.German-1 Spanish-3 Catch Red and Silver Hake Vessels Herring Soviet-174 Polish-18 Bulgaria-2 E.German-1 Japanese-1 Catch Vessels Herring Sovi.et-7 Mackerel Catch Herring 36° Mackerel CAPE HATTERAS oi , te nS 74° 73° 72° 72 7/02 Se See SS} SS Se es jo [ea eS i SS See =e SS SS a = t= ese seen ee eee eet Fig. 1 - Foreign-flag vessels fishing off southern New England and Georges Bank, April 1970 (shows no. of vessels and species fished). 28 29 “OL6T Indy ‘eyseTy 330 Burysty uBbtor0g - 2 *6ry oct SSCL eld | «57 +051 SSI 091 SII 02 LAOS F a Y@LAOS 1Z qeLAOS ZT ® s 3 asouedep Gc} pescoueter l asaueder o¢| ——asauedep | : FOLAOS OZ HST4319¥S acaee OL asauedep g asouedep | FELAOS 62 HOYdd NVII0 f BE ha HST4QNNOYD me fs asauedep | : g ONIYYSH VaVNVO VASVIV RECORD SALES OF FISHING & HUNTING LICENSES IN 1969 U.S. sportsmen spent $183 million for licenses, tags, permits, and stamps in 1969 to fish and hunt. It was $14.5 million more thanin 1968. This was reportedby the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Depart- ment of the Interior. i In 1969, fishing-license holders were a record 24,076,148--up 1,015,851 over 1968. They spent $87,500,774 for licenses--$7.5 million above 1968. License sales do not re- flect accurately the number of fishermen be- cause: (1) in several States, sportsmen buy separate licenses, stamps, permits, or tags for different species of fish; (2) most States do not require several age groups to buy li- censes; (3) most coastal States do not require licenses for saltwater fishing; and (4) some persons fish in more than one State and are counted more than once. Controlled Harvest Essential Dr. Leslie L. Glasgow, Assistant Secre- tary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, said that in most instances the con- trolled harvest of fish and game is essential to balance them with their food supply--and to prevent major die-offsfrom starvation and diseases. He emphasized that fish and game replenish their kind annually. In many years, many fish and game produce surpluses their habitat cannot support. Dr. Glasgow noted: "Controlled harvests are asensible and practical means of keeping fish and game populations in balance with their environment so that they can continue to be healthy and productive." State fish and game departments certify the number of paidfishing-license holders to the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. In turn, the Bureau uses the data in distrib- uting Federal Aidin Restoration funds to the 50 States. 30 (Photo: W.F. Kubichek, Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife) EXPERIMENTAL SABLEFISH FISHING OFF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Charles F, Phleger Nils Schultz Andrew Soutar Erich Duffrin We feel that our results showing such high sablefish populations inthe deep waters off this area are well worthy of the commercial fisherman's attention, Much interest in this work has been shown here, not only by oceanographers at Scripps andat the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, but by a number of commercial fishermen on the coast. We have found free-vehicle gear to be remarkably suc- cessful in fishing these deep bottom fish, We feel that com- mercial fishermeneverywhere should be aware of its useful- ness, The technique allows great flexibility. It can be used to catch deep-water fish anywhere in the world. Free-vehicle fishing techniques have been modified and tested successfully in a survey of the benthopelagic sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria, off San Diego and the offshore islands. Plastic elliptical traps have been placed in series on vertical set lines with or without hooks. Short-term releases (3-4 hours) can be as effective as longer-term releases (8-14 hours) in areas with high populations of fish. Sablefish num- bers were extensive in almost all areas monitored between depths of 250 and 500 fathoms; maximum yields were obtained at 500 fathoms, The average hookline yield from all stations was 0.24 fish per hook (range: 0.00-0.75 fish per hook); the average trap yield from all stations was 4.4 fish per trap (range: 0-12 fish per trap). Our results provide evidence that sablefish populations are extensive off San Diego and the offshoreislands. These fish represent an underfished resource in this area. We feel that they can be fished economically through some form of free-vehicle technique. product of the Pacific coast halibut fishery, along with ling cod (Ophiodon elongatus) and red cod (Sebastodes ruberrimus). It is of special importance during the winter closed season for halibut (Thompson, 1941). It is fished by longline gear and otter or balloon trawls (Phillips, 1958). The sablefish (or black cod, seatrout, skil- fish, beshow, coalfish, butterfish, candlefish), Anoplopoma fimbria, has been fished com- mercially by civilized man on the western coast of North America since the middle of the nineteenth century (Pacific Marine Fish- eries Commission, 1954). The fishery, ex- tending from Southern California (Newport Beach) to Alaska, has mostly been a secondary The sablefishmarketis mostly for fish in the smoked or kippered form. The market for fresh fish is limited because the flesh is quite oily. According to Dolev and Olcutt (1965), sablefish oil is highly stable (no de- tectable rancidity at 50°C. over five months). The triglycerides are characterized by less polyunsaturated fatty acids than most marine The authors are associated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. 92037, University of California, San Diego. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint No. 874 32 oils. Smaller sablefish often are filleted and sold fresh; larger ones are frozen and smoked. As early as 1910, the smoked form of these fish was marketed as barbecued Alaska black cod, a very popular restaurant item. Sablefish was the most important smoked fish product prepared in California in the 1930s; all of it was produced in San Francisco(Croker, 1936). The salted product was especially useful in the sale of beer in saloons. Collected In 100-800 Fathoms Sablefish are most commonly collected by Scripps Institution of Oceanography ichthy- ologists off San Diego between depths of 100 and 800 fathoms, They are a common ben- thopelagic fishinthis area (Marine Vertebrate Cruise Data, Scripps Institution of Oceano- graphy). They have been photographed as deep as 656 fathoms by the Marine Life Research Group at Scripps (Walter Schmidt, personal communication) on the San Clemente rift slope. Phillips (1958) gives 200-400 fathoms as the depth range during winter and early spring spawning season, After spawning, the fish are foundin shallower depths, about 100- Extensive intermingling of sablefish stock off North America does not occur (Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission, 1954), Tag- ging data demonstrate that most fish do not migrate more than 30 miles from the point of release, There are at least four major stocks on the Pacific coast which do not intermingle to any significant extent. Sablefish Trawl Landings According to Orcutt (1969), annual sabie- fish trawl landings in California of recent years have averaged slightly more than 2,000,000 lbs. Total California landings of sablefish between 1963 and 1967, and the mean price per lb, during these years, are shown in Table 1. Orcutt states that this resource could stand harvest of at least four to five millionpounds more eachyear. Interestingly enough, the fishery has never extended to San Diego; reports often give the southern limit as north of SanDiego. Generally, it is thought to extend from northern Baja Californiato the Bering Sea, with a greater concentration in the northern part of the range. The fish are not abundant south of Monterey, California (Phillips, 1958). Table 1 - Sablefish landings and shipments, 1963-1967, landings in lbs. round weight. (From California Department of Fish and Game, Bulls. Nos. 129, 132, 135, 138, 144.) 637, 937 840, 564 1, 136, 677 826, 330 410,717 570,905 88, 215 53, 140 926 1,245 587 Eos 2, 463, 452 2, 863, 550 3, 798, 493 2066 070 -072 -083 1,554,968 683, 292 1,588, 892 1,031, 522 2, 300, 577 474,786 1,021, 201 3,215,939 175 fathoms, The most extensive surface run of these deep-dwelling fish occurred in the region of the municipal pier in Monterey, California, where fishermen landed about 110 tons from the pier during 15 days (Cox, 1948). Sablefish eggs are pelagic and free floating and have been collected near the surface (Clemens and Wilby, 1946). The larvae and young are also collected near the surface as well as farther out to sea than is expected from the adult distribution. Brock (1940) describes morphological differences between the young and adults, He speculates that the large pectoral fins in the young (about one- third the body length) might aid in flotation, They reduce to one-tenth the body length in the adult. METHODS AND MATERIALS The free-vehicle fishing technique that we have used inthis study is illustrated in Fig. 1. The term free-vehicle means that the fishing gearis completely released from the fishing vessel, whereuponit sinks and rests upon the bottom to attract fishfor a variable length of time. After this time, a release mechanism breaks the connection between the fishing assembly and weights, andthe gear floats back to the surface leaving the weights on the bot- tom. It may be located by a number of tech- niques, including radios, radar screens, bright flags, and blinking lights. Launching is best accomplished by trailing the gear out behind the boat, which moves Fig. 1 - Free vehicle fishing gear; schematic diagram. Top shows plastic mast supported by isopar-filled jerry jugs with radio and flags. Fifty feetof handling line connects to secondary float, be- low which are trapsand setline. Free vehicle is held on the bot- tom by a 60 lb. weight. The release is located between the lower trap and weight. 33 ahead at a slow speed. Floats and mast are placed in the water first, after which the secondary float, hookline and/or traps are paid out. Finally, the release device and weights are droppedin, and the whole assem- bly then sinks to the bottom. The mast assembly includes amast, bright flags, stabilizing weight, floats, and radioplus antenna. The mastitself consists of a 12-foot length of plastic pipe, one inch in diameter. We have found that plastic is much less sub- ject tobreakage than wood, and it is less ex- pensive than hollow metal tubes that have been used, The flags, usually bright yellow or in- ternational orange, are attached near the top of themast. The stabilizing weight, 4 pounds of lead, is attached at the bottom of the mast to help keep it upright while floating at the surface. Twofloats are clamped to the mast at its center point. Further stabilization of the mast assembly is achieved by clamping the floats tightly. This aids in equipment recovery Since the mast stands erect in the water. Previous experience with loosely at- tached floats caused problems, despite the pressure of a stabilizing weight, because the mast would not be upright in the water. In strong winds and heavy seas, mast assem- blies would lie almost horizontalin the water, making visual sighting nearly impossible. The Float A float consists of a plastic 5-gallon car- boy container filled with a lightweight oil. Isopar-M, a vehicle oil manufactured by Humble Oil and Refining Co., has been used successfully. A single 5-gallon container provides 11 lbs. of buoyancy at the surface. It is an odorless, relatively high boiling (172° F.), isoparaffinic solvent, with unusu- ally low skin-irritation effects, Spillage on clothes leaves no stain mark, Compressi- bility data (tabulated at 32° F.) show a de- crease in volume of 1.2% at 2,000 p.s.i. and 5.5% at 10,000 p.s.i. Cost is $0.23 per gallon from a tank car, and $0.62 per gallonif or- dered in a 55-gallon drum. We feel that Isopar-Mis preferable to gasoline as a float material because fammability is reduced. If gasoline is used, occasional leaks in floats while operating in rough seas can be very hazardous, The return of the free vehicle to the sur- face is signaled by a one-watt radio trans- mitter. This radio operating at citizen band frequencies (27 mega-hertz) is able to trans- mitits signalupto 10 miles, Since the radio 34 is coupled to a pressure-activated switch, battery power is conserved, and the radio may operate for aday or longer. The free vehicle is located with a radiodirection finder (RDF). Standard RDF units are not able to sense a direction because of their power and frequen- cy. A high-sensitivity portable unit, ora large directional citizens band antenna, must be used, A handling line (50 ft. long) is attached to the two floats, with a third float attached to the other end. This expedites hauling the mast assembly aboard before the fishing gear is encountered. The vertical set line is situ- ated below the third float. This can consist of 30-60 hooks (8-0 or 9-0) spaced about 1- or 2-meter intervals onplastic leaders (a foot or 2 long), a hookline with a trap above and below hooks (see fig. 1), or a string of traps in series. Wehaveused successfully 8 traps spaced at intervals of 8-10 feet. Elliptical Traps Elliptical traps have proved excellent for catching fish and bottom creatures. These traps are manufactured by Fathoms Plus, a San Diego company, and have the following advantages over traditional metal lobster traps: (1)they are made of black plastic and so are impervious to water, rust, electroly- sis, rot, and marine borers; (2) they can be rested in stable stacks to conserve space aboard boat; and (3) as organisms sense the bait, they constantly move closer to it from any direction. The trap is made from high- density polyethylene and measures 40" by 3" by 14". The bait containers (12" by 4.5") can be removed from traps and stored separately. A release mechanism is located between bottom hook or trap and weights. We have used 2 types of releases made of magnesium: wire-plier and magnesium-rod, The wire -plier type is excellent for short- term sets(3 to5 hours). The pliers are sus- pended from set line (fig. 2), and a short piece of z'' magnesium wire is clamped between the two handles. This keeps pliers shut, so the weights canbe suspended from other end. When the wire dissolves, the pliers spring open--releasing the weights on the bottom, A spring insures that the pliers will open. The pliers are recovered and must be acid soaked or sanded after immersion to clean the metal surface; this acts as an electron acceptor, line to hooks — crimps magnesium wire spring line to weights ls Fig. 2 - Scale diagram of wire-plierrelease mechanism. Magne- sium wire is inch diameter. When it dissolves in seawater, the spring insures that the pliers will snap open to release the weights. Eyenut Magnesium Link ee Blacksteel Spring eee Dra SSmWasher Fig. 3 - Diagram of magnesium rod release mechanism (from Schick, et al. , 1968). Setline is attached to upper eyenut and weights attached to lower eyenut. A no. 68 black finish steel spring 17" length) is used with two 3 brass washers. Galvanized eyenuts (or black steel) with 3" thread diameter are used. A 3 diameter magnesium rod alloy AZ31B is used. Length of rod is 25" and length of narrow center portion is 1". The magnesium rod or link (fig. 3) is use- ful, but these are more time consuming to construct than wire-plier, A magnesium rod isturned on a lathe todesired diameter. Rod strength considerations usually limit this to 0.125 inch, which takes 8 hours to dissolve. Thus, this technique cannot be used for short terms, Two eyenuts are attached to the rod. A black steel spring, situated between eye- nuts, acts as an electron acceptor. The weights are attached to one eyenut, the set- line to the other, When the magnesium dis- solves, the weights are released. Since the weights are left on the bottom, almost anything can be used that will effec- tively sink the gear. We often use 80-lb. concrete blocks, or 40-lb. scrap metalblocks. However, concrete loses more weight than metal in the water. Current laws of California's Fish and Game Code do not prohibit the use of the re- lease mechanism in conjunction with set- lines. However, fish traps are prohibited, RESULTS Fourteen stations were surveyed (fig. 4) during this study. Eight were inregionof San Diego, extending from north of La Jollato Los Coronados Islands. Stations 9-11 were east of San Clemente Island; station 12 south of Santa Catalina Island; station 13 on San Juan 35 seamount, about 200 miles west of San Diego; and station 14 was one-half mile east of north end of Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Three free vehicles were lowered at each station with varying amounts of hooks, traps, and bottom times. Thedepths surveyedranged from 290 to500 fathoms. Excepting San Juan seamount and Guadalupe Island, the only fish caught at all stations were sablefish. Stations 1-4 were at 350 fathoms; no traps were used. The vertical set-lines (30 hooks per line) yielded more fish per hook the far- ther south the station was, The northernmost station (1) yielded 0.03 fish per hook; the southernmost station (4) 0.26 fish per hook (Table 2). The average weight also increased from north to south--from 2.5 lbs. to 4.4 lbs.--as did average standard length, 478 mm. to 600 mm. Table 2 - Vertical set line results from stations 1-4. These stations extend from 32°59' NL to 32949! NL along the 350 fathoms contcur line. Stations: 1 Sablefish Per Hook: Average Weight: Average Length: Stations 5 and 6, at 32° 42' NL off Point Loma, San Diego, were at 290 and 340 fathoms, respectively. Vertical set lines with a trap between hookline and release were used, The results showa greater yield of fish per hook and per trap at 340 fathoms(Table 3), At 290 fathoms, the average number of sablefish per hook was 0.10; at 340 fathoms, 0.37 fish per hook, Trap yields increased from 1.7 to 2.2 fish per trap. Although weight of fish on Table 3 - Results from stations 5 and 6; both situated at 32°42' NL off Point Loma, San Diego. Station 5(290 fathoms) Station 6(340 fathoms} Vertical Vertical Set Lines Traps Set Lines Traps Sablefish Per Hook: 0.10 Oar Sablefish Per Trap: Le7 2.2 Average ; Weight: 3.75 lbs. 4.3 lbs. 4.5 lbs. 4.2 lbs. Average Length: 489 mm. 537 mm. 539 mm. 538 mm. 36 *(suxomey OOS ‘FT * 3S) f purys] odnjapeny pur (suo (suxomey 00S ‘ET *¥3S) JNOUTees UeNf ues epntoUT UMoYs you suoTIEIS *eaIT A’ a : e Apnys ystyatqes yo dey - p *6r td oso1q ues eBTlor eT Spue[s] She sopeuoi0g sory io pueyTs] ayuauaTO ues pueTs] eulTeyeg eyues hooklines was greater at 340 fathoms by an average of 0.25 1lb., average weight of trapped fish was about the same, 4.3 lbs. and 4.2 lbs. Stations 7 and 8 were on the 500 fathoms contour line, west of Los Coronados Islands, These stations were surveyed using release times of 3, 8, and 14 hours on hooklines. A vertical set consisting only of 8 traps spaced in series onthe line at 10-foot intervals was alsotested on a 14-hour release at station 8. The yields of sablefish at these stations were considerably higher than results at stations 1-6, Atstation8, the 14-hour release yielded 0.75 fish per hook, whereas the 8-hour release yielded 0.44 fish per hook (Table 4), At station 7, the 3-hour wire -plier release gave 0.67 fish per hook, Average weights of fish caught on hooklines ranged from 4,4-4.8 lbs., average standard lengths from 531 mm, to 559 mm, Table 4 - Results from two stations west of the Los Coronados Islands, situated at 500 fathoms. At station 7, eight traps in series were used on a line rather than usual set-line plus combination. Station 7 Station 8 Vertical Set Lines Vertical Set Lines Vertical Set Lines 3 hrs. 8 hrs. 14 hrs. 0.67 0.44 37 Fishinthe traps had a larger average weight, 5.4 lbs., and average standard length, 586 mm, The average number of fish per ‘rap was 5.3. Thedistribution of fish in the traps from bottom trap (No, 1) to top trap (No. 8) was: No.1, 7 fish; No. 2,11fish; No. 3, 3 fish; No. 4, 3 fish; No. 5, 6 fish; No, 6, 5 fish; No. 7, 3 fish; No. 8, 4 fish. Although fish entered all traps, the greatest yields were in bottom two traps, Stations 9,10, and 11 were located east of San Clemente Island at 500 fathoms. These stations were surveyed using 8-, 3-, 3-hour releases, respectively. Atthe two short-term stations (10 and 11), one trap was between set-line and release. No traps were used on the set lines at station 9, but a string of 8 traps in series was used, At station 9, with 8-hour release, the set-lines yielded 0.64 fish per hook; average weight was 4.8 lbs. and average standard length 537 mm, (Table 5). The set-line yields at stations 10 and 11 with 3-hour releases were 0.13 and 0.07, re- spectively. The weights and standard lengths were Similar to station 9. The bottom traps at stations 10 and 11 proved quite effective, in contrast with low hook line yields, with average of 8and 5 fish per trap. The 8-trap series at station 9 averaged 3.1 fish per trap, The distribution of fish in traps from bottom (No. 1) totop (No. 8) was: No.1, 4 fish; No. 2, 8 fish; No. 3, 3 fish; No, 4, 3 fish; No. 5, 4 fish; No.6, 3 fish; No. 7, 1 fish; No, 8, 1 fish. More fish were caught in lower traps than in higher traps. In contrast to results at Los Coronados Islands, fish in traps did not have greater weight or length. Sixty of the sable- fish caught on hooks or in traps were chosen at random for sexing: 19 were males, and 41 females (8 gravid). Table 5 - Results from 3 stations located east of San Clemente Island at 500 fathoms. At stations 10 and 11, verticalset lines plus one bottom trap were used. At Station 9, an 8-trap combination was used in addition to vertical set lines. Station 9 Vertical Set Lines Traps (8) 8 hrs. 3 hrs. 0.64 Station 10 Vertical Set Lines Station 11 Traps (1) Vertical Set Lines Traps (1) 3 hrse 0.07 4.5 lbs. 537 mm. 38 Twovertical set-lines with 30 hooks--and one trapline with 3 traps spaced 5, 35, and 65 feet from the bottom on the line--were used at station 12, located at 500 fathoms south of Santa CatalinaIsland. Thetrapyield (5.7 fish per trap, Table 6) contrasted markedly with set-line yield (0.03 fish per hook). As usual, fewer fish were trapped at top of trap line, Four fish were trapped in lowest trap, 12 in middle trap, and one fish in top trap. At San Juan seamount, a single setlinetrap com- bination was used on a 3-hour release, where the trap was between hookline and release mechanism, Only one sablefish was caught on the set-line, while 2 were caught in traps (Table 6). Twelve Pacific rattails (Coryphae- ‘noides acrolepis) were caught onhooks at this station. They were spread evenly between bottom and top hooks, The Guadalupe Island station, sampled at 500 fathoms, yielded one Pacific rattail on a hookline, and no sablefish, Table 6 - Results from station 12, south of Santa Catalina Island at 590 fathoms, and station 13, on San Juan seamount at 500 fathoms. Santa Catalina Island San Juan Seamount Vertical Set Lines Vertical Set Lines Traps (3) Trap (1) 8 hrs. 8 hrs. 3 hrs. 3 hrs. 0.03 0.03 bys 4.5 lbs. 4.4 lbs. 529 mm. 535 mm. DISCUSSION A considerable sablefish population exists off San Diego and the offshore islands, It is interesting that only sablefish were caught at depths examined in this study, 290-500 fath- oms. No other fish were encountered on the gear used; the exception was Pacific rattails at San Juan seamount and Guadalupe Island, which do not qualify as being anywhere near San Diego, The average yield onall hooklines lowered at stations 1-12 was 0.24 fish per hook, This figure is calculated without con- sideration of time on bottom, depth of capture, or geographical location. Maximum hook yields were obtained at stations 6-9 (0.37 to 0.75 fish per hook), located at 350 fathoms off Point Loma, San Diego, and at 500 fath- oms off Los Coronados and San Clemente Islands. The average trap yield from all stations where traps were tested (stations 5, 6, and 8-12) was4.4fishpertrap. This figure is calculated without respect torelease time, position of traps on line, depth of capture, or geographical location, Maximum trap yields (5-8 fishper trap) were obtained at station 8 and 10-12. The majority of high trap yields did not occur at stations where high hook yields occurred. Small Fish Sablefish caught in this study were small fish by comparison with northern populations. The Seattle, Washington, sablefish fishery defines a small fishas average weight of 6.5 lbs., and large fish as average weight of 12 lbs. Average weights of the San Diego sable- fishusually were 4 to5 lbs, At stations 4-12, average weights were 3.75 to 5.5 lbs, from both hooklines andtraps. Atstations 1-3, the yields were too low (0.03 and 0.10) to attach any Significance to smaller average weights (2.5 and 2.6 lbs.), From a marketing stand- point, the fact that these fish are small might be an advantage because smallfishcanbe sold freshas well as smoked. Large fish usually are sold only in smoked form, Depth Important Depthis probably a very important factor to consider in choosing the best area to fish for sablefish. Philipps (1958) gave the depth range as 200-400 fathoms, when the fish are not spawning, but this is for the northern fish- ery. We fished between 290 and 500 fathoms and found a maximum yield at 500 fathoms. Data collected off La Jolla and San Diego (Tables 2 and 3) show relatively low yields for 290-350 fathoms (0.00-0.37 fish per hook). The yield increases off San Diego from 290 fathoms (0.10 fish per hook and 1.7 fish per trap) to 340 fathoms (0.37 fish per hook and 2.2 fish per trap). The highest yields were obtained off Los Coronados Islands and San Clemente Island at 500 fathoms (0.64-0.75 fish per hook). These fish must congregate in deeper water the farther souththey are found. We fished no deeper than 500 fathoms, Per- haps considerable aggregations will also be common at depths greater than 500 fathoms. The release time can be varied consider- ably infree-vehicle fishing. This can be done to suit the fishermen's schedule, or it can be done to maximize yield as a function of time. Our datafrom stations 7 and 8 (Table 4) serve toillustrate the latter point. At station 8, the yield was almost doubled with a 14-hour re- lease (0.75 fish per hook) versus an 8-hour release (0.44 fish per hook). At station 7, however, an extremely high fish yield (0.67 fish per hook) was obtainedin3 hours, Three- hour release times did not give such high yields at stations 10 and 11, perhaps due to amore sparsely distributed fish population. Although we only used 3-14 hour release times, there exist new devices that are quite accurate from 30 minutesto30days., An end- less amount of flexibility is thus possible to the fisherman with an already tight schedule. Elliptical Traps The ellipticaltraps were built specifically tocatch lobsters onthe bottom, The fact that they successfully catch sablefish above the bottom proves they also work well as fish traps. Atsome stations, the traps functioned much better than the hooks. For instance, at station 12, off Santa Catalina Island, the hook yield was 0.03 fish per hook, whereas 3 traps spaced in series at the same station yielded 5.7 fish per trap. Twelve sablefish were caught in middle trap (35 feet off bottom), withanaverage weight of 4.4 lbs.--revealing the potential of free-vehicle trap fishing. Traps have additional advantages. They provide a cagetoprotect the fish from pred- ators. The blue shark (Prionace glanca) often fouls up hooklines at the surface, but it cannot eat fish in the traps. Sealions also enjoy eating sablefish off the hooklines, Traps might be best for especially long release times (greater than one day) because fish seem to live longer in the traps than on the hooks. More living fish are present in the traps than onthe hooklines when hauled aboard the ship. For long bottom times, an auto- matic bait delivery device can be built to provide a continual fish lure, perhaps used together with blinking underwater lights. 39 Large traps (25' by 25! by 25', or bigger) can be constructed of plastic and left on the bot- tom for a week or more--or these can be timed to return to surface whenever fisher- man is conveniently in area. Free-Vehicle Fishing Free-vehicle fishing can be profitable. Hookline and trapline data obtained in this study may be extrapolated to illustrate, At station 7; for instance, 0.67 fish per hook was obtained on a 3-hour release. If two men in a 20-foot skiff were equipped with 8 free vehicles, 60 hooks per line, they would haul in considerable sablefish at this station during an 8-hour work day. It takes 15-20 minutes to pay out a setline, so the lines would start popping up shortly after the men had finished paying them out, At an average of 4.8 lbs. per fish at this station, 16 sets might yield 3,100 lbs. of fish. Before leaving, the 2 men could put down8 sets on 14-hour releases with 8traps oneachset. At station 8, we obtained 5.3 fish per trap with average weight of 5.4 lbs. These couldbe retrievedinthe morning, yielding 1,800 lbs. of fish. This fishing rate would result ina maximum return of 2,500 lbs. of fish per man per day. Using the prices givenin Table 1, the return would be between $125 to $200 per man per day. Best marketing of sablefish probably can be obtained by smoking these fish. We have tested palatability of smoked San Diego sable- fish and found great enthusiasm for the prod- uct. Many people consider it superior to smoked salmon. Sample platters of this delicacy disappeared rapidly in local saloons. Acknowledgments We thank the Foundation for Ocean Re- search and the Marine Life Research Group for supporting this study. Acknowledgment is extended to Dr. Andrew A. Benson and Dr. John D. Isaacs, who kindly provided advice, support, and ship time. Mr. Roger E. Green reviewed the manuscript critically and sug- gested inclusion of the information in Table 1. LITERATURE CITED BROCK, VERNON E. 1940. Note on the Young of the Sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria, Copeia, (4): 268-270. CLEMENS, W.A. and G. V. WILBY 1946. Fishes of the Pacific Coast of Canada, Canada Fish. Res. Board Bull., (68): 239-240. COX, KEITH W. 1948. Sablefish Runat Monterey Bay, Calif. Fishand Game, 34 (1): 37. CROKER, RICHARD S, 1936. Smoked, Salted and Dried Sea Foods of California, Calif. Fish and Game, 22 (1): 1-12. DOLEV, AMI and H, S, OLCUTT 1965. The Triglyceride of Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria). I. Quantitative Fractionation by Column Chroma- tography on Silica Gel Impregnated with Silver Nitrate, J. Amer. Oil Chemists Society, 42 (part 2): 624-627. 40 LITERATURE CITED (Contd.} ORCUTT, H. Ge SCHICK, GEORGE B., JOHN D. ISAACS, and 1969. Bottomfish Resources of the California Current System, MEREDITH H, SESSIONS Calif, Mar. Res. Comm., Cal COFI Rept., 13: 1968. Autnomous Instruments in Oceanographic Research, 53-59. Fourth National I.S.A. Marine Sciences Instrumen- tation Symposium, Cocoa Beach, Florida, un- PACIFIC MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION published. 1954, (The Sablefish Fishery of the Pacific Coast), Pacific Marine Fish Comm. Bull., 3, 130 pp. THOMPSON, WILL F. PHILLIPS, Je Be 1941. A Note onthe Spawning of the Black Cod (Anoplopoma 1958. The Fishery for Sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria, fimbria}, Copiea (4): 270. Calif. Fish and Game, 44 (1): 79-84. THE ATLANTIC ALBACORE FISHERY Grant L, Beardsley Jr. The albacore, Thunnus alalunga, is one of the world's most sought-after tunas, Itis also one of the most valuable: in 1969, exvessel prices for albacore landed on the west coast of the United States were around $450 a short ton; yellowfin tuna brought about $330, and premium skipjack tuna $280. More than half of all albacore landed in the world is con- sumed in the United States. However, U.S. production does not meet the demand. The deficit is filled with imports of over 100,000 tons annually (fig. 1). Albacore rarely form compact surface schools, sopurse seines, which have become the primary gear used by U.S. fishermen for yellowfin and skipjack tunas, are not suitable for catching albacore. They are caught on the surface primarily with live bait and by trolling; larger fish living well beneath the surface are taken by longlines. Japanese Began in 1956 In 1956, the Japanese began exploratory longline fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, They set approximately 131,000 hooks and caught over 1,000 albacore. From this inauspicious start they rapidly expanded their fishing ef- fort until, in 1964, Japanese vessels fished over most of the North and South Atlantic Oceans between 40° N. and 46° S. They set almost 100 million hooks, and caught over 2 million albacore, Before 1964, the Japanese fished primarily for yellowfin tuna but, in that year, reacting to rapidly declining catch rates, they shifted their fishing to good albacore areas, Inrecent years, declining catch rates for both species have forced the Japanese to cut back their effort in the Atlantic. In 1967, for example, they set slightly over 30 million hooks com- pared to almost 100 million in 1964 (from approximately 160 vessels), However, this decrease ineffort probably has been counter - balanced by a rapidincrease inlongline fish- ing by China (Taiwan), Cuba, Panama, South Korea, and Venezuela. Recent estimates place the number of vessels operating in the Atlantic from those countries at 100 to 150, but their catching efficiency is probably below that of the Japanese. Bay of Biscay Albacore The only other fishery for albacore in the Atlantic is the surface fishery in the Bay of Biscay; the French and Spanish land about 40,000 tons annually, This fishery begins in May or June and extends through October, or occasionally into November; best fishing is in July and August. Fishing is with trolling lines or live bait. Trolling boats are 30 to 75 feet longand are manned by crews of 6 to 12 men. Eachboatfishes 9 to10 lines and trolls at about 6 knots. Three to 4 tons a day are considered an excellent catch. Albacore caught in the Bay of Biscay are small compared to those captured by long- lines, A 15- to 20-pound albacore is classi- fied as large inthe surface fishery; 45 pounds is the average size of albacore taken by long- liners in the Atlantic. The few albacore caught in equatorial waters are normally very large, often averaging 65 pounds. Picture of Albacore Abundance Detailed statistics on catch and effort of the Japanese longline fleet are available from publications of the Fisheries Agency of Japan and the Nankai Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory. Analyses of these data have pro- duced a clear picture of the distribution and relative apparent abundance of albacore in the Atlantic Ocean, The average number of albacore caught per 100 hooks set was calculated for each 59 square of latitude and longitude in the Atlan- tic by totaling the number of albacore caught in a givensquarein a given month, multiply- ing by 100, and dividing by the number of hooks fished in that square during the same period, This number was _ used to indicate concentrations, Mr. Beardsley is Fishery Biologist, BCF, Tropical Atlantic Biological Laboratory (TABL), Miami, Fla. 33149. TABL Contribution No. 155. 41 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Reprint No. 875 Q . WY Ast is ceed Fig. 1 - World tuna catch and U.S. albacore catch and consumption 1964 through 1968, ALBACORE ct US. ALBACORE CONSUMPTION \\ 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 Fig. 2 - Distribution o Japanese Atlantic long 44 In summer, albacore are concentrated over a broad area on the western side of the North Atlantic (fig. 2). Probably spawning takes place in this period. Japanese re- searchers reported capturing albacore larvae in the western tropical Atlantic in June; scientists of the BCF Tropical Atlantic Bio- logical Laboratory in Miami have caught al- bacore larvae in plankton tows in the Florida Current off Miami in May and June, 2 Groups in August The large summer concentration of alba- core appears to divide into two groups in August, Although catchrates are low through- out the North Atlantic inSeptember and Octo- ber--making distributions difficult to deter - mine --it appears that one group moves north- east, the other south into the Caribbean, In winter, catch rates are high in the central North Atlantic between 30° N, and 45° N, Albacore caught by longlines in the central North Atlantic in winter often average as little as 25 pounds; those caught in the Carib- bean and tropical Atlantic rarely average less than 45 pounds, and often as much as 65 pounds, It is likely that the small albacore found in the Bay of Biscay in summer move offshore in fall and winter and are recruited to the longline fishery; this accounts for the small average size of albacore caught in the central North Atlantic in winter. In South Atlantic Albacore movements in the South Atlantic appear tobe almost a mirror image of those in the North Atlantic (fig. 2). The fish are abundant over most of the westernhalf of the South Atlantic in summer (Dec.-Feb.). Spawning probably takes place at this time since albacore larvae have been captured off the Braziliancoast between10° S. and 30° S, inFebruary. In winter (June-Aug.), the Jap- anese find the best fishing off Angola and Southwest Africa. Some albacore, however, donot make the migration in fall from Brazil tothe West African coast. The Japanese dis- covered excellent fishing in winter off the southern coast of Brazil in 1961. They have expanded their fishing in that area in recent years with goodresults. In September, alba- core move west and slightly southin a migra- tion back to their summer grounds in the western South Atlantic. A relatively small area off the coast of South and Southwest Africa provides excellent longline fishing for albacore almost year round, In the winter, both small and large albacore are present, butinsummer the large albacore apparently leave the area and only small fishare available. The small albacore found off the southern tip of Africa probably are recruits to the South Atlantic longline fishery. There is nosurface fishery for alba- core off South and Southwest Africa, although large numbers of albacore have been sighted at the surface. It seems likely that a fishery by troll or live bait similar to those on the west coast of the United States and in the Bay of Biscay would be successfulin this area, If the effort were comparable, it wouldbe rea- sonable toforecast landings similar to those of the Bay of Biscay fishery. This South At- lantic area is fished heavily by longliners from China(Taiwan), Japan, and South Korea, Catch rates of albacore have remained con- sistently high, while catch rates for albacore were decliningelsewhere. Thereis also evi- dence of considerable movement of small albacore between the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Albacore populations in the North and South Atlantic appear to be separate. There is probably little intermingling across the equa- tor. It is possible, however, that in warm equatorial waters albacore descend below the depths commonly fished by longline gear; hence estimates of abundance in this area may not be comparable to those in other areas. Are Stocks Fully Exploited? At present, it is not clear whether the Atlantic albacore stocks are being fully ex- ploited. Studies are under way at the BCF Tropical Atlantic Biological Laboratory to determine optimum yields for the albacore stocks in the North and South Atlantic. A 50 percent decrease in albacore catch by the Japanese in 1967 cannot be considered a de- crease in albacore populations--rather, it resulted from a decided lessening of their fishing effort. Undoubtedly the rapid expan- sion of fishing by the Chinese and Koreans in 1968 and 1969 will reveal catch totals for alba- core comparable to pre-1967 levels. French biologists are presently collecting and analyzing data from the Bay of Biscay fishery todetermine migrational patterns, the effects of fishing, and optimum yields from the surface fishery. These studies are im- portant because the small albacore in the Bay of Biscay fishery undoubtedly are the recruits to the North Atlantic longline fishery. 45 The one region that might produce a sig- nificant contributionto anincreased albacore catch inthe Atlantic seems to be the waters off South and Southwest Africa. Apparently large numbers of albacore are available on the surface there, but no surface fishery exists, 46 f i es Site Se ne (| yt ‘Mia wn Cluster of eggs stripped from ripe Pacific saury (scale is in millimeters). ; (Photo: R. C. Counts & A. M. Vrooman, BCF, La Jolla, Calif.) SEASONAL AND GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FISHERY RESOURCES California Current Region--ll. Pacific Saury David Kramer and Paul E, Smith This isthe second in a series of reports! inwhichwe are describing characteristics of the fishery resources in the California Cur- rent region, emphasizing predictions of the times and localities of adult fish spawning and suggesting the potential for production of the spawning resources, Wedid this for the jack mackerel (Kramer and Smith, 1970) and will now do the same for the Pacific saury.? Data of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) indicate that major centers of the spawning populations of the Pacific saury can first be located in January in a relatively small area about 150- 200 miles offshore from southern California and northern Baja California. A major center of spawning is where 20 percent or greater occurrence of saury eggs is found in standard plankton hauls--fig. 1 In February and March, the centers of spawn- ing spread inshore and northward to Point Conception and, in April, May and June, to San Francisco, Although eggs may be found as far south as Magdelena Bay, the major spawning centers seldom extend much farther than northern Baja California. It canbe assumed from egg data and visual observations (Smith, Ahlstrom, and Casey, 1970) that the saury ranges at least from southern Baja Californiatothe Gulf of Alaska. The CalCOFI pattern does not delimit saury spawning (fig. 1). But a survey by BCF's Honolulu Laboratory in spring 1956 (fig. 2) and the NORPAC survey in late summer (August) 1955 (fig. 3) showed that spawning extends at least to180° W. longitude. Smith, Ahlstrom, and Casey have stated that spawn- ing probably occurs completely across the Pacific. From data for 2 months of peak spawning--Apriland May--Smith, Ahlstrom, and Casey estimated the spawning resource at about 500,000 tons in the CalCOFI area, The 2 peak months were used for this esti- mate because the unusual spawning behavior of the saury introduces two sources of error in the estimate of the size of this resource: First, the saury is a repetitive spawner in 2-monthintervals during the year (Hatanaka, 1956). Thus, if eggs are sampled continually it is most likely that the same populations may be repetitively sampled and overesti- mated. Second, saury eggs are adhesive and often collectedin clumps of 20 or more; this diminishes the precision of sampling because the eggs are not independently distributed. Saury eggs found outside the pattern, as noted above, indicate that there may be as much spawning out of the pattern as in it--and thus would increase the estimate of resource size possibly by an equal amount. Smith, Ahlstrom, and Casey pointed out that the saury is not likely to be available to the fisherman inthe CalCOFI survey pattern during its spawning cycle. Their data from visual observations during,spawning and non- spawning periods indicate that the saury might be most available during September through December and, most likely, inthe areas from San Diegoto northern California and Oregon-- with the maximum numbers 40 miles and more offshore, Novikov and Kulikov (1966), in their account of Russian surveys off the west coast of North America, reported that the most dense concentrations of adult saury were be- tween latitudes 42°18' and 44°22" in August, October, and November at water temperature 540-55° F, (12.5-13.5° C.), ibe authors are Fishery Biologists, BCF Fishery-Oceanography Center, La Jolla, California. IThese are introductions to existing and forthcoming comprehensive reports and analyses based on more than 20 years of intensive research by the CalCOFI--founded in 1949 to determine the reasons for the decline of the sardine resource. Organizations, area of investigations, and treatment of the data were presented in the report on jack mackerel. 47 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint No. 876 - AREA OCCUPIED OCCURRENCE oI0% Ae 20% Fig. i - Percentoccurrence of saury eggs in 1951-60 on the survey pattern of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investi- gations (CalCOFI)--see figure 2. 49 °brq *(ssaad ut ‘Aasea pur ‘wonstty ‘yturs jo ep ambryz) gG6y Jo Sutsds oy ut Aroyerogey] nqnjouozy Jog em Aq Asams utoxz aearey io s66a Ames Jo wornqtystq - Z MO} |OJUOZIZOY eAIyDHbeU CO MO} JOJUOZIVOY BAIYISOd =e MO} enbijgo eAljoHeu oO MO} “anbijgo eAIjISOd @ SNIYdS 3VA8V1 YO S993 AYNVS 50 *(ssaad ut ‘Aased pure ‘uronstyy ‘mturs Jo ¢ embry) Gcet ysnbny ‘yaurums 91e] ut Adains DYqUON Woy eeArey Jo shGa Aines Jo uorynqiystq - ¢ *6ty 00S! SS ee: woy Onbijqo eaijobeu o MO} ONdI\GO GAIJISOd © (80SS) DSVdYON SVAYV1 YO S993 AYNVS 51 LITERATURE CITED KRAMER, DAVID and PAUL E, SMITH NOVIKOV, N. P. and YU. M. KULIKOV 1970. Seasonal and geographical characteristics of fishery 1966, Perspektivny i raion promysla sairy (Prospective region resources, California Current Region--I. Jack Mack- forsaury fishing}. Ryb. Khoz. 42(7):20-21. (Trans- erel. Commer. Fish. Rev. May 1970. (Also Rep. lation, Bure Commer. Fish., Off. Foreign Fish., No. 871) Dep. Interior, Wash., D.C.) HATANAKA, MASAYOSHI SMITH, PAUL E,, ELBERT H. AHLSTROM and 1956 a. Biological studies on the population of the saury, HAROLD D, CASEY Cololabis saira (Brevoort), PartIl. Reproduction 1970, The saury as a latent resource of the California Cur- and growth. Tohoku J. Agre Res. 6:227-269. rent. Calif, Coop. Oceanic Fish. Invest. Rep. 14: (in press). Pacific saury--stripped, showing cluster of eggs (about 9 inches fork length or 22 cm. standard length). Photo: R. C. Counts & A, M. Vrooman, BCF, La Jolla, Calif.) INTERNATIONAL CANADA & U.S. AGREE ON RECIPROCAL FISHING On April 24, 1970, Canada and the U.S. concluded an Agreement on Reciprocal Fish- ing Privileges. It was signed for Canada by Dr. A. W. H. Needler, Deputy Minister, De- partment of Fisheries and Forestry, and for U.S. by Ambassador Donald L. McKernan, Special Assistantfor Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of State. Amb. McKernan was in Ottawa for the annual meeting of the Inter-American Trop- ical Tuna Commission. (‘Department of Ex- ternal Affairs,' Canada, Apr. 24.) oe COMMON MARKET SETS 1970 IMPORT QUOTAS FOR TUNA AND COD The following import tariff quotas have been establishedby The European Communi- ties (Common Market) for fishery products in 1970: 53,000 metric tons of fresh, refrig- erated, or frozen whole, headless, or sliced tuna intended for canning. Final 1969 quota was 65,000 tons. Cod: 34,000 tons of whole, headless, or sliced, salted, pickled, or dried. Final 1969 quota was 39,500 tons. (U.S. Mission to EC, Brussels, Apr. 28.) PCp AUTOMATED PLATFORM WOULD CUT FISHING COSTS, BCF EXPERT SAYS An automated fishing platform to catch and process fishvirtually without fishermen was proposed to an FAO meeting as a way of ex- ploiting coastal fisheries, which are other- wise uneconomic. The suggestion was contained in a paper prepared by E. F. Klima of BCF Exploratory Fishing andGear Research Base, Pascagoula, Mississippi, for the FAO technical conference on fish finding, purse seining, and aimed trawling held in Reykjavik, Iceland, May 24- 30. 52 Klima cited the problem of steadily rising fishing costs and the need to catch more fish to meet growing world needs. The Platform His automated platform would be equipped with underwater lights anchored in the depths to tentlike, submerged, rafts. The lights, moving upwards in sequence, would lure the fish below to a pump intake. They would be kept together by an electrical field. Once aboard, the catch would be reduced to fishmeal and oils. These would be stored in 'Piggy-back" containers for retrieval at weekly intervalsby motherships or helicop- ters. This method, said Mr. Klima, would allow small industrial fish to be caught for less than half the current cost. Lights Used For Years Lights have been used for many years in commercial fishing. BCF scientists at Pas- cagoula have used them for the past 10 years to attract herringlike fishfor use as tuna bait in Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. In 1966, submerged lights attached to afish pump were used along lesser Antilles in the Caribbean for sampling pelagic fish; at one point, catch rates reached a peak of 900 to 1,800 fish pumped per minute. USSR In USSR, in recent years, sprat in Caspian Sea and saury in Sea of Okhotsk have been harvested with lights, fish pumps, and nets. Other experiments have demonstrated that fishcan be concentratedfor catching by using pulsed, direct-current electricity--and that small submergedrafts canattract large con- centrations of coastal pelagic fish. These results, Klima added, show possi- bility of building and using automated plat- forms--using a combination of lights and submerged rafts--to catch small pelagic species for industrial purposes. Plans for building a platform are under way at Pascagoula, Klima revealed. SAAAAAA COMPUTER CAN SPEED FISHERMEN TRAINING, SAYS BRITISH EXPERT Fishing training could be speeded through use of a'computerized simulator' that would reproduce actual operations and situations aboard fishing vessels. This was theme of a paper prepared for FAO's Technical Con- ference on Fish Finding, Purse Seining and Aimed Trawling held in Reykjavik, Iceland, May 24-30. The paper was written by R. Bennett, In- dustrial Development Unit, British White Fish Authority in Hull. He discussed need for im- proved education and training to keep abreast of advances in fishing technology during past 15-20 years. He warned of growing gap be- tween technology and training. Most fisher- men still must relyon hard-won experience. Training Simulator A training simulator would enable trainees to "fish'' on an imitation fishing ground, or several grounds, under "actual" conditions. All navigational and fishing aids normally found on a fishing vessel would be built into the simulator; it would be based on a digital computer witha libraryof tapes. Each trainee would occupya cubicle withits own set of in- struments. He would maneuver the vessel and gear as thoughhe were in an actual fish- ing situation. The system couldbe programmed to pro- vide trainees with options and alternatives that can arise even in a Single day's opera- tion. They would have choice: spend time changing a trawl to suit a possibly short- term behavior of fish, or keep fishing with same trawl at reduced catch rate, or move to another ground. Trainees could compete to see who gets best "catch," Study Development of Simulator Bennett says that the White Fish Authority is studying development of such a simulator over the next 2-3 years. The Norwegian Fish- eries College has begun similar work. The 53 main limitation is high cost of constructing a system that can reproduce faithfully all situa- tions and variables in fishing. The increasingly complex equipment and techniques in fishing are forcing a change in attitudes infishermen's training, FAO states. It is no longer feasible economically to have skippers learnhow to usenew instruments at sea. Simulators help to teach some aspects of fishing on shore ina shorter time and more cheaply, as Bennett indicated. In recent years, trawling and purse-seining techniques have been affected profoundly by developments infish-finding equipment, such as echo sounders, sonar and netsonde. This equipment has paved way for midwater trawl- ing, aimedbottom trawling, and purse seining for deep-swimming schools. At same time, hydraulic equipment for handling heavy gear with big catches have come into use. This eliminated old restrictions on size of gear and catches that couldbe handled. It opened new and important fisheries. i= BERNARD SKUD HEADS HALIBUT COMMISSION INVESTIGATIONS Bernard E. Skud, for past 10 years direc- tor of BCF's laboratory at Boothbay Harbor, Maine, was named Director of Investigations for International Pacific Halibut Commission on May 19. Hesucceeds F. Howard Bell, who retires July 4 after 45 years. Mr. Skud will take over in late summer. Skud served BCF 20 years. His immediate fields of research have been population dy- namics, marine biology, and estuarine ecol- ogy. He has served as scientific advisor to International Commission for Northwest At- lantic Fisheries. Market place of Rach Gia, S. Vietnam, major fishing port on Gulf of Thailand. (Keith Brouillard) SOUTH VIETNAM: A FISHERY DEVELOPMENT SURVEY Keith D. Brouillard During January-April 1970, a general survey of the fisheries of South Vietnam was conducted at the request of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). A summary of the findings and the recommendations is the basis of this report. The gross national product (GNP) of South Vietnam has been increasing slowly over the past five years, Atconstant 1960 prices, the GNPincreased from 107.6 billionpiasters in 1965 to 122.4 bil- lion in 1969, In current prices, however, the GNP for 1965 was 114.7 billion piasters; for 1969, 532 billionpiasters. Current prices reflect the severe economic problems confronting South Vietnam -- particularly inflation. Fishery production has been satisfactory from the standpoint of total landings--especially during wartime. In 1965, production was 375,000 metric tons; in 1969, 463,800 metric tons. The use of motorized vessels increased from 12,240 in 1965 to 39,000 in 1969. Increased production under adverse conditions is the result of the motorization program begun on a major scale in 1965, Several major problems confront the fishing industry and limit its expansion and the availability of fish to the consumer: lack of modern landing facilities, transportation units, refrigerated equip- ment, andmodern fishing vessels, In addition, the military buildup has taken many highly skilled fishermen from the fleets. GENERAL ECONOMY The status of the generaleconomy must be considered when discussing possible means of improving the contribution of any segment of it: inthis paper, fisheries. Adequate data are available onthe economy toindicate the prob- lems affecting fishery development. The current exchange rate of 118 piasters per U.S. dollar is unrealistic, Imports are undervalued and exports overvalued. For fisheries, this situation is both bad and good. The export of fishery products under the cur- rent exchange rate is not possible. For ex- ample, the current Saigon wholesale price for shrimpisthe equivalent of something over $2 On the other hand, the cost of modern equipment needed to develop per pound, heads off, the fisheries is available at a reasonable pi- aster cost. However, imports are subject to controls and the availability of foreign ex- change. These limit modernization of the fishing industry. Mr. Brouillard is Chief, BCF Office of Technical Assistance, 801 19th St. NW., Washington, D.C. 20006. 55 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Reprint No. 877 56 Inflation The inflationary factors affect fishing and other industries, The data in Table 1 are an indication of inflationary development, An optimistic projection made by USAID for the economy in1970 contains an inflationary fac- tor of 20% to 30%; this limits further the pros- pects for development of an export market. Fortunately, the domestic price of fish has kept pace with the general economy--permit- [ Table 1 - Republic of Vietnam Expenditures on Gross National Product (Billions of Piasters) I, CURRENT PRICES 1964 1965 1966 19673/ 19683/ 1969 Private consum ption 92.4 109.1 177.0 286.0 334.0 428.0 Public consumption 25.0 32.5 52.9 75.3 88.0 115.0 Gross capital formation 12.6 17.1 34.5 40.0 40.0 45.0 Exportsb/ 7.8) 120) ©3059 33272 13450) 9 14020 Less Imports?/ -23.0 -28.6 -76.0 -110.7 -102.0 -121.0 Net factor income from abroad - 5 2 OF L764) 20. 0!e= 20500" 2520 GNP 114.3 114.7 236.2 344.3 414.0 532.0 Il, CONSTANT 1960 PRICES 1964 1965 1966 19673/ 19682/ 1969 Private consum ption 1664. feD 1fieO 1 18769). 80 ei/gn O48 Public consumption eleO" 24, 90633595" 38.02 42.4 4983 Gross capital formation PSO 1324, 751955, 13018 On 17.8 Exportsb/ 7.4. 09-90 1524, © 205291220) 1166 Less Imports2/ -17.1 -20.4 -45.5 -56.8 -48.6 -48.2 Net factor income from abroad - 4 eo) 8.3 6.5 UAC 7.2 GNP 98.8 107.6 109.1 113.3 111.8 122.4 a/Provisional b/Goods and services except investment income at effective ex- change rate, Source: National Bank of Vietnam (February 1970 Revision) ting continued production of fish without undue monetary harm to the fishing industry. When you consider the problems facing S. Vietnam, it is not surprising that inflation What is somewhat surprisingisthat the problems are has caused economic difficulties. not more severe. Whenthe level of hostilities is lessened, or the war ends, the Government will haveto make difficult political decisions ifexport markets aretobe developed. Hither an export subsidy or devaluation appears nec- essary to expand exports, including fishery products. GENERAL FISHERY SITUATION The latest complete fishery statistics are for 1969, Table 2 presents the general fishery situation for 1963 through 1969. There ap- pearsto be steady growth. However, certain factors affecting production are not apparent. Productionin 1968 was affected adversely by the Tet and post-Tet offensives of the Viet Cong. There is little doubt that production was reducedinsome provinces; and the mar- keting problems created by deteriorating security may have restrained production in some areas, Army Takes Fishermen the lack of skilled fishermen and closure to fishing of There are other problems: certain areas of the coast due to security problems. Nodata are available onage struc- ture of the fishing population; however, ob- servations and discussions with provincial fishery directors indicated that the active fishing community consists primarily of boys and old men, plus Some women, The more 57 Table 2 - Summary of Fishery Statistics, Vietnam, 1963-1969 Item 1963 1964 Fishermen (No.) ... 243, 390 245, 520 Fishing Boats (No.): Motorized Nonmotorized 9,220 44,530 9,710 46,760 Catch (Metric tons): Marine fish... . Freshwater fish Crustaceans, mollusks 299, 340 49, 900 29, 430 314,000 52, 000 31, 000 Processed Products: Dried (Metric tons) . . ° Cured (Metric tons) . . a Canned (Metric tons) .... Fish sauce (1, 000 liters) . 18, 370 19, 410 31, 370 32, 170 234 215 60, 000 63, 000 Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Republic of Vietnam. active and stronger fishermen, who would normally operate the boats are, for the most part, in the military services. The current fleet is not operating at highest efficiency. Closed Coastal Areas The closure of coastal areas existed through 1968 and 1969. Recently, some re- strictions have been lifted. Further relief can be expected if security continues to im- prove. The opening of coastal areas will be animportant factor in production by smaller boats--those limitedin ability to fish in non- daylight hours. This would include majority of boats, but not necessarily major part of production capability. The larger and more efficient vessels are affected toa limited degree by the coastal closures, but they are able to continue production outside those areas. It is not possible, therefore, to de- termine the overall impact on total produc- tion resulting from the closures, but they have been a restraint. No Deep-Water Ports In general, there are no deep-water ports for the fishing fleet, so greater use of larger 243, 500 289,000 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 253,770 270, 408 272, 300 277, 100 12,240 46,240 16,770 48, 380 23, 195 52,995 29,968 47,991 39,001 42,955 287,450 64,710 28, 340 319, 500 59, 500 31, 700 321, 645 51,045 355, 488 57,000 29, 000 17,500 16, 000 15,000 28, 100 30, 500 35, 024 232 205 185 57,000 59, 000 61,000 modern vessels is limited. Currently, the traditional boats land during high tides at many points on the coast. The one exception is the port of Saigon, where large vessels can land. Fishing-port development plans’ should cover twogeneral categories: 1) ports suit- able for improvements that would benefit existing fleet; 2) ports with potential for de- velopment as deep-water ports for large modern fishing vessels. No Cold-Storage Facilities There are nocold-storage facilities at any major coastal fishing ports. In some areas, there is asevere shortage of ice. This boosts ice prices and limits its use. Fortunately, the Vietnamese are skilled in producing fish sauce, They make use of all fish produced and thus solve problem of preservation, Nonetheless, additional supplies of fresh fish are needed. The lack of cold-storage facili- ties, other than those recently constructed in Saigon, has hampered fishermen's ability to meet that need. 58 Catch Value No statistics are available on production by species, or prices, soit is not possible to The species used for fresh consumption probably place an accurate value on production, average 80 piasters per kilo paid to the fish- ermen, while fish used for fish sauce are lower priced, If an overall exvessel price of 60 piasters per kilois used as basisfor deter- mining catch value, it would exceed 27 billion piasters for 1969, roughly 5% of gross national product. However, the price used is arbi- trary, and accuracy of production statistics is queStionable. More Motorized Vessels The most significant factor in Table 2 is rapid expansion in use of motorized vessels. Productionhas been maintained and, to some degree, increased as result of motorization program. The 1968 Tet offensive and draft of skilled fishermentended tonegate effect of Unfortunately, the program may be creating problems by in- motorization program, creasing the effectiveness of vessels oper- ating in limited geographic areas and on limited resources--thereby reducing yield and possibly resulting in overfishing. POTENTIAL PROBLEMS Solutions tomany problems facing fishery development are not readily determined, but some potential problems should be pointed out. Production Fishing effortis concentrated in a narrow belt of sea from the beach to approximately 20 kilometers off shore. In some areas, the inshore fishery is limited by security restric- tions but, in general, the zone begins at the beach. Evenwithrelatively inefficient units, their sheer number is placing tremendous pressure on existing resources, Strangely enough, there are a few re- sources in the heavily exploited area that do not appear severely pressured, primarily be- cause of the gear used. Examples are the lobster and shrimp populations along some areas, In general, however, fishery re- sources are heavily exploited. Caution should be exercised in expanding fishing effort withinthe exploited zone, Pre- liminary studies should be made on catch per unit of effort and estimates of populations. It does not appear that the offshore fisheries will have problems of overexploitation in the near future--assuming foreign fleets do not expand operations. Vessels About 12 large vessels fish off shore and land catches inSaigon. Most of these vessels are used pair trawlers purchased from Japan, If such purchases continue, there is a serious danger that the limited foreign reserves will be wasted. Investments would produce some profit in immediate future but would not be satisfactory for competing with foreign fleets or new imported vessels operating inthe same waters, South Vietnam should seriously consider limiting funds to buy used vessels and insist oninvesting innew, efficient vessels. Ideally, the Government should encourage the use of domestic facilities to construct new fishing vessels. This would save some foreign ex- change and develop broader base of expertise in marine construction. Transportation At present, it is not possible to use the railroad or highways from Da Nang to Saigon totransport perishable foods. When the war ends, this situation will be corrected tosome degree, and highway conditions improve, How- ever, transportation of fishery products will not be reliableinthe near future. Only a few transportation units are available for move- ment of perishable products. No refrigerated trucks are available. There appearsto be no need totransport fishfrom northern areas to Delta area. Rather than expand efforts to move fish in a north-south direction, efforts should be directed toward movement inland, or to develop an exportable product. Marketing The distribution and marketing of fishery products willremain a problem. At present, the coastalareas seemto have adequate sup- pliestomeet nutritional needs, albeit at high prices, if based on official rate of exchange. However, the upland areas lack adequate sup- plies. Itmay be years before their needs can be met. Lack of transportation and export market The fishing industry may receive declining re- may resultin relatively limited market. turns on investment if production increases substantially. This may not be entirely bad because consumer might benefit somewhat. 59 But it does make possible a situation where middlemen can manipulate prices with rela- tive ease. Perhaps the most irritating problem that can be expected to continue is the power of the middlemen, One of the major reasons why they have not been eliminated from the mar- keting system is the simple fact that they perform a service no one else is prepared to perform, They collect enough fish from small fishermen scattered over a wide area to get economic transportation rates tothe markets. They lend money with no collateral or formal agreements. Sofar, all suggestions to change the system have either been ineffective or un- realistic. Fishermen pay a high price for these serv- ices, but no one else but middleman is pre- Until efficient and convenient landing facilities and pared to perform similar services, easy credit are available, middlemen will con- tinue to play major role. One bright spot in the picture is the pos- sible establishment of a competing marketing system by owners of the large fishing vessels now beginning operation. The owners have capital, or can obtain it, to establish cold storages for orderly marketing of their catch, It would become possible then to divert some production of small units through marketing channel established by larger operating units. The change would reduce significantly the middleman's influence. Competition Because Statistics are lacking, it is nearly impossible toproject the possible demand for 60 fish compared with demand for other protein foods, Studies have beenmade of Saigon mar - ket, tweenprice of fish and price of other animal There appears to be a relationship be- protein food on any given day. Apparently a large supply of chickens or hogs on the local market causes arapid reductionin fish price, assuming normal supplies of fish are avail- able. fish tends toreduce price of chicken and pork, On the other hand, a heavy supply of but not to the same degree as the reverse situation, Foreign Trade At present, nosurplus of fishery products exists that could be exported under the present price structure and official exchange rates. A potential exists, particularly for such lux- ury items as shrimp and lobster. However, no facilities exist for processing fishery products at landing sites, Any exported fish- ery product must compete on the world mar- ket in price and quality. For example, new shrimp grounds are being developed off South America's coast, Current estimates of potential production indicate areacouldbea major producer, Ex- perienced shrimp fishermen and processors are investing in that area; therefore, it may be assumed that the product will meet world standards in quality andprice, Under current conditions in Vietnam, it does not appear pos- sible that anacceptable product could be pro- duced, even if product were competitive in price, Other fishery products may be export- able--red snapper and other finfish, The same conditions apply tothese products: they must compete. There is an apparent abun- dance of red snapper in the South China Sea. No estimates are available on potential pro- duction, but the Directorate of Fisheries has estimated that in Rach Gia it could reach 200 to 300 metric tons per month with existing units of production, if the incentive existed. Red snapper is not considered a highly de- It is doubtful, however, that the product would be competi- sirable species in Vietnam, tive on world market under existing condi- tions. Imports Some canned fishare imported. Much fish meal is imported: about 2,865 metric tons in 1968, and a predicted 1972 level of 10,000 metrictons, There has beena strong interest in Vietnam to produce fish meal and canned fishprimarily for domestic consumption, but alsofor exporting canned fish. Under current conditions, it is unrealistic to consider such products for export. There are nocan-making facilities in Viet- nam; all cans are imported. The current estimated price of fish in Vietnam is at least $500 U.S. per metric ton--unrealistic to can for export, especially with likely species: anchovy, sardines, squid, and mackerel. If estimated price at producer's level is about right, production of fishmealis impos- sible if world prices are guideline. Limita- tions onfish-meal production could change if 2 events happened: a significant devaluation of piaster, andif Government determined im- port substitution was so important that heavy subsidies would be granted fish-meal indus- try. Both factors have much political significance for Government. It is difficult to predict what it would do. Other Problems The following potential problems are sig- nificant toaffect long-run development of the fishing industry. International Considerations: Inrecent years, efforts have been made to define more clearly the rights of coastal fish- ing nations. Currently, resources of the con- tinental shelf are reserved to the coastal fishing nationif such resources meet the cri- teria established by 1958 Geneva Convention onthe Continental Shelf, made of the various species landed in Viet- From observations nam, there does not appear to bealarge pro duction of resources that would be protected by the Convention; however, such resources may be available but not exploited. It is possible that new principles of inter- national law will be developed in the near future that would protect coastal fisheries; however, such changes usually include pro- visions for historic rights of fishing nations, Vietnam should follow closely developments in international law that may affect fishery development. If necessary, she should par- ticipate actively in international conferences that deal with rights of coastal fishing nations to insure that her industry will be adequately protected and have opportunity to expand op- erations, Foreignfleets may intrude on con- tinental shelf of Vietnam in areas not now exploited. 61 Cooperatives: Most recommendations for fisheries of less-developed countries include development of cooperatives in agriculture and in fisher- ies. Here, these institutions are presented as problems rather than solutions. On paper, there are many fishery cooperatives. Few are operating, Fewer stillperform any effec- tive functionthat benefits the fishermen, For all practical purposes, cooperatives have been established to purchase fuel, ice, and motors--but none to market fish. Also, discussions with provincial fishery directors and fishermen left impression that membership in the cooperative is a disad- vantagetofishermen, Forexample, the Rach Gia cooperative appears managed by the same businessmen who control the availability of ice and are major purchasers and transpor - ters of fish, A study in late 1969 and early 1970 by contractors revealed that the cost of shipping fish through Rach Gia coopera- tive exceeded costs of similar shipment through private broker. As a second example, the Phan Thiet coop- erative serves as a source of motors and other supplies, but loans to fishermen for major purchases using funds available to co- operative from Agricultural Development Bank are at a rate double that charged by the Bank, Bank loans to cooperative are 3%; fishermen pay cooperative 6%. It is normal for a cooperative to charge a higher rate of interest tocover costs, but double is extreme, Secondly, fishermen landing catch at market's cooperative area are requiredtopay all taxes 62 and other charges applicable to fish landings; in Phan Thiet, over 12% of catch value. While all fishermen are subject to such levies, the difficulty in collecting the charges results in a lower rate ofrealcost for most fishermen. In other words, fishermen landing in the area of the cooperative are charged at a higher real rate than other fishermen. It would ap- pear, therefore, that in the two ports where an effort was made to obtain information on cooperatives, there are definite disadvan- tages to being a cooperative member. While the normal answer to forming effec- tive cooperatives isto institute a program of training for cooperative managers, discus- sions with USAID personnel indicated such a The short- age of trained personnel makes the skill ob- program has not been effective. tained through training in management of cooperatives a highly priced commodity; therefore, personnel completing the training have found it more profitable to enter private business than to manage cooperatives, An immediate solution is not apparent. Government regulation is no answer because Vietnam does not have sufficient skilled per- sonnel to manage and police cooperatives, Direct Government control has been ineffec- tive where ithas beenattempted. Perhaps the only answer is patience and training. Even- tually, effective purchasing and marketing cooperative may be formed. This goal seems a long way off. Military Activities: Military activities have the highest prior - ity. However, the consequences of some should be considered seriously from view- point of long-term recovery of the national economy. In particular, the program of de- foliation could have serious short- and long- term effects on the fisheries. An intensive program of defoliation in the area of estuar- ies, or where chemical runoff would enter the estuaries, could have an immediate effect through destruction of immature marine life using the area as a nursery. Detrimental long-term effects could come from a drastic change inthe ecology of the area through de- These factors should be givenserious consideration struction of trees and ground cover, in any program of defoliation, The applica- tion of chemicals should be limited to areas where absolutely necessary. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Efforts should be made to assist the small fishermen in increasing their income. The use of such gear as baited hoop nets and shrimp pots, both easily fabricated from available materials, should increase catch of lobster and shrimp. 2. The insulation of fishing boats and transportation units should be given high priority. 3, The USAID Fishery Advisor should be sent publications and reports on latest de- This should be passed on to Vietnamese counter- velopments in fisheries. information parts. 4, Specialists in refrigeration, fishing equipment and methods, fishing product processing and packing, international trade in fishery products, sanitation, and marine biology should be made available on a tempo- rary-duty basis for service in Vietnam, 5. The Government of Vietnam should fa- cilitate construction of cold-storage facilities by the private sector. 6, Port development for the fishing indus- try should be given high priority. 7. Transportation facilities for fishery products must be increased, either through domestic fabrication of refrigerated equip- ment or through import of such equipment, 8. Domestic construction of modern fish- ing vessels should be encouraged. 9. The Government should plan develop- ment of exports of some fishery products, even to extent of earmarking products for export rather thanfor domestic consumption. 63 10. The existing program of reducing re- strictions on fishing areas should continue. 11. Consideration should be given to im- plementing regulations that prohibit fishing by large modern vessels in coastal zone presently worked by existing fleet. Vessels licensed to fish for shrimp should be ex- empted, but strict controls should be placed on where they may fish. 12. The collection of fishery statistics should be expanded to include landed and wholesale prices, landings by species, sizes of vessels, number of ice plants, production of ice, and number of transportation units. Additional useful statistics should be col- lected. 13, Thetraining of Vietnamese, including women, in the technical aspects of fisheries should be expanded. (See photo spread pages 64-66.) 64 RACH GIA: THE MARKET PLACE , Fig. 1 - Shrimp Sellers. Fig. 2 - Clams for sale. Fig. 3 - Red Snappers. Fig. 5 - Clay jars for Nouc Nam. 65 66 Fig. 6 - A Fishery Problem: Unloading tish by hand at low tide (Vung Tau). Fig. 7 - Typical construction methods for popular type of fishing boat (Phan Thiet). (All Photos: Keith Brouillard) ASIA JAPAN SUMMER ALBACORE TUNA FISHERY STARTS SLOWLY The 1970 Japanese summer albacore tuna fishery has started much later thanin normal years. This is due to the slow northward movement of the Kurashio current, Since early April, small, sporadic catches have been made off Japan. But most pole-and- line vessels hesitate to switch to albacore fishing; these are still concentrating on skip- jackinmore southerly waters, where fishing continues good. Prices Up 20% At the end of April, the price for summer albacore was quoted at exvessel US$655 a short ton--about 20% above last year's early season $544. Practically all landings were being bought by domestic tuna packers. ('Sui- san Tsushin,' Apr. 28.) KOK ALBACORE TUNA BRINGS HIGH PRICES About 20 metric tons of pole-caught alba- core tuna landedinmid-Aprilat Yaizu, Japan, sold for exvessel US$600-630 a short ton for fish 24-37 pounds each. The albacore were caught off Bonin Islands, where about 20 live-bait boats were fishing. Some boats take 4-5 tons on good days, But fishing is generally poor because the albacore are toodeep for pole-and-line fishing. ('Kat- suo-maguro Tsushin,' Apr. 15.) 09, sey (i a ALBACORE TUNA EXPORT PRICE SPIRALS Japanese frozenround albacore prices for direct export to U.S., steady since 2nd-half 1969 were quoted at a high of f.o.b. US$630- 645 a short ton. This is equivalent to about $675-690 a short ton,c. & f., U.S. west coast delivery. Why Prices Spiral Japanese trading firms attribute spiraling prices to poor U.S. albacore fishing in 1969, 67 and to slow start of Atlantic fishery off Angola this year. Japanese export prices for direct yellow- fin (gilled & gutted) shipments to U.S. in mid- Aprilwere quoted at around $560 a short ton, ce. & f, ('‘Suisancho Nippo,' Apr. 18.) KOK OK TUNA FISHERY VENTURE IN WEST INDIES IS STABLE The Japanese cold-storage firm Nippon Reizoestablished atunabase on Saint Martin Island, Netherlands Antilles (West Indies) in 1963. It now reports stable operations. The enterprise is managed by Curacao Pioneering Co., which is capitalized at US$ 283,000, a local firm wholly owned by Nippon Reizo, It has a 1,000-ton-capacity cold stor- age and a 1,100-gross-ton freezership an- chored offshore. Buys From 15-20 Vessels The base annually purchases from 15-20 longliners, operated mostly by South Korean and Taiwanese nationals, around 8,000 tons of tuna for export to U.S, During past sev- eralyears, the Saint Martin venture has yield- ed annually a 5% dividend to stockholders, Of over 40 Japanese fishing firms abroad, it is one of 10 operating profitably. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Apr. 14.) * kK 1969 EXPORTS OF MARINE PRODUCTS DROPPED 1.2% FROM 1968 In 1969, the value of Japanese marine- product exports was US$346,769,000--down 1.2% from 1968's $350,633,000. In1967, these exports fell markedly (9.1%) for first time. However, exports in1968 increased 7.5% over UIGIE Frozen-Fish Exports Fell The 1969 decrease was due to decreases infrozenfish: yellowfintunadown $9.94 mil- lion, other tuna down $1.05 million, and mol- luscs down $1.71 million, and canned products (salmon down $20.24 million, and crab). De- cline in the exports of salmon and crab fell 68 JAPAN (Contd.): Exports of Marine Products Percent 1969 1968 1969/1968 US$1, 000 85,999.6 90,703 12, 093.5 178, 283.2 5,068.8 7 1 94.7 135.5 Canned and bottled 95.9 Aquatic oils and fats 48, 639. 103.9 91.5 126.4 346, 769.7 350, 633.3 98.8 4,480. 12,204.8 9,712 3 otf 04 -6 133.1 4 8 el because international restrictions were strengthened, The decline resulted from strong domestic demand. Dried or salted products, aquatic oil, and other marine products increased over 1968; pearls remained unchanged. ('Suisancho Nip- po,' Mar. 5.) % OK OK U. S. TUNA IMPORTS DROPPED IN 1969 In 1969, the U.S. imported from Japan 156,245 short tons of fresh and frozen tuna, This included loins and discs but excluded tuna deliveries to American Samoa, It was somewhat less thanin1968, reports the Japan External Trade Organization. Imports Down Imports from Japandeclined sharply from 1968, They totaled (1968 figures in parenthe- ses): 75,544 tons (96,482 tons), consisting of albacore 43,068 tons (37,869 tons), other tuna 31,411 tons (54,991 tons), and loins and discs 1,065 tons (3,622 tons). Why Decline The decline in imports from Japan is at- tributed to: (1) reduced landings of albacore and other tuna by Japanese fleet; (2) vigorous tuna demand in Japan; and(3) sharply reduced Japanese tuna sales to U.S. because of num- erous claims by U.S. packers for yellowfin shipments in late 1968. U.S. Demand Up Although shipments from Japan declined, the U.S. demand for imported tuna rose sharp- ly in 1969. This pushed up prices for U.S. domestic catch and imports. Albacore prices for imports from Japan rose from US$515 a short ton,c.&f,in Jan- uary 1969to$565in June. It continued upward thereafter, reaching $625 a ton in January 1970. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Apr. 18.) KOK OK HAS 397,279 FISHING VESSELS On Dec. 31, 1968, Japanhad 397,379 fishing vessels totaling 2,415,420 gross tons (includ- ing fresh-water vessels), according to Fishing Vessel Section of Fisheries Agency. This is a decrease of 723 from 1967, but arise in tonnage of 39,909 tons. Total Type of Vessel Number Gross Tons Powered vessels (subject to registra - tion) 253,544 2,315, 130 Nonpowered vessels over one ton (subject to registration) 11, 426 20,931 Nonpowered vessels under one ton (exempt from registration) 132,309 __79, 359 397,279 2,415, 420 TOTAL During past 10 years, number and gross tonnage of powered fishing vessels increased. Nonpowered vessels decreased: in 1968, 40% in number and 50% in gross tons from 229,893 and 212,536 gross tons in 1958. Gross ton- nage for powered fishing vessels exceeded that for nonpowered vessels in 1962, and the number was exceeded in 1964. ('Suisancho Nippo,' Mar. 4.) KOK OK REDUCES TRAWL OPERATIONS OFF U.S EAST COAST In April 1970, only 6 Japanese vessels were off the U.S. east coast near New York; inearly Dec. 1969, there had been 14, fishing primarily for squid. Eight had returned to Las Palmas, Canary Island, because squid dropped off and small, lean butterfish and deep-sea smelts increased in the catch. The 6 trawlers were scheduled to leave the area around mid-May. Later, about 6 trawlers willreturntofishherring from Aug. or Sept. until end of 1970. The 6 include the 'Sekishu Maru! (997 gross tons) which fished throughout 1969 off U.S. east coast. Squid Catches The Japanese squid catches off U.S. east coast since Dec. 1969 were estimated at JAPAN (Contd.): 13,000 metric tons. These were sold to Eu- ropean countries at prices averaging around US$500 a metric ton for deliveries to Las Palmas. Spain Plans Squid Fishing Spain is the largest buyer of these Japa- nese-caught squid. Reportedly she plans sending trawlers to squid grounds off New York next season, Although scale of planned Spanish operation is not known, the Japanese feel increased squid production and possible marketing of inferior product will affect ad- versely their 1971 European sales, ('Suisan Tsushin,' April 15.) 3 OOK AK FINDS BOTTOMFISH ABUNDANT OFF ARGENTINA The Japanese government-operated re- search vessel 'Kaiyo Maru! (2,500 gross tons) recently conducted in Tokyo an exhibit and taste sampling of her trawl catches off Ar- gentina in 50-1,120 meters. Her 45-day re- source survey lasted from Dec, 10, 1969- Jan, 26, 1970. Main Species Caught About 42% of the catch was southern cod, 24% merluza (hake), 8% decora (phonetic), plus other bottomfish species. Southerncod resemble pollock, They are delicious if cooked immediately, but become dry andunsuitable for home cooking if frozen very long. Merluza are most abundant in shallow waters about 50 meters. Argentina annually harvests around 150,000 tons, 60% processed into fish meal, and some exported frozen to the U.S. Decora are called merluza-decora in Ar- gentina and are used in fish meal. They are good food fish. They were caught at 150-200 meters. Region Offers Promise The abundance of bottomfish off Argentina suggests that southwest Atlantic can be de- 69 veloped into productive fishing grounds for Japanese "surimi'’ (minced meat) factory- ship operations. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Apr. 15.) 1 OK OK TUNA LONGLINERS HAVE EXTRA LOW-TEMPERATURE FREEZERS Two 314-gross-ton tuna longliners under construction at the Kanasashi and Miho Ship- yards in Japan will have a freezing system capable of reducing temperatures to -60° C, (-76° F.). The vessels also will be equipped with four two-phase compressors capable of lowering the hold temperatures to -55° C, (=67.a-2); Construction cost of each vessel is about 185 million yen (US$514,000). To Fish Bluefin Tuna Scheduled for completionin mid-May 1970, the longliners will be sent tothe South Pacific bluefin tuna grounds, ('Suisancho Nippo,' Mar. 30.) cmos ane PRICES STEADY FOR SQUID & OTHER W. AFRICAN TRAWL CATCHES The Japanese market for ''monko' squid and octopus taken off west Africa (near Span- ish Sahara and Mauritania) is reported steady. Demand for large squid by restau- rants continues strong. The market for red sea bream caught off west Africa is weakening as spring demand tapers off. Mid-April Prices In mid-April, dockside prices (converted to US$/ short ton) were: ''Monko'' squid: ex- tra large (4-5 count 53-lb. box) and large (6- 8 count: $1,512-1,522; medium (9-12 count) $1,469; small (13-20 count) $1,419; extra small (over 61 count) $630-781. Octopus: extra large (1-3 count/53-lb. box) $474; large (4-5 count) $663; medium (6-7 count) $766; small (8-10 count) $713; ex- tra small (over 41 count) $441. 70 JAPAN (Contd.): Red sea bream: extra large (1-22 count 44-lb. box) $554; large (23-29 count) $580; medium (30-39 count) $605; medium-small (40-49 count) $554; extra small (70-99 count) $252. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Apr. 21.) sk ok OK OK CANNED MACKEREL EXPORTS TO U.S. ARE INCREASING Japanese canned mackerel exports to the U.S. arerising, Particularly sharp increases were noted in Feb. and March, Sales to one major U.S. west coast packer were over 70,000 cases (1-lb. talls, 48s) since Jan. 1970. Trading firms are actively promoting their own brands inthe U.S. If upward trend con- tinues, canned mackerel exports to the U.S. in 1970 willapproach one million cases, This would make U.S. a very important market, second to the Philippines. 1966 A Milestone Exports tothe U.S. first attracted attention in 1966, when poor mackerel fishing in Cali- fornia stimulated increased shipments from Japanthat reached 450,000 cases. However, sales competition among Japanese trading firms later blunted U.S. buying interest; in 1967, sales plummeted to 180,000 cases. The loss was regained gradually. Sales roseto320,000 cases in 1968, and to 400,000 cases in 1969--approaching 1966 level. Export Prices Up Recent Japanese export prices for ship- ments to the U.S. are about 28 cents a case more than January 1970, They are reported around US$4.72 a case (48 1-lb. tall cans), exwarehouse, for naturalpack. ('Suisan Tsu- shin,' Apr. 22.) OK OK JAPAN & SOVIETS SIGN 1-YEAR CRAB AGREEMENT Japanand the Soviet Union signed in Mos- cow onApril 7 a 1-year crabagreement. The talks had begun on Feb. 9, Under the agreement, the number of Jap- anese crab vessels and the 1970 season in the northwest Pacific arethe same as last year, but the catch quota has been reduced some- what. A 15% reduction in Japanese king crab quota off western Kamchatka nullifies the long-term bilateral agreement concluded earlier where - by Japan was allotted a 216,000-case (4$-lb. 48s) quota. Fishing regulations by area for the Jap- anese fleet are (figures within parentheses are for 1969): 1. Offwestern Kamchatka: king crabs-- 183,000 cases (216,000 cases) by 4 fleets; "Tbara'’ crabs--765,000 crabs(900,000) by 2 fleets. 2. Western Bering Sea: tanner crabs-- 11.35 million crabs (13 million) by 42 vessels. Of that quantity, 2 million (6.5 million) to be taken off Cape Olyutorski and 9.35 million (6.5 million) east of Cape Navarin. 3. Off eastern Sakhalin Island: 'Abura" (oil) crabs--600,000 crabs by 6 vessels, with a 10% allowance for mixed catches of king and tanner crabs; tanner crabs--17 millioncrabs (19 million) by 39 vessels. 4, Off Nijoiwa: 1.64 million "kegani" (hair) crabs by 14 vessels, same as 1969. 5. Triangle area: 600,000 king crabs, 1.3 million hair crabs and 910,000 ''Hanasaki" king crabs by 387 vessels; same as 1969, (‘Suisan Tsushin!, Apr. 9, 'Minato Shimbun,! Apr. 8.) KOK OK BRAZIL'S 200-MILE SEA LIMIT MAY HURT JAPANESE FISHING Brazil's extension of her territorial-sea limit from 12 to200 miles on March 25, 1970, is expected to affect adversely Japanese shrimp and tuna longline fishing off that coun- try. At present, 72 Japanese shrimp trawlers based inthe Guianas harvest one-third of their catches off Brazil during Marchto September. In 1968, they took 1,888 metric tons of shrimp; in 1969, 2,501 tons. Licensing for Foreigners Unknown The Brazilian Government has not men- tioned any licensing standards for foreign JAPAN (Contd.): vessels. If foreignvessels are excluded from the claimed waters, Japanese shrimp fisher- menwillsuffer severely. The U.S. and other nationals also are shrimping off Brazil. On April 6, the Japanese South American Shrimp Association petitioned the Fisheries Agency and the Foreign Office for help. The Foreign Office was reported planning to file a protest with Brazil. ('Minato Shimbun’, Apr. 6.) KOKO NORTH PACIFIC WHALE OIL SOLD The sale of whale oil fromthe 1970 oper- ation inthe North Pacific. which beganin May, has been contracted for export and domestic markets. Export sales of 5,000-8,000 metric tons of fin-whale oil were contracted at US$230a metric ton, c.i.f., delivery Rotterdam; 4,000 tons of sperm-whale oil at $262 a ton, deliv- ery Rotterdam and New York City, All fin- whale oil exports are to European users, such as Unilever. U.S. firms bought 3,000 tons of sperm-whale oil. Japanese Market Sales of sperm-whale oil to Japanese do- mestic firms were at $258 aton, but actual price comes to $269 when payment conditions are included. Sales of fin-whale oil to Japa- nese firms were expected to be concluded shortly after mid-April. ('Suisan Tsushin,' Apr. 11 & 16.) TAIWAN 1969 CATCH ROSE 5.6% Taiwan's 1969 catch of 560,783 metric tons was 5.6% above 1968. Production from fish culture increased only 0.8% due to typhoon flooding summer 1969, which caused heavy losses in fish pounds, The 1970 targetis 632,000 tons, which may be considered optimistic, In1969, only 23,000 tons of fishing vessels were constructed; the goal was about 33,000 grosstons. The number of vessels operating in 1970 will be smaller than planned; it will be difficult to reach goal. 71 Exports Up Fishery exports were US$44,700,000 in 1969. This figure differs from US$12 million figure of Foreign Trade Bureau, Republic of China. The latter includes only exports from Taiwan, and not exports from overseas ports; these were US$32,000,000, a large increase over 1968. Artificial Spawning The experiment in artificial propagation of grey mullet at Tungkang was a complete suc~- cess. On Feb. 5, 90 fingerlings, 42 days old, still survived from thousands used. The av- erage lengthreached3cm, They were planted at this size infigh ponds to grow to adulthood. This is result of 5 years of experiments. In 1969, only 2 fingerlings survived; they were 30 days old and measured 1.1 cm. Another batch of about 300 fingerlings, each about 2 cm. long, is still in rearing ponds at Tungkang. What remains tobe done is refine- ment of technique to produce fingerlings ona large scale to supply fish farmers. World Bank Loans The World Bank has made 2 loans: The first, in 1963, was US$7.8 million for three 1,000-ton boats and thirteen 300-ton tuna longliners. The construction was awarded to a Japanese shipyard after world-wide bidding. Construction was completed in 1965. A second loan of US$7 million was made in 1968 to build twenty 250-ton vessels. The construction was awarded to a Korean ship- yard. Work began in Dec. 1968. Due to re- organization and strikes, construction was not completed until early 1970. Nineteen vessels have been delivered to Taiwan; one is being refitted in Japan. Asian Development Bank A loan of US$10 million was approved to build forty 250-tontunavessels. Applications for only 35 boats were received by Taiwan Fisheries Bureau. Many applicants intend to withdraw. Each will forfeit a deposit of NT$250,000 (US$6,300). (T.P. Chen, Chief, Fisheries Division, Joint Commissionon Ru- ral Reconstruction.) CANADA MAY DEVELOP NEW TRAWL FISHERY IN W. LAKE ONTARIO Canada may establish a profitable trawl fishery for smelt and alewives in Lake On- tario's western end, The new fishery would not interfere with present fishing operations. The Lake Erie trawler ''Leona Charles," chartered by provincial government, made consistently good catches during past winter off Toronto and Hamilton: . individual half- hour hauls up to 8 tons. For Humans & Animals The catches provide large smelt for hu- man consumption, small smelt for mink feed, and alewives for processing into petfood. Sorting is done by hand. It is hoped that mechanical sorters, whichnow grade by size, can be modified to separate species. This would reduce labor costs and prevent much tedious work. Gill Nets Safe Lake Ontario's traditional gill-net fishery is carriedout only in the lake's eastern end, so there will be no danger of bottom trawls damaging the delicate gill nets. Smelt have been popular for many years, but Lake Ontario alewives have had no com- mercialvalue, although they contribute to diet of more valuable fish species. In manyresort areas of Lake Ontario, they have been con- sidered a nuisance because there is usually a summer ''die-off'', Vast numbers of dead alewives are washed onto the beaches. ('Ca- nadian Dept. of Fisheries and Forestry', Apr. 23.) IMPORTS OF CANNED TUNA UP, FROZEN TUNA DOWN In 1969, Canadian canned-tuna imports were 3,834 short tons worth US$3,957,000. This was rise of 4% in quantity and 19% in value above 1968, according to Japan Ex- ternal Trade Promotion Organization. Purchases from Japan were 3,116 tons, over 80% of Canada's canned-tuna imports. These were mostly canned white-meat tuna packed under buyer's label, although imports of solid and chunk light-meat tuna packs have been increasing lately. Cuba Exports to Canada Cuba also exports canned white meat and some canned light-meat tunato Canada. Cuba may become a greater supplier because her product is lower priced, and quality is im- proving under technical assistance. Prices Rising Canned tuna prices in Canada generally are rising. For Japanese canned solid white meat tuna, retail prices for 7-oz. can range from 43-47 Canadian cents (39-41 cents in 1968) to 52-57 cents (45-48 cents in 1968). The 13-0z. solid white meat tuna are being sold for $1.05 a can. The Cuban 7-0z. can retails for 29 centsa can for both solid white and solid light meat tuna. Frozen Tuna Imports In 1969, Canada's frozentuna imports were 1,793 short tons worth $801,000, asharp drop from 1968's 5,201 tons worth $2,426,000. Shipments from Japan are 90% of imports. These have remained fairly stable during past two years. Purchases from Cuba have dipped sharply, and Mauritius Island and Malaysia, important suppliers in earlier years, sold none. 2 Major Canneries Canada has two major tuna canneries pack- ing mostly albacore, which is in great demand. However, albacore fishery is poor, so those packers face a lack of raw material. Since 1968, they have sought supplies abroad. ('Sui- san Tsushin,! Apr. 20.) 72 EUROPE NORWAY FISHING INDUSTRY WAS PROSPEROUS IN 1969 On the average, 1969 was a prosperous year forthe Norwegian fishing industry. Al- though total landings fell 15% to 2.2 million metric tons exvessel value reached US$147 million (up .%) and export earnings $237 million (up 7.2%). Why Value Rose The 1969 increases in value reflected the compound effect of 2 factors: generally high- er product prices, and the processing of an increased proportion of the catchinto higher- priced products, These were more frozenfish fillets, canned fish, and klippfish; less fish meal and oil. Cod Up, Herring Down The cod fisheries yielded 274,000 tons, the second highest recorded. The pattern of sup- ply of rawfishfor the reduction industry was drastically alteredin1969, Landings of her- ring dropped more than 500,000 from 1968-- to only 205,000 tons--because of the almost- complete failures of winter herring and fat herring fisheries; NorthSeaherring landings fell over 50%. Fish Reduction Down 20% The fish reduction industry processed 1.6 million tons of fish--20% less than in 1968. Itused mainly other species of densely shoal- ing fish: mackerel, capelin, and Norway pout. State Support Steady State support to the fisheries, including purchases of stockfish from producers/ex- porters, was $37 million, practically the 1968 level. (U.S. Embassy, Oslo, May 6.) KORO BULK CARRIER TO BECOME FISH-MEAL FACTORYSHIP A former Swedish bulk carrier purchased by Norglobal A/S, Troms#, Norway, will be reconstructed into a floating fish-meal fac- tory at Nyland Shipyard in Oslo, The vessel is 584 feet long, 78 wide, and45feet deep, She 73 is registered at 18,362 grosstons and 26,100 tons deadweight. The factoryship is expected tobe ready by July. The first expedition will be off Africa. Process 3,000 Tons Daily A/S Myrens Verksted in Bergen, Norway, will deliver factory machinery designed to process daily about 3,000 tons of raw mate- rial--equal to 600 metric tons of fish meal. The raw material will be delivered from 12-15 modern purse seiners. The expedition will accommodate 200 men. The project is an investment of about US$14 million. 3 Production Lines The ship will have 3 fish-meal production lines. Greatest automation and maximum space use were stressed. The ship will be equipped with 4 positions toload raw material from vessels at total capacity of 800 tons an hour. The raw material willrun past fully auto- matic scales that register net raw material received. The raw-material bins are self- trimming, with facilities steered from deck to empty raw material. The transport systems contain regulated feeding apparatus leading raw material to 4 indirect boilers, then past strainer facilities to 3 double-screw presses. The boilers have variable speed to make maximum uSe of raw materials, Thedrying plantstoprocess meal are specially constructed for ship installa- tion. Storage for 2 Days! Work After first grinding process, meal is run through a pellet plant andtransported to stor - agetanks. Pelletscanbe discharged directly to transport vessels at sea. The oil separa- tor plant and liquid presses operate auto- matically. At full production, the ship has a raw-material storage capacity for 2 days! operation; She can store about 10,000 tons of pellets, and about 5,000 tons offish oil, ('Fis- kets Gang,' Mar. 12.) 74 DENMARK SALMON BOAT CONVERTED TO SHRIMP FACTORYSHIP A former salmontrawler, the 'Greenland', is being reconstructed in Esbjerg, Denmark, into a floating shrimp factory, the first of its kind in the world. The ship originally was purchased in Cuxhaven by Director Sfrensen of Esbjerg. She underwent extensive recon- struction for salmon operations off Green- land. Fishing off Greenland was satisfactory, but Sérensen decided there were too many vessels in the area and that the vessel could be used to explore other N. Atlantic riches. The Greenland still will be able to perform as a salmon vessel. U.S. Shrimp-Peeling Machine She will be equipped with a U.S. shrimp- peeling machine. The machine is capable of peeling 6 tons of shrimp in 20 hours. Nor- mally, shrimp are peeled by Greenlandic women, who can peel 3 kilograms of whole, raw shrimp in one hour, The new machine can peel as much as 100 women peel during a normal workday, A factory expert will oversee the new ma- chinery. After peeling, the shrimp will be frozen onboard, Further processing--to boil and pack the shrimp--will take place in Den- mark, Ice Masses Delay Season Assuming timely receipt of the machinery from the U.S., the Greenland was scheduled to begin operations about May 1. The shrimp season normally beginsin May. However, due to large ice masses in Disko Bay, where the vessel will operate, the season has been de- layed. ('Vestkysten,' Apr. 9.) /\ FRANCE IMPORTED MANY JAPANESE FISHERY PRODUCTS IN 1969 French imports of Japanese fishery pro- ducts in 1969 have beenreported by the Japan External Trade Organization: Frozen Tuna: 995 metric tons (922 tons in 1968). The Japanese product was nearly 80% of total French imports in 1969, which amounted to 1,197 tons (2,439 tons in 1968). Canned Salmon; 794 metric tons, over 50% of French canned-salmon imports of 1,330 tons. Purchases from Japan in 1969 declined 50% from 1968. The Soviet Union has in- creased its canned salmon sales to France since 1968. In 1969, these surpassed (in volume and value) shipments from Canada, Japan's former chief competitor in France. Japanese Shipments Fall Canned Crab and Shrimp: Bought 852 met- rictons from Japan, mostly canned king crab. Compared with 1968, shipments from Japan declined 50% in quantity but rose 20% in value; this reflected sharp rise in price. However, high price has sharply reduced retail sales in France. It is feared market for Japanese product may collapse. Canned Mackerel: Imports from Japan were 253 metric tons, down slightly from 1968. (‘Suisan Tsushin,' Apr. 21.) USSR SOVIET CANNED KING CRAB IN JAPAN Canned king crab packed in the Soviet Un- ion beganto appear in Japanin late Feb. 1970. The product was imported by Tokyo Maruichi Shoji, a leading importer of Soviet marine products. Itis being sold in various parts of Japanunder Soviet labels 'Chatka' and 'Ako!, One leading Tokyo department store is selling Chatka, a quality pack, for US$1.94 a can ($-pound pack), the same price as that for Japanese factoryship production. Some supermarkets are promoting sales at low prices of $1.33-1.38 a can, Also Soviet Competition Elsewhere Apparently, the Soviets are exploiting op- portunity provided by Expo-70 to penetrate Japanese market. Japanese packers, who face Soviet competition in the U.S., France, and elsewhere, now are confronted with an aggressive sales offensive in Japan. Here- after, market prices will be largely influenced by the movement of the Soviet product. ('Sui- sab Tsushin,' Apr. 13.) 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