ayer ROBE HI 1 51339 COMMERCIAL SIS ERIE S$ or co roa) ill lll | : il lll rei mt SHRIMP TRAWLER a GULF OF MEXICO LENGTH 72 FT. au Vol.16, No.7 JULY 1954 FISH and WILDLIFE SERVICE United States Department of the Interior W ashington, D.C. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DOUGLAS McKAY, SECRETARY COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW A review of developments and news of the fishery industries prepared in the BRANCH OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE JOHN L. FARLEY, DIRECTOR A.W. Anderson, Editor F. F. Johnson, Associate Editor J. Pileggi and J. J. O'Brien, Assistant Editors Mailed free to members of the fishery and alliedindustries. Address correspondence and requests to Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Department of the Interior, Washington 25, D. C. Publication of material from sources outside the Service is not an endorsement. The Service is not responsible for the accuracy of facts, views, or opinions contained in material from outside sources. the: Although the contents of this publicationhave not been copyrighted and maybe reprinted freely, refer- ence to the source will be appreciated. The printing of this publicationhas been approved bythe Director of the Bureau of the Budget, Novem- ber 5, 1952. CONTENTS COVER: A 72-foot Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawler. About 7,000 United States craft operate shrimp trawls in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. In 1953 these craft caught about 235 million pounds of shrimp, the largest catch in the history of the fishery, The type of gear used tofish for shrimp is depicted of page 30 of this issue. Page Freezing Gulf-of-Mexico Shrimp at Sea, by John A. Dassow...... BS adacsuonevetsietete tocol Gb'D sisi oeveratate rs 1 Gulf-of-Maine Bluefin Tuna Exploration--1953, by J. J. Murray .............. pooo0dDUs sovsoavcs REA EK Page Page RESEARCH IN SERVICE LABORATORIES ...... 20 TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS (Contd.): TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS:............ 21 U. S, Foreign Trade in Edible Fishery Products: 33 Additions to the Fleet of U.S, Fishing Vessels. 21 Marchpl O54 arvcrccctedeucrcncdenemtonerencne Tees 33 Alaska Fur-Seal Skin Prices Rise at Spring January-March 1954 Trends | Pere eR tS 00 34 Auctionys-wreeierela eile b oyenalG A0'd.0aw' 0 0 21 Exports of Marine Oils Increase.......... 34 Bluefin lunaehagging src teieieie eter sretononelcke 22 Wholesale Prices, May 1954 ............. 34 California: U. S, Fish Stick Production Soars in1954..... 36 Japanese Fishermen Catch California-T a FOREIGN: oo ete ce: «cn eelerotsiaichichh cuore entero cll oma 37 Albacore Tuna .........--- p50 8) International: Fish Populations Census Off Central Baja United States-Japanese Fishing Operation California (Cruise 54-Y-4)...........- 23 Catches Tuna for AmericanSamoa Cannery . 37 Cans--Shipments for Fishery Products, Janu- Vessel Owners of Three European Nations Seek ary-March 19545 osiclecle oe Savers ae Mesh Standardization for Trawl Nets...... 37 Federal Purchases of Fishery Products . MOO oO. ee Japan-Australia Reach Interim Agreement on Florida: Pearl Fishing in ArafuraSea ........... 38 Red Tide Research Vessel Delivered to Serv- U, S.-Canada Committee on Trade and Eco- 13 556 BOE e bo Golo 00.0.0 b-bicresak . 20 nomic Affairs: Gulf Exploratory Fishery Program: Report on First Meeting in Washington .... 38 Good Yellowfin Tuna Catches in Gulf of Mexico Food and Agriculture Organization: by Oregon (Cruise 23) ..... odoo00000 5 RD World’s Fishermen Using More Powered Missouri: WEIS Siggine disomuccod-dg Soom 000 9 38 Commercial Fish Catch, 1953........... 26 Fish Flour Tests in Chile Successful. ..... 41 North Carolina: Israeli Carp Used to Stock Mexican Inland Out-of-State Shrimp Trawler Regulations to Wiat erst ir aus ecaveuoyseieicneesecl otencncnsRemeice 41 be Rigidly Enforced ..........-..-+-+-- 27 Whaling: Fisheries Research Vessel Launched...... 27 Smaller Minimum Length for Finback Whales Pacific Salmon Investigations: Proposed by Norway........-..2----- 42 Fingerling Salmon Diverted by Light ...... 27 Trade Agreements: U. S. Canned Packs of Selected Fishery Prod- Iceland to Ship Fishery Products toPoland.. 42 ucts, 1953: Sweden-U.S.S.R. Trade Agreement Includes Shad aeons icici tes roles otn uni abe mereutircns Reneteleia 28 Fishery Products and Fishing Vessels . 42 Maine Sardines (Including Sea Herring) aMenews 29 Netherlands-Czechoslovakia Trade Agree- SHE Soo bocon oD oes Bae CRO OOO ae) ment Includes Fish.........2++++++= 42 Specialty F isher 7 Prodicts | aericcsuene so Bul Venezuela-Colombia Trade Agreement In- U, S. Production of Menhaden and Menhaden cludes Canned Fish. eich kas keris 43 Products, 1953 . is Mai havehcuste eins ede SMOe. International Pacific: Halibut ‘Commission: Areas 2 and1BClosedJune5 .......... 60 Contents Continued Page 81 ih ("0") th ™ | COMMERCIA July 1954 Washington 25, D.C. tl FREEZING GULF-OF-MEXICO SHRIMP AT SEA By John A. Dassow* ABSTRACT Freezing (in air) shrimp at sea aboard the vessel immediately after they are caught produced a high-quality product more nearly approaching the absolutely fresh state than the iced shrimp normally found on the market. Brine-freezing shrimp at sea for later thawing and refreezing ashore resulted in a product whose color, flavor, and texture were comparable to shrimp air-frozen at sea, Both of these products were superior to shrimp iced at sea. Particularly significant was the fact that shrimp frozen at sea aboard vessel showed no development of ‘‘black spot’’ discoloration, A recommended procedure for commercial application of brine-freezing shrimp is given. INTRODUCTION The development of the shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and other southern waters has brought new technological problems to the shrimp industry. Expanding shrimp markets have brought more and larger vessels with larger payloads. As boats range hundreds of miles from port, icing the shrimp for more than 10 to 12 days creates a quality problem. Softening, black-spot discoloration, loss of flavor, and spoilage of shrimp held too long in ice have meant a loss of dollars to the fish- ermen and a loss of product quality to the consumer. Recognition of these problems has encouraged the adoption of better handling practices aboard vessel, improved icing procedures, and hold refrigeration for pres- ervation of ice on the outbound trip. Packaging and freezing the raw headless shrimp aboard vessel appears to be a satisfactory solution of the quality problem for many fishermen with larger boats and the required capital for the freezer installation. Another promising solution is the holding of fresh shrimp in refrigerated sea water (Idyll, Higman, and Siebenaler 1952) aboard vessel. Still another solution is to freeze the shrimp in low-temperature brine at sea and then thaw, package, and re- freeze them ashore. Freezing packaged shrimp aboard the vessel solves the quality problem en- countered on long trips, since even a 4- to 6-week trip may be accomplished with no appreciable loss in quality to shrimp properly frozen and stored. The freezing of shrimp in brine aboard vessel appears to offer several excellent advantages com- pared to other systems. Brine freezers are adaptable to small boats, since pack- aged refrigeration units may easily be designed for small space. Brine-freezing of small and irregular-shaped products such as shrimp is efficient and fast. Complete protection against dehydration (freezer burn) is insured during the freezing cycle as contrasted with air-blast freezing. A large volume of cold brine is an excellent reserve of refrigeration during peak periods of fishing. Many of the practical ad- * Chief, Fishery Products Laboratory, Branch of Commercial Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ketchikan, Alaska. 2 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 vantages, as well as the problems, of brine-freezing fish at sea have been demon- strated by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service studies aboard the trawler Delaware off the New England coast. The present study was intended as a small-scale trial of brine-freezing shrimp at sea in the coastal area of the Gulf of Mexico. The facilities used were those of ; the Fish and Wildlife Service vessel Oregon, \ which was engaged in exploratory shrimp fish- ef ing at the time. Among the factors considered were: (1) quality of the fresh shrimp, (2) ef- fect of chilling the shrimp before freezing, (3) freezing rate, (4) importance of brine circu- ae lation, (5) glazing, (6) storage of brine-frozen shrimp, (7) thawing and refreezing brine-fro- zen shrimp, (8) salt content of frozen shrimp, and (9) a comparison of keeping quality of brine-frozen shrimp with that of air-frozen shrimp. oot EXPERIMENTAL All freezing trials at sea were conducted aboard the Fish and Wildlife Service vessel Oregon during March and April 1952. Boththe white (Penaeus setiferus) and brown-grooved Fig. 1 - U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service exploratory es aziecus) SErunp ene Deine aiEOZeR and fishing vessel Oregon at dock, Pascagoula, Missis- air-frozen during exploratory trips off the sippi. Sa Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas coasts. In addition, iced fresh white shrimp obtained from the commercial fishery were frozen for comparison. A sample of commercially packaged and frozen brown-grooved headless shrimp was obtained for comparative storage tests with the experimental samples. At the conclusion of the work aboard the exploratory vessel Oregon in May 1952, all samples of frozen shrimp were shipped under refrigeration to the Fishery Products Laboratory, Ketchikan, Alaska, where storage tests were conducted until February 1953, when the tests were con- cluded. Shrimp processed at sea were frozen either in refrigerated brine at 5° F. or in still air at -20° F. within two hours after being caught, with the exception of one lot of whole shrimp that was iced for three days prior to being headed and frozen. Both whole and headless shrimp were frozen by the two methods. All shrimp were rinsed thoroughly with clean sea water before being frozen. Air-frozen shrimp were prepared as the control sample and were packaged in 5-pound waxed cartons, placed in the sharp freezer at -20° F. for 24 hours, glazed with cold fresh water, and stored at 0° F. BRINE FREEZING: Brine-frozen shrimp were prepared by immersing 5- to 10-pound lots of shrimp for about 15 minutes in circulating 85-degree salimeter brine (22.4 percent salt) chilled to 5° F. With small lots the brine temperature in- creased not more than 5° during the freezing period. After the shrimp had been removed from the brine, they were drained briefly, rinsed in fresh water (chilled to 34° F.), drained, packaged in 1- or 5-pound waxed cartons, and stored in air at 0° F. The effect of chilling the shrimp in fresh cold water (34° F.) prior to their immersion in the brine was determined. The freezing rate of the shrimp was de- termined by observation of the amount of area actually frozen as indicated on the cut sections of shrimp removed at intervals from the brine, and also by use of a metal-stem thermometer thrust into the middle portion of individual shrimp. In salt-penetration tests, shrimp were kept in the brine for 48 hours. Small samples (approximately 1 pound) were removed at intervals during this time. Observations July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 3 were made on the importance of brine circulation and methods of keeping the chilled brine in contact with the shrimp. Because of the limited capacity of the experimen- tal brine freezer, no observations were possi- ble on the optimum ratio of the volume of K \\ shrimp to the volume of brine. \4' In view of the limited time and funds avail- oN able for this study, the experimental brine a - freezer was constructed of equipment readily iB o ie available at low cost. A 55-gallon open-top ee! drum was wrapped with 2-inch rock-wool batts (a+—- and used for the brine tank. Approximately --- — 60 feet of 4-inch copper tubing was coiled inthe ® _ bottom of the drum and along the inside andcon- nected toa 3-horsepower Freon-12 air-cooled refrigeration compressor. A 4-horsepower centrifugal pump with neoprene impeller and 2- inch heavy-duty rubber hose were used to pump the brine from the bottom of the tank to the top, where it was discharged directly over the shrimp. Approximately 40 gallons of 85-de- = gree salimeter brine (made up with C-grade Fig, 2 - Setting the shrimp trawl aboard the Oregon mined salt) were added to the tank. A cover off the Mississippi coast in April 1952. Equipment . - for brine-freezing tests was placed in the starboard WES NS ONE during periods of rough weather brine well, accessible through the hatch shown along- to keep the brine from sloshing out. The cover ide the deckhouse. was slotted to allow access for the refrigera- tion coils and the brine hose. Covered galvanized wire-mesh baskets and open- mesh cotton bags were used to hold the shrimp during freezing tests. A dial-type metal-stem thermometer was used to indicate brine temperature. The brine-freezing equipment, with an extra drum for a glazing tank, was placed amidships in a large re- frigerated well maintained at 34° to 38° F. With no freezing load, the minimum temperature of the brine at the bottom of the tank was -2° F. and that at the top +2° F. Whole shrimp that had been brine-frozen at sea and stored in air at 0° F. for several weeks were used for thawing and refreezing tests ashore. In order to thaw the shrimp rapidly prior to being headed, they were immersed for 10 to 15 minutes in running fresh water at 60° F. The shrimp were then still cold and slightly stiff. After being headed, the shrimp were rinsed well with fresh water, packaged in 1-lb. waxed cartons, and frozen in air at -209 F. The following day, the shrimp were glazed in the package with fresh cold water (34° F.) and stored at 0° F. Shrimp that were headed before being brine-frozen were not thawed and refrozen but were stored for comparison, Fig. 3 - Improvised brine freezer aboard the Oregon, showing hose connections over the top of the tank and copper coil connected to compressor on the right, SAMPLES: The main variables in the samples of shrimp frozen at sea and on shore for storage tests at 0° F. are summarized in table 1. 4 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Table 1--Shrimp Samples Frozen for Storage Tests Type of freez- Sample ing used designation DiteEANSS! Ok SeeeTohe Headed, packaged, and frozen immediately at sea Air Iced at sea, then headed, packaged, and frozen at Iced sea, if done experimentally; or on shore, if done commerciall Retoren Brine-frozen at sea, then thawed, headed, packaged, Brine and refrozen in air on shore Left whole, brine frozen, and packaged at sea Headed, brine-frozen, and packaged at sea In addition to the above samples, two small lots of iced white shrimp were ob- tained from commercial boats at Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and Cameron, Louisi- ana, and frozen in air and in brine ashore. These samples of frozen white shrimp were prepared primarily for salt-penetration studies and comparison with the shrimp frozen at sea. For the determination of salt (sodium chloride) content, 2 or more subsamples of 6 or more shrimp were drawn from each sample lot of shrimp, thawed, and peeled. Each subsample of shrimp meat was analyzed for to- tal sodium chloride content by the procedure of the Association of Official Agricul- tural Chemists (1950). EXAMINATION: Organoleptic examination of the frozen, thawed, and cooked shrimp samples was made after 5, 8, 15, 26, and 40 weeks of storage at Qi, Aas frozen shrimp were thawed quickly al \ in fresh water and then cooked 7 \ minutes in boiling water. The ap- pearance and odor of the thawed shrimp were noted. The cooked shrimp were coded and graded by laboratory taste panels for appear- ance, flavor, and texture. The brown and the white shrimp were tested separately in case there were quality differences due to species. RESULTS FACTORS AFFECTING QUAL- ITY: Observations of the methods of handling shrimp prior to their Fig, 4 - Basket for holding shrimp, showing hinged top. Two baskets being frozen at sea and at process- could be placed in the brine tank for freezing tests. ing plants on shore indicated that warm temperature, air, and sun- shine are the most important factors that cause rapid loss of quality in shrimp caught in southern waters. Softening and moderate discoloration of the whole shrimp were observed after they had been held in ice for as short a time as three days. Both at sea and on shore samples of shrimp left in the shade but exposed to warm air for periods of 6 to 8 hours showed similar significant loss of quality. The results of later examinations of the frozen samples served as a graphic reminder of the well-known rule that the best any method of freezing can accomplish is to fix the quality of the product at the time it is frozen. Quality comparison of the frozen sam- ples was difficult in some cases because the limited time and facilities did not per- mit preparation of the samples under strictly uniform conditions. CHILLING: After several freezing tests had been run at sea, it was apparent that the most effective procedure for handling shrimp prior to their being frozenwas to use an ice-water tank in which the whole or headed shrimp could be chilled im- July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 5 mediately after they had been separated from the catch. This preliminary chilling not only minimized the quality loss during delays before the shrimp were frozen but also improved the efficiency of the brine-freezing process. Shrimp chilled thor- oughly in ice water before being immersed in cold brine appeared to freeze faster and had a better appearance. The cold water on the outside of the shrimp tended to freeze as a thin glaze immediately after the shrimp had been immersed in the brine. This glaze was noticeable on the surface of such shrimp after their removal from the brine. FREEZING RATE: Observa- tions of shrimp immersed in cir- culating brine at 5° F. indicated that headless shrimp averaging 20 to the pound would freeze in 10 minutes. Larger shrimp required 5 minutes longer or a total of 15 minutes until solidly frozen. Smaller shrimp averaging 35 head- Fig. 5 - Pump used for circulation of refrigerated brine in tank. less shrimp per pound were frozen in 4 minutes to an internal temperature of 15° to 230 F. A maximum of 8 minutes was required to lower the temperature to about +5° F. Thus a maximum immersion time of 15 minutes appeared necessary for freezing Gulf shrimp in circulating brine at +5° F. In contrast, a 1-pound package of headed shrimp required 4 hours to freezeinstill air at -20° F. Tests with immersion in still brine indicated that the time required to freeze would be about twice as long with single shrimp and several times as long with quantities of several pounds. This was due to the tendency of the shrimp to float together at the top of the brine. IMPORTANCE OF BRINE CIRCULATION: The rapid circulation of the brine over the top of the tank appeared important in keeping the shrimp separated and allowing optimum contact of the chilled brine with each shrimp. With the experi- mental brine freezer the rapid circulation of the brine was also found important in maintaining the uniform temperature of the brine throughout the tank. Still brine or even slowly-circulating brine tended to layer, a warm layer of brine appearing over the top of the cold dense brine at the bottom. The rapid circulation of the brine was also necessary to keep the brine from freezing on the refrigerated coils and ob- structing the flow of brine between the coils. GLAZING: Brine-frozen shrimp did not take a good glaze if dipped into cold water immediately after being removed from the brine. The glaze was fragile and tended to chip off readily, affording little protection from dehydration if such shrimp were stored in bulk in large boxes or cartons. Brine-frozen shrimp were glazed more poe aves, if cold water was sprayed over them after they had been stored for a few days at 0° F. to be quite bulky. For example, a 5-pound waxed carton held only 3 pounds. The brine-frozen tails were slightly less bulky, but still did not permit efficient packaging because of the unavoidable air space left in the carton. Even with reglazing, such shrimp showed excessive dehydration because of the rapid moisture transfer within the carton. THAWING AND REFREEZING: The process of thawing, heading, and refreezing the brine-frozen shrimp ashore seemed to offer no problem. After being thawed, the shrimp were slightly softer than the fresh shrimp as taken from the water, but 6 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 were definitely firmer and easier to head than much of the iced shrimp handled dur- ing the tests. The shrimp could be headed while partially frozen; however, pack- aging was easier if the shrimp were completely thawed. SALT CONTENT: The salt content of the various samples of air-frozen shrimp is given in table 2. The lower salt content of the shrimp that were iced prior tobe- Table 2--Salt Content of Meat of Air-Frozen Shrimp Sample Kind of Salt content designation | shrimp used Treatment of sample ofemennll Percent Control Brown Frozen immediately at sea 0.46 Held in ice 3 days before being frozen 0.27 at sea it Iced Commercial sample (Cameron, La. held in ice at sea before being frozen 0 on shore j1/Average of 2 or more subsamples. ing frozen (0.27 percent and 0.14 percent) as compared with that of the shrimp that were frozen immediately as a control (0.46 percent) was probably due more to leaching by the melting ice than to sample variation. The salt content of the various samples of the brine-frozen shrimp is given in table 3. The low value of 0.16 percent for the refrozen shrimp is interesting, since it indicates that the absorbed salt was leached quite rapidly while the shrimp were being thawedin running water. The dataonthe whole brown shrimpwere irregular, ow- ing probably to sample variation. The trends are sufficiently clear, however, to indicate that the absorption of salt from the brine was very rapid during the first Table 3--Salt Content of Meat of Brine-Frozen Shrimp Time in|Salt content | Treatment of sample renew) Hours Percent Brine-frozen at sea, then thawed in running water, headed, pack- 0.16 ed, and refrozen in air onshore Frozen at sea immediately after being caught Frozen at sea immediately after being caught refrozen Commercial sample (Bayou La Batre, Alabama) held in ice be- fore being frozen Commercial sample (Cameron, La. ) held in ice before being frozen |1/85-degree salimeter sodium-chloride brine at 50 (+50) F, 2/Average of 2 or more subsamples. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 7 quarter hour and that the absorption apparently continued, at a much slower rate, for at least as long as 48 hours. The value of 1.7 percent for the headless brown shrimp frozen for a quarter of an hour is slightly higher than that of the whole brown shrimp frozen for the same length of time (1.5 percent), but the difference between the two is within the range of sample variation. The data on the whole white shrimp iced before being brine-frozen indicate a slightly higher salt content than whole brown shrimp frozen immediately at sea. Otherwise the data follow the same trend. The data for the headless white shrimp iced before being brine frozen are similar, except that the amount of salt absorbed in 21 hours was very high. These shrimp were quite soft before being frozen, which may account for the high absorption. Taste tests indicated that a salt content of 1.5 percent was not excessive. If the shrimp were boiled, it was necessary to add the usual amount of salt to the wa- ter for flavoring. KEEPING QUALITY: Examinations aboard vessel indicated that brine-frozen shrimp compared very favorably with air-frozen whole and headless shrimp pre- pared from the same lots. Headless shrimp frozen in brine showed no discolora- tion on the shell or the exposed meat. Flavor and texture of the cooked shrimp were normal, and very little salt appeared to have been absorbed by the meat while the shrimp were being brine-frozen. Examinations after 5 and 8 weeks of storage (computed from the time the shrimp were first frozen) indicated that the brine-frozen shrimp were equal in quality tothe air-frozen shrimp. No undesirable discoloration, toughening, or excessive absorp- tion of salt were noted in the brine-frozen shrimp. Since the brine-frozen headless shrimp were rather loosely packed in the waxed cartons, there was a slight amount of dehydration caused by moisture transfer within the carton, but the quality of the shrimp as a whole did not appear to be impaired. The refrozen shrimp appeared indistinguishable from the air-frozen shrimp, and the taste panel was unable to find any differences in flavor and texture. After 15 weeks of storage there were no substantial changes in the quality rat- ings, with the exception of the brine-frozen headless shrimp. The increasing dehy- dration of these shrimp in the loosely-packed cartons was noticeable and was espe- cially apparent in the difficulty of peeling the shrimp. Accompanying the dehydra- tion was the development of a slightly strong off-flavor. Although these shrimp were still in fairly good condition, they were definitely inferior to the refrozen and the air-frozen samples. After 26 weeks of storage all samples of shrimp were still in good condition ex- cept the brine-frozen headless shrimp, which were rated on the borderline of mar- ketability owing to dehydration and the development of a strong off-flavor. The fact that the refrozen shrimp compared favorably at this time with the air-frozen shrimp indicated that it was not brine-freezing that was the cause of the problem but rather that it was the method of packaging which allowed the shrimp to dehydrate. Loss of glaze also was found in the refrozen and air-frozen shrimp packaged before being frozen. Shrimp at the corners and edges of these packages were slightly dehydrated, and correspondingly the flavor and texture were adversely affected. In brine-frozen shrimp, the adverse changes accompanying dehydration were noticeably greater than in the air-frozen shrimp, possibly because of the catalytic effect of salt (or impur- ities in it) absorbed in the surface meat during brine-freezing. When completely protected from dehydration (e.g., shrimp from the interior of the package), samples of both brine-frozen and air-frozen shrimp had good color, flavor, and texture after the 26 weeks of storage. After the samples had been stored for 40 weeks at 00 F., it was found that the glazed shrimp showed surface dehydration of those shrimp at the corners and edges of all packages. This development made difficult a fair comparison of the other var- 8 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 iables being considered. Further observation of these samples showed without ques- tion that brine-frozen shrimp must be very carefully protected from dehydration if quality is to be preserved for periods of 6 to 9 months. The loss in quality of the air-frozen shrimp under conditions of moderate dehydration was also of greatest significance and was the factor limiting the storage life of these samples to 9months. Quality comparisons of the various lots of air-frozen shrimp during the storage tests were interesting. Black-spot discoloration was completely absent*in shrimp frozen immediately after being caught. It was present to a moderate degree in those shrimp that were iced 3 days and to a greater degree in the commercially- iced shrimp that were frozen. Flavor differences were apparent to members ofthe taste panels but preferences varied. Some seemed to find the iced shrimp more flavorsome, whereas others thought iced shrimp were too strong in flavor by com- parison and preferred the fresher flavor of the shrimp frozen immediately at sea. DISCUSSION If brine-freezing of shrimp were used commercially, the refreezing process appears to be the most satisfactory. Aboard the fishing vessel, the whole shrimp could be sorted rapidly into baskets in the ice-water chill tank on deck. The baskets of chilled shrimp could then be removed and, after being drained briefly, set in the refrigerated brine tank and frozen. After the shrimp were frozen, the baskets could be removed and stored in the refrigerated hold at 0° F., or the shrimp could be dumped into boxes and stacked in the hold. In either case a water spray could be used to glaze the shrimp and protect them from dehydration during the trip. Once ashore the shrimp could be thawed, headed, and packaged for refreezing as desired. Alternately, they might be thawed and processed for frozen-breaded-shrimp or pre- cooked-shrimp products. The tests have shown that several weeks’ storage of the brine-frozen whole shrimp is quite practical and could be extended if shrimp were protected from dehydration. Such frozen shrimp might be used by the smaller plants for maintaining production. From the tests conducted it was indicated that brine-freezing shrimp at sea or thawing and refreezing such shrimp ashore resulted in a product of color, flavor, and texture comparable to air-frozen shrimp prepared from the same lot. Freezing shrimp at sea in air or in brine immediately after they were caught produced ahigh- quality product more nearly approaching the absolutely fresh state than the iced shrimp now normally found on the market. The appearance of such shrimp frozen at sea was far superior to iced shrimp because of the complete absence of black- spot discoloration. It should be emphasized that for refreezing, only the use of ab- solutely fresh shrimp and prompt handling during freezing, thawing, and refreezing will give the best results. Regardless of the method for freezing shrimp, there is no doubt from these tests that to protect packaged glazed shrimp adequately from dehydration, the waxed car- ton should be wrapped with moisture-vapor-proof film. Experience with similar frozen products has shown that use of such film would eliminate the necessity of glazing the shrimp if they were packed properly with an absolute minimum of air space within the carton. The following procedure is recommended for commercial brine-freezing and processing of shrimp: Freezing Aboard Vessel: (1) Use only fresh firm whole or headed shrimp. (2) Chill shrimp in fresh ice water. (3) Freeze shrimp in a strong (sodium chloride) brine (85-degree salimeter or 22.4 percent salf) at 0° to 5° F. Circulate brine continuously during the freezing process. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW (4) Remove shrimp from the refrigerated brine immediately after they are frozen, but in no case allow them to remain in the refrigerated brine longer than 4 hours. Rinse briefly in cold fresh water. (5) Store the brine-frozen shrimp at temperatures no higher than +5° F., preferably lower. Protect from dehydration during storage. Processing Ashore: (6) Thaw brine-frozen shrimp in running cold water at 60° F, (about 10 to 15 minutes). (7) Remove shrimp from thawing tank. Remove heads from whole shrimp. Rinse and cull unsound shrimp. (8) Pack uniformlyin waxed cardboard cartons with a minimum of head space. Overwrap with a moisture-vapor-proof film. (9) Refreeze shrimp at -10° F. or below and store at 0° F. or below. LITERATURE CITED ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTS 1950, Official Methods of Analysis. Seventh edition, A,O.A.C., P.O, Box 540, Benjamin Franklin Station, Washington 4, D.C IDYLL, CLARENCE P.; HIGMAN, JAMES B,; and SIEBENALER, J. B. 1952. Experiments on the holding of fresh shrimp in refrigerated seawater, Florida State Board of Conservation, the Marine Laboratory, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, mimeographed, 23 pp. aie NEW CANADIAN ICELESS REFRIGERATED FISH CONTAINER Atest model ofa new iceless refrigerated fish container was dem- onstrated recently in Montreal by the Canadian National Railways. The container features aluminum double-wall construction throughout, the space betweenthe walls being filled with blockinsulation. Refrigeration is maintained by a mixture of sodium sulphate and water contained in sealed rubber tubes mounted in removable aluminum plaques which screen the load from outside heat. A series of tests has demonstrated that fresh fish prechilled to -1.69 C. (29° F.) can be transported for periods of over three days with less than 0.69 C. (1° F.) variation in temperature. Standard containers will have a capacity of 160 pounds. It is expected that the development of this container will help to extend markets for fish to points not directly served by railroads. --World Refrigeration, July 1953. 10 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 GULF-OF-MAINE BLUEFIN TUNA EXPLORATION --1953 By J. J. Murray* SUMMARY The third successive season of exploratory fishing for Gulf-of-Maine bluefin tuna was conducted from July 15 to October 15, 1953. As in the previous year's work, long-line gear was used as the principal fishing method, with surface trolling lines, floating gill nets, and trammel nets as secondary gear. The long-line catch of tuna was much smaller than in the preced- ing years--only 38 tuna weighing 2,000 pounds (round weight) as compared to 12,000 pounds in 1952, and 190,000 pounds caught by purse seine in the 1951 exploration. One reason for the small catch was that the start of the project was delayed until July 15 and a large early run of tuna was completely missed. Also, the catch of sharks was much greater, being 13 times the catch of tuna. Gill-net and trammel-net fishing produced no tuna. Nine tuna were caught on the surface trolling lines. Though catches were small, bluefin tuna were taken over awide area in the Gulf of Maine and adjacent watersas in the previous years. An encouraging development noted in the Sen 1951-53 seasons was the catching of sizable Fig, 1 - Schooner Marjorie Parker, used in the Gulf- Quantities of tuna by the New England otter-trawl of-Maine bluefin tuna exploration, fleet, incidental to trawling operations. The crews of many of these vessels found that tuna schools, attracted to the vessels by small fish which escaped or were discarded from the trawls, would at times bite readily on improvised hand lines baited with herring, mackerel, or squid. Catch records show that 140,000 pounds of tuna caught by this method were landed at Boston and Gloucester in September and October 1951. Re- ported production from hand-line catches in 1953 amounted to 146,000 pounds. This development indicates that a hook-and-line fishery, somewhat similar to the method used by Pacific tuna clippers, might be successfully applied to the New England tuna fishery. BACKGROUND This paper reports the results of the 1953 Gulf-of-Maine exploratory fishing for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) by the Exploratory Fishing and Gear Development Sec- tion of the Branch of Commercial Fisheries, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sim- ilar explorations were conducted in 1951 and 1952. The objectives: to obtain knowl - ege concerning the abundance, migration habits, range, areas of concentration, and availability of the species to various types of fishing gear for possible applicationin the development of a Gulf-of-Maine commercial tuna fishery. During the summer and early fall of 1951 the first phase of the program was carried out with the chartered purse seiner Western Explorer, and 190,000 pounds of bluefin were seined (Murray 1952), The second year's exploration was made with the chartered schooner Marjorie Parker from June 1 to October 31, 1952, using long lines as the primary gear. A total catch of 12,000 pounds of tuna was taken with the long lines, but sharks proved to be a serious nuisance (Murray 1953). * Fishery Methods and Equipment Specialist, Exploratory Fishing and Gear Development Section, Branch of Commercial Fisheries, U, S, Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Maine. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 11 The schooner Marjorie Parker was again used from July 15 to October 15 in the 1953 exploration. The plan of operation in 1953 generally followed the pattern of the previous year, with the exception of two minor differences. The survey range was extended to permit scouting and fishing operations of some areas lying farther offshore, not previously explored during the 1951 and 1952 surveys. Previous ob- servations and reports from fishing vessels indicated the possibility of finding blue- fin tuna concentrations in the deeper waters south and southeast of Georges Bank near the inshore curve of the Gulf Stream. Secondly, certain modifications were made to the majority of Japanese-type long lines used during 1952. To increase the fishing potential of the long lines, additional branch lines and hooks were added to 20 baskets of gear, making a total of 23 hooks per basket as compared with 7 hooks on the regular Japanese-type units. For control purposes, 14 of the original long- line units were left unchanged. AREA OF EXPLORATION Operations were conducted off the New England coast approximately between latitudes 40°00' N, and 44°00' N, (fig. 2), The southern part of this areacorres- LEGEND APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF LONG-LINE SETS. ENCLOSES AREA COVERED BY SCH. MARJORIE PARKER DURING 1953 SEASON. 70° 68° 66° Fig. 2 - Gulf of Maine and adjacent waters explored in 1953. 12 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol, 16, No. 7 ponds roughly to the waters lying south of the southwest part of Georges Bank con- tiguous to the Gulf Stream. In an easterly direction, one cruise was made to the vicinity of Browns Bank south of Nova Scotia. Five cruises were completed inthese waters between July 15 and October 15. EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES VESSEL: The 78-foot schooner Marjorie Parker, chartered for the 1952 ex- ploration, was again used during the 1953 season. Basically the vessel was unchanged from the previous year although addition of new equipment improved over-all oper- ating efficiency during the 1953 season. Installation of additional fuel-oil storage tanks increased the cruising range from 1,200 to 1,600 nautical miles. The effec- tive communication range was increased by the installation of a more powerful radio- telephone set. Provision of airtight compartments for frozen-bait storage insured a good-quality bait supply. As in the previous year, a crew of seven men was em- ployed. LONG-LINE GEAR: Basic long-line gear, operated in 1952, consisted of 40 baskets of Japanese-type gear, plus a few units of locally-constructed long lines. Figs. 3 and 4 - Both Japanese-type line hauler (left) and a regular halibut line hauler (right) were used for hauling the long line. Six baskets of gear were lost at sea during the 1952 season leaving a balance of 34 Japanese-type units available for use in 1953. In order to achieve a greater fishing potential, 20 of the Japanese units were re-rigged and additional shorter branch lines and leaders were attached to the main lines. Branch lines 12 feet in length were at- tached by a double-action swivel to a nylon-covered wire leader 6 feet long to which the tuna hook was attached. In this manner the hook capacity of a basket of gear con- taining a main line 900 feet in length was increased from 7 to 23 hooks. The balance of the Japanese-type long-line gear was left unchanged as a control. Fishing depth was controlled by regulating the length of float lines, which were attached to the main line at regular intervals. Various float line lengths were used, depending on the water depths and strength of current and tides in the areas fished. Generally, in areas where water depths were less than 50 fathoms, floats were at- tached directly to the main lines at the end of each basket and also midway between baskets. When operating in depths from 50 to 75 fathoms, float lines measuring 5 fathoms in length were employed. In waters over 75 fathoms deep, float lines from 10 to 20 fathoms were attached at one-basket intervals. Flag buoys marked thefirst and last basket of each set, with additional buoys attached at 5-basket intervals when July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 13 the total number of baskets set exceeded 20. Setting and hauling of the gear follow- ed the same general pattern employed in 1952 and described in the report for that year. The baits used were frozen squid, frozen and fresh sea herring, frozen men- haden, frozen mackerel, and fresh whiting. The most suitable bait was the frozen squid, which remained well on the hooks and kept firm in storage for lengthy periods. In the majority of sets the squid was used for bait. results. Some difficulty was experienced in the 1952 operations by the small cedar floats entangling in the top rows of the meshes. Removal of most of the cedar floats on each net and attachment of 16-inch rubber-inflated floats along the float lines at 25-foot intervals overcame this difficulty and improved handling of the nets. The number of nets in each set was limited to 3 or 6 of each type per ''string."' The nets were usually fished at night, with only one daytime set made in the vicinity of Boon Island, Maine, near a surface school of tuna. SURFACE TROLL LINES: While under way, the Marjorie Parker trolled 7 lines, 3 from each outrigger pole and one line from the stern. The trolling equip- ment used during the 1952 survey was again operated in 1953, Lines, trolling shocks, and other components were renewed as required. Outside lines measured 22 fathoms, middle lines 20 fathoms, and inside lines 15 fathoms. The stern line, fishing in the wake of the vessel, was 10 fathoms long. Standard bone and plastic jigs with double trolling hooks were fished throughout the season. Various lead-headed jigs with combination red, white, and yellow feathers were all tried at various times. When available, fresh herring or mackerel were lashed to some of the hooks. The small catches allowed no comparison as to the relative effectiveness of the various lures. FISHING AND SCOUTING RESULTS Bluefin tuna production in New England is primarily concentrated in the Massa- chusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay areas during the comparatively short time that this species is found along the New England shores. Catches by Cape Cod Bay traps and pound nets have for many years accounted for the majority of tuna produced in this region. Peak of abundance for bluefin tuna, observed in coastal waters, generally occurs in the period between June 15 and July 30, and the volume of fixed-net catches is the primary criterion of tuna abundance and availability. It was reported that ap- proximately 450,000 pounds of tuna were captured in the traps during a six-day per- iod from June 29 to July 4, 1953. This season's exploratory survey was delayed until July 15, and the huge run of fish present earlier in the month was not in evi- dence at that time. Observations of surface schools of tuna made from the explora- tory vessel were considerably less than the numbers observed during the 1951 and 1952 surveys. Surface schools sighted in 1951 were estimated to contain over 500 tons of tuna; 1952 observations were estimated at 200 tons; 1953 estimates were ap- proximately 75 tons. The total catch of tuna by the various types of gear in 1953 was also far less than in the previous two years of operation. LONG-LINE CATCHES: Bluefin tuna production resulting from long-line fishing during the 1953 survey was poor. The 1952 long-line catch comprised 311 fish weigh- ing approximately 12,000 pounds, in comparison with a 1953 catch of 38 fish weigh- ing 2,000 pounds (round weight). Due toa delay of the 1953 program, effective oper- ating time was reduced to a three-months' period beginning on July 15. The number of long-line sets completed totaled 74, or 44 less than the total for the previous sea- son, 14 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Other factors contributing to the low tuna catch were the failure to locate tuna concentrations in the more distant offshore waters, and the abundance of sharks that hindered operations and in many instances forced cessation of long-line fishing. The Marjorie Parker left Boston on July 17. The initial long-line set of the geagon was made late that afternoon in the vicinity of a tuna school sighted about 20 miles southeast of Boston Lightship, but it failed to catch tuna. On July 21 the vessel arrived in the area south of Georges Bank near the inshore edge of the Gulf Stream. Surface water temperatures varied from 60° to 62° F, in Massachusetts Bay and South Channel waters, but increased to from 64° to 74° F. upon reaching the vicinity of the Gulf Stream, Fishing was carried on for 4 days in an area ex- tending from 67°10' W. to 68°40' W. longitude. A series of long-line sets carried out between the 100- and 500-fath- om curves met with negative results. Observations of sur- face-schooling tuna were negative despite regular daytime masthead watches maintained throughout the trip. The possibility that favorable environmental conditions existing in the vicinity of the Gulf Stream would result in productive tuna fishing was not confirmed by results ob- tained from the survey work undertaken in this offshore region. In early August long-line fishing was conducted in the waters east of Georges Bank between 66°00' W. and 67°00' W. longitude and 41°00' N. and 42°00' N. latitude. Fig, 5 - Hauling the long line. Blue- Two bluefin tuna were caught here, but no surface indica- fin tuna catch on deck in foreground. tions of tuna schools were noted. Later during the same month, one bluefin was captured in the same general area. Cruises made in September to fishing banks located off the Nova Scotia coast failed to find good fishing areas, although a few tuna were caught on long lines and trolling jigs. As evidenced in 1952, sharks were abundant in the catch throughout the 1953 season and seriously affected the operation of the long-line gear. In an effort to overcome this problem, varied lengths of drop lines were attached to the long lines, permitting hook-fishing depths at levels presumably lower than surface zones gener- ally inhabited by the sharks. Theoretically, this would place the baits out of reach Average number of hours per set Hooks - total number fished Hooks - percentage fished per month Hook-hours fished - total Tuna caught - number Sharks caug of the surface-swimming sharks and eliminate or reduce interference. However, the baited hooks remained close to the surface during the setting and hauling of the gear, well within range of the shark population and no appreciable decrease in shark catches was achieved by this method. Undoubtedly, long-line tuna catches can be increased if some method can be found to overcome the shark problem. Shark catches totaled 493 individuals (13 times the tuna catch) with an estimated round weight of 90,000 pounds, Average catch per long-line set was 6.6 sharks. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW emriocation | os “Length | Time Length | ~ Surface Bait!/ |JofFloat| of | of Set |Water Temper-|Tuna ee mae Lines} Set |(Hours)| ature (°F. (No. of Fish NDANNNNNNNNNAN NNYONNNNNYNNNYNENWNN iS) an a oan ocooooongoocooococcco0ceo AWOWANORNMAWWOWWO zee & SSSSS58 nN uo = an q aanne m eS FEUER ones re < eee soo uo ee nn < i) 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 3.5 2 1 2 2 3 3 1 1 1 2 1 2 7 2 1 KFOFMPOCOCOORORONOONMODOCOCORPRFORFHFOO oa - CUCHROFPRPRONOAUMDUINMNOCOHPWORDUUWNOrF <= <2 0h ane 69°54! 69° 32! 69°18! 68°43! 68°54! 69°00! 68°58! 68°58! 69°06! 69°41! 69°27! 67°28! 67°28! 66°55! 66°27! 65°22! 67°57! 69°16! 69°42! 69°19! nn ee nnnnss mim mi na a nn mo a0 a no WNHWNHENNENNNNNNNNNNNN uo COFCO ORPRCOOORP RR UW HH Ee of fa oy EO eo ot 69°04! 69°18! 68°45! 69°04! 69°06! 69°01! 69°38" 69°53! 70°25! AR - Squid, “‘M’’ - Menhaden, **Mkl’’- Mackerel, '*H"’ - Herring, ‘‘W"’ - Whiting, “‘F"* - Feathers, ny NVNNNNNNNN cooooooreo 16 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 A record of long-line sets completed during the 1953 survey is presented in table 2. GILL-NET AND TRAMMEL-NET FISHING: The nets were fished at night a eee eee SO light. While quantities of herring, mackerel, and whiting were caught in the small- er inner webbing of the trammel nets, and blue sharks and dogfish were captured in the gill nets, no tuna were taken during the tests. Results of 23 individual sets in- dicate that this method of fishing shows little promise for bluefin tuna in New Eng- land waters. Gill-net and trammel-net fishing data are presented in table 3. sust-Octobder 1953 - - ‘SHITE aS Oni Bn ee Surface Wind Nets Set of Set |Water Temper-| Direction Catch N. Lat.|/W. Long.|Gill|Trammel|(Hours)| ature (OF.' and Force 68 3 OA 64 i herring, mackerel 70°00! 2 8 63 W.3 herring, whiting 70°25! herring, mackerel, whiting 43°16! | 70°10! blank set 42015! | 70°21' herring, blue shark 68°54! : blank set 68°48! herring, mackerel, whiting, 5 2 blue sharks Note: August 25 set was made in daytime; all others were made at night. SURFACE TROLL FISHING: Surface lines were trolled as a secondary fishing method and as a possible means of locating productive long-line fishing areas. Re- sults of long-line fishing, undertaken in areas immediately following troll catches, were poor, however. On numerous occasions long-line sets in the immediate vicin- ity of troll strikes failed to produce tuna. The most striking example occurred on September 9 in the South Channel region when 8 tuna struck on the troll lines within a one-hour period. Immediately following cessation of the troll-line strikes, 20 baskets of long-line gear were set as nearly as possible to the site of the trollcatches. After two hours the gear was retrieved with a catch of only 1 tuna and 5 blue sharks. Troll- No No. | Total ing a Tuna | Weight Hours Landed | of Tung Southwest Part of Georges Bank 7 Southeast of Georges Bank 7 South Channel 7 50 mi. South of Nantucket Lightship 6 15 mi. E.x S.of Cape Ann Light .... ia South Channel... 7 The Marjorie Parker trolled a total of 199 hours, catching 9 bluefin tuna weigh- ing a total of 360 pounds. This catch represents exactly one-half of all tuna strikes on the troll lines, as 9 fish were lost while attempting to retrieve them. A record of troll catches is presented in table 4. HAND-LINE FISHING FOR BLUEFIN TUNA BY THE OTTER-TRAWL FLEET A significant development was observed in the New England tuna fishery during the 1951-53 seasons when incidental hand-line fishing by the crews of otter trawlers on offshore grounds resulted in a number of good catches of bluefin tuna. The fisher- men found that some tuna schools, attracted to the vessels by the small fish which escaped or were discarded from the trawls, would bite readily on improvised hand July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW it/ lines baited with herring, mackerel, or squid. The tuna schools could be held near the vessel by chumming with scrap fish in many instances. Small fares of tuna were landed in Gloucester by otter trawlers from the South Channel grounds in August 1951. Catch records show that during September and rx a N yt) October of that year 12 catches of tuna totaling 140,000 pounds (dressed and headed fish) were taken on hand lines and landed at the ports of Gloucester and Boston. The largest catch re- ported was 40,000 pounds, landed in Gloucester by amedi- um trawler in September 1951. The captain of a medium trawl- er reported that the catch of 375 tuna, averaging 60 pounds round weight, landed at the Boston Fish Pier in August 1953, was taken in a 4-hour period by a crew of 7 men. Tuna production reportedfrom this source during the 1953 sea- gon amounted to 146,000 pounds. Fig. 6 - One swordfish was taken by long line, The catch of sharks was 13 times greater than the tuna catch, Reports indicate that the most productive fishing was on grounds located in a southeasterly direction from Cape Cod Light. Good catches were reported by trawlers fishing on ''Tobins," a popular trawling ground approximately 20 miles square lying about 40 miles south by east of Cape Cod. After it was discovered that sizable catches of tuna could be taken in this manner, specially constructed hand lines for tuna fishing were carried on many of the vessels of the trawl fleet during the tuna season, These were made of 48-pound halibut line or 3-strand manila, 12-thread, #-inch diameter. Wire leaders of ty-inch or 4 -inch preformed stainless steel, from 3 to 6 feet in length, were attached to the lines with heavy-duty brass swivels. Extra-heavy hooks, usual- ly No. 10 size, were used, Tuna were caught in this manner near the surface and to depths of several fathoms. The hand-line catch figures given above are in all likelihood less than the actual landings, since the tuna fishing was strictly secondary to trawling and many of the smaller catches were not publicized, This development indicates that a hook-and- line fishery somewhat similar to the methods used by Pacific tuna clippers might be successfully applied to New England tuna. LOG OF FISHING TRIPS (CONDENSED) TRIP 1, JULY 15-27: July 25-26: Fished in South Channel and Chat- ham, Cape Cod areas. First tuna catch on long July 15: Left Portland, Maine; proceeded to lines--2 tuna weighing 70 pounds--made off Chat- Boston for bait and additional supplies. ham. Troll fishing negative. Strong southwest winds forced cessation of fishing on the 26th. Pro- July 17: Departed Boston for Georges Bank. ceeded north toward Maine coast. First tuna school sighted 17 miles ESE. of Boston Lightship. Long-line set and trolling unproductive. July 27: Long-line set at daybreak on Jeffreys Ledge and trolling from Isle of Shoals to Portland July 20-24: Operated south of Georges Bank Lightship failed to catch tuna, Heavy blue-shark along inshore edge of Gulf Stream. Long-line fish- | catch on long lines. Docked Portland, Maine. ing and scouting for surfacing tuna schools met with negative results. One bluefin tuna caught on troll Trip Summary: Completed 12 long-line sets with lines. Surface water temperatures from 70°to 74° | a yieldoftwobluefintuna, Surface trolling results F. recorded in area, negative. Operations near Gulf Stream unsuccess- ful in locating fish. 18 July 30-August 1: Left Portland; proceeded northeasterly along Maine coast. Long-line fish- ing conducted at inshore stations and easterly to Cashes Ledge and Georges Bank. Weather poor and rough seas hampered scouting activities. August 2-5: Worked southeast part of Georges Bank in vicinity of Corsair Canyon; two tuna taken on long lines in deep waters near 500-fathom curve line. Small school of tuna sighted on northern edge of Georges Bank. Fishing results poor; many blue sharks on gear. Strong northwest winds forced cessation of fishing for 24 hours. August 6: Trolled from Cape Ann Light to Port- land Lightship without obtaining strikes. No sur- face schools of tuna observed. Trip Summary: Eleven long-line sets yielded two bluefin tuna, Trolling and gill-net and tram- mel-net fishing met with negative results. Tuna school estimated at five tons sighted on Georges Bank. TRIP 3, AUGUST 11-25: August 11-14: Proceeded from Portland to Boon Island, Maine, where many small bunches of tuna were seen. Fish estimated to be in 100- to 150- pound weight class and feeding on small bait fish; abundant in vicinity. Long-line and troll fishing unsuccessful. Proceeded to Cape Cod Bay on Au- gust 13. Fished near Race Point, Cape Cod, until northeast storm forced vessel to seek shelter in Boston. August 18-21: Fishing conducted in South Chan- nel and south of Georges Bank. Best results of season in South Channel area when 2 long-line sets yielded 8 tuna. Blue sharks abundant and greatly hindered operations. Troll fishing poor; one tuna caught on August 21 in vicinity of Gulf Stream. August 22-23: Docked Provincetown to replen- ish bait supply. Worked area between Cape Cod and Cape Ann with no success. Moved offshore to Fippennies Ledge where set of 10 baskets of long lines producedituna. Sharks abundant and catches steadily increasing. Troll fishing unsuccessful. August 24-25: Moved inshore to Jeffreys Ledge and Boon Island areas. Trammel-net fishing near Boon Island carried out near schooling tuna, failed to net fish. Troll and long-line operations ineffec- tive. Docked Portland August 25. Trip Summary: Fishing results poor witha total catch of 600 pounds of bluefin tuna. Surface troll lines caught four tuna. Only one school of tuna observed during trip and set of 20 baskets of long lines made nearby was unsuccessful. Tram- mel-net fishing conducted both during day and night met with negative results. TRIP 4, SEPTEMBER 4-17: September 5: Long-line and troll fishing near Wildcat Knoll, ESE. of Cape Ann and site of excel- lent long-line catches in 1952, proved unsuccess- ful. Weather bad; proceeded to Boston for shelter. September 8-9: Gill-net and trammel-net fish- COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 ing in Massachusetts Bay yielded small quantities of herring and mackerel. Moved to South Channel grounds; 8 strikes on troll lines within 1 hour; 3 fish landed. Long-line set in vicinity with nega- tive results--only 1 tuna, 20 blue sharks. September 10-12: Series of long-line sets con- ducted in South Channel, Nantucket Shoals, and Southwest Georges Bank. Five sets totaling 50 baskets yielded 10 bluefin tuna weighing 420 pounds. September 13: Southwest Georges Bank near scallop fishing fleet. Many small schools of tuna sighted in area. Trolls ineffective and long-line operation produced 2 tuna and 1 swordfish. September 15: Worked in waters northeast of Cape Cod Light. Excellent troll fishing in this area reported by small-boat fleet during late Au- gust and early September. Fishing operations un- productive of tuna catches. Moved to the north- east during the night. September 16: Fished Tillies Bank and Jeffreys Ledge in forenoon. Moved inshore to Boon Island area at noon. Poor results in all areas fished. Trip Summary: Completed 14 long-line sets totaling 184 baskets of gear with a catch of 10 blue- fin tuna weighing 420 pounds. Surface trolls oper- ated a total of 45 hours with 8 strikes and 3 tuna landed. Concentration of bluefin tuna observed on southwest part of Georges Bank near scallop fish- ing grounds. TRIP 5, SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 12: September 22: Departed Portland for Browns Bank. September 23-25: Operated on Browns Bank and in areas east of bank. Five long-line sets of 62 baskets returned a catch of 2 tuna. Abundance of sharks and strong tides encountered here imped- ed fishing operations. Small school of tuna sighted at noon on Sept. 24--troll and long-line fishing in vicinity of shcool produced no tuna catches. September 26-28: Strong southerly and wester- ly winds prevented fishing during this period. Pro- ceeded in westerly direction towards Georges Bank and South Channel. September 29: Resumed fishing in South Chan- nel. Many small schools of bluefin tuna sighted here--tuna feeding on small herring and other un- identified species. Attempts to chum tuna along- side boat proved unsuccessful. Trolled for six hours with no strikes noted. September 30-October 1: Moved in northeaster- ly direction to inshore Gulf-of-Maine fishing banks. Fished Platts Bank and Matinicus Island grounds with poor results. Surface water temperatures considerably lower in this area, ranging from 57° to 59° F. Arrived Portland on October 2. October 3-8: Northeast storm delayed depart- ure until Oct. 8. October 9: Completed three long-line sets in waters between Cape Cod Light and Pollock Rip Lightship. One bluefin tuna captured on long- lines--troll fishing ineffective. Overnight set of July 1954 trammel nets produced sharks, herring, macker- el, and whiting. October 10: Weather fine in morning; sea smooth. Sighted tuna schools estimated to com- prise 100 fish in the 30- to 45-pound class. Three sets of long lines with an aggregate of 42 baskets of gear yielded a total of 38 blue sharks, Chummed tuna school alongside boat but fish refused to bite on squid-baited hooks. Strong westerly winds and heavy seas forced cessation of operations in late afternoon, October 11: Long-line fishing off Cape Cod yielded high catch of sharks, Docked Province- town at night for shelter. October 12: Left Provincetown shortly after midnight. Set six trammel nets in Cape Cod Bay at 0300 o'clock. Hauled nets at daybreak. Nets COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 19 badly snarled by tidal action. Approximately 100 pounds of dogfish and whiting in nets. Movednorth after retrieving nets and set 10 baskets of long lines in Massachusetts Bay. Hauled gear after soaking three hours--3 blue sharks, no tuna, Trolled to Boston Lightship and docked at Boston. Trip Summary: During the early stages of the trip, operations were conducted off the southeast- ern coast of Nova Scotia, on Browns Bank, and in the ''Gully'"' between Browns and Georges Banks. No schooling tuna were found in the areas covered and 7 bluefin tuna were captured on long lines and surface troll gear. Strong tides and adverse weather conditions impéded fishing operations. Schools of tuna were observed in the South Chan- nel on October 10 but long-line and troll fishing failed to capture tuna. Worst weather of the sea- son was experienced during this period. LITERATURE CITED MURRAY, J. J. 1952. Report on 1951 Exploratory Bluefin Tuna Fishing in the Gulf of Maine. Commercial Fisheries Review, vol. 14, no. 3 (March 1952), also Separate 309, 1953. Gulf of Maine Bluefin Tuna Exploration--1952. Commercial Fisheries Review, vol. 15, no. 7 (July 1953), also Separate 353. COELACANTHS APLENTY An Italian zoological expedition which has been investigating the waters aroundthe Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean believes there are many Coelacanths (an ‘A Coelacanth, a fish believed to be extinct for over 60 million years, was caught off Southwest Africa in December 1952. "extinct'' prehistoric fish) in that area. p The Coelacanth, a fish believed to be extinct for over 60 million years, reappeared very much alive for the second time inmod- ernhistory off the African coast in December 1952. Anunderwater picture taken by the leader of this most recent expedition was flownto Rome and was described by experts as a good photograph of a living Coelacanth about two feet long and prob- ably immature. The expedition was due to returnto East AfricainDecember 1953 witha color photograph of the third Coelacanth caught in moderntimes. Further investigations by the expedition were held up owing to the French administration's banon Coelacanth fishing by foreign expedi- tions until 1954, --The Fishing News, January 1, 1954, ° 20 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 pee on Mp rojectel June 1954 FREEZING FISH AT SEA--NEW ENGLAND: The contract work for the restor- ation of the research trawler Delaware was completed. She is expected to sail on her first trip on June 28. (Boston) % ok Ke OK & COMPOSITION OF FISH: The proximate composition of several species of Alaska fish was determined. A summary of the data is presented in the following tables: Table 1 - Composition of Miscellaneous Species of Alaska Fish Number of haracteristics Proximate Composition of the Date 4 x a Species of Fish Source of Sample Value |_ of the Ee Edible ae Collected) Samples Length|W Inches Pounds Popeeat Percent Posen Percent f So alesse 5 ee g 1.3 0. ie See 5 16.7 f ae 3 ae 5 (Salvelinus malma) Alaska Northern pike (Esox lucius) Minto Lakes, near Fairbanks, Alaska Whitefish Birch Lake, near November 27 i) (Coregonus sp.) Fairbanks, Alaska 1953 a co Whitefish Lake Adeknagil) March +2 1.3 (c ) near Dillingham, 1954 4 8 1.2 oregonus sp. Alaska .3 1.3 Dolly Vardentrout | |os=e Aleknagik, March 1.3 ollygviancentrou near Dillingham, 1954 18 it 1.2 Steelhead trout (Salmo gairdnerii) Caught in sea water near Ketchikan, Alaska ‘1/Edible portion for the whitefish, Dolly Varden trout, and steelhead trout was the skin-on fillet; that for the Northern pike was the skinless fillet. Species of Fish Herring (Clupea pallasii Source of Sample Tongass Narrows, Ketchikan, Alaska Composition of Alaska Herring Date Collected December| Composite of 24 fish Composite of 24 fish Description] of Test Sample Mak Proximate Composition of the Whole Herring Percent | Percent| Percent 16.5 Moisture 16.4 (Seattle) July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 21 a - See TRENDS Se pe ee a Additions to the Fleet of U. S. Fishing Vessels First documents as fishing craft were issued for 68 vessels of 5 net tons and over during March 1954--16 more than in March 1953 (see table). The west coast of Florida led with 20 vessels, followed by Texas with 14 vessels, and Washington with 6 vessels. essels Obtaining Their First Documents as Fishing Craft, Marc and Comparisons Three months end- Section ing with March 1953 ING webinar, sreree terete everel svete Middle Atlantic Whesapeake vs .i Fi. caine vets s SoutheAtlantic.. ta) .)s soles «ale eC ee Ce ee Ce ee Ce eee e eee ee ew ee ee eo Note: Vessels have been assigned to the various sections on the basis of their home port. In the first quarter of 1954, a total of 189 vessels received their first documen- tation as fishing vessels, the largest first-quarter total since 1947, according to the Bureau of the Customs. The Gulf States led in the documentation of fishing craft during January-March 1954 with 108 vessels. The Chesapeake and South Atlantic States followed with 23 vessels each, while 22 vessels were documented in the Pacific Coast States during the quarter. Alaska Fur-Seal Skin Prices Rise at Spring Auction Prices for Government-owned fur-seal skins at the semiannual auction held in St. Louis on April 12 showed an average price of $91.93 per skin as compared with $71.73 at last October's auction, the Secretary of the Interior announced recently. The rise restores prices to the general level of last year's April auction and com- pensates for the October decline. A total of 25,038 skins, products of the sealing industry administered by the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service at the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, brought $2,301,646. This compares with 27,113 skins sold for $1,944,920 at the October 1953 sale, 22 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Matara-processed skins advanced 28.3 percent. A total of 13,629 of these brown skins was sold at an average of $88.47 per skin. This compares with 16,017 sold in October at a $64.03 average. Safari-proc- essed skins showed a rise of 33.8 percent. A total of 1,609 of these lighter brown skins brought an average price of $62.36. At the October auction 2,900 of these skins sold for an average of $45.23 each, Black skins climbed 2.2 percent. A totalof 9,800 brought an average of $101.59 per skin as compared with 8,196 averaging $96.17 in October. Because sizes and qualities of skins differ somewhat from one auction to an- other, the comparisons must be considered relative. aN Bluefin Tuna Tagging Commencing in mid-May a bluefin tuna tagging program was begun by a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution biologist operating from the Lerner Marine Labora- tory at Bimini in the Bahama Islands, reports a May 14 release from the Woods Hole, Mass., organization. The tagging will be done in order to learn more about the migration routes of tuna, and the final results will be of benefit to fishermen. The biologist will set out with the cooperation of sportfishermen to tag the large bluefin tuna at the time of the year when they pass the Bahamas on their northward ‘ trek. The biologist and cooperating Sey aang nears fishermen will hook the fish by the con- ventional method, bring it alongside the boat, and then harpoon a small stain- less steel dart into the tuna. Attached to the dart is a thin ten-inch plastic streamer marked with a number and the words: ''Reward, W.H.O.I., Woods Hole, Mass., U.S.'' The dart is num- bered also in case the streamer is de- faced or lost. A reward of $1 is offered to the fisherman returning a tag from a captured tuna. The hook on which the tuna was caught for the tagging will sometimes also be left in the mouth with a number stamped on a sleeve around the shank of the hook. Some tuna will be branded with a number or symbol while others may have allthree methods applied. Although in previous years marked hooks have been left in the mouths of large tunas, no returns have come in so far. It is hoped that the new method will have better results although it is not inconceivable that the marked fish may swim around for years before getting caught. Until recently no satisfactory way to tag the swift and roving game fishes of the sea had been developed. Other migratory fishes have been tagged successfully for years. It is one thing to mark a cod or haddock and another thing to mark a fighting, beating tuna. Last year the California Department of Fish and Game developed a new method for tagging tuna by sewing and knotting a small plastic loop through the back of small tuna just behind the second dorsal fin. Among the recovered fish one albacore was found to have covered a distance of 4,650 miles from California to Japan in 324 days, swimming an average of 15 miles per day. The drawback to the sewing method is that the fish has to be brought into aboat and held tight in a wooden trough, so that it will not beat itself to death. This method July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 23 is obviously unsuitable for the large tuna which may weigh 700 pounds or more. The refinement of harpooning the tag into a fish with a dart is more suitable for the giants. However, it is also planned to use the sewing method during the sum- mer months when small bluefin tuna are usually numerous off the southeastern New England coast. As very little is known about the life history of tuna, plankton net tows will be made at night to try to find eggs and larvae of the fish. Practically nothing is known about the places and times of spawning, the number of eggs per fish, the survival of eggs and larvae, their enemies, etc. Many sportfishermen have agreed to cooperate in the tagging program and postal cards have been distributed for recording the date and place where a tuna has been marked. It is hoped that all fishermen along the Atlantic coast will coop- erate by notifying the catch of a marked tuna immediately. As it has been the experience that tags or drift bottles sometimes were not re- turned for the nominal reward but were kept as souvenirs, the Woods Hole Ocean- ographic Institution promises to return the tags as souvenirs if this is requested by the finder. California JAPANESE FISHERMEN CATCH CALIFORNIA-TAGGED ALBACORE TUNA: Department of Fish and Game off Lower California have been recovered by Japanese fishermen 500 miles northwest of Midway Island. The State Marine Fisheries Laboratory reported that the speedy fish were among 754 tagged last August from the survey ves- sel N. B. Scofield. The distance record for albacore was set last June when a fish tagged by the De- partment 324 days earlier was recovered about 500 miles southeast of Tokyo. * OK KK FISH POPULATIONS CENSUS OFF CENTRAL BAJA CALIFORNIA (Cruise 54- Y-4): The main purpose of the 21-day cruise (completed at Los Angeles on April 14) by the California Department of Fish and Game's research vessel Yellowfin was a census of fish populations with the blanket net under various conditions along the coast | etched taased of Central Baja California from CedrosIs- land to Pt. San Juanico. In addition, yel- lowtail were tagged and a supply of live sardines was obtained for studies conducted under the auspices of the Marine Research M/V Yellowfin (Cruise 54-Y-4) Mar, 25-Apr. 14, 1954 Committee Investigations. 24 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 A total of 32 light stations were occupied and 39 sets were made with the blan- ket net: 11 stations yielded sardines, 2 yielded anchovies, 5 Pacific mackerel, and 4 jack mackerel. Other species taken by the blanket net included: round herring, thread herring, jacksmelt, topsmelt, grunion, slough anchovy, saury, sierra, queenfish, salema, true pompano, California pompano, California barracuda, and squid. Sardines were taken along the Baja California coast with the greatest concen- tration occurring in the vicinity of San Juanico Bay. Numerous schools of juvenile northern anchovies were observed in Turtle Bay. The Yellowfin traveled 295 miles while scouting for fish, 37 schools were observed; 26 of these were believed to be sardines, 2 saury, and 9 were unknown. Sea surface temperatures ranged from 12.4° C. (54.3° F.)to 16.7°C. (62.1°F.) in Baja California. Sardines were taken where surface temperatures ranged from 12.79 C. (54.99 F.) to 16.19 C. (61.09 F.). A total of 27 yellowtail were tagged and released in the area covered by the survey. One of the tagged fish was caught trolling in 15 fathoms of water off San Juanico Point, and the remaining 26 were caught trolling on Hutchins Bank. Seven- teen of these fish were tagged with the new commercially-printed and laminated plastic jaw tags, and 10 were tagged with vinylite tubing tags. Scale samples were taken from 17 of the tagged fish. Because of prevailing heavy seas and high winds throughout the cruise, the sur- vey was limited almost entirely to sheltered areas. Ocean waters in the survey area were extremely murky along the entire coast. Cans--Shipments for Fishery Products, January-March 1954 Total shipments of metal cans for fish and sea food during Janu- (AL ary-March 1954 amounted to 13,118 short tons of steel (based on the Se.) amount of steel consumed in the manufacture of cans), compared to ~—) 13,882 short tons for the same period last year. Note: Statistics cover all commercial and captive plants known to be producing metal cans. Reported in base boxes of steel consumed in the manufacture of cans, the data for fishery products are converted to tons of steel by using the factor: 23.0 base boxes of steel equal one short ton of steel. Federal Purchases of Fishery Products FRESH AND FROZEN FISHERY PRODUCTS PURCHASED BY DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, APRIL 1954: The Army Quartermaster Corps in April 1954 pur- chased 1,825,048 pounds (valued at $754,744) of fresh and frozen fishery products for the military feeding of the U. S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force (see table). This was 33.1 percent greater in quantity and 18.3 percent higher in value than purchases in March; compared with a year ago, April purchases were higher by 25.4 percent in quantity and 15.3 percent in value, respectively. Purchases of Fresh and Frozen Fishery Products by Department of the Army (April and the First Four Months of 1954 and 1953) QUANTITY VALUE January - April January-April 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. § 1,825,048 |1,455,915 | 6,946,175 |5,826,872| 754,744 | 654,757 |3,001,900 3,125,183 July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 25 Fresh and frozen fish purchases by the Army Quartermaster Corps during the first four months in 1954 totaled 6,946,175 pounds (valued at $3,001,900)--19.2 per- cent more in quantity, but 3.9 percent lower in value as compared with the similar period a year earlier. The over-all average price paid for fresh and frozen fishery products by the Department of the Army in April was 41.3 cents per pound, compared with 46.5 cents in March and 45.0 cents in April 1953. In addition to the purchases of fresh and frozen fishery products indicated above, the Armed Forces generally make some local purchases which are not included in the above figures. Therefore, actual purchases are somewhat higher than indicated, but it is not possible to obtain data on the local purchases made by military installa- tions throughout the country. Florida RED TIDE RESEARCH VESSEL DELIVERED TO SERVICE: A new research vessel was delivered to Ft. Myers, Florida, on May 14 for use in studying ocean conditions which cause red tides, a marine plague that kills millions of fish in west coast Florida waters, Secretary of the Interior McKay announced on May 24. The new vessel, now partially equipped, will be used immediately by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for limited operations until it is fully outfitted with in- struments to measure water temperatures and to obtain water samples for tracing occurrences of the microorganism which cause red tides. Final outfitting was to be completed in early June. The vessel will be used to make routine surveys to locate concentrations of mi- croorganisms and to experiment with control chemicals, and to pursue studies of ocean currents along the Florida coast. Red tides result from rapid reproduction of a microbe called Gymnodinium brevis, which is so small that it is invisible to the human eye. Billions of these microscopic creatures color the sea water red or amber because of pigment granules contained in each one. Poisons, which are deadly to fish and other marine animals, are also produced, These are sometimes carried inland in tiny droplets and wind-borne spray causing persons in areas near the beaches to develop symptoms similar to a cold or severe respiratory irritation. After a large outbreak in 1946-47, the Fish and Wildlife Service commenced biological studies to learn the principles underlying causes of red tides, with the aim of developing control or preventive measures. The studies to date indicate that they seem to occur after periods of heavy rain followed by light winds blowing toward the shore. The water, enriched by land drainage, is held along the coast, thus de- veloping conditions suitable for rapid reproduction of the microorganisms. As fish are killed, their decaying bodies are believed to release nutrients to the waters. These nutrients may nourish the bloom and serve to intensify it. 26 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Gulf Exploratory Fishery Program GOOD YELLOWFIN TUNA CATCHES IN GULF OF MEXICO BY "OREGON" (Cruise 23): Significant catches of large yellowfin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico were reported in a brief message from the Service's exploratory fishing vessel Oregon on May 19. The vessel has been fishing with floating long- line gear near the 92nd meridian in the central Gulf and in the Gulf of Campeche to waters off Vera Cruz, Mexico. : Using only experimental quantities of long Yellowfin Tuna (Neothunnus Macropterus) line, the Oregon has taken tuna on every set in this area of the Gulf. The best catch to date was six large yellowfin tuna caught on a set of approximately 200 hooks. A few shark and marlin have also been taken along with the tuna. The successful catches indicate a wide distribution of tuna in the Western Gulf at this season of the year. The report indicated that the tuna ap- peared to be spawning in these waters. “The Oregon is scheduled to terminate this cruise at Pascagoula on June 16. a / Missouri COMMERCIAL FISH CATCH, 1953: The total commercial fish catch by Mis- souri fishermen in 1953 was about 384,322 pounds, about 25 percent less than the previous year, according to data gathered by the Missouri Conservation Commission. The low water resulting from drought conditions and pollution in some sections cur- tailed fishing somewhat, but also there were fewer commercial fishermen. Only 1,039 Missourians purchased commercial-fishing permits in 1953 as compared to 1,247in 1952. Mississippi River fishermen reported catching 198,685 pounds of fish; Missouri Riv- er fishermen took 184,160 pounds; and St. Francis River fishermen only 1,477 pounds. The live-weight retail value of the total har- vest amounted to about $95,000. Carp ranked first in Missouri's commercial fish catch. Other species taken included buffalo, flathead catfish, drum, blue catfish, paddlefish, gar, channel cat, quillback, suckers, sturgeon, dogfish, bullheads, and eel. About 506 fishermen operated on the Mississippi River, 519 on the Missouri River, and 14 on the St. Francis River. These fishermen purchased permits for 4,000 yards of seines, 26,600 yards of trammel nets, 2,471 hoop nets, and 71,000 hooks. Y July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 27 North Carolina Board of Conservation and Development announced recently. This regulation, designed to protect North Carolina fishermen and to encourage use of state ports by shrimp fishermen, provides that any person, firm or corpo- ration, other than a common carrier, who takes out of the State of North Carolina in any trawler or other vessel owned by a non-resident any shrimp taken in the in- land commercial waters of the State will, upon conviction, be punished by law. All shrimp so taken will be confiscated and sold or otherwise disposed of in the best interests of the State. Non-resident shrimpers may have the same shrimping priv- ileges permitted to resident shrimpers of North Carolina if they comply with state laws by paying the usual license fees and taxes imposed by this State for commer- cial fishing. Under the Board's regulation, shrimping privileges in North Carolina waters will not be extended to any non-resident shrimper seeking to operate in the State's inland commercial waters if the state of which he is a resident and in which his boat is registered prohibits North Carolina shrimpers from operating in the in- land waters of that state. OK OK OK OK FISHERIES RESEARCH VESSEL LAUNCHED: The Machapunga, a 46-foot fish- ing vessel, built solely for fisheries research, was launched at Williston, N. C., recently. The vessel is the property of the University of North Carolina Institute of Fisheries Research, and has been especially designed to work in the shoal waters of the sounds as well as in the ocean. It is equipped with a recording depth finder, automatic steering device, radiotelephone, oceanographic winch, trawl winch, standard-sized otter trawl, oyster dredge, plankton nets, water samplers, and temperature-measuring devices for different levels. The Machapunga was designed by the staff of the Institute, reports the Service's Fishery Marketing Specialist in North Carolina. Pacific Salmon Investigations FINGERLING SALMON DIVERTED BY LIGHT: The effect of light on migrating fingerling salmon is being studied by the Service's Pacific Salmon Investigations and the Washington State Department of Fisheries. At the Department's fish-count- ing weir on Minter Creek, Washington, a row of lights above the surface of the wa- ter is extended diagonally from the weir to the shore. Very young salmon, according to first results, are diverted in this manner. During nights when lights were operated fewer fish were taken on the side with lights than on nights when lights were not used. The lights significantly change the results for both fry and yearlings of silver and chum salmon, —_ > = -> 28 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 U. S. Canned Packs of Selected Fishery Products, 1953 SHAD: The United States pack of canned shad in 1953 amounted to 7,603 stand- ard cases, valued at $57,571 to the canners (table 1). This pack was 437 cases Table 1 - U. S. Pack of Canned Shad, 1953 F Value to Canners'! Std. Cases $ $/Std. Case Maryland, Oregon, and California .. 1,603 57,571 aa! 1/Preliminary. '2/Cases of various sizes converted to the uniform basis of 48 No. 1 tall cans to the case, each can containing 15 ounces penet. less than the previous year and was only a fraction of the record 1944 pack of 41,368 cases. In 1953 shad were canned in 4 plants in Oregon, and 1 plant each in Washington and California. Shad fishing in the Hudson River. The 1953 average price of $7.57 per standard case to the canners (table 2) was only very slightly higher than the 1952 average of $7.54, but 6 percent less than the $8.05 in 1951. Table 2- U. S. Pack of Canned Shad, 1943-5317 Pacific Coast Atlantic Coast Canners' F Value to Canners' . Canners' . Price Queniaty Canners | Avg. Price Quen Avg. Price Std. Case2Z/| Std. Case2/- Std. Case2/ 19533/ = = 7,603 57,571 | 7.57 1952 4/ - 8,040 60,607 7,54 1951 7,372 10.56 10,828 87,125 8.05 1950 - - 14,049 89,851 6.40 1949 10,000 11.75 13,835 106,194 7.68 1948 26,655 9.30 14,773 136,851 9.26 1947 29,496 7.54 22,718 199,273 8.77 1946 5/ 224,387 9.20 24,403 224,387 9.20 1945 ~ 182,554 10.52 19,341 200,364 10.36 1944 243,239 10.33 41,368 346,242 8.37 1943 48,618 12.60 18,031 127,380 7.06 1/Does not include the production of canned smoked shad. 2/Cases of various sizes converted to the uniform basis of 48 No. 1 tall cans to the case, each can containing 15 ounces net. 3/Preliminary. 4/A small-pack of Atlantic Coast shad included with the Pacific Coast production, 5/A small pack of Pacific Coast shad included with the Atlantic Coast production, No shad were canned on the Atlantic Coast in 1953. During the years 1944 to 1946, as a result of wartime demand for canned shad, over 20,000 cases of these fish were packed on the Atlantic Coast. aK ke Ok July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 29 MAINE SARDINES (INCLUDING SEA HERRING): The pack of Maine sardines (including sea herring) in 1953 amounted to 2,782,495 standard cases, valued at $16,954,119 to the packers--a decrease of 21 percent both in quantity and value as compared with the previous year (table 1). Sardines (including sea herring) were canned in 44 plants in Maine and 2 in Massachusetts. [Peeze 2 - Maine Sardine (Including Sea Herring) Pack by Size of Can and Case, 1953 Can Contents and No. of Value to Cans Per Case Canners Table 1 - Maine Sardine (Including Sea Herring Pack by Style of Pack, 1953 a Value to Quantity Std. cases Style of pack Quantity Actual cases Natural, without sauce or oil 1,595,912] |330z. net (100 cans)... 1,833,567 |13,348,682 In soybean oil ............ 11,470,872] |5 oz. net (100 cans)... 24,887 172,089 In mustard sauce ......... 2,001,731] |9 oz. net (48 cans).... 94,433 659,599 In tomato sauce .......... 1,634,339] |10 oz. net (48 cans)... 10,986 77,170 BTIVOULVENOUE: | ccheccs eee o'eleien 138,208] |15 oz. net (48 cans)... 338,757 2,629,415 auatabetatsts araistalete/arere 113,057 miaislaVateiessvaliedel rotate 2,782,495 | 16,954,119 1/Includes special packs of sardines (including sea herring) in cottonseed oil, peanut oil, and kippered. Note: ‘‘Standard cases"’--cases of various sizes converted to the uniform basis of 100 1/4-oil cans (3-1/4 oz, net) to the case. Other sizes converted to 34 oz. net (100cans) Yi UN AAs oan The pack in the standard 3}-ounce cans (100 to the case) amounted to 1,833,567 cases as compared with 2,952,735 cases the previous year (table 2). The pack in 15-ounce cans (48 to the case) in 1953 amounted to 338,757 cases, a sharp increase compared with the previous year when 169,735 of these cases were packed. SARDINE WEIR 21,502,970 14,635,352 21,209,033 3,074,523 |21,051,675 3,682,392 |29,359,114 Note: The pack of herring previously report- ed as ‘‘canned sea herring’’ has been con- verted to the equivalent of 100 1/4-oil caus (3-1/4 oz, net) to the case and included with the pack of sardines. POCKET The Maine pack of sardines and sea herring is canned from fish taken by Maine fishermen and imports from Canada. In 1953 the United States catch of these fish amounted to 100,586,000 pounds, while imports from Canada totaled 23,175,000 pounds. In the previous year the catch was 144,661,000 pounds and imports amounted to 30,341,000 pounds. The over-all canners' average price for Maine sardines in 1953 was $6.09 per standard case, compared with $6.19 in 1952 and $8.73 in 1951. However, prices for each style of pack were higher in 1953 than in 1952; the decline in the canners' stand- ard case average price was due entirely to a larger production of the lower-priced natural pack. * KOK OK 30 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 SHRIMP: The United States pack of canned shrimp in 1953 totaled 1,016,116 standard cases, valued at $18,946, 622 to the canners, or an average price of $18.65 SHRIMP TRAWL nen OO cwraeeny ere tee eee OTTER DOORS TOWING CABLES OTTER DOORS ENS STERN RIG FOR TOWING THE TRAWL Table 1 - U. S. Canned Shrimp Pack by States, 1953+ ! cons | Vier [penne Std. Cases4 Mississippi .. Meu svoncusiie 204,665 665 4,116,067 Louisiana3/ 742,372 13, 345, 175 Alabama, SouthCarolina, and Georsiaein ecto 906 69,079 1,485,380 6 1,016,116 18,946,622 1/Preliminary, 2/Cases of various sizes converted to the equivalent of 48 cans to the case, each can containing 5 ounces net. per standard case (table 1). This is the first time since 1940 that canned shrimp production has exceeded one million cases, and the value is the highest on record. Louisiana canners packed 73 percent of the 1953 production, while Mississippi canners accounted for 20 percent. The remaining 7 percent was canned in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 31 The bulk of the canned shrimp was put up in 5-ounce cans in 1953, packed 24 and 48 cans to the case (table 2). Most of the remainder was packed in 44-ounce Quantity Actual Cases cans, Canners' Avg. Value to Canners Price Can Size andNo. of Cans Per Case 2 ounces net (24 cans) ......... 309,575 3,361,691 10.86 = ounces net (48 cans))....4.... 33,635 450,666 13.40 5 ounces net (24 cans).......... 758,007 6,669,440 8.80 5rounces net (48\ cans) 42........ 438,005 7,721,003 17.63 @ ounces net (24 cans) .......... 7,201 134,113 38 ounces net (12 cans) ......... 7,762 Sooo Other sizes (converted to stand- UACRGASES)) ba cise: o oie witajelren myers veuaren 9,737 253,574 Ce Préliminary. '2/Cases of various sizes converted to the equivalent of 48 cans to the case, each can containing 5 ounces net. The 1953 shrimp pack was 24 percent greater in quantity and 46 percent higher in value than the 1952 pack (table 3), The 1953 over-all canners' average price was $18.65 per standard case, the highest on record, and 17 percent above the $15.89 for 1952. The previous high was $17.34 per standard case in 1947. Table 3 - U. S. Canned Shrimp Pack, 1943-53 : ‘ Value to Std. Cases 18,946,622 Canners' Avg. Price 1,016,116 15,241,740 817,910 12,268,650 12,998,814 871,171 13,067,565 12,187,049 786,506 11,797,590 12,775,619 664,721 9,970,815 11,203,325 558,870 8,383,050 7,791,313 472,366 7,085,490 8,192,004 522,130 7,831,950 8,428,735 214,971 3,224,571 1,918,633 561,649 8,424,738 4,854,799 660,436 9,906,534 5,360,647 3.12 (2/Prelimina: * OK OK OK SPECIALTY FISHERY PRODUCTS: In 1953 the U. S. and Alaska pack of mis- cellaneous or specialty canned fishery products not generally reported separately totaled 661,626 standard cases, valued at $7,168,343 to the canners (see table). This was a substantial increase over the 1953 pack of 221,791 standard cases, valued at $3,123,426 to the canners. The principal factor in the substantial increase was the introduction of the canned tuna and noodles included under the "fish specialties" item. The market for this new product was reported as very good during 1953. The pack of specialty canned fishery products includes numerous varieties of cakes, spread, soups of all kinds, and many other items processed in plants onthe East Coast, in the Gulf States, on the West Coast, and in Alaska. Canned squid, fish cakes, and oyster stew were the other principal items in addition to tuna and noodles. 32 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 U. S. Pack of Specialty Canned Fishery Products, 195317 Products Quantity Wels to ennen sy State Packed and Number of Plant IL Canners | Avg. Price s Std. Cases2 . Case FISH: Fish cakes (mainly groundfish) ............ 75,529 888,158 11.76 Maine 2, Mass. 2, Va. 1 Fish flakes (groundfish) and fish paste and spread (anchovy, herring, and salmon).... 9,568 237,806 24.85 Maine 1, Mass. 1,N.Y. 2, Md. 1 Fish, smoked or kippered: REMC GoppocodDOODD DDO DDDDDDDDCDCODN000 699 36,791 52.63 Wash. 3, Ore. 3, Calif. 1, Alaska 8 SRURREIN oo00000600000000000060000000000 709 45,631 64.36 Wash. 2, Oreg. 3 Fish specialties (fish bait, fish chowder, Maine 1, Mass. 1, Va. 1, Fla. 1, deviled fish, and tuna and noodles) ........ 283,232 3,092,240 10.92 Calif. 6 Miscellaneous fish (salted cod, halibut, A menhaden, and whiting) ................05 4,782 68,359 14.30 Mass. 1, Md. 1, Wash. 1 “Crab specialties: Bisque, cocktail, curry, creole, deviled, newburg, paste, soft crabs, N.Y. 1, Penna. 1, Md. 2, N.C. 1, smoked legs and meat, and soup............ 6,514 173,027 25.56 Fla. 1, La. 1, Wash. 2, Ore. 2 Lobster specialties: Bisque, meat, newburg, paste, Savannah, soup, spread,‘stew, and Maine 2, Mass. 1, N.Y. 2, thermidorievrceicrrcnetercviercheltotoketoreterolctorerevehe 8,113 283,031 34.89 Penna. 1, La. 1 Shrimp specialties: Aspic, bisque, cakes, cocktail, creole, curry, gumbo, newburg, N.Y. 2, Penna..1, Md. 2, S.C. 1, paste, smoked, and soup...-+.-+++e+eeeeee 8,540 205,155 Fla. 1, La. 4, Wash. 1, Ore. 2 Clam bisque, cakes, andwholeinthe shell... 3,685 26,796 Maine 1, Md. 1, Wash. 2 Oyster specialties: SmokedWPyrerverrerkesirererekhackelebwrerclercrereraterers 2,049 190, 843 Wash. 5, Ore. 1 BIW socococcddnc00d DDD UDDbOOCDDOODDDNDS 71,018 856,247 Wash. 5, Ore. 1 Bisque, cocktail, and soup............... 418 9,622 Md. 1, La. 1, Wash. 1, Ore. 1 Seite! sooo dgn9c00000000000000000000000000 163,518 702,766 Calif . 17 Terrapin and turtle: IMIG 6 oS obocbcCo Usb OO CODD DDUDOODOO000000 1,303 45,252 N.Y. 1, Ga. 1, Fla. 1 Soup, stew, and chile..............0.+ees 17,620 209,928 N.Y. 1, Penna. 1, Ohiol, Ga. 1, Fla. 1, La. 3 Miscellaneous shellfish and specialties: Crayfish bisque, conchs, mussels, scallops, frog legs newburg, bouillabaisse, creole gumbo, and sea-food newburg ............ 4,329 Wie SiG Mie ie Ih, WES 24 BEONEN) no nanoaonnoonononnacobooeoonoon /1/Preliminary. 2/Cases of various sizes converted to the equivalent of 48 cans, each containing 16 ounces net. U. S. Production of Menhaden and Menhaden Products, 1953 The United States catch of menhaden in 1953 amounted io 1,670,888,200 pounds and was by far the largest catch of these fish in the history of the fishery; was also the largest catch of a single species ever taken by United States fishermen. The previous record was held by the Pacific Coast sardine (pilchard) which in 1936 yielded a catch of 1,502,000,000 pounds. Table 1 - Manufacturers’ Receipts of Menhaden and Production of Menhaden Products, 1953 (Preliminary) 1 Products Manufactured Value of Products to Manufacturers Menhaden Utilized Dry Scrap & Meal Product LE States (Number of Plants) Pounds No. of Fish Value Gallons Value Value ass. (3), R. 1. (D) 24,903,900 37,170,000 320,837 482,065 233,061 553,098 IN. Y. (1), N. J. (3), and Del, (2) | 850,999,830 | 1,270,149,000 | 90,480 11,061,547 | 7,985,857 | 4,122,314 15,183,861 irginia (5) 162,954,050 243,215,000 2,271,000 | 1,177,922 552,800 2,823,800 . G, (7), S. G. (1) 133,800,340 199,702,000 1,792,842 | 1,180,947 548,922 2,341,764 F lorida (3), Texas (2) 135,793,590 202,677,000 1,877,909 | 1,403,975 667,167 2,545,076 i 54,944,020 82,006,000 646,838 653,403 312,336 959,174 307 492,480 458,944,000] 30,789 | 3,796,232 | 4,940,308 | 2,369,717 6,165,949 1,670,888,210 | 2,493,863,000 | 174,752 |21,767,205 |17,824,477 | 8,806,317 30,573,522 1/ Production of menhaden solubles not included, Total (36) July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 33 Table 2 - Menhaden Utilized and Production of Menhaden Products, 1949-53 (Quantity and Product Value to Manufacturers) Menhaden Products Manufactured Vali Utilized Dry Scrap and Meal Acidulated Scrap Brodices to Manufacture: Lbs. Tons $ Gallons 2/ $ 1,670,888 ,210 174,752 21,767,205 a = 17,824,477 6 30,573,522 1,386,280.920 1/144,025 | 1/17,847,361 1 12,888,646 23,632,756 1,106,706,670 1/115,464 | 1/13,879,523 al 12,537,115 23,650,677 1,000,497,734 | 1/103,365 | 1/12,864,751 10,209,958 18,731,305 1,072,630,265 | 1/113,393 | 1/17,813,339 I 8,293,911 21,220,849 A small production of acidulated scrap included with dry scrap and meal, A gallon of oil weighs 7.74 pounds, The 1953 catch of menhaden was used to produce 174,752 tons of dry scrap and meal (valued at $21,767,205) and 17,824,477 gallons of oil (valued at $8,806,317). In addition, the production of condensed fish solubles amounted to 78,077,000 pounds (valued at $3,593,000). The menhaden accounted for nearly 40 percent of the domestic catch of fish and shellfish in 1953. The total catch of these fish since the inception of the fish- ery is well over 40 billion pounds--far more than the catch of any other species Close up of a catch of menhaden aboard a Gulf of Mexico taken by United States fishermen. purse seiner. U. S. Foreign Trade in Edible Fishery Products MARCH 1954: United States imports of fresh, frozen, and processed edible fish and shellfish during March 1954 totaled over 64.3 million pounds (valued at $15.5 million), according to the March United States Foreign Trade, a Department of Commerce publication (see table). This is an increase of 16 percent in quantity UNITED STATES FOREIGN TRADE IN EDIBLE FISHERY PRODUCTS, MARCH 1954 WITH COMPARISONS Mar, 1954 Mar 1953 Year 1953 1,000 Lbs.| Million $| 1,000 Lbs. | Million $ | 1,000 Lbs. IMPORTS: Fish & shellfish: Fresh, frozen, & racesce 64,328 67,188 EXPORTS: Fish & shellfish; Processed 1/ only (excluding fresh and frozen) 1/ Includes pastes, sauces, clam chowder and juice, and other specialties, ‘ource: United States Foreign Trade (Trade by Commodity), Summary Report FT 930, Feb. 1954, U. S, Department of Commerce. and 5 percent in value as compared with February imports of 55.4 million pounds (valued at $14.7 million). Compared with a year earlier, March imports were lower by 4 percent in quantity and 12 percent in value. 34 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Exports of processed edible fish and shellfish (excluding fresh and frozen) in March 1954 totaled over 4.1 million pounds (valued at $1.4 million)--higher by 70 percent in quantity and 75 percent in value as compared with February exports of over 2.4 million pounds (valued at $0. 8 million). March exports were down 22 per- cent in quantity, but 40 percent higher than a year earlier. JANUARY-MARCH 1954 TRENDS: Imports: Marked gains in imports of many fishery products during the first three months of 1954 over the similar period of 1953 are shown in preliminary information compiled from data collected by the Bu- reau of the Census. Principal increases noted amounted to 60 percent in imports of fresh and frozen tuna; 46 percent in tuna canned in brine; 45 percent in bonito canned in oil; 23 percent in shrimp; and 18 percent in fillets of groundfish and ocean perch. Imports of sardines canned in oil January-March 1954 were 7 percent below those of the same period of 1953. However, sardines canned not in oil totaled over 4 million pounds during the three months of 1954, compared with less than a million pounds during that period of the previous year. Principal source of these imports was the Union of South Africa, followed by Japan. March imports of sardines from Japan exceeded those from South Africa. Among the items showing notable import decreases during the first quarter of 1954were: tunacannedinoil, with decreased imports of 71 percent; fresh and fro- zen lobster imports which decreased by 34 percent. Fish-meal imports remained at the same level as a year ago. Exports: Exports of canned salmon during January-March 1954 were almost four times those of the same period a year earlier as a result of large shipmentsto the United Kingdom. Exports of canned mackerel and sardines were below those for the first three months of 1953. Fish-oil exports during the first three months of 1954 were double those of the same period in 1953. garine in Europe. -* —ae =_ Wholesale Prices, May 1954 Substantially lower fresh-water fish prices (exceptionally high prices in April were due to Hebraic holidays) in May were offset only partially by higher salt-water fish prices. This caused the over-all wholesale price index of edible fish and shell- fish to decline from April to May. Very poor weather in the North Atlantic early in May reduced supplies of salt-water fish and prices were higher thanin April. The over- all edible fish and shellfish (fresh, frozen, and canned) wholesale index in May was 103.7 percent of the 1947-49 average (see table)--1.9 percent less than the April in- dex, and 2.6 percent lower than a year earlier. Groundfish landings in New England were light and the demand good, accounting for a 33.3 percent rise in the ex-vessel price at Boston for offshore drawn large July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 35 haddock during May. Also, there was a slight increase in Western halibut prices at New York City in May. But these increases were more than wiped out by the substantially lower prices for fresh-water fish. The drawn, dressed, or whole fin- fish subgroup index for May was 4.2 percent lower than April, but 10.8 percent higher than a year earlier. Table 1 - Wholesale Average Prices and Indexes for Edible Fish and Shellfish, May 1954 and Comparisons Point of Group, Subgroup, and Item Specification Pricing 2/112.3 "3|~ iti Haddock, lge., offshore, drawn, fresh. . . . [Boston Halibut, West., 20/80 lbs,, drsd., fresh or froz] New York Salmon, king, lge. & med., drsd., fresh or froz] New York Whitefish, L, Superior, drawn, fresh. . . . .| Chicago Whitefish, L. Erie pound or gill net,rnd., fresh} New York Lake trout, domestic, No, 1, drawn, fresh . . | Chicago Yellow pike, L. Michigan, rnd., fresh . . . . |New York Processed, Fresh (Fish & Shellfish): . . setae ne RAL ASS ~ Fillets, haddock, smil., skins on, 20-1b. tins . : : 107.2] 95.3] 113.1 Shrimp, lge. (26-30 count), headless, fresh. . ; .63 .69 99.6 109.1] 113.0 Oysters, shucked, standards . | 4.75) 4.75 ED ae TO, ELT co Processed, Frozen (Fish & Shelifish): Fillets: Flounder (yellowtail), skinless, 1-1b, PCY Gethad Haddock, sml,,skins on, 1-lb. pkg. . . Ocean perch, skins on, 1-1lb, pkg. Shrimp, lge, (26-30 count), 5-lb. pkg. . . . .|Chicago 117.8 |108.3 113.0 |163.5 | 98.8] 99.6] 100.4] 98.0 | “Salmon, pink, No, 1 tall (16 oz.), 48 cans/cs. . . 70] 18 99.1] 99.1} 99.1 104.4 Tuna, lt. meat, chunk, No. 1/2 tuna (6-1/2 oz.), : . . . |Los Angeles} case {14.20} 14,20 102.4] 102.4) 102.4} 92.4 ied “ New York case| 7.70] 8.20 81.9 8 92.6 | 76.6 '1/Represent average prices for one day (Monday or Tuesday) during the week in which the 15th of the month occurs, These prices are published as indicators of movement and not necessarily absolute level. Daily Market News Service ‘Fishery Products Reports’’ should be referred to for actual prices, |2/Revised, Fresh shrimp supplies were good and demand only light to moderate--May prices were down 8.3 percent from a month earlier. This was the main factor caus- ing the May fresh processed fish and shellfish index to drop 3.0 percent. Freshhad- dock fillet prices were quoted substantially higher in May. The May index for the fresh processed subgroup was 19.7 percent lower than a year ago, due also to the lower shrimp prices. Higher prices for frozen haddock fillets and shrimp in May were responsible for the frozen processed fish and shellfish index going up 5.1 percent over April. Floun- der fillet prices decreased slightly in May, while ocean perch fillets remained the same as in April. When compared with a year ago, the May processed frozen index was down 15.9 percent with various changes in the individual items--prices were higher for flounder fillets and shrimp and lower for haddock fillets and ocean perch fillets. 36 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Canned Maine sardines were lower by 6.2 percent as dealers continued to clean out last season's stocks, causing the canned fishery products subgroup index to drop 0.8 percent from April to May. There were no price changes in the other canned fish items. The May index was 0.8 percent higher than a year ago due to higher tuna and sardine prices, but canned salmon was priced lower than a year earlier. ee U. S. FISH STICK PRODUCTION SOARS IN 1954 Approximately 9 million pounds of fish sticks, the popular new breaded food item, were produced inthe United States during the first quarter of 1954, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on May 25. This exceeds by 14 million pounds the Nation's entire output last year. A report of the Service shows that the 13 firms making fish sticks last year produced 74 million pounds in 1953. These samefirms, which now form only a nucleus of total producers, accounted for 8.9 million pounds during the January-March 1954 period alone. A number of new firms, for which figures are not yet available, have be- gun the manufacture of this fast-selling commodity since January 1. Total United States production for this year's first quarter, therefore, is certain to have exceeded the 9-million-pound mark. It is estimated that the total out- put for the year will exceed 40 million pounds. Fish sticks are uniformly shaped pieces of fish dipped in batter, breaded, and frozen in consumer-size packages. Closely resembling French-fried pota- toes in appearance, they can be pur- Packing fish sticks in consumer-size packages at chased in precooked or uncooked form. Cloucesten tess plant. The precooked sticks, which have been deep-fat fried before freezing, are easily heated in the oven at home for serv- ing. The uncooked sticks are designed for those housewives who prefer to do the frying themselves. Consumer acceptance of fish sticks hasbeen so wide- spread that some sources expect them todo for the fishing industry what fruit juice concentrates have done for the citrus fruit trade. During the last quarter of 1953 the demand for fish sticks was so great that producers were unable to keep current withtheir orders. With new firms con- stantly entering the field, however, the supply in 1954is expected to cope sat- isfactorily with the demand. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 37 ————— a SSeS ——<—<—<——— International UNITED STATES-JAPANESE FISHING OPERATION CATCHES TUNA FOR AMERICAN SAMOA CANNERY AU. S. Fish and Wildlife Service observer returned early in May from Amer- ican Samoa, where he has been since January observing the progress of an experi- mental venture in American-Japanese cooperative tuna fishing. The Service is in- terested in this fishing operation because of its own extensive program for the devel- opment of tuna fisheries in the central Pacific area. This Samoan operation involves the use of the U. S. Government-owned tuna cannery at Pago Pago, which had been idle since 1950. The observer reported that the initial stage of the venture, which involved 7 Japanese fishing boats and 2 United States freezerships, produced a total of about 590 tons of tuna, one-fourth of it albacore and the rest yellowfin, over the period from January 15 to April 15. Catches of tuna declined sharply during the latter part of March and April, indicating that the abundance of tuna in Samoan waters may be subject to considerable seasonal fluctuations. This is a matter which only the ex- perience of year-round fishing can clarify. The enterprise was financed and managed by the California cannery which leased the tuna cannery at Pago Pago from the U. S. Government. The fishing fleet was under contract to a Japanese company which bought the fish from the boats and sold them to the California firm. A large part of the tuna catch was frozen and shipped to the firm's canneries in California aboard the chartered freezership North Star, while the marlin were frozen and shipped to Japan in the freezership Washington Star, a U. S. vessel chartered by the Japanese company. Enough tuna was processed at the cannery, however, to give it its first trial of full-scale operation since its construction in 1949, Although numerous minor prob- lems remain to be solved, the feasibility of producing canned tuna in American Samoa has been demonstrated. The high demand for tuna, combined with the obvious advantages of less expensive fish, availability of Samoan labor, and proximity to new tuna grounds make it almost certain that every effort will be made to get the Pago Pago plant into steady production. VESSEL OWNERS OF THREE EUROPEAN NATIONS SEEK MESH STANDARDIZATION FOR TRAWL NETS A conference of French, Spanish, and Portuguese fishing fleet owners held re- cently atSanSebastian, Spain, petitioned their respective governments for astandard minimum mesh for trawl nets. They seek a standard mesh size for trawl nets used off the coasts of these countries between Brest and Gibraltar (48° N. and 36° N.). Except for hake and sole, the minimum sizes for fish would be the same as those adopted by the North European Overfishing Convention. The delegates of French, Spanish, and Portuguese fishing-fleet owners agreed to ask their governments to standardize on an 80 mm. (3.15 inches) minimum mesh for trawl nets. 38 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 The conference was held to prepare for the international fishing conference scheduled to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 4, 1954. The present mini- mum mesh for nets permitted by the Portuguese Government is 65 mm. (2.5 inches), a March 18 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Lisbon points out. JAPAN-AUSTRALIA REACH INTERIM AGREEMENT ON PEARL FISHING IN ARAFURA SEA An interim agreement between the Japanese and Australian Governments has been reached to allow limited Japanese pearl fishing in the Arafura Sea, pending the outcome of an appeal to the International Court of Justice. The agreement permits a fleet of one mothership and 25 diving luggers to operate, and a total harvest of 957 metric tons of shell, the equivalent of last year's production. The crew members of the fleet are not to land in Australian territory except in emergency and with prior approval from the Australian Government. A Japanese Fisheries Agency in- spector shall accompany the fleet to see that the terms of the agreement are adhered to, states a May 14 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Tokyo. U, S,-CANADA COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS REPORT ON FIRST MEETING IN WASHINGTON: The first meeting of the Joint United States-Canadian Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs was held in Wash- ington on March 16, 1954. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportun- ity for United States and Canadian Ministers to examine the trade and economic prob- lems that are common to both oountries. A second meeting to continue considera- tion by the Joint Committee was arranged for Ottawa at a later date, a U. S. Depart- ment of State March 17 news release announces. The Ministers noted that the trade between Canada and the United States is great- er than that between any other two countries. They discussed various aspects of present trade relations and agreed on the desirability of avoiding any action which would interfere with this trade. Consideration was given throughout the discussions to the need for action to- wards freer trade and payments on a broad front, It was agreed that recovery to economic health has not progressed equally for all countries. What is needed, it was concluded, is the creation of a more flexible system of trade and payments throughout the world. It was agreed that much of the necessary preparation for such advance has been accomplished by the work of the Commission on Foreign Economic Policy in the United States, by proposals of the Commonwealth Economic Conference, and by discussions within the Organization for European Economic Cooperation. In advancing toward a freer system of world trade and payments, it was further agreed that international organizations, such as the Contracting Parties of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the International Monetary Fund, andthe International Bank, would continue to play an important roll. It was realized that enlightened eco- nomic policies on the part of the United States and Canada will materially contribute to establishing and maintaining broader freedom of trade and payments throughout the world. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION WORLD'S FISHERMEN USING MORE POWERED VESSELS: More than half of the surface of the earth is covered by the sea. But from this huge area of water comes only about one percent of the food of the earth's 2.5 billion people, states a March 26 release from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Part of the reason for the low total food yield of the sea is the low potential pro- ductivity of much of the world's salt-water surfaces. But an important reason is the July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 39 low efficiency with which the great majority of the world's fishermen carry ontheir work, with only windand muscle to drive their boats and haul their nets and lines. In tropical areas the fishermen often rely on the wind that blows from the land in the morning to take their simple sailing boats to the fishing grounds, and on the breeze that blows from the sea in the afternoon to bring them home again. But the winds are weak and inconsistent. The trip to the fishing grounds is slow and so is the return in the afternoon. And whenthere is no wind, the schools of fish must be found and chased by muscle power. So the work is hard and the yields are low, In Ceylon, for instance, there are about 60,000 peo- ple whose main occupation ' is fishing. Between them they take a total of about 30,000 metric tons of fish per year--an average of half a ton per year, or about Typical fishing vessel (Catamaran) Coromandal Coast of India. 20 pounds per week per fish- erman. Farther north, on the Coromandal Coast in India, about 140,000 fishermen take only about half a ton per man per year. These yields are deplorably low compared with yields per manin the more advanced fishing areas of the world and compared with Iceland's average annual take per fisherman of about 38 tons, for instance. All the blame cannot, of course, be thrown on the differences in fishing tech- niques in the developed and underdeveloped countries. The tropical seas are not the rich treasure houses of fish that popular fancy believes they are; they willnever support such highly-concentrated fishing industries as those of the great shallow banks of the North Atlantic, But they will certainly give many times their present yield without danger of exhaustion. Much of the answer lies in mechanization. It is a common belief that a mechan- ized fishing industry is the prerogative of the advanced community; that the fisher- man of the underdeveloped country can't afford to run a powered craft. But the ex- perience of FAO in mechanization of underdeveloped fishing industries is that no fisherman can afford to be without the help of the engine. The poorer the fishing in an area, the greater the need for power to go farther to sea in search of fish and to move swiftly and easily with the schools when they are found. And if an area is just a little too poor to support a powered fisherman it is usually a lot too poor tosupport an unpowered fisherman. FAO believes that even in very poor fishing communities engines can be put into boats and more than pay for themselves in extra catches. It is a belief that already has been tested and proved valid several times. Strong efforts are therefore being made by FAO, especially through its Expand- ed Technical Assistance Program, to increase fisheries production in underdevel- oped parts of the world through improvements in fishing craft and gear, and most 40 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 of all through mechanization. In so many of the less developed countries, the par- ticular importance of fisheries industries lies in the contributions of animal protein : they can make to the food supply of peo- ple whose diets are dangerously low in all types of protein. At present FAO has naval architects and master fishermen working in Ceylon, Southern India, Liberia, and Turkey. Marine fisheries mechanization experts have worked in Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Iraq, and experts are also to be sent in the near future to advise on the develop- ment of powered marine fisheries in Chile, Brazil, and Iran. In Ceylon at the end of 1951 the only motor-powered fishing boat in operation was one steam trawler. At that time FAO provided a master fisherman and later a marine engineer to advise on mechanization of the industry. In April 1953 FAO supplied three small Diesel marine engines which were installed in three Ceylonese fishermen's boats. They were given some instruction on how to Maintain them, some advice on how to use their new equipment, and then leftto their own devices. At the end of six months they were asked if they wanted to " buy the motors. If they didn't think the motors were worth the money, FAO would take them out and restore the boats to their original condition. They all jumped at the chance of buying the motors and other fishermen in the area clamoured for motors too. So on FAO's recommenda- tion another 40 small Diesel marine engines are being provided under the Colombo Plan and will be sold to Ceylonese fishermen on easy terms. And more engines will be provided later. Ceylonese fishermen unloading nets at a fish dock. In Ceylon the fishermen are just learning the first advantages of powered fish- ing: the ability to go out more often and farther in search of fish, and the ability to keep moving with the fish when they are found, without depending on the wind. The second advantage still to be appreciated fully is the use of the motors in actual fish- ing operations--for hauling more nets and lines at greater speed and ease than is possible when only human muscles are available. Another of FAO's demonstrations of the advantages of mechanized fishing was carried out in Saudi Arabia where not a single powered fishing vessel was inservice before FAO came on the scene at the end of 1952. A fisheries biologist was provided to explore the fisheries possibilities of Saudi Arabia, a master fisherman to advise on their exploitation, and a trawler and crew to demonstrate modern fishing methods. The experts! survey showed that the Red Sea off Saudi Arabia, although not areally rich fishing ground, was in some areas capable of yielding commercially profitable catches. Now Saudi Arabian authorities are sponsoring a fishing company with a capital of more than b1 million (US$2.8 million). Ice plants are to be installed, small powered boats have been ordered, and operation of modern power trawlers is planned in the near future. And the fisheries biologist whom FAO sent to the country on a six-month appointment has been given a senior post with the new company. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 41 The pioneer modern demonstration of the capacity of a poor fishing community to make powered fishing pay has been carried out ontheIndiancoast north of Bom- bay under the guidance of the Bombay State Directorate of Fisheries. Until 4 or 5 years ago fishermen in this area were abjectly poor and perpetually in debt to the fish merchants who advanced them money in the lean seasons and then fixed their own price for the catches they bought when the fishing was good. It was not uncom- mon for the son who took over his father's boat to take over his grandfather's debts as well. The Bombay Government sponsored the formation of dozens of fishing coopera- tives, lent money to the cooperatives, and gave advice on the switchover to power fishing. The handful of years since then has worked a revolution in the lives of these fishermen. They have nearly paid off all the money it cost to equip their boats, They have rebuilt their villages. They have set up schools for their child- ren. And they have formed their own cooperative marketing organizations so that they no longer need accept whatever prices the fish dealers will pay them. They have disproved the predictions of the prophets of doom who said that to give a poor fisherman expensive equipment was merely to help him go bankrupt faster, And they have shown what a little time, a little money, and a little advice can do to an underdeveloped fishing industry almost anywhere in the world, OOK OK OK OK ing children with bread made of high-protein "Fish flour,'' reports the Food and Agriculture Organization. Bread made with fish flour ess found acceptable by all who took part'' in a 50-day test among 140 Santiago, Chile, school children, accord- ing to a recent report published in The Fishing News (March 19, 1954), a British fishery trade periodical, Each child received with his daily school lunch a piece of bread made with 9 parts of white wheat flour and 1 part of South African fish flour. The children, un- aware of the experiment, ate all the bread, the report says, ‘and made no remarks whatsoever showing that they disliked it in any way." Fish flour was also tried out in a number of dishes, such as soups, stews, vegetables, and baked products, which were prepared and served to a few people in Santiago. "Although some of the participants found an abnormal odor or flavor in some of the dishes, '' the report states, ''all of them accepted a number of others, including beef-leaf pie, beans, cocktail crackers, and coffee cake." In view of the satisfactory results achieved in Chile, FAO proposes to conduct similar "acceptability tests" in other countries. Other recent FAO experiments included one using specially-processed fish meal and other high-protein substances as substitutes for cow's milk in countries lacking dairy industries. OK OK OK Ok ISRAELI CARP USED TO STOCK MEXICAN INLAND WATERS: A total of 100 offspring of Israeli carp sent by FAO to stock Haiti's streams and ponds have con- tinued the travels of their families by a move to Mexico, where they are to be used to stock the waters of the country's central highlands, an April 19 news release from the Food and Agriculture Organization announces, They were taken to Mexico in March by the head of Mexico's Fish Culture Com- mission, who had just completed a three weeks' study of FAO's fish culture program in Haiti under a fellowship granted him by the Inter-American program of technical 42 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 cooperation. He carried out his studies of fish culture in Haiti with Shimon Tal, the Israeli fish culturist whom FAO sent to Haiti under its expanded technical as- sistance program, Haiti's livestock industry does not supply the protein food needs of the popula- tion, so development of the fish farming industry is of great importance in raising nutritional levels of the people. It is hoped to raise Haitian pond and stream fish production to at least 15,000 tons per year. The carp fingerlings which were taken to Mexico with him were the first off- spring of Israeli carp taken to Haiti in September last year. When they arrived in Haiti they weighed less than four ounces each. At the beginning of February, when they spawned for the first time, they had reached an average weight of eight pounds. All of the commercial ponds in Haiti are to be stocked with Israeli carp. WHALING SMALLER MINIMUM LENGTH FOR FINBACK WHALES PROPOSED BY NOR- WAY: Norway has proposed that the minimum length of finback whales that may be caught in the Antarctic be reduced from 60 to 55 feet, reports Norway's permanent representative on the International Whaling Commission. He says that the proposal will be considered by the Commission at its next meeting in Tokyo about July 20. The Norwegian proposal is completely in accord with the nearly unanimous de- mands voiced by harpooners on their return from last winter's whaling season in the Antarctic, a Norwegian Information Service bulletin of May 20 states. The view- point is scientifically supported by the statistical material presented by a professor of the Norwegian Institute for Whaling Research. The data show, for one thing, that after the minimum measure for finbacks was raised in 1951 from 55 to 60 feet, the catch of substandard whales of both sexes was approximately doubled. TRADE AGREEMENTS ICELAND TO SHIP FISHERY PRODUCTS TO POLAND: A trade agreement be- tween Iceland and Poland requires that during 1954 Iceland deliver to Poland 3,000 metric tons of frozen herring, 1,000 tons of salt herring, 2,000 tons of fish meal, 1,300 tons of medicinal cod-liver oil, and a not yet stipulated quantity of quick-fro- zen fillets, according to Dansk Fiskeritidende (May 14), a Danish trade magazine. * OK OK OK OK SWEDEN-U.S.S.R TRADE AGREEMENT INCLUDES FISHERY PRODUCTS AND FISHING VESSELS: Sweden and the U.S.S.R. have provided for an exchange of com- modities in 1954 under the terms of their trade and payments agreement of Septem- ber 7, 1940, and protocol of October 7, 1946, and signed on February 2, 1954, Swedish exports to Russia, according to the March 29 Foreign Commerce Week- ly of the Department of Commerce, are to include 20 steel fishing trawlers to be de- livered during 1954-56, and 5 Diesel refrigeration ships to be delivered during 1955- 56. Quotas are established for certain Swedish exports including herring--2,000 metric tons. Russian shipments to Sweden will include crab and fish conserves. OK KK NETHERLANDS-CZECHOSLOVAKIA TRADE AGREEMENT INCLUDES FISH: A mutual exchange of goods between the Netherlands and Czechoslovakia for one year ending January 31, 1955, is provided for in a new trade agreement signed on July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 43 February 13 at The Hague. Netherlands exports to Czechoslovakia are to include 3,000 metric tons of fish. This agreement does not include any Czech exports of fishery products, according to the March 29 Foreign Commerce Weekly, a Depart- ment of Commerce publication, OK OK OK VENEZUELA-COLOMBIA TRADE AGREEMENT INCLUDES CANNED FISH: Arrangements have been made between Venezuela and Colombia whereby Venezuela will ship 5,000 cases of canned fish in exchange for cotton cloth, a May 12 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Caracas reports. This trade was announced by the Vene- zuela Minister of Development in connection with the Tenth Congress of the Federa- tion of Chambers of Commerce and Industry meeting in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on May 11. 2 Angola STATUS OF THE FISHERIES: It appears that the Angolan fishing industry is developing at a fairly rapid pace. The fish products industry associations have ap- parently enjoyed competent and aggressive administration, and even considering the fact that 1953 catches were good, the results shown have been decidedly encour- aging. The Government will undoubtedly have a continuing interest in the develop- ment of this industry which is playing an ever more important part in the Angolan economy. Fishing: Most Angolan fishing boats are propelled by oars or sails, but some progress is being made in motorizing the fishing fleet. However, this is necessar- ily slow as owners must continually contend with high fuel prices and unreliable supplies. Some of the newer boats have recently been equipped with electronic sounding equipment but use of equipment of this type is not yet general, a February 11 U. S. consular dispatch from Luanda states. Fish Processing: The fish processing industry is divided into three principal types: (a) salting and drying, (b) fish meal and oil, and (c) canned fish. Drying estab- lishments are usually found in con- junction with small fisheries located at river mouths or in small bays. These fisheries are generally under the supervision of a European Pulling a fish trap off Equimina, Angola. This gear is used for catch- Who has had some experience in the ing tuna, Portuguese fisheries, and who em- ploys a crew of 20 to 30 natives op- erating a fleet of dugout canoes or rowboats. Fish are seined from nearby waters and when the catch is brought ashore the fish are beheaded and eviscerated by women and children. They are then washed, split, andrubbed with coarse salt, after which they are placed on racks made of rough wood and left to dry in the sun. Dried fish in Angola is presently produced by this method, although the Government is investi- gating means of mechanizing certain operations, particularly the actual drying proc- ess in order to improve the quality of the product. 44 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 The manufacture of fish meal and fish oil is becoming modernized at a more rapid rate. Natural drying is being replaced by mechanical drying, andcentrifugal extractors are replacing presses for the extraction of the oil. Fish canneries generally have modern equipment, but the Government believes that there is a great need for additional refrigeration equipment. The Government states that there has been no new processing equipment in- stalled by fish canneries since the beginning of 1952. Some new equipment has been acquired by fish-meal and fish-oil plants,and more than $1,000,000 has been spent for the acquisition of new boats, principally trawlers and motorized whale boats. In addition, unloading docks, equipped with mechanical unloading devices, have been constructed by some firms to alleviate the chronic shortage of labor which is par- ticularly critical in the southern part of the Province. Government Role: The Portuguese Government has initiated studies in oceano- graphy and marine biology to find and develop areas frequented by nonmigratory species of fish. It has also undertaken a study of modern fishing methods, particu- larly those involving trawling. As part of the oceanographic project, the Govern- ment, through the Ministry of Overseas Territories, maintained an oceanographic mission in Angola from 1951 to 1952. This mission returned to Portugal in 1953 to study the data it had accumulated, but is scheduled to return to Angolan waters for further investigation in 1954, The Portuguese Government has sponsored improved industrial organization through the creation of ''Gremios" or associations, which supervise the activities of member firms and help them solve processing problems. The Angolan Government supervises the activities of the associations of firms engaged in the fishing industry. Through its regional laboratories and technicians, it directs and controls the manufacture of fish products with a view to their constant improvement. Through the Services of Economy, the Animal Industry and Veterinary Services, andthe Maritime Department, it prescribes methods of factory construction and operation. It has undertaken a project to relieve the chronic water shortage which effects the principal centers of the fishing industry. The Angolan Government supervises labor conditions in the industry. en eat British Guiana SHRIMP FISHERY: Approximately 2,000 pounds of shrimp can be caught daily off British Guiana's Atlantic coast, according to the June 1953 Caribbean Commis- sion Bulletin. However, the shrimp fishery is apparently in need of organization and supervision, the British Guiana Acting Fisheries Officer reported in a recent radio broadcast. According to the press (Daily Argosy, January 18), he further stated: "Previously large quantities of shrimps were thrown away during the glut sea- son, We therefore fostered the dried shrimp industry which incidentally has resulted in the registration of a shrimp factory. This factory takes care of all surplus shrimp. Thus, all dried shrimp used in the Colony are produced locally instead of being imported as before, and small quantities are even exported, especially to Trinidad. "T guess that housewives will now be blaming us for the increase of the price of shrimp, but I can assure them that the development of the shrimping industry on the lines that we visualize will not only benefit the fishermen, but the Colonyasa whole. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 45 "With the organization of the dried shrimp industry, a byproduct industry was also started in the form of a shrimp-meal industry. The shrimp meal is made from the heads, fragments of flesh and shell, which are the residue of dried shrimp. Large quantities of this product are purchased by the Government Produce Depot, commercial agencies, and several stock farms. This meal is used for mixing in feeds, as it has a very high protein content." Canada DUTY-FREE IMPORT OF 15 LARGE U. S. "DEEP-SEA" FISHING VESSELS PERMITTED: The Canadian Government has approved the importation of not more than 15 U. S. vessels of over 65 feet registered length, according to a recent letter from the Canadian Fisheries Minister to a British Columbia fisheries workers union. This action was taken to encourage deep-sea fishing off the coast of British Columbia, according to the May 4 issue of The Fisherman, a Canadian trade period- ical. Excerpts from the letter follow: "',.Most of the fishing nations of the world have substantial deep-sea fishing fleets which range the oceans of the world seeking fish. Canada has been fortunate in having two of the greatest fisheries in the world close to her shores, and so our fishing fleets have never had to range far from shore, "On the East Coast we have a substantial deep-sea fleet fishing the Grand Banks. On the West Coast, our fishing has always been close to shore, largely insheltered waters. As a consequence, very few of these boats are suitable for extensive deep- sea fishing. "Two International events have made it imperative that we begin to develop a deep-sea fleet in the Pacific.... "|, Because of the decline in the American tuna fishery and the Alaskansalmon fishery there are a considerable number of good deep-sea vessels now available on the American side at greatly reduced prices. The B. C. fishing industry feels that exploratory deep-sea fishing would be worth a trial with these boats at their present prices. "Such importation would normally be subject to a 25 percent Customs duty and special permission from the Canadian Maritime Commission to import any of the boats over five years inage. However, the general policy of the present Govern- ment has been to remove duties on equipment used in primary industries--farming, fishing, logging, and mining. Almost everything used by a farmer is now duty-free-- and almost everything used by the fisherman, too except his most important item-- his boat, "Because of the situation outlined, I, as Minister of Fisheries. ..made certain proposals to the Government in this connection. "The Government has now approved the importation of not more than 15 of these American vessels of over 65 feet registered length. Only bona fide fishermen or fishing companies will be given permits by the Maritime Commission to import such boats, and the boats must be fished by those who imported them. Boats over five years in age, if in good condition, can be imported under special permit from the Maritime Commission. All boats will, of course, have to be refitted in Canadian yards to meet inspection requirements under the Canada Shipping Act. 46 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 "Full duty will be paid on importation. As an incentive, however, half this duty will be remitted after one year's deep-sea fishing, and the other half of this duty will be remitted after the second year's deep-sea fishing. "No more than 15 vessels will be permitted entry under this program for ex- ploratory fishing. It is felt that this will provide a large enough fleet to show wheth- er or not deep-sea fishing off the B. C. Coast is economic. If this is established, it will be expected that all future boats for this type of fishing will be built in B. C. yards,"' OK OK OK Canadian 1953 canned salmon pack and the future for sales looks bright, according to the Canadian Minister of Fisheries in a recent report to Commons, in which he also reviewed several aspects of the fishing industry on the Pacific coast. The Minister reported that a carryover of one million cases of salmon from 1953 had been disposed of by the British Columbia fishing industry, with the outlook excellent for the coming year, according to the May 11 issue of The Fisherman, a Canadian fishermen's and shoreworkers! paper. Besides sales to Britain, British Columbia expects to sell C$600,000 worth of salmon to New Zealand, C$500,000 worth to Australia, and ''there is a likelihood" that another Commonwealth country will buy salmon also. HOOK OK OK ring fishing season in British Columbia's history ended at midnight on March 16, according to the Canadian Department of Fisheries Trade News (March 1954). When the 20 purse seiners operating in the Queen Charlotte Island area made their final hauls, a grand total of over 210,000 tons of herring had been taken from coastal waters in the 1953/54 season that opened last summer. It was the first time that the final herring catch season's total ever reached the 200,000-ton mark, although fishermen came close to it in 1951/52 with approximately 198,000 tons. This year the end came suddenly when the Federal Department of Fisheries called a halt three days before the time limit which had been extended on March 8. The herring fishing fleet had moved into the Queen Charlotte area after catch quotas had been taken or areas closed for conservation in other parts of the coast. They found herring almost immediately. By early March a considerable catch had been taken and the condition of the herring indicated that a good fishery was probable. Normally this fishing would have closed on March 10 under ordinary fishing regula- tions, but such was the quantity and condition of herring in the area that the Depart- ment of Fisheries on March 8 issued a fishing extension to March 19. However, the "easy'' catches came to an end on March 15 and the stop order was issued for the following day. * OK OK OK FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HAVE JURISDICTION OVER NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES: The Canadian Federal Government will have exclusive jurisdiction over the Newfoundland fisheries commencing March 31, 1954, it was decided at a recent two-day discussion between representatives of both governments, reports a March 29 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Ottawa. But, since the fisheries have such paramount importance in Newfoundland, the Federal Government would always wish to consult the Provincial Government on important policy matters; however, the final respon- sibility for all decisions would be up to the Federal Government, according to an announ ement by the Canadian Government on March 21. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 47 The announcement further stated: ''The governmental responsibility for mar- keting will, from April 1, 1954, be exercised by the Minister of Trade and Com- merce and all other governmental responsibility in fishery matters will be exer- cised by the Minister of Fisheries. "It was decided that NAFEL should no longer be the exclusive marketing agency for Newfoundland salt fish but that recognized mainland fish merchants should be licensed to buy fish in Newfoundland for processing. NAFEL, ina reorganized form and under more direct governmental supervision with primary producer rep- resentation in its direction, will continue, as undertaken by the Minister of Fisher- ies in his letter of March 27th, 1953, to be the exclusive agency for the direct ex- port to other countries of salt fish from Newfoundland, on the understanding that the merchants selling through NAFEL undertake at the beginning of the season to pay minimum prices to the fishermen to be agreed on with the government of Canada and to a system of profit sharing similar to that agreed on in September 1953. "The Federal Government for its part undertakes to have the Fisheries Prices Support Board review the operations of NAFEL in the spring of 1955 with a view to determining whether the prices actually realized are adequate or whether action is required to supplement them with deficiency payments. "The Fisheries Prices Support Board is completing a review of the operations of NAFEL for the present season."' KK KKK COMBINATION SEALER-TRAWLER BUILT: The world's first combined sealer and trawler has been built in Scotland for a Canadian firm located in Halifax, N. S., the Trade News (February 1954) of the Canadian Department of Fisheries announced. The Theta, which arrived in Halifax on her maiden voyage in December last year, is registered in Canada and is now in regular operation. Specially constructed for navigation in ice, the vessel has an all-welded rein- forced steel hull. Deckhouses from boat deck and above are of aluminum. Fitted with a variable-pitch propeller with electric maneuvering transmissions from the bridge and crow's-nest, it is possible for the officer on watch to maneuver the vessel at various speeds forward or backward without reducing engine speed or reversing the engine. The Theta which is 155 feet in length and 28 feet in breadth, carries a crew of 19 men when trawling and 40 men when sealing. The crew members are berthed in comfortable accommodations forward and aft with washing facilities and showers, as well as clothes-drying facilities close by. There are separate cabins for the cap- tain, mate, engineers, steward, and radio operators. All accommodations are ventilated by a mechanical type of trunked ventilation and are electrically heated. The hold of the vessel is insulated and refrigeration machinery will permit tem- peratures in the hold to be maintained at 30° F. Powered by a 5-cylinder Diesel engine, which develops 800 Bhp, at 250 r.p.m., the Theta is also fitted with the latest type radio, ship-to-shore telephone, direction finder, radar, and echo-sounding gear. One of the most modern types of vessel afloat, the Theta also carries a German- designed electronic fish finder which permits detection of schools of fish and even determination of the type of fish. A cod-liver boiling plant and two cod-liver oil tanks have been installed on the vessel aft of crew accommodations. 48 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Colombia U. S. REFRIGERATED VESSEL TO BUY FISH FROM FISHERMEN OFF CO- LOMBIA: The refrigerated fishing vessel Tropic Trader, owned bya U. S. citizen, will begin collecting fish from individual fishermen off the Island of San Andres, Colombia, for sale in Cartagena and Barranquilla. Operations were expected to begin late in May on a small scale as an exploratory measure to see if it is feasible and profitable. The fish will be sold to food wholesalers for freezing in Cartagena and to a Barranquilla fish-canning factory, states a May 17 U. S. consular dispatch from Barranquilla. % OK OOK OK OK coast that it was to discontinue operations in April. Since the firm's organization three years ago, its operations have been unprofitable. Because of an insufficient supply of fish and the lack of automatic canning machinery, the firm was unable to maintain a large volume of production, reports the U. S. Embassy at Bogota. pe = Costa Rica FISHERY PRODUCTS IMPORT TARIFFS RAISED: A new Costa Rican customs tariff went into effect on April 1, 1954, and provides higher duties for fishery prod- ucts, according to the May 3 Foreign Commerce Weekly of the U. S. Department of Commerce. This group under "Alimentary Products" is of interest to exporters of fishery products to Costa Rica: Fish, crustacea, mollusks, and their preparations: Old rates from 0.20 to 2.50 colones per gross kilogram (13-20 U. S. cents per pound), and 4 percent ad valorem (c.i.f. value); new rates from 1.00 to 40.00 colones per gross kilogram (8 U. S. cents to US$3.20 per pound), and 4 percent ad valorem. Denmark to be erected at Thorshaven, capital of the Faroe Islands, according to the May 1 Foreign Trade, a Canadian Government publication. This will be the first plant of its kind in the Islands and it will be equipped with modern equipment. The total cost is estimated at 700,000 kroner (US$101,000), and Danish Government funds will be used to defray the cost. German Federal Republic WHALING FLEET NOT GERMAN-OWNED: The whaling fleet (operating under the Panamanian flag) comprised of the factoryship Olympic Challenger and 16 catcher boats that was reported in the April 1954 (p. 45) issue of Commercial Fisheries Review as being unable to participate in this past season's Antarctic expedition, is not German-owned. There are no German owners or financial interests, connected with this whaling fleet, according to the German Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 49 Forestry. A company located in Hamburg is the sole agency in Germany for the company that operates the fleet. The company that operates the fleet also has an office in New York City. Greece FISHING INDUSTRY, 1953: The total production of the Greek fishing industry in 1953 was estimated at approximately 42,500 metric tons, valued at about 198 billion drachmas (US$6.6 million), reports the January 1954 Aleia, a Greek fishery magazine. A total of 5,083 vessels operated in the Greek fishery during 1953: 377 trawlers, 246 seiners, 895 trawler-seiners, 3,562 miscellaneous powered fishing vessels, Greek fishing vessels at Pireaus, landing port for City of Athens, and 3 vessels that operated in Atlantic waters. Of these 3, only one was successful because the other 2 were hampered by frequent machinery breakdowns. Greek fishing activity during the year was extended to African waters where 23 to 44 trawlers operated with a monthly catch of 200 metric tons. Unfortunately this endeavor remained essentially disorganized due to the lack of funds to modernize the trawlers. OK K KK SPONGE FISHERY, 1953 AND1954: The Greek 1953 sponge production amounted to 141,317 pounds as compared to 282,185 pounds in 1952. The decrease was due to the fact that Greek sponge-fishing boats did not work in the Cyrenaica and Egyptian waters in 1953, according to Aleia (January 1954), a Greek fishery magazine. There were 131 groups operating in 1953; 128 of these in Greek and Cyprus areas where they produced 127,677 pounds, and the remaining 3 groups in Lambedussa and North Africa where they caught sponges totaling 13,640 pounds. 50 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 There were large stocks of unsold sponges on hand at the beginning of the sea- son. However, the stocks started to move in April immediately after the new prices of the pound sterling and the dollar went into effect. For the 1954 season, sponge fishing shall take place in Cyrenaica, Tripoli, Cyprus, and Greek waters, but not in Egypt. The Greek Government has decided the sponge-fishing season shall be for 7 months instead of the usual 6 months on con- dition that all sponge vessels commence operations in April. Sponge-fishing vessels bound for Cyrenaica shall be financed by the Govern- ment as follows: Boats of 5 divers, 294 million drachmas (US$9,800); 8 divers, 401 million drachmas (US$13,300); 14 divers, 568 million drachmas (US$18,900). Hungary INLAND FISHERY PROGRAM TO TRIPLE CATCH: The Hungarian fishing in- dustry is working on a new program aimed at tripling the commercial catch from inland waters by 1957, according to the Fish Trades Gazette (April 24), a British fishery magazine. State fish hatcheries are to be extended from the present 25,000 acres to 65,000 acres by 1956, and those of various cooperative enterprises from 700 to 9,000 acres. Since 1945 the Hungarian inland waters fishery industry has been under State direction, with the fishing done by State enterprises and fishermen's cooperatives; and the future safeguarded by a chain of breeding and research stations. The most important fishing rivers in Hungary are the Danube and the Tisza, both of which provide about 250 miles of water. Lake Balaton--the ''HungarianSea't. abounds with fish, and there are many small rivers and ponds where commercial fishing is carried out. Many artificial ponds have been established for breeding, varying in size from 7 acres to 700 acres. The largest in the country is one of over 4,000 acres on the Hortobagy Plain, a formerly arid area now being transformed into fertile country by an elaborate irrigation system stemming from the Tiszalok hydroelectric dam recently completed. At present the main concern of the fishing authorities is to assure adequate spawning stock, not only for ponds but also to restock natural waters. For this pur- pose a special enterprise is being set-up with the main task of artificial breeding and transportation of stock. Many farming cooperatives and State farms, especially in Eastern Hungary, along the Tisza River, the Koros Rivers, and in the chief rice-growing regions, are gradually introducing fish breeding in their rice fields. Fish breeding in rice fields is becoming widespread in Hungary, for in this way the fields yield a double harvest. The rich plant and animal life in the flood waters on the rice fields is excellent nutri- ment for fish and they develop without special feeding. Besides quantity increase, great stress is laid on quality breeding. Among the numerous choice breeds, the pike perch of Lake Balaton is being bred extensively. The pike perch is a voracious fish which often grows as big as 8 to 10 pounds. Its meat is considered delicious in Hungary. Work is being conducted in the Research Institute for Fish Hatching to compile information on the habits and feeding of the pike perch and to make use of the facts July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 51 in breeding. Work is also going on in carp breeding. The most favorable results have been obtained at the Tata Fish Hatchery on the Danube, where carp with a small head and a high broad back have been bred, On the experimental farm of Szarvas, near the Sebes-Koros River, large-scale breeding experiments are carried on with sheatfish. Continuing experiments are carried on in the improvement of fishing gear. In most places fishing is still done with nets, but there are already a few places where electric fish-catching apparatus is used. _ India FISHING INDUSTRY TO BE MODERNIZED AT COST OF $2 MILLION: The Deputy Food Minister of India announced recently that the procurement of equipment and technicians worth $2,014,699 had been authorized under a Technical Cooperation Aid Scheme (TCA) for the expansion and modernization of sea fisheries. The serv- ices of fisheries experts from the TCA and FAO had been secured, The Fishing News, a British fishery periodical, announced on March 26. Orders have been placed for 144 marine Diesel engines, 11 insulated road vans, 3 bull trawlers, 7 reef gill-net boats, 5 wooden fishing vessels for shrimp trawling, 2 motor craft, 8 ice and cold-storage plants, 2 marine Diesel electric generating sets of 20 kw., and fishing hooks, nylon twine, etc. In the House of the People at New Delhi, the Deputy Food Minister, stated that a private company, which proposed to undertake deep-sea fishing on a commercial basis on the west coast of India, had approached the Government of India for help in the form of technicians and equipment under the Technical Cooperation Aid scheme. The company which had made the proposal through the Travancore-Cochin State had also asked for a loan from the ''Grow More Food" funds. The proposal was under consideration by the Government. U.S. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR FISHERIES CONTINUES: Efforts were being made by the U. S. Industrial Assistance Division in Iran to charter a fishing vessel for exploratory operations during the 1954/55 fishing season, reports a U.S. Embassy dispatch (March 15) from Tehran. ‘Tinplate and cottonseed oil for the Bandar Abbas fish cannery are being supplied from the United States. Export of frozen Caspian Sea sturgeon by private interests continues. Japan TUNA VESSELS FISHING FOR AMERICAN SAMOAN CANNERY HAVE FAIR for the American Samoan tuna cannery freezership, according to recent reports from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service observer on the freezership. The yellowfin tuna caught have been large and a considerable proportion has been rejected at the can- nery and on the freézership as being too dark for canning. 52 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 The cannery has been operating regularly. At the end of February it appeared that the freezership would not have a full load of tuna (about 1,000 tons) by the time the Japanese fleet of catcher boats leave for Japan. It was also reported that consid- erable quantities of large albacore are being caught by the Japanese catcher boats around Samoa, especially to the south. KKK K pedition of 7 motherships and 160 catcher boats sailed from Hakodate early in May for North Pacific waters between Kamchatka and the Aleutian Islands, a May 14 U.S. Embassy dispatch from Tokyo states. The target goal of the expedition is (in number of fish): 6,073,500 pink, 3,310,000 sockeye, 4,812,200 chum, and 548,100 silver--a total of 14,743,800 salmon as compared with 7,700,000 in the 1953 season. * OK OK OK fleets fishing in Nemuro waters are having a highly successful season, according to reports from Hokkaido. More crabs are being caught and the individual crabs are running largerin size, The target goal for the season is 2,000 metric tons as against 1,500 tons last year. A total of 62,000 cases of canned crab meat will be produced if the target goal is reached. The present export price is $27.50 per case f.0.b., ac- cording toa U. S. Embassy dispatch (May 14) from Tokyo. % OK Ok OK OK RESTORATION OF NORTH SEA FISHING RIGHTS FROM RUSSIA SOUGHT: The Japanese fishing industry plans to start negotiations with the Soviet authorities for restoration of Japan's prewar north sea fishery, according to The Fishing News (April 30), a British fishery publication. A representative of a Japanese fishery company expects to visit Russia for a month to negotiate. His plan is backed by a resolution passed by the House of Representatives Fish- ery Committee that the Government should pay special consideration to visits by Japa- nese fishery leaders to Russia. The projected negotiations would cover the following points: (1) Japan will seek Soviet permission to Japanese salmon and trout fishing off Kamchatka Peninsula. However, Japanese fishing circles fear the U.S.S.R. might oppose the operation on the ground that salmon and trout in the fishing area are on their way to rivers of Kamchatka. (2) Japanese fishermen want to go nearer the peninsula since fish runs are more dense along the coast. (3) Japan will seek resumption of salmon, trout, and crab fishing on Okhotsk Sea. OK OK OK OK ANTARCTIC WHALING FLEET TO BE INCREASED: Japan will send three whal- ing expeditions to the Antarctic next season instead of two as in the past, the Japanese Fisheries Board announced recently. The third fleet will be organized by the Taiyo Fisheries Company with the 11,803-ton Kinje Maru as mothership. This vessel was previously known as the Nisshin Maru No. 1, reports the April 30 issue of The Fish- ing News, a British trade paper. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 53 The new fleet will be smaller in size than the Taiyo Fisheries Company's pres- ent fleet headed by the 16,810-ton Nisshin Maru. The other present fleet is oper- ated by the Nippon Suisan Company with the 19,210-ton Tonan Maru as the factory- ship. A spokesman for the Taiyo Fisheries Company said projected organization of the new whaling fleet was in conformity with the Japanese Government's policy of encouraging whale-oil consumption in Japan in view of Japan's growing foreign ex- change shortage which was restricting imports of oilseeds and tallow. JAPANESE GOVERNMENT FV Republic of Korea FISH-CANNING CAPACITY TO BE DOUBLED BY NEW MACHINERY: Three modern fish-canning machines, expected to double the Korean fish-canning capacity, have been landed in Korea by the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency (UNKRA), a report received from UNKRA headquarters announced March 26, The high-speed vacuum canners, complete with line assemblies, were pur- chased in the United States for about $13,000 each. They have been turned over to the Fisheries Control Committee, a joint UNKRA-Republic of Korea body, and will be turned over to canneries in Pusan, Tong Yong, and Kampo. The processing units can each handle up to 200 cans per minute, compared with the 50-can rate of the best units now used in Korea. National production last year was approximately 100,000 cases of 32 cans each, As further assistance to the canning industry, UNKRA has brought in more than 600,000 cans, which will be packed with selected, high-quality sea foods for the do- mestic market and for export trade. ae. Mexico SINALOA SHRIMP EXPORTS TO U. S., OCTOBER 1953-MARCH 1954: Shrimp exports to the United States October 1953-March 1954 for freezers in the Mazatlan area were 98 cars with a total of 4,312,000 pounds. Exports from Topolobampo September 1953-March 1954 were 91 cars with a total of 3,935,750 pounds. Inspite of the fact that exports have increased by some 25 percent, profits remain about the same as last year. This is chiefly due to the slightly lower prices prevailing, and to the scarcity of the jumbo shrimp which commands premium prices, a U. S. con- sular dispatch (April 5, 1954) from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, points out. KOK OK OK MERIDA SHRIMP EXPORTS TO U. S., JANUARY-MARCH 1954: A total of 1,086 tons of frozen shrimp was shipped from the Merida District of Mexico during the first three months of 1954; all to the United States. This was a decrease of 3 per- cent from the 1,116 tons exported in the corresponding quarter in 1953, according to a May 12 U. S. consular dispatch from Merida. ——~.s SSS 54 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 Netherlands FISH MEAL FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION INVESTIGATED: The Netherlands Centraal Instituut voor Industrieontwikkeling (Central Institute for Industrial Devel- opment) in its annual report for 1953 indicates that at present it is investigating a new process for the preparation of fish meal for human consumption. Should tech- nical difficulties be solved, this project offers many possibilities as there is still a world shortage of protein, points out the Institute. The inventor of the process has been brought into contact with a group of interested businessmen. Negotiations to set up an experimental industry on a semi-technical scale are under way, an April 5 United States Embassy dispatch from The Hague reports. The Institute, an official agency for the promotion of industrialization through research and advisory activities, is sponsored by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs. a New Zealand MAY BUY U. S. CANNED SALMON: The New Zealand Government may be willing to purchase canned salmon from the United States if the price is competitive with Canadian salmon, according to a recent U. S. Embassy dispatch from Welling- ton. No details as to quantity are available, but it is understood that the New Zea- land Government plans to issue import licenses for canned fish in 1954 to a value of US$560,000. Norway U. S. AID FOR FISHERIES: As a result of the Foreign Operations Administra- tion (formerly the Mutual Security Administration) program of the United States, Norway has available 2,2 million kroner (US$308,000) in Norwegian currency for modernization of the Norwegian fishing industry. Plans for spending the money were outlined recently by the Norwegian Fisheries Ministry in a report to Parlia- ment, according to the Norwegian Information Service in a May 13 bulletin. This money is part of the 28.5 million kroner (US$4 million) which represents the local currency proceeds set aside in accordance with Section 115 (k) of the Mutual Secur- ity Act of 1951 for improving Norwegian industrial productivity. Local currencies are the funds paid by the receivers of goods in Norway originally paid for by dollars under the Mutual Security Act of 1953. Under the plan, 500,000 kroner (US$70,000) will be earmarked for loans to aid the modernization of retail fish stores, principally by facilitating the acquisition of refrigerated counters. Five-year loans, bearing low or no interest, will cover up to 70 percent of the total modernization cost. About 800 of Norway's fish stores fail to meet modern requirements. The acquisition or installation of fish-mobiles will be aided by a 300,000 kroner (US$42,000) loan fund. Yearly sales of fish-mobiles run about 10 million kroner (US$1.4 million), and experience shows that modernization of the material results in increased sales. A total of 400,000 kroner (US$56,000) will be used to subsidize technological research in fish processing, mainly by developing new methods of freezing fillets and whole fish. The activities of the Committee for Fisheries Education will be subsidized in the amount of 700,000 kroner (US$98,000). This money will pay for consultants to the retail trade, production of educational films, printing of more promotion pamphlets, July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 55 and expansion of personnel. The final 400,000 kroner (US$56,000) will be set aside for scholarships to selected workers in the Norwegian fishing industry. OK OK OK OK storage and freezing plant, which Bergen Fiskeriindustri has built in Bontelabo, Bergen, was recently dedicated, an April 15 news release from the Norwegian In- formation Service announced. Largest in Northern Europe, the 27.7 millionkroner (US$3.9 million) plant has a total area of 70,200 square feet, of which 20,250 square feet are covered by a 6-story two-level building, with 225,000 square feet of floor space. In normal operation, the staff will comprise about 250 warehousemen and engineers. However, during the winter herring fisheries the number of employees will be much higher. Providing offices and freezing facilities for about 20 companies and organiza- tions engaged in fisheries, the Bergen plant has a 1,100-foot long dock. Operation is based mainly on freezing herring and herring products. Tuna, salmon, and sev- eral other kinds of fish, as well as whale meat, will be received for ''dry-freezing."' A special section has been equipped for cold storage of agricultural products, such as meat, butter, eggs, fruits and berries, and for imported citrus fruits and other perishable foods. With storage for 3,000 tons of ice blocks, the artificial ice plant can produce about 325 tons of chipped ice a day. The daily capacity for freezing herring is 2,500 to 3,000 cases. There is storage for about 40,000 cases of frozen herring. The dry-freezing capacity is up to 150 tons a day. OK OK OK whaling season closed on March 18 with a record catch for the Norwegian expedi- tions, reports the U. S. BAe at Oslo. The 9 Norwegian factoryships rendered a total of 960,000 barrels! of oil which was approximately 200,000 barrels more than processed in the 1952/53 season. To these figures must be added the produc- tion of the land-based station at Husvik Harbour, South Georgia, which amounted to 173,000 barrels. The season's total, therefore, is about 1,133,000 barrels. Factoryship production of whale oil totaled 929,077 barrels, an increase of one-fourth from last year's output. Sperm-oil production at 31,135 barrels was also greater than last year when the output was 27,387 barrels. The technological progress in the hunting, killing, and processing of the whales is responsible for the increase in the production of oils. The very careful studies made of the migration and feeding habits of these mammals by international scient- ists, mostly Norwegian, have greatly aided the expeditions in locating the whales in the prime of their development. Although the international quota was reduced from 16,000 blue-whale units to 15,500 units this season, the actual ''take"' of oil was con- siderably more than last year. The days of hunting were also less this year than last year but the average weight and quantities of fat of the individual animals were greater than previous years. Modern electronic devices are now employed to locate the schools and low-fly- ing helicopters are widely used to spot the singletons. The latest gunnery methods reduce the possibility of missing the shot to almost nil, and the fast up-to-date killer boats permit ranging and hunting over huge areas. The factoryships of today carry aboard the finest and most modern equipment and the efficiency is of a remarkably high standard. 1/One barrel contains 373.3 pounds of oil. Six barrels contain one long ton (2,240 pounds) of oil, whereas 5.357 barrels con- tain one short ton (2,000 pounds). 56 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 There is another factor which contributes greatly to the advantages of the Nor- wegian expeditions, the manning of the ships. Whaling has long been a traditional occupation of the men from Tonsberg, Sandefjord, and Larvik and great pride is taken by these sailors in their profession. They are all thoroughly experienced and combine the best of seamanship with enterprise and ingenuity. The wages are high (all members of the crew participate in the proceeds of the catch), living con- ditions are good, and morale is very high. Although the work is extremely hard and frequently very dangerous there exists among whalers an esprit de corps probably not evident in any other industry in Norway. OK OK OK agency empowered to control importations of all commercial fishing gear into Nor- way was scheduled to begin operating on May 15. The agency--State Fishing Tackle Import Agency (Statens Fiskeredskapsimport)--was established by the Storting law of February 13, 1953, and promulgated by Norwegian Royal Decree. The Ministry of Fisheries has delegated to the agency authority to grant private firms permis- sion to continue importations of certain gear, especially nylon products, for the time being. The agency has been conceived with a three-fold purpose: (1) to obtain more fair and favorable prices from foreign exporters; (2) to stabilize supply; and (3) to facilitate administration of state subsidies on fishing-gear imports, according toa U. S. Embassy dispatch (May 14) from Oslo. g Spain VIGO FISH CANNING TRENDS, MARCH 1954: The fish canneries in the Vigo area of Spain purchased 165,959 pounds of fish during March--about 2.3 percent of the total catch landed in that area. This compares to 202,400 pounds during the previous month, and 220,940 pounds during March 1953. The decline was principal- ly due to scarcity of fish. Tuna comprised the bulk of the purchases by the canners. MODERNIZATION OF FISHERY FLEET DISCUSSED: In an effort to solve the multiple and serious problems confronting Spanish fishing interests, the National Fishing Syndicate called for a national assembly of fishing-vessel operators and fish canners in Madrid the first part of April. During the meetings many important points affecting the industry were discussed; among them the advisability of dis- mantling all ships over 30 years old, especially those equipped with coal burning equipment; the establishment of closed fishing seasons in the different fishing sec- tions of the country; the organization of a close government control over fishing methods and practices in territorial waters; and the size of the net meshes. The Government has apparently offered to support the Syndicate's suggestions and has further promised to subsidize the dismantling of old ships at different rates in accordance with their age and construction, as well as to give priority in the granting of loans for the construction of new ships to those operators who agree to dismantle the old expensive craft. While drastic measures that might be agreed upon at the Assembly might cause temporary difficulties inthe fishing industry, in- formed members of the trade agree that some measure must be taken at once to avoid the complete collapse of the whole industry. Spain, they claim, has too large a fleet, most of it outmoded and uneconomical to operate under present high cost of supplies and equipment, reports a U. S. consular dispatch (April 9) from Vigo. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 57 During the Assembly the fish canning associations were toagaintry tointerest the Government in revising export exchange rates. This is claimed to be one of the principal objectives of the industry to regain former markets, since under pres- ent circumstances competition with other exporting countries is alleged to be prac- tically impossible. Union of South Africa - South-West Africa | South Africa and South-West Africa reached new high levels during the year ending September 30, 1953, due to the expansion at Walvis Bay, according to the annual report of the Fisheries Development Corporation. However, the very high rate of development which had been maintained over the past six years showed signs of slackening. Fish Meal and Oil: Fish-meal production at Walvis Bay, South-West Africa, totaled 66,165 metric tons this past fiscal year as compared with 37,748 tons the previous year; fish-oil production amounted to 10,048 long tons, an increase over the 6,950 long tons in 1951/52. In the Union of South Africa fish meal totaled 39,752 metric tons, a small de- crease from the 40,634 tons produced in the previous year; while fish oil totaled 11,810 long tons in 1952/53 as compared to 11,831 long tons in 1951/52. The drop in production in the Union of South Africa, in spite of increased landings of pilchards and maasbankers, was due to increased canning of these species, according to the March South African Shipping News and Fishing Industry Review. The market for fish meal on both the domestic and foreign markets remained favorable, and the expanded output of the industry as a whole was readily absorbed. Fish oil, on the other hand, did not enjoy the same favorable conditions as the price dropped due to competition from other oils. The recovery of fish solubles and residual oil from the stickwater attracted considerable attention after being neglected in the past. Arrangements were com- pleted for the erection of a number of recovery plants on a trial basis at different factories along the coast. These plants will be supervised by the Fishing Industry Research Institute and results compared to discover the type of plant best suited to local conditions. It is hoped that the industry will benefit by this action. Canned Fish: Certain difficulties were encountered in the marketing of canned pilchards and maasbankers. To dispose of the increased output, it was necessary to enter markets where substantial duties are levied, and where retail prices were lower than in markets previously supplied. In addition, competition was encounter- ed from the reorganized industries of the Far East and Europe. Producers of canned and frozen spiny lobster continued to enjoy a favorable de- mand. During the year prices hardened and the outlook for the new season was bright. The South African Bureau of Standards imposed quality control on the fish can- ning industry. 58 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 WES emo eRe JAPANESE FIRM MAY BUILD TUNA FISHING VESSELS: A Japanese ship- building company has concluded a tentative contract with the unrecognized Soviet Mission in Tokyo for the construction of nine small vessels at a cost equalling US$2 million. The contract, which the Japanese Government has yet to approve, calls for 5 tuna boats of 330 tons each and 4 tugs of 90 tons each, a U. S. consular dis- patch (March 8) from Kobe reports. Press reports indicate that the contract in- volves a barter arrangement. HOOK OK OK OK SWEDEN TO BUILD TRAWLERS: Orders for 20 new fishing trawlers have been placed with Swedish shipyards, according to The Fishing News (March 12), a Brit- ish fishery magazine. This work has been passed to Sweden under the new trade agreement between the two countries. Six of the vessels will be built at Gefle, 6 at Gotheburg, and 8 at Stockholm. The delivered value of each vessel will be ap- proximately 3,250,000 kroner (US$627,000). The trawlers will be similar to 30 others already supplied under an earlier credit agreement with Russa. They will have a displacement of 1,200 tons, a theo- retical carrying capacity of 700 tons, which is, however, considerably reduced be- cause of the large crew accommodations and the equipment for processing and liver- oil production. All the vessels will be steam driven with 800 induced horsepower. % OK OK OK FISHERIES MINISTRY FORMED: The formation of a new Ministry responsible for the fish industry was announced recently by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. The new fish industry minister will have the job to increase fish catches and improve quality, states the April 15 issue of The Fishing News, a British fishery magazine. The fish departments of the Food Industry will be transferred to the new Ministry. wks aie > United Kingdom FACTORYSHIP "FAIRTRY" SAILS FOR GRAND BANKS; The British factory- ship Fairtry departed Aberdeen, Scotland, on April 29 for the Grand Banks of New- SOR AING DECK \ Ne ATRAWE WINCH 3 AFT BRIOGE CHUTE AND NETS | FILLETING MACHINERY MAIN ENGINE FISH MEAL PLANT QUICK FREEZE AUXILIARY GENERATORS FISH POUNDS Factory trawler Fairtry. Sketch showing arrangement of the facilities on the vessel. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 59 foundland where it will operate on its initial fishing trip. The vessel is expectedto return to Britain in eight weeks with 500 metric tons of frozen fillets and 100 tons of fish meal. The first catch will be landed at Lowestoft and presumably will be consumed in Britain, an April 29 U. S. consular dispatch from Aberdeen states. The owners of the Fairtry are also investigating the possibility of selling fro- zen fillets in the United States. They had hoped to be able to avoid the necessity of bringing the Fairtry back to Britain from Newfoundland waters when the United States market for frozen fish is more promising than the British. It is believed, however, that no way has been found to do this in view of United States and Canadian regulations governing the landing and transshipment of fish by foreign-flag fishing vessels. This cruise brings to functional activity a ship on which a great deal of work has been done over several years, and one which promises to have considerable bearing on the future of fishing in Scotland. Whether other companies could build and operate a ship on this scale is amoot point. The Fairfree, which did much of the spadework on which the Fairtry has been built, is now lying at Leith and failing a purchaser is likely to be consigned for breaking up, according to the April 17 Fish Trade Gazette, a British fishery maga- zine. OK OK OK TO LAY-UP MORE DEEP-SEA TRAWLERS: Due to anticipated light demand for fish, 25 percent of the trawlers in the Distant Water Vessels Development Scheme will be laid up this summer as compared with 20 percent last year. This important decision was announced by the Scheme, representing owners at Hull, Grimsby, and Fleetwood, according to The Fishing News (April 2), a British fishery periodical, Commenting on it, the chairman of the Grimsby Trawler Owners' Association said: "We must rationalize, like other industries." A press statement issued from Hull said: ''The committee of the Distant Water Vessels Development Scheme, representing the majority of British deep-water owners based on Hull, Grimsby, and Fleetwood, has reviewed marketing possibili- ties during the period beginning on April 19 and ending on July 31 this year. Bear- ing in mind the fact that during the same period last year more than 3,000,000 stones (42 million pounds) was landed in excess of public demand, notwithstanding that a 20 percent lay-up was in operation. "They have come to the conclusion that more than sufficient fish will be landed to meet all requirements during the summer with a 25 percent lay-up inforce. Dur- ing this period vessels normally undergo refit and overhaul, consequently the actual lay-up, as far as production is concerned, will be much less than 25 percent, and the position will constantly be kept under review so as to insure adequate supplies to consumers." The decision was well received on the whole, though trawler officers and crews fear increased unemployment through it. A feature of the Scheme is that it will apply to Fleetwood in addition to Hull and Grimsby. When a 20 percent lay-up was in force it represented a lay-up of only 8.3 per- cent above a normal one for the time of year inasmuch as it operated at a period when many of the vessels would be in dock for their annual surveys and other reasons. 60 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 It is estimated that because of similar considerations this year a 25 percent lay-up would be the equivalent of only a 13 percent effective lay-up. * OK OK OK OK PASSENGER VESSEL TO HELP FISHERMEN LOCATE HERRING: Echo-sound- ing recordings, made by a passenger vessel between Aberdeen and Lerwick, are to be broadcast regularly on the drifter waveband to help fishermen locate herring shoals, an April 22 U. S. consular dispatch from Edinburgh states, During the past few years, the passenger vessel S. S. St. Clair has been mak- ing, at the request of the scientists of the Scottish Home Department Marine Labor- atory, echo-sounding recordings while on passage across the main fishing grounds between Aberdeen and Lerwick. Information obtained about herring shoals has been passed on by the vessel captain to interested fishermen and has proved to be of material assistance to them. The United Kingdom Herring Industry Board considered that even greater bene- fit would be derived from these regular echo-soundings if information about the size and location of shoals could be transmitted to the fishermen as soon as it be- came available. With this object in view, the Board asked the vessel owners if they would permit the Board to install a suitable radiotelephone on the St. Clair. The company consented and the equipment has been installed. Effective April 29 infor- mation was to be disseminated on the drifter waveband six times daily. International INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION AREAS 2 AND 1B CLOSED JUNE 5; The closure of Areas 2 and 1B was an- nounced by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, At 11:59 p.m. (P.S.T.) June 5 these two areas were closed to all halibut fishing, except that provided for under the incidental fishing regulations. The Commission estimated that by the date of closure the quota of 26,500,000 pounds (dressed weight) for Area 2 would have been caught. This year's quota was one million pounds greater than in 1953. No quota was established for Area 1B, but this area was scheduled to close with Area2. The opening date this year for halibut fishing in all areas established by the Commission was 12:01a.m., May 16. In 1953 the opening date was May 17, and Areas 2A and 1B closed at 11:59 p.m. June 9. The 1954 open season for Areas 2 and 1B lasted only 21 days--the shortest season on record, compared with 24days in 1953, 26 days in 1952, and 28 days in 1951. Area 2 and 1B are to be reopened again on August 1 for a period of 8 days only. The Commission this year made certain changes in areas which resulted in combining former Areas 2A, 2B, and 2C as one area, i.e., Area 2. Area 3A (with a quota of 28,000,000 pounds) and Area 3B are still open to hali- but fishing. As soon as the catch limit for Area 3A has been reached, Areas 3A and 3B will also be closed. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 61 Foreign Operations Administration GREECE AUTHORIZED TO BUY CANNE FISH: Greece has been authorized by the Foreign Operations Administration to spend $100,000 for the purchase of canned sardines, herring, pilchard, mackerel, and/or squid. The contract period cover- ing this purchase is from May 25 to Sep- tember 30, 1954. The terminal delivery date is November 30, 1954. Greece is authorized to make these purchases in the United States and possessions, OK Ok OK FORMOSA AUTHORIZED TO BUY FISH- ERIES EQUIPMENT: Formosa (China) has been authorized by the Foreign Oper- ations Administration to spend $145,000 for the purchase of the following equip- ment for use in fisheries: electrical ap- paratus, $4,000; engines and turbines, $138,000; scientific and professional in- struments, apparatus, and supplies, $3,000. The contract period covering this purchase is from May 18 to November 30, 1954, The terminal delivery date is No- vember 30, 1955. Formosa is authorized to make these purchases in the United States and possessions, European partic- ipating countries, and Japan. KS ata of State S. -PHILIPPINE TRADE ACT MODI- meRTON PROPOSED: An 18-months' extension of the period of free entry of Philippine articles into the United States from July 4,1954, to January 1, 1956, was requested by the U. S. Department of State in a communication to the Congress on May 13, Legislation proposed for im- plementing this request would enable the President of the United States to bring FEDERAL. ACTIONS | this extension into effect by proclamation to cover that period between the afore- mentioned dates for which like treatment is accorded United States articles enter- ing the Philippines. The draft bill which was forwarded to the Congress was prepared in response to a specific request from the Philippine Government and as a result of an agree- ment that both governments should seek an 18-months' extension of the present free-trade period, during which time the basic modifications which the Philippine Government seeks in the 1946 Agreement on Trade and Related Matters could be considered, Treasury Departhient BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS DUTY FOR FISH STICKS AND FISH BLOCKS: The Bureau of Customs on June 16 released its decision on fish sticks and blocks. The decision provides in sub- stance for the following dutiable status: 1. Fish blocks, consisting of cod, had- dock, hake, pollock, cusk, and ocean perch (rosefish) which have been skinned, boned, and filleted and frozen into blocks will be dutiable under Tariff Paragraph 717 (b) at 1-7/8 cents per pound for that quantity received under the quota, and 23 cents per pound for that quantity which is imported over the quota. 2. Breaded fish sticks, cooked or un- cooked, not containing added oil will be dutiable under Paragraph 720 (b) at1 cent per pound net weight if in bulk or in im- mediate containers weighing with their contents over 15 pounds each; and at 124 percent ad valorem if in immediate con- 62 tainers weighing with their contents not more than 15 pounds each. 3. Breaded fish sticks, cooked or un- cooked, containing added oil resulting from the presence of oil in the material inwhich they were breaded or from the oil in which they were cooked will be du- tiable under Tariff Paragraph 718 (a) at 30 percent ad valorem when valued over 9 cents per pound including the weight of the immediate container. For the commodities mentioned this decision makes no change in rates of duties which were being applied prior to this time. The Custom's decision was contained in a letter of June 11, 1954, from the Commissioner of Customs to the Collec- tor of Customs at Boston, Mass., as fol- lows: Reference is made to your letter. . .relative to the classification of breaded and cooked fish sticks, covered by entry No, 10453, dated January 12, 1954, and various other forms of fish products generally known as ‘‘fish blocks’’ and “fish sticks,’ which have been the subject of numerous in- quiries and representations to the Bureau. The printed matter on the package containing the fish sticks covered by the above entry states that the sticks con- sist of cod fish, bread crumbs, corn and wheat flour, salt, leavening, dried egg yolk, non-fat dry milk solids, and spices which have been fried in vegetable oil, These sticks have been found to contain 8.2 percent oil by net weight of which 7.3 percent represented added oil. However, no free or in- dependent oil was found in the package, all of it being found in the fish sticks themselves. It has also been indicated that fish sticks similar to the ones in question are packed after cooking and freezing in waxed boxes designed to hold ten sticks, This box after be- ing closed is covered by a wrapper and placed in a corrugat- ed paper carton holding twenty-four such boxes. This carton is then sealed by means of a glued paper which is pressed on to the carton by a heating element. Fish products generally known as blocks and sticks may be placed in the four following general categories: 1. *‘Fish blocks” of fish, boned, skinned, filleted and frozen, 2. ‘‘Fish sticks”’ cut from ‘‘blocks’’ or formed by other means breaded but not cooked, frozen or unfrozen, not con- taining added oil, 3. ‘‘Fish sticks’? same as 2 except cooked or pre- cooked and containing no added oil. 4, ‘‘Fish sticks”? same as 2 except cookedor pre-cooked and containing added oil. On the basis of information before the Bureau, it ap- pears that ‘‘fish blocks” referred to in item 1 consist of COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 fish which have been skinned, boned, filleted, and shaped to various forms by being frozen in molds either with or with- out pressure, Such forming facilitates handling and the later production of ‘‘fish sticks,’’ which are cut from them. Out- side of the natural effects of freezing and the shape thereby acquired, the fish are not changed, They still retain the char- acteristics of fish which have been skinned, boned, filleted and then frozen. The language of paragraph 717 (b), Tariff Act of 1930, providing for ‘‘fish, fresh or frozen, boned, divided into por- tions, filleted, sliced or skinned,”’ refers to a fish product which has been subject to a described processing. The forms of this product, by implication, include those resulting from the specified processes and freezing, On the basis of infor- mation presented, it is the opinion of the Bureau that fish in the form of ‘‘blocks”’ are still fish products contemplated by the provisions of paragraph 717 (b), and have not been advanced in condition to a degree removing them from such classifica- tion. ‘*Fish sticks” referred to in item 2, usually consist of portions cut from a ‘‘fish block.’’ Breading material is added to these portions by one of several methods, some of which involve a dipping of the fish stick into a batter first. Such fish have not been found to contain any added oil either from processing or packing, After being so processed they are usually imported in a frozen condition. The question is whether fish to which other substances have been added are to be regarded as having been so advanced toward the condi- tion in which they are eventually used that they are to be ex- cluded from the provision for ‘‘fish, fresh or frozen, boned, divided into portions, filleted, sliced, or skinned,” in para- graph 717 (b), Tariff Act of 1930, as modified, and should be classified instead under the provision for ‘‘fish, prepared or preserved,”’ in paragraph 720 (b) of the tariff act. The effect of adding other substances to fish provided for according to particular methods of preparation was considered in T.D, 40590 (12 C.C.A, 421). In that decision it was held that proper classification of herring, which in addition to being smoked, skinned, and boned, had tomato sauce added to them, was under a provision for ‘‘fish, otherwise prepared and pre- served,’’ rather than under a provision for ‘‘smoked herring, skinned and boned.”” A similar point of view is expressed by the court in C.D. 1526 where the court indicates that an added substance is a factor to be considered in deciding classification under pro- vision for ‘‘prepared or preserved’’ as against a provision for products subjected to a specific processing. Following the reasoning of the courts, it is therefore the opinion of the Bureau that the addition of breading materials to the fish in question gives them new characteristics not con- templated by the provisions of paragraph 717 (b); and that they are advanced in condition and made more valuable for their intended use to a degree not contemplated by the provision of paragraph 717 (b). They are something more than fish, fresh or frozen, boned, divided into portions, filleted, sliced or skinned by virtue of the added breading materials. Proper classification is therefore under the provisions of paragraph 720 (b) as ‘‘fish, prepared or preserved,"’ whether or not fro- zen. “‘Fish sticks’’ referred to in item 3 which, in addition to being processed as described above, have also been cooked or pre-cooked under conditions in which no oil is added either in processing or packing, are, in the opinion of the Bureau for the reasons set forth above, properly classifiable under the pro- visions of paragraph 720 (b) as ‘‘fish, prepared or preserved.”’ July 1954 The process of cooking is a further advancement in condition toward the form in which the fish are eventually to be used. A product similar to the ‘‘fish sticks’’ described in item 4, page 1, and that covered by Boston entry No. 10453, dated January 12, 1954, was considered in a Bureau decision of July 12, 1940, circulated as C,I,E, 716/40. The merchandise, subject of Bureau decision July 12, 1940, consisted of barra- cuda and sea bass which had been formed into cakes, dipped into batter and fried. As imported, this product was found upon chemical analysis to contain an added oil. At the time of the 1940 decision the question was raised as to whether a classification of fish ‘‘packed in oil or in oil and other substances”’ could be sustained where the oil was added in the preparation of the product itself as distinguished from oil which is added in the packing, The Bureau held, following T,D, 35175, that the product was classifiable under paragraph 718 (a), Tariff Act of 1930, at the rate of 30 per- cent ad valorem. This decision was based not upon the fact that oil was added during packing or that an added oil was found in the container, but upon the fact that an added oil was found in the fish product itself, and the product, like the in- stant fish sticks, was packed in a manner to retain such added oil. On the basis of C,I,E, 716/40, the appraisers at New York and Boston have advised the Bureau and the trade that the fish sticks in question are classifiable as ‘‘fish packed in oil or in oil or other substances.”’ Court decisions have been carefully reviewed together with all representations which have been made upon the sub- ject, It is the opinion of the Bureau that no reason has been presented which justifies a change in the practice of class- ifying commodities of this kind, and that therefore fish sticks such as those covered by Boston entry No. 10453 and those referred to under item 4, containing oil, which has been added, are dutiable under the provision of paragraph 718 (a), Tariff Act of 1930, as modified, for ‘‘fish prepared or pre- served in any manner, if packed in oil, or in oil and other substances”’ at the rate of 30 percent ad valorem, if valued at over 9 cents per pound. Very truly yours, s/s Ralph Kelly Commissioner of Customs Tariff Commission INVESTIGATION OF ITEMS WITH DU- MORE: The Tariff Commission announced on June 10, 1954, that (by directive of the Senate Finance Committee) an in- vestigation has been instituted and public hearings ordered under Section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930, respecting articles on which the ad-valorem equivalent of the present rate of duty is 50 percent or higher. The list of articles to be con- sidered in the investigation, totaling some 400 separate articles inall, includes] COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 63 only one fish item, three of shell but- tons and blanks, and two items of fishing equipment, as listed below: Tariff Paragraph 717 (a) "Schedule A" no, 0056.980: Rosefish, fresh or frozen, whole or beheaded, or eviscerated or both. Imports during 1953 totaled 24, 715 pounds, valued at $494, The import duty is 1 cent per pound, the same as speci- fied originally in the Tariff Act of 1930. The ad-valorem equivalent based on im- ports in 1953 was about 50 percent. Tariff Paragraph 1509 "Schedule A'' no. 9724.000: Freshwater pearl or shell buttons; "Schedule A™ no. 9724.100: Ocean pearl or shell buttons; "Schedule A" no. 9724.200: Pearl or shell button blanks, not turned, faced or drilled. Tariff Paragraph 1535 "Schedule A" no, 9420.200: Fishing leaders and casts; "Schedule A" no, 9420.300: Fishing rods, not specially provided for. Interested parties were to be given an opportunity to present their views with respect to the tariff status of items listed by the Tariff Commission either by sub- mission of written statements or by oral testimony at public hearings. S Highty-Third Congress (Second Session) JUNE 1954 Listed below are public bills and res- olutions introduced and referred to com- mittees or passed by the Highty-Third Congress (Second Session) and signed by the President that directly or indirectly affect the fisheries and allied industries. Public bills and resolutions are shown in this section only when introduced and, if passed, when signed by the President; but also shown are the more pertinent re- 64 ports, hearings, or chamber actions on some of the bills shown in this sections from month to month. ALLEVIATING ENEMELOUMENT EFFECT RESULTING duced on June 16) to assist i in alleviating the effects of unem- ployment resulting from Federal tariff or trade policy by establishing a temporary program of supplementary grants for States which provide for liberalization of their unemploy- Ment compensation payments to persons unemployed because of Federal tariff or trade policy; to the Committee on Fi- nance, The bill provides in part that if the Tariff Commis- sion finds and the President certifies that unemployment in a given industry or segment thereof results from Federal tariff or trade policy, the State shall be reimbursed, out of the proceeds of customs duties collected under the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1955, for that part of any Federal supplementary grant paid under this section which is paid by such State for the benefit of unemployed workers in such industry or segment thereof; and an amount equal to that portion of the proceeds of such customs duties which is required to make such reim- bursement is authorized to be transferred to such Statefrom the general fund of the Treasury. censuses of manufactures,. . “anid! other businesses, oa, to the year 1954, was one of several bills passed by the Sen- ate on call of calendar on June 7. CUSTOMS SIMPLIFICATION: H, R, 9476 (Byrnes of Wis- consin) - a isin) - a bill to provide for the establishment of simpli- fied customs tariff schedules, to improve procedures for the tariff classification of unenumerated articles, to repeal or amend obsolete provisions of the customs laws, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means; introduced June 8. DISTRIBUTION OF FISHERY PRODUCTS: The House on June 17 dats without amendment and thereby cleared for the President, S. 2802, to encourage further the distribution of fishery products int in the development of research programs and increased markets, The House Committee on Merchant Marine and Seen on June 8 had favorably reported the bill (H, Rept. 1770). INTERIOR DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATIONS, 1955; The Senate Committee on Appropriations on June 3 in executive session completed marking up H, R, 8380, Interior Depart- Ment appropriations (including Fish and Wildlife Service) for fiscal year 1955, and ordered the bill favorably reported to the Senate with amendments S. Rept. 1506, As approved by the committee, the bill would provide an appropriation of $4,127,000 for the investigation or resources by the Fish and Wildlife Service (includes Branch of Commercial Fisheries and Branch of Fishery Biology). The amount recommended is an increase of $100,000 over the budget estimate and the House allowance, Of the amount recommended, not to ex- ceed $400,000 is for the continuation of the Great Lakes sea lamprey studies, the same amount provided in the current fiscal year, The report states ‘‘It is encouraging to note that the Senate has passed Senate bill No. 2802, which makes available a portion of the customs receipts on fishery prod- ucts for research in this field, It is the hope of the commit- tee that this legislation will become law in this session of Congress.”’ The Senate on June 7 passed, with committee amendments, H, R, 8680. Senate requested conference with House and ap- pointed conferees. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 LABELING OF FOREIGN-PRODUCED TROUT: House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce on June 11 reported S. 2033, relating to the labeling of foreign-produced trout sold in the United States (H, Rept. 1850). PROTECTION OF U, S, FISHERMEN ON HIGH SEAS: H, R, 9386 (Condon) - a bill to protect United States fishermen in their lawful operations on the high seas, and for other pur- Poses; introduced in the House on June 1, referred to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. PROTECTION OF U, S, VESSELS ON HIGH SEAS: S. 3594 (Saltonstall, Butler of Md., Green, Kennedy, Kuchel, Magnuson, Pastore, Payne, Purtell, Mrs. Smith, Ellender, and Long) - a bill to protect the rights of vessels of the United States on the high seas and in territorial waters of foreign countries, in- troduced in the Senate on June 11; to the Committee on Inter- state and Foreign Commerce. This bill provides that in any case where (a) a vessel of the United States is seized by a foreign country on the basis of rights or claims in territorial waters or the high seas which are not recognized by the United States, and (b) there is no dispute or material fact with respect to the location or activity of the vessel at the time of its seizure, the Secretary of State shall secure the release of the vessel and shall pay, on behalf of the United States, any fines or post any bonds that may be required by such country for such release, It would then be for the Secretary to decide whether it is appropriate to present any claim by the United States against the seizing country. H, R, 9538 (Thompson of Texas), June 11; H. R, 9546 (Bentsen), June 14; H. R, 9584 (Tollefson), J une 16; H, H, R, 9626 (Bates), June 21; similar to to S. 3594, were introduced i in the House and referred to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, SOCIAL SECURITY FOR FISHERMEN: The House passed on June 1 H, R, 9366, a bill to amend the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code so as to extend coverage under the Old Age and Survivors Insurance program, increase the benefits payable thereunder, preserve the insurance rights of disabled individuals, and increase the amount of earnings with- out loss of benefits. In an explanation of the new coverage, Chairman Reed of the House Ways and Means Committee made the following statement regarding fisheries employees: ‘*Employees engaged in fishing and related activities: Present law excludes from old-age and survivors insurance coverage, service performed by employees in fishing and similar activities unless the employment is performed in con- nection with commercial salmon or halibut fishing or on a vessel of more than 10 net tons. H, R, 9366 would cover em- ployed fishermen, clam diggers, and so forth, who are now ex- cluded, It is expected that about 50,000 additional workers will be covered in the course of a year under this provision,”’ TARIFF RATES ADJUSTMENTS: H, R, 9367 (Bishop) - bill to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 so as to provide a eee ent procedure for adjustment of tariff rates on a selective basis, to regulate the flow of imported articles on a basis of fair com- petition with domestic articles, introduced in the House on May 28; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Also H, R, 9369 (orn of South Carolina), similar to H, R, 9159 introduced on May 17. TRADE AGREEMENTS AUTHORITY EXTENSION: H, R, 9474 [4 (Reed of New York), introduced in the House on June 8 - a Dill to extend the authority of the President to enter into trade agreements under section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended; to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Commit- tee on June 10 voted unanimously to report the bill to extend August 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 65 for 1 year the President's authority to enter into reciprocal The House on June 11 passed H, R, 9474. trade agreements (H, Rept. 1777). WILDLIFE RESTORATION: H.R, 9606 (Price) - a bill to The Senate Committee on Finance on June 15 in executive | provide that the United States shall aid the States in wildlife- session ordered the bill favorably reported to the Senate with- | restoration projects, andfor other purposes, introduced inthe out amendment (S. Rept, 1605). House on June 17; tothe Committeeon Merchant Marine and Fisheries. & WORLD FISH PRODUCTION CAN BE DOUBLED One major source of food which is available now, for the taking, is fish. Three-fourths of the earth's surface is coveredby water, yet the vast resources of the sea have scarcely beentapped. The following questions and answers are basedon an article in the FAO Fisheries Bulletinfor September-October 1953. The article is entitled 'Improving the Fisheries Contribution to World Food Sup- plies. Q. Can the seas, lakes, and rivers of the world add greatly to the world's food supply ? A. FAO estimates that world fish production canbe doubled without harm- ing the fisheries resources. Q. How big is our present fish production? A. It is hard to measure total annual production of fish, but FAO's best guess is about 26 million metric tons roundfresh weight per year. Of this, about 80 percent comes from marine waters and 20 percent from inland waters. Q. Which countries are the biggest fish producers? A. Six countries--China, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the U.S.S.R.--produce more than 60 percent of total world fish pro- duction, Q. Have these countries increased their catches in recent years? A. Yes, they have more than doubled their catchin the forty years between 1910 and 1950. Q. What was responsible for these increases? A. Differentfactors were responsible--Norway's increased production re- flects her more intensive exploitation of winter herring stocks. In the United States, the tuna, which was virtually unexploited forty years ago, has become one of the major commercial fish products and now supports a costly processing and distributive organization and some of the most heavily capitalized fishing in the world. Q. Is any credit for these increases given to technical advances? A. Indeed so--in Europe and North America, the development of steam and internal combustion enginesand improvements in navigational aids reduced the problem of distance--in effect, brought distant fishing grounds closer to shore. Mechanical improvements brought trawling, gill netting, and seining to a peak of efficiency, and this meant that the manpower employed was more productive. Q. How are fish used in various parts of the world? A. Utilization differsfrom areatoarea, depending on the type of fish caught, the demand, and the technical ability to diversify or preserve fisheries products. In all regions, however, the greatest single usage of fish is in its fresh state-- some 45 percent of the total world production is consumed fresh, Q. And what are the other uses? A. Curing, which includes drying, salting, smoking, and marinating, ab- sorbs about one-third of world supplies. Canning began during the 1880s and is now of major importance in North America, of lesser importance in Europe, Asia, andtheU.S.S.R. Freezing, the most modern process used, began ona commercial scale in the late 1920s, and is now a major and growing section of the North American fishery industry. And finally, the reduction of fish into oil and meal takes more than 10 percent of total world fish supplies. Q. Does much of the world's fish catch enter world trade? A. Because fish are highly perishable, the bulk of world fish supplies has been and still is consumed in the country which produces it. But developments in preserving and transporting fishhave widened the distribution, andnow about 20 percent of the world's catch enters world trade. Some of the important pro- ducing countries have small populations, so the domestic demand is necessarily small and they must depend on export markets. --FAO MEMO, February 1954 66 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 CHART I - FISHERY LANDINGS for SELECTED STATES In Millions of Pounds MASSACHUSETTS CUMULATIVE DATA Sar ae : CUMULATIVE DATA 4 mgs. 1954 - 28. QS. 1954 - 107.2 4 , 1953 - 25. an 1953 - 100.0 12 1953 - 241. 1953 - 449.3 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC LOUISIANAL/ UMULAT IVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA 2 mgs. 1954 - 20.3 MQs. 1954 - 15.1 2 1953 - 21.4 n 1953 - 12.0 12." 1953 - 175.6 1953 - 67.0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC NEW JERSEY CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA 1954 - 39.2 4 mgs. 1954 - 16.0 1953 - 14.9 4 , 1953 - 12.7 1953 - 433.3 12 1953 - 138.7 CALIFORNIA2/ CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA 4 MQS. 1954 - 129.1 QS» 1954 - 12.7 1953 - 142.7 , 641958. - 7.3 1953 - 544.0 1953 - 38.0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR _APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 2/ONLY PARTIAL--1!NCLUDING PRODUCTION OF MAJOR FISHERIES AND MARKET FISH LANDINGS AT PRINCIPAL PORTS. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 67 CHART 2 - LANDINGS for SELECTED FISHERIES In Millions of Pounds HADDOCK (Maine and Massachusetts) CUMULATIVE DATA QS. 1954 - 48.4 1953 - 47.9 1953 - 122.1 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 1 SHRIMP (Gulf States=/ including Florida West Coast) CUMULAT) VE DATA - 1954 - 23.0 1953 - 15.0 1953 - 177.4 JUAN FEB MAR APR MAY UNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC T/LA. & ALA. DATA BASED ON LANDINGS AT PRINCIPAL PORTS AND ARE NOT COMPLETE. MENHADEN (East and Gulf Coasts CUMULATIVE DATA 4 Mgs. 1954 - 32.6 In Thousands of 1953 - 16.5 1953 - 807.7 OCEAN PERCH (Maine and Massachusetts) CUMULATIVE DATA . 1954 - 34.8 RS 1953 - 28.6 1953 - 153.9 WHITING (Maine and Massachusetts) CUMULATIVE DATA QS. 1954 - 1.7 1953 - 8 1953 - 63.4 PACIFIC AND JACK MACKEREL (California) CUMULATIVE DATA Ss. 1954 - 1.5] _ “ 1953 - 9.6 12" 1953 - 29.9 a JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV_DEC In Thousands of PILCHARD (California) CUMULATIVE DATA 1953/54 SEASON, TOTAL - 2.6 1952/53 SEASON, TOTAL - 3.6 1951/52 SEASON, TOTAL - 126.5 MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV _DEC TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE FISH (California) CUMULATIVE DATA 4 mgs. 1954 - 52.2 4 , 1953 - 40.5 12 1953 - 183.1 Legend: — 1954/55 —— 1953/54 AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV _DEC 68 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 CHART 3 - COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS and FREEZINGS of FISHERY PRODUCTS + In Millions of Pounds — - U. S. & ALASKA HOLDINGS : U. S. & ALASKA FREEZINGS ‘CUMULATIVE DATA . 1954 - 78.2 fs 1953 - 68.4 1953 - 275.4 \ we JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC MIDDLE & SOUTH ATLANTIC HOLDINGS2/ 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC T/MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, AND CONNECTICUT. 2/ALL EAST COAST STATES FROM N.Y. SOUTH. NEW ENGLAND HOLpINGs!/ MIDDLE WEST HOLDINGS?/ GULF & SOUTH CENTRAL HOLDINGS#/ g JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC B/OHIO, IND., ILL., MICH., WIS., MINN., IOWA, MO., N. DAK., NEBR., & KANS. 4/ALA., MISS., LA., TEX., ARK., KY., & TENN. CALIFORNIA HOLDINGS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND ALASKA HOLDINGS 56 48 40 32 24 6 16 8 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC *Excludes salted, cured, and smoked products. July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 69 CHART 4 - RECEIPTS and COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS of FISHERY PRODUCTS at PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS RECEIPTS!/ AT WHOLESALE SALT-WATER MARKET (FRESH AND FROZEN) NEW YORK) ,, CUMULATIVE DATA COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS2/ S mgs. 1954 - 5 Lie 1953 - ° 12 1953 - 170.) 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 1/INCLUDE TRUCK AND RAIL IMPORTS FROM CANADA AND DIRECT VESSEL LANDINGS 2/AS REPORTED BY PLANTS IN METROPOLITAN AREA. AT NEW YORK CITY. RECEIPTS AT WHOLESALE MARKET 2 (FRESH AND FROZEN) CHICAGO COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS v JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC ) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC BOSTON COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS SEATTLE WHOLESALE MARKET RECEIPTS, LANDINGS, & IMPORTS (FRESH & FROZEN) g JAN FEB MAR APR _MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT _NOV_DEC FISH MEAL y FISH OIL (In Thousands of Tons) (In Millions of Gallons) 4 mgs. 1954 - 4 oe 1953 - 12. 12 1953 - 216.2 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 70 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 CHART 6-CANNED PACKS of SELECTED FISHERY PRODUCTS In Thousands of Standard Cases TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE FISH - CALIFORNIA | " MACKERELL/ - CALIFORNIA ‘CUMULAT. VE DATA So ote ‘CUMULATIVE DATA qi 4 QS. 1954 - 2,419.7 ; 480) 4 MAS. 1954 - 29.8 1953 - 1,813.5 4, 1953 - 191.4 1953 - 593.3 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC J/\NCLUDES PACIFIC MACKEREL AND JACK MACKEREL, ANCHOVIES - CALIFORNIA SALMON - ALASKA CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA - 1954 - 211.4 2400} TOTAL 1953 SEASON - 2,882.1 1953 - 474.4 TOTAL 1952 SEASON - 3,530.5 1953 - 1,537.2 0 a JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC SARDINES (ESTIMATED) - MAINE COMILATIVESORTA STANDARD CASES QS. 1954 - 9.1 1333 a3 asta Variety No. Cans Can Designation Net Wet. SARDINES ....... 100 4 drawn 32 oz. SHRIMP.......... 48 s2 oz. IIRUINVAW ststetafeleleieievere 48 No. } tuna oz. PILCHARDS ..... 48 No. 1 oval OZ. SALMON ........ 48 1-pound tall oz. ANCHOVIES ..... 48 4b. oz. 0 = JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC SARDINES - CALIFORNIA Legend: SHRIMP - GULF STATES CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA 1953/54 SEASON, TOTAL ~ L\ 1953/54 SEASON, 1952/53 SEASON, TOTAL - b AUG.-MAY - 778.6 1951/52 SEASON, TOTAL - 2,367. 1952/53 SEASON, AUG.-MAY - 662.5 1952/53 SEASON, TOTAL AUG.-JULY - 893.7 © AUG SEPT OCT. NOV. DEC ' JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY. AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW CHART 7- U.S. FISHERY PRODUCTS IMPORTS In Millions of Pounds GROUNDFISH (INCLUDING OCEAN PERCH) FILLETS, oa FRESH & FROZEN CUMULATIVE DATA 24] 5 MAS. 1954 - 50.6 ey 1953 - 37.4 12 1953 - 91.4 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC SHRIMP, FRESH & FROZEN, FROM MEXICO SUMULATIVE DATA + 1954 - 11.7 1953 - 10.0 1953 - 36.8 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC TUNA, FRESH & FROZEN CUMULATIVE DATA 4-MQS. 1954 - 33.7 4 , 1953 - 25.7 12 1953 - 95.1 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC CANNED TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE FISH (IN OIL) CUMULAT! VE DATA 4.MQS. 1954 - 8.5 4 | 1953 - 8.0 12 1953 - 15.0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC FILLETS & STEAKS OTHER THAN GROUNDFISH, FRESH & FROZEN CUMULATIVE DATA « 1954 - 14.0 1953 - 15.1 1953 - 51.3 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC LOBSTER & SPINY LOBSTER, FRESH & FROZEN SUMULATIVE DATA QS. 1954 - 11.5 1953 - 13.8 1953 - 41.7 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC SEA HERRING, FRESH, THROUGH MAINE PORTS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC CANNED SARDINES (IN OIL AND NOT IN OIL) CUMULATIVE DATA 4 MQS. 1954 - 15.5 4 es 1953 - 9.3 N2 1953 - 45.6 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 72 -D, ee — FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS THESE PROCESSED PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FREE FROM THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERV- 1CE, WASHINGTON 25, D. C. TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS ARE DES|G- NATED AS FOLLOWS: CFS - CURRENT FISHERY STATISTICS OF THE UNITED STATES AND ALASKA. SL - STATISTICAL SECTION LISTS OF DEALERS IN AND PRO- DUCERS OF FISHERY PRODUCTS AND BYPRODUCTS. SSR.-FISH - SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC REPORTS--FISHERIES (LIMITED DISTRIBUTION). SEP.- SEPARATES (REPRINTS) FROM COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW. Number Title CFS-982 - New Jersey Landings, February 1954, 2 pp CFS-986 - Maine Landings, March 1954, 3 pp. CFS-987 - Massachusetts Landings, March 1954, 8 pp. CFS-988 - New Jersey Landings, March 1954, 2 pp. CFS-989 - Mississippi Landings, March1954, 2pp. CFS-991 - Fish Meal and Oil, March 1954, 2 pp. CFS-992 - Texas Landings, March 1954, 3 pp. CFS-993 - Alaska Fisheries, 1953, Annual Sum- mary, 6 pp. CFS-994 - Frozen Fish Report, April 1954, Final, 8 pp. CFS-1002 - Chesapeake Fisheries, 1952 Annual Summary, 4 pp. - Wholesale Dealers in Fishery Products, Alabama 1953 (revised) 3 pp. Firms Canning Fishery Products, 1953 (Revised): Si-10i, = Salion op: ; 7 ha eae SL-17 SL-103 - Tuna and Tuna-Like Fishes, 2 pp. SL-104 - Mackerel, 1p. SL-105 - Alewives and Alewife Roe, 1p. SL-106 - Shad or Shad Roe, 1 p. SL-107 - Fish and Shellfish Specialties, 6 pp. SL-108 - Salmon Eggs for Bait, 1 p. SL-109 - Caviar and Fish, 2 pp. SL-110 - Oysters, 2 pp. SL-111 - Clam Products, 2 pp. SL-112 - Shrimp, 2 pp. SL-113 - Crab Meat, 2 pp. SL-117 - Pacific Sea Herring, 1p. SL-119 - Squid, 1p. SL-120 - Anchovies, 1 p. Firms Manufacturing Fishery Products, 1953 (Rev.): SL-151 - Meal, Scrap, Body, and Liver Oils,8 pp. SL-153 - Fish Glue and Isinglass, 1 p. SL-154 - Seaweed Products, 1 p. SL-155 - Marine Pearl-Shell Buttons, 1p. SL-156 - Pearl Essence, 1p. SL-159 - Fresh-Water Mussel-Shell Products, 1p. Sep. No. 372 - Freezing and Cold Storage of Pacific Northwest Fish and Shellfish, Part III-- Storage Characteristics of Six Species of Oily Fish. SSR-Fish. No. 108 - Longline Fishing for Deep- Swimming Tunas in the Central Pacific, Janu- COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 2 oe ee ek oe Vol. 16, NO. 7 Af ee 2 p ew ameere- =" Setters DSA. ary-June 1952, by Garth I. Murphy and Rich- ard S. Shomura, 35p., illus., processed, Au- gust 1953. This is the second interim report on an investigation of the deep-swimming tuna resources of the central Pacific Ocean which was conducted by the Service's Pacific Oceanic Fishery Investigations during January to June 1952. It covers operational data, horizontal distribution of yellowfin tuna, catch of alba- core, sizes of yellowfin and big-eyed tuna, sex ratios, Japanese fishing, vertical distribution of the catches, and catches on experimental gear. SSR-Fish. No. 122 - Phosphorus Content of Waters Along the West Coast of Florida, by Herbert W. Graham, John M. Amison, and Kenneth T. Marvin, 48 pp., illus., processed, April 1954. SSR-Fish. No. 123 - Pacific Sardine (Pilchard) Eggs and Larvae and Other Fish Larvae, Pacif- ic Coast - 1952, by Elbert H. Ahlstrom, 78 pp., processed, April 1954. The results of quanti- tative sampling of eggs and larvae of the Pacific sardine or pilchard (Sardinops caerulea) offthe west coast of California and Baja California during 1952 are given in this report, the third in a continuing yearly series. Also included, are records of the larvae of five other species: northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus y, hake (Mer- luccius roductus), Pacific mackerel (Pneuma- tophorus diego), and rockfish (Sebastodes sp. ). SSR-Fish. No. 125 - Zooplankton Volumes Off the Pacific Coast, 1949-50, 56 pp., processed, April 1954. This is the third report on zoo- plankton volumes off the Pacific Coast. The first report covering zooplankton volumes was for 1951, and the second report for 1952. Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior), 34 pp., printed. Summarizes the various activ- ities of the Service. Specifically discussed are: utilization of fishery resources (describes the activities of the Branch of Commercial Fisher- ies); administration of Alaska fisheries; Prib- ilof Islands fur-seal industry; maintenance of inland fisheries; research in fishery biology (coastal, inland, marine, and shellfish fisher- ies); Federal aid to state projects for the res- toration of fish and wildlife; river basin devel - opment and wildlife needs; international cooper- ation in conservation (international conservation agreements and technical cooperation); and other activities. THE FOLLOWING SERVICE PUBLICATION 1S FOR SALE AND 1S AVAILABLE ONLY FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, WASH- INGTON 25, D. C. Causes of Fluctuations in Abundance of Connecticut Wildlife Service, vol. 54), 16 pp., illus., print- July 1954 ed, 15 cents, 1954. This paper presents a method of analyzing catch, fishing effort, and tagging data which was used to estimate the size of the shad runs in the Connecticut River for each year in the period 1935-51. Using these estimates, further analysis indicated that more than 80 percent of the fluctuations in the size of these runs can be explained by changes in the size of the escapements from the fishery. An estimate of the mortality outside the river act- ing on a group of adult shad in the period be- tween the 1946 and 1947 fishing seasons indi- cates that such mortality may also exert an ef- fect on the size of the runs entering the river. Investigation of the Connecticut River shad fish- ery is part of a six-year coastwise study ofthe Atlantic shad (Alosa sapidissima) sponsored by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commis- sion. Research conducted by the Service, with the cooperation of the various state agencies a- long the Atlantic coast, has been undertaken to determine the factors affecting the abundance of shad and to recommend measures for restoring the species to its former abundance. Fresh and Frozen Fish Buying Manual, Circular 20, 50 pp., printed, 25 cents, 1954. A handy guide for food purchasers and dietitians. This booklet is a revised version of the Fresh and Frozen Fishery Products Reference Manual — which proved so popular that more than 65,000 copies were distributed. The forms in which fish and shellfish can be bought are described and illustrated. Seven different cuts for fishand four different market forms for shellfish are ex- plained. Containers for fresh, frozen, and shellfish are listed according to types and net weights. The reader is informed on what toldbk for in the purchasing of whole and drawn fish, fillets and steaks, frozen fish, and the principal species of shellfish. Under the heading How Much to Buy, servings per person and per 100 persons are listed for fillets, steaks, fish sticks, dressed fish, and whole (or round) fish. Under the same heading, servings per 6 persons and per 100 persons are listed for the chief species of shellfish, Other subjects covered are: hand- ling, storing, cleaning, dressing, filleting, food value, edible portions, fish cookery, species names, producing areas, market sizes, fat-or- lean categories, classifications and specifica- tions (market and Government), and seasonal supply variations. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW ORGANIZATION ISSUING THEM. 73 on the haddock stocks. Analysis of the relation between catch and amount of fishing provides a statement of a relation that explains 83 percent of the variation in the catch of haddock over a period of 20 years. The catch depends prima- rily on the number of fish in year classes when they first enter the fishery, and on the amount of fishing. By use of formulas developed, pre- dictions of catch were made for 1951 and 1952 that deviated 2.1 percent and 1.3 percent from actual landings in those years. These predic- tions are closer than can be expected in the long run. With a coefficient of variation of 8 per- cent, predictions should be within 8 percent of the actual catch about two-thirds of the time, and within twice that about 19 times out of 20." MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS THESE PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, BUT USUALLY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING PUB- LICATIONS THAT FOLLOW SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE RESPEC- TIVE ORGANIZATION OR PUBLISHER MENTIONED, DATA ON PRICES, IF READILY AVAILABLE, ARE SHOWN. "About Eel Racks," by Nick Drahos, article, The New York State Conservationist, December- January 1953-54, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 20-21, illus., printed. New York State Conservation Department, Arcade Bldg., Albany 1, N. Y. Describes the operation of eel racks in New York waters. Each summer during July, long V-shaped walls of stone are built across some of New York's streams. At the point of the V, a long wooden contraption on stilts is built, the body of which is composed of a series of stair- like sections of slats. Each section is called a fall. As the eels come down the river they are guided by the man-made walls to the rack itself. Here the current forces them over the falls and strands them in the one fall which has the least amount of water. The eels are held captive here; they can't go forward because there is no water ahead, nor can they go back upstream be- cause the slats of each fall project like a shelf over them. "Australian Tunas,'' a series of articles, Fisher- ies Newsletter, February 1954, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 1-23, illus., printed. Commonwealth Di- Studies of Georges Bank Haddock. Part II: Pre- diction ofthe Catch, by William F. Royce and Howard A. Schuck, Fishery Bulletin 90 (From Fishery Bulletin of the Fish and Wildlife Serv- ice, vol. 56), 9pp., illus., printed, 10 cents, rector of Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Agriculture, 58 Margaret Street, Sydney, Australia, In an introduction to this special tuna issue of the Fisheries Newsletter, J. G. Craw- ford, Secretary for Commerce and Agriculture, 1954. This is the second paper of a series re- porting the results of a study of Georges Bank haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Fluctua- tions in production have always been a cause of concern and have contributed to crises in the fishing industry. Some degree of correction of these fluctuations through proper methods of con- servation may be possible. Meanwhile, arelia- ble prediction of the possible catch is of use to all branches of the fishing industry concerned with haddock. According to the authors, "A prediction of the catch of the Georges Bank had- dock is possible because haddock have rather regular hakits and because there are statistics points out that much has been learned about Aus- tralian tunas in the last several years. Valuable information was obtained from one series of commercial fishing trials, for which financial success was guaranteed by the Commonwealth Government. The establishment of a firm tuna industry is presently being considered by both Aus- tralianand American interests. The Department is anxious to do all it can to insure that the fishing industry contributes to the program for increased food production. Thetunaindustry, which has no marketing problem, seems to offer good possi- bilities for expansion. The Secretary extends 74 appreciation to officers of the Fisheries Divi- sion of the Commonwealth Scientific and Indus- trial Research Organization, who contributed much of the material for the tuna articles. The first article, on distribution and identi- fication, lists eleven species of tuna occurring in Australian waters in order of their present commercial importance: southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus maccoyii), striped tuna (Kat- suwonus pelamis), northern bluefin tuna (Kishi- noella tonggol), yellowfin tuna (Neothunnus macropterus), albacore (Thunnus germo), Aus- tralian bonito (Sarda chiliensis australis), mackerel tuna (Euthynnus alletteratus), frigate mackerel (Auxis thazard), leaping bonito (Cy- biosarda elegans ), oriental bonito (Sarda ori- entalis), and dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda nuda). Identifying characteristics for each species are included, along with a drawing of a typical tuna from a previous report by Dr. D. L. Serventy of the C.S.1.R.O. Division of Fisheries. In discussing distribution the coastline of Austral- ia is divided into six geographical areas, and the species occurring in each of these areasare listed together with the fishing seasons. Sur- veys in many of the areas are incomplete, and much remains to be learned of abundance and seasonal availability. The second article deals with a survey of South Australian waters. This is one of the most promising areas for tuna-fishery develop- ment. Observations made at sea by officers of the C.S.1.R.O. Division of Fisheries since 1939 have thrown considerable light on tuna distribu- tion and occurrence in this area. The southern bluefin is the most valuable and predominant species in South Australian waters, but recently two other species have been taken there. F.R.V. Derwent Hunter, in the autumn of 1953, collected several specimens of the stripedtuna and another species closely resembling the al- bacore (but which may turn out to be different). The striped tuna were caught in the Great Aus- tralian Bight, offshore about 120 miles south- west of Ceduna. This important discovery makes the striped tuna the only species on rec- ord from all the Australian states. The alba- core-like species was taken about 50 miles south of Cape Wiles. Accounts of tuna surveys by re- search vessels from 1939 to 1953 are included. The results indicate that tuna are numerous in the eastern waters of the State in summer and to some extent in autumn and winter. In west- ern waters, they appear to be more numerous in autumn. However, fishermen with local knowledge are invited to draw their own con- clusions. Specimens of southern bluefin taken in South Australian waters by trolling ranged from less than 10 pounds to over 90 pounds. Larger specimens have been caught by sports- men or found stranded. Most have been caught by trolling, a few with purse seines. One trial with a live-bait boat has been made, with unre- ported results. Both pilchards and anchovies, the former quite common, are found in South Australian waters. The third article concerns the history of the tuna fishery in Australia. Mr. Stanley Fowler, COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 BE OBTAINED FROM THE ORGANIZATJONS ISSUING THEM. a Principal Research Officer with C.S.1.R.0O., began surveys of pelagic fish schools by plane in 1936. Previous to that, Australian fisher- men had reported seeing such schools at times, but no definite knowledge existed of the occur- rence and extent of the various species of fish. Until 1948, Fowler surveyed almost the entire coastline of Australia and proved the existence of vast shoals of mackerel, tuna, pilchard, and salmon. One report in 1945 described 'many thousands of shoals extending almost continu - ously for about 100 miles.'' Canneries were built, beginning in 1937, but depended primarily on salmon (not like North American salmon) and/or barracouta. In 1949 fishermen of New South Wales caught about 1,000 tons of choice southern bluefin tuna from small trolling boats. Samples of the frozen and canned product were given high praise by tuna experts in Hawaii, British Columbia, and California. In October 1950 a Government-assisted tuna clipper caught 248,830 pounds of tuna in 70 fishing days. Not much development of the tuna fishery has taken place since early 1951, due partly to high prices which the fishermen have received for other species. It seems fairly certain that a large- scale tuna industry requires the use of modern tuna clippers which can stay at sea and follow the fish. Both Australian and American inter- ests are at present investigating this possibility. The Commonwealth Director of Fisheries, G.P.O. Box 2595, Sydney, has prepared detail- ed instructions on rigging for tuna trolling, live bait, and long-line fishing, a few copies of which are still available to interested parties free upon request. Some economic aspects of the Australian tuna fishery are discussed in the fourth article, by F. J. Kearns, Senior Research Officer of the Commonwealth Fisheries Office. He points out that there exists a feeling that something im- portant will happen soon in tuna development. He makes no claim to know what is retarding the tuna industry in Australia, but presents some economic aspects of the matter. Factors affect- ing fishery development are similar to those in other countries. It can be expected that ordi- nary investment capital will not be plentiful. Development of the tuna industry will be by stages, primarily on the initiative of owner-op- erators. It is probable that development will closely follow that which took place in the Cali- fornia tuna industry, with small local boats at first and with expansion to larger vessels fish- ing the year-round at a later date. Live-bait fishing with pole and line is assumed to be the basis for any large-scale development, with smaller trollers and netters working on tuna seasonally and in local waters. The author be- lieves that year-round fishing in Australia will be found closer to home waters than in Califor- nia. The most economical size of the clippers cannot be determined until the necessary cruis- ing range for the fishery is established. Asys- tem of share payments, similar to that in effect in the California tuna fishery, would probably be necessary. However, because of the probable shorter trips in Australian waters, the crews may fish for a smaller percentage, still faring quite favorably from the wage standpoint. No July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 75 BE OBTAINED FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS ISSUING THEM. market problem exists with the present rate of production, though the costs of producing canned tuna in Australia are probably the high- est for any country in the world other than the United States. World markets are open, and domestic consumption is expanding rapidly. Australian tuna boats operating in northern wa- ters could, if necessary, land their catch in American Samoa as an alternative to returning to home port after each trip. Costs of tunacan- ning may be reduced in Australia by increasing production, introduction of modern mechanized equipment, and by utilization of byproducts on an expanded scale, --D. E. Powell A Bibliography of the Lobster and the Spiny Lob- ster (Families Homaridae and Palinuridae), by Board of Conservation, Tallahassee, Fla., 1954. A bibliography which will help those en- gaged in the biological study of the lobster and the spiny lobster. King and Silver Salmon in California's 1952 Landings, Fish Bulletin 95, 70 pp., illus., printed. California State Fisheries Laboratory, Terminal Island Station, San Pedro, Calif., 1954. Contains data on the landings and value of commercial fish and shellfish, and shipments into California during 1952; number of licensed commercial fishermen and registered fishing boats in the State; number of fish taken by an- glers fishing from licensed party boats; andthe recorded catch of live bait in southern Califor- nia made by vessels supplying the party boat fleet. Also contains an article on ''Proportion of King and Silver Salmon in California's 1952 Landings," by Donald H. Fry, Jr., and Eldon P. Hughes. A list of common and scientific names of California fishes, crustaceans, and mollusks is included. (Canada) Fisheries Statistics of Canada, 1951, 54 pp. (tables), printed in English and French, C$1.00. Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa, Canada, 1954. A review of the fishery statis- tics of Canada for 1950 and 1951 prepared in collaboration with Dominion and Provincial Fish- eries Departments. It includes data on the quantity and value of the catch of fishery prod- ucts for Canada as a whole (excluding New- foundland); production of fish oils and fish meal; production of frozen, salted, pickled, vinegar- cured, and canned fish; shellfish production; employment in fish-processing establishments; and value of exports and imports of fishery prod- ucts. Also contains data on the total value of the fisheries, by province, for 1949-1951; Can- ada's lobster pack, by province, for 1942-51; and fishing bounties paid to vessels and boats in 1951. (Canada) Twenty-third Annual Report of the De- partment of Fisheries, 1952-53, 7 Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery, Ottawa, Canada, 1953. Summarizes the prin- I pp., printed. cipal activities of the Department of Fisheries' Conservation and Development Service, In- spection and Consumer Service, Markets and Economics Service, Information and Educa- tional Service, Fisheries Prices Support Board, and the Fisheries Research Board. Describes the activities of the International Commissions. Also discusses the fishing industry in British Columbia, the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, Newfoundland, and the fresh-water fishery. In- cludes statistics of the fisheries and financial statements of the Department of Fisheries for the fiscal year 1952/53. A Contribution to the Life History and Biology of the Sailfish, ISTIOPHORUS AMERICANUS Cuv. and Val., in Florida Waters, by Gilbert L. Voss, Contribution No. 116 (Reprinted from Bulletin of Marine Science of the Gulf and Car- ibbean, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 206-240, December 1953), 35 pp., illus., printed. Marine Labo- ratory, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla. A technical report to the National Geo- graphic Society and to the Florida State Board of Conservation describing the results obtained from a study of the biology of the sailfish in Florida waters. 1953. Describes the activities of the Delaware Commission of Shell Fisheries for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1953. Also includes a statement of revenue receipts and a financial statement for the same period. Amounts of seed oysters harvested and oyster shells plant- ed in Delaware are also given. Directory of Hydrobiological Laboratories and Personnel in North America, edited by Robert W. Hiatt, 333 pp., illus., printed, $3.75. Pre- pared under the auspices of the Advisory Com- mittee on Hydrobiology to the Office of Naval Research. Published by the University of Ha- waii Press, Honolulu 14, Hawaii. This up-to- date directory of hydrobiological laboratories in North America was compiled because of the growing interest in hydrobiology and the result- ing increase in facilities for education and re- search. Listing 187 laboratories with provi- sions for instruction and research and scope of activities, this directory is designed to be use- ful not only to research scholars but to young scientists in training and to visiting investiga- tors as well. The address, senior officer, in- stitutional affiliation, objectives, scope of ac- tivities, season of operation, and environments stressed are given for each laboratory. In ad- dition, major research facilities, capital equip- ment, and provisions for publications are indi- cated as well as descriptions of accommodations available, instructional program, teaching fa- cilities and scientific staff. Biographical sketches of 1,300 personnel give institutional affiliation, mailing address, field of speciali- zation, current research project, and field ex- perience by geographical region. An important 76 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 BE OBTAINED FROM THE ORGANI ZATIONS ISSUING THEM. part of the book is the cross-reference index which lists each laboratory under its official name, the sponsoring agency, and the area in which it is located. For convenience, data for all laboratories are broken down into inland laboratories (fresh-water) and coastal labora- tories (marine), and finally segregated by geo- graphical area. The preface points out: 'There is no up-to-date synthesis of hydrobiological facilities available for education and research. Interest in and development of hydrobiological work have increased greatly since World War Il. These have been stimulated by government- sponsored programs to secure information on the development and management of aquatic re- sources, both fresh-water and marine, andalso by the impetus given general oceanographic in- vestigations. Such interest and support have culminated in the establishment of new labora- tories and the expansion of existing ones. This has increased the need for trained technical personnel and for new and expanded programs of instruction. The necessity to take stock of this development now and to educate interested persons as to the extent of present facilities and opportunities keynote this volume."’ U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service fresh-water and marine laboratories are listed also. Don't Cuss Carp--Use 'Em, 35 pp., illus., printed, 25 cents. The Ohio Division of Wildlife, De- partment of Natural Resources, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio. Carp, about which so much controversy exists, is becoming increas- ingly more prominent in the fresh waters ofthis country. In many areas it is prized as a game and food fish, whereas in others it is consider- edapest. In many of the latter areas profes- sional fishermen are hired to rid the waters of this fish. Yet, it represents a species of fish that, if properly prepared, can represent aval- uable addition to this nation's food resources. Since most of the unpopularity of this widely found fish is based on a lack of understanding of how to prepare it for the table, this booklet on carp is particularly timely and interesting. A- mong the subjects discussed are: how to catch, fillet, smoke, can, and cook carp--including some recipes. Fish and Shellfish, by May E. Foley, Extension Leaflet No. 157 (Revised February 1954), 12pp, illus., printed. Extension Service, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass. Contains recipes for fish and shellfish and a number of recipes for sauces, as well as short discussions on supply, nutritive value, buying fish, storing fresh and frozen fish, rules for cooking, and methods of cooking. (Gold Coast) Report of the Fisheries Department for the Year 1952-53, by F. R. Johnson, 10pp., illus., printed, 2s. (28 U. S. cents). Govern- ment Printing Department, Accra, Gold Coast, 1954. This report, which covers the Fisheries Department's financial year from April 1, 1952, to March 31, 1953, describes the following ac- tivities: (1) continued experiments in the use of motor surfboats as fishing vessels, for trawl- ing and in the drift-net fishery for herring; (2) recording of catches of beach seines in the Keta District; (3) building of motor surfboats in the Department's yard at Sekondi; (4) recording of seine catches in the Volta River; (5) utilization of streams, pools, and reservoirs for fishing in the Northern Territories; (6) study ofhazards to health associated with such waters; (7) pro- visions for instruction in methods of river fish- ing; and (8) further studies in the preservation of fish. (International Commission for the Northwest At- lantic Fisheries) Statistical Bulletin for the Year 1952, vol. 2, 55 pp., and map, illus., printed. International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, Halifax, N.S., Canada, 1954. This bulletin is divided into three parts as follows: Part 1 is a descriptive summary of the development of fishing by the ten countries in the Northwest Atlantic. It in- cludes figures on landings and, where possible, tables relating landings to fishing-effort data. The figures on quantities landed cover the years for which data are available. In a few cases a certain number of earlier years have been o- mitted. Fishing-effort data and corresponding yields are given for all the years for which there are statistics. Part 2 is devoted entirely to the 1952 statistics on landings, fishing effort, and corresponding yield. Part 3 contains revi- sions and additions to vol. 1, including data not available at the time vol. 1 was published. A map showing the new subdivisions of the Con- vention subareas is also included. Irritant Gases Associated with Red Tide, by Robert M. Ingle, Special Service Bulletin No. 9, 5 pp., processed. Marine Laboratory, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla., March 1954. Facts are listed which are pertinent to the question of the origin of irritant gases commonly associated with the red tide. "Newfoundland's Changing Fleet,'' article, Trade News, March 1954, vol. 6, no. 9, pp. 8-10, illus., printed. Department of Fisheries, Otta- wa, Canada. The Veteran Explorer, newest of Newfoundland's fleet of 40- to 60-foot fishing vessels, is featured in this article to illustrate the evolution that has been taking place in New- foundland's fisheries during the present genera- tion, a transition that has seen a small, but growing, number of fishermen break with tradi- tion in favor of more modern fishing methods. When fully rigged, the Veteran Explorer will be able to engage in purse seining for herring, long- lining, Danish seining, trawling, and swordfish- . ing. Other developments in Newfoundland's fisheries are also discussed. "Newfoundland Seal Hunt,'' by Mark Ronayne, ar- y Of ticle, Trade News, March 1954, vol. 6, no. 9, pp. 3-5, 18, illus., printed. Department of Fisheries, Ottawa, Canada. A brief descrip- tion of the past and present Newfoundland seal fishery, which centers around two species of seals, the harp or ''saddleback" (Phoca groen- landica) and the hood or ''bladdernose™ (Cysto- phora cristata). Their homes are within the Arctic Circle; the hoods on the east side of Greenland and the harps on the east side of Baffin Bay with a few on the west side of Greenland, July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW dhs THESE PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, BUT USUALLY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS ISSUING THEM. "Night Life in the Gulf Stream," by Paul A. Zahl, article, The National Geographic Magazine, March 1954, vol. CV, no. 3, pp. 391-418, illus., printed, 65 cents anissue. National Geographic Society, Washington 6, D. C. De- scribes nocturnal studies of the marine life in the Gulf Stream waters between Bimini andthe Florida Keys. To lure the sea creatures, the author used the old trick of hanging a light in or above the water, drawing marine life like a flame attracting moths. Colored pictures ac- companying this article depict some of the weird and bizarre creatures attracted by the lure. They also show some equally strange forms collected near the shores and reefs of the Bimini Islands during daylight hours. "The Oyster and the Brothers Flower," by Albert W. Bromley, article, The New York State Con- servationist, December-January 1953-54, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 4-9, illus., printed. New York State Conservation Department, Arcade Bldg., Albany 1, N. Y. Describes briefly the life his- tory of the oyster and the nearly extinct and al- most forgotten oyster beds of the Hudson River. Early in 1951 a private enterprise leased the old oyster grounds on the bottom of the Hudson River, and this article tells of the progress made in developing control methods for oyster parasites, predators, and diseases, and of the progress made in oyster-culture techniques. "Philippine Fish Culture, '' by Wallace E. McIntyre, article, The Scientific Monthly, February 1954 vol. LXXVII, no. 2, pp. 86-93, illus., printed, 75 cents anissue. The Scientific Monthly, 1515 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington 5, D.C. Describes the development and improve- ment of fish culture in the Philippines. Theau- thor states that "If all the unutilized waters could be used in fish production, a sufficient supply of protein food could undoubtedly be ob- tained for the entire population. It is toward this goal that the Bureau of Fisheries and other government agencies of the Philippines have been working, by establishing model fish culture centers, introducing new fish types, training fishermen, financing fish pond construction, leasing public lands, carrying out research in fishery problems, and similar activities.'' This article describes in detail the rearing of the bangos or milkfish, which is the only fish pro- duced in Philippine fish ponds in important num- bers. It also discusses fresh-water fish culture, oyster culture, and the utilization of "kapis" or windowpane shells. (The windowpane shell is a pearl oyster, Placuna placenta, whose en- tire shell, including the meat, is about one cen- timeter in thickness. ) The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, January-June 1951, vol. 1, no. 1, 106 pp., illus., printed. Department of Agriculture and Natural Re- sources, Manila, Republic of the Philippines. This report, the first of a series to be publish- ed semiannually, contains the following papers: "The Preparation and Management of Bangos Fishpond Nursery in the Philippines;" ''The Cultivation and Biology of Oysters at Bacoor Bay, Luzon;" "The Cultivation of Sugpo (Penaeus monodon Fabricius) in the Philippines;"' ''The Young of Some Fishes of Luzon;"' ''A Guide to the Recognition of Fishes Caught with the Use of Explosives;" and "Outlook for Industrialization of the Philippine Fisheries." trolling Phototactic Movements, by Luis Rene Rivas, Contribution No. 114 (Reprinted from Bulletin of Marine Science of the Gulf and Car- ibbean, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 168-180, December 1953), 13 pp., illus., printed. Marine Labor- atory, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla. The evidence presented in this study suggests that tunas, and other related scombrid fishes, react to light by means of a pineal apparatus. A Preliminary Review of Salmon Fishing Trends on Inner Puget Sound, by William A. Smoker, Research Bulletin No. 2, 55 pp., illus., printed. Washington State Department of Fisheries, 1308 Smith Tower, Seattle 4, Wash., March 1954. Describes briefly the life history of the five species of Pacific salmon found in inside Puget Sound. Discusses trends in Puget Sound com- mercial salmon catches, trends of commercial landings by areas inside Initiative 77 line, catchability of silver salmon, and stream lim- itations on silver abundance. Many graphs, with brief explanations and supporting tables, are presented for those who are interested in Puget Sound salmon fishing statistics. Em- phasis is on landings from 1935 to 1952 in the inner Sound. Commercial 1953 landings became available too late to incorporate in the graphs but are included in the tables. us., printed inFrench, Office Scientifique et Technique des Peches Maritimes, 59 Avenue Raymond-Poincare, Paris XVI, France, December 1952. Describes the work of the bureau indicated. It contains articles on canning of tuna, fish canning, pre- serving the quality of fresh fish, and refrigera- tion and freezing of fish. "The Scientific Arm...of the Federal Department of Fisheries is the Fisheries Research Board of Canada," article, Trade News, vol. 6, no. 7, January 1954, pp. 3-8, illus., printed. Di- rector of Information and Educational Service, Department of Fisheries, Ottawa, Canada. As the scientific branch of the Canadian Depart- ment of Fisheries, the Fisheries Research Board of Canada conducts investigations to pro- vide for the best possible management of the marine and fresh-water resources, explores for new fishing grounds, and conducts experi- ments to improve methods of catching, hand- ling, and processing so that top-quality fishery products can be delivered by the industry to consumers at home and abroad. Significant ad- vances have been and are being made by the Fish- eries Research Board of Canada in solving many of the problems affecting Canada's fisheries from Newfoundland to British Columbia. Many of the Board's investigations are of a continuing na- ture, and some idea of the scope of the Board's 78 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 THESE PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, BUT USUALLY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS |SSUING THEM, work may be obtained from some phases of the stations' investigations describedinthis article. Sea Pests--Poisonous or Harmful Sea Life of Florida and the West Indies, by Craig Phillips and Winfield H. Brady, 78 pp., illus., printed, 75 cents. The Marine Laboratory, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla., September 1953. The purpose of this bulletin is to pro- vide a factual account of the many diverse types of sea life which may be a nuisance to bathers in tropical Atlantic waters. The authors state that: 'Very few of them are likely to be met with frequently. ...It is hoped that the descrip- tions given may serve not only to satisfy the great curiosity that the public has about such matters, but also to allay unfounded fears and to draw attention to the few really dangerous creatures.'' The toxicity and nature of poisons vary greatly among the different species of marine animals. The poison of any single spe- cies may vary considerably in strength from place to place and alter with time of the year, age, and other factors. Poison glands for pro- tection and the procurement of foods are to be found in a large number of marine animals, particularly among the lower orders. However, because of the small size of most of these, rel- atively few are dangerous to man. Among those which are dangerous are included certain jelly- fishes, the Portuguese man-of-war, and the scorpion fishes. The meat of some marine an- imals may be poisonous when eaten, and cer- tain of the larger sharks and the barracudaare known to attack swimmers on rare occasions. Dangerous marine animals may thus be divided into four general categories, which are dis- cussed in separate chapters, as follows: (1) vicious or attacking sea animals; (2) venomous, stinging, or irritating sea animals; (3) sea an- imals poisonous when eaten; and (4) skin poi- soning through contact with fisheries products and gear. Separate bibliographies are givenfor each chapter. Studies, 1952, From the Stations of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, illus., printed. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. Contains the following reprints ofar= ticles published by Board scientists other than in the Board's publications: 'Results of the West Coast of Vancouver Island Herring Inves- tigation, '' by J. C. Stevenson, A. S. Hourston, and J. A. Lanigan; "Contributions to the Life- History of the Sockeye Salmon (No. 36),"' by D. R. Foskett; ''The Ungava Bay Problem, "' by M. J. Dunbar; "Precision Semimicro Hydro- genation Apparatus," by F. A. Vandenheuval; Partition Chromotography of Aliphatic Acids,"' by F. A. Vandenheuvel and E. R. Hayes; ''Re- cent Advances in Various Technological Aspects of Handling Fish and Fish Products, '' by H. L. A. Tarr; "Wandering Versus Homing in Salmon, '"' by A. G. Huntsman; "'Rose of British Columbia in the North American Recreationand Wildlife Picture, '' by Ferris Neave; ''Chroma- tographic Separation and Microbiological Assay of Indigenous and Added Cobalamins in Crude Animal Protein Materials," by H. L. A. Tarr; "Greenland Cod (Gadus ogac) in Miramichi Bay, New Brunswick,'' by R. A. McKenzie; "Exper- imental Preservation of Flesh Foods with Anti- biotics,"' by H. L. A. Tarr, B. A. Southcott, and H. M. Bissett; "The Jacket Principle in Canadian Cold Storage," by O. C. Young; "\Even-Year' and 'Odd-Year' Pink Salmon Populations, '' by Ferris Neave; "Numerical Relations Between Abundance of Predators and Survival of Prey," by W. E. Ricker; and"'Fer- tilization and Predator Control to Improve Trout Production in Crecy Lake, New Bruns- wick," by M. W. Smith. Toxic Effects of Sulfite Waste Liquor on Young Salmon, by R. W. Williams, E. M. Mains, W. E. Eldridge, J. E. Lasater, and edited by G. A. Holland, Research Bulletin No. 1, 111 pp., illus., printed. Washington Department of Fisheries, 1308 Smith Tower, Seattle, Wash., December 1953. Describes a study conducted by the Washington Department of Fisheries in cooperation with the Washington Pollution Con- trol Commission, the United States Public Health Service, and the Pacific Marine Fisher- ies Commission to determine the effects of certain waste materials from industrial opera- tions on fish and other aquatic organisms com- mon to the State of Washington region. This report contains initial findings of the study in- volving the spent cooking liquors from sulfite pulping operations and their effect on the vari- ous species of salmon. A Study of Populations of the Anchoveta, CETEN- GRAULIS MYSTICETUS, Based on Meristic Characters, by Gerald V. Howard, Inter-Amer- ican Tropical Tuna Commission Bulletin, vol. 1, no. 1, 24pp., illus., printed in English and summary in Spanish. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, c/o Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif., 1954. This study was undertaken to determine whether me- ristic characters indicate that more than one major population of anchovetas occurs in the range of the species from Mexico to Peru. In- terest in this species lies in the fact that it is the principal bait fish used to catch yellowfin and skipjack tunas in the eastern Pacific. Government Printer, Entebbe, Uganda, 1953. In- cludes a section on the fisheries of the Uganda wa- ters of Lake Victoria; Lake Albert (including the Albert Nile and associated fisheries); Lake Kyoga and waters of eastern Uganda; and Lakes George, Edward, and waters of western Uganda. Tables give the 1952 catch of fishery products by months and species for Lake George and by species for Lake Edward and Kazinga Channel; and quantities and values of dried (salted) and smoked fish export- edin1952from Lakes Edward, George, andasso- ciatedfisheries. The Uganda Fish Marketing Cor poration, prices of driedfish, the East African Fisheries Research Organization, the Symposium on African Hydrobiology andInland Fisheries, wa- ter pollution, fishfarming, boat building, the quan- tities and values of fishing nets imported, and an- gling are some of the other subjects covered. The other sections of the report deal with game. = Merchandi July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 79 BE OBTAINED FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS ISSUING THEM, (United Nations) Statistical Yearbook (Annuaire Statistique), 1953 (Fifth Issue--Cinquieme Annee), 578 pp., printed in English and French, $6.00 paper bound, Prepared by the Statistical Office of the United Nations, Department of Economic Affairs, New York, N. Y., 1953. (Sold by the Columbia University Press, 2960 Broadway, New York 27, N. Y.) Prepared with the cooperation of national statistical of- fices and with the assistance of the specialized agencies of the United Nations and certain other intergovernmental bodies, this book is a com- pilation of tables giving all available statistics on world population, manpower, agriculture, forestry, fishing (fish landings by country), in- dustrial production, mining and quarrying, manufacturing (including canned fish production 1938, 1947-52; salted cod production, 1933- 1952), construction, electricity and gas, con- sumption, transport, communications, internal trade, external trade, balance of payments, wages and prices, national income, finance, public finance, social statistics, and education and culture. Statistics are by area and by country and include data received up to the end of November 1953. Most of them cover the period 1933 (or 1929) through 1952; some have been brought up to the first half of 1953. All the tables which appeared in the preceding is- sue have been maintained in the present volume with a few exceptions. A number of tables have been completely recast or extended in scope, and amongst these is the table on whaling which has been expanded to show the principal species of whales caught and the whaling activities ofa considerably increased number of countries; also a new section on whaling equipment has been added. This is an extensive reference book supplying general over-all data on all phases of human endeavor. The book contains both an alphabetical subject index and an alpha- betical country index. United States Exports of Domestic and Foreign se tcominadity by Country of Desti- nation), Calendar Year 1953, Report No. FT 410, processed, PartI, 141 pp., 70 cents; Part Il, 237 pp., $1.25. Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C., May 1954. (For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C.) In general, the statistics contained in this report are a complete record of the physical movement of merchandise out of the United States to foreign countries (except for in-transit shipments), but there are some exclusions of items of relatively small importance, such as low-valued or non- commercial shipments by mail, gifts valued less than $100, samples, etc. Both quantity and value of exports are reported. Includedare exports of fishery products and byproducts. Part I covers Group 00-Animals and Animal Products, Edible; Group 0-Animal Products, Inedible; and Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, PartIl covers Groups 6-9, Metals, Machinery and Ve- hicles, Chemicals, and Miscellaneous, respec- tively. United States Imports of Merchandise for Con- sumption Calendar Year 1953 (Commodity by Country of Origin), Report No. FT 110, 171 pp., processed, $1.00. Bureau of the Census, U. S. Department of Commerce, Washington 25, D. C. (For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C.) This pub- lication contains a compilation of the United States imports of all commodities (including fishery products) for consumption. Information presented for each commodity includes country from which shipped, quantity, and value. Thomas H. Langlois, 479 pp., illus., printed, $10.00, J. W. Edwards, Publisher, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1954. Dr. Langlois, for many years Chief of the Bureau of Fish Propagation and Management for the State of Ohio, and more recently Direc- tor of the Franz Stone Institute of Hydrobiology of Ohio State University, at Put-in-Bay, has produced a book with an engaging title contain- ing much provocative material. He has also put in one place the knowledge, condensed from many literature sources, of the biota (from bacteria through fishes) of an important body of water. Structurally the book has serious faults. The illustrations are incredibly poor and the format and organization are on the dull side. I am in- clined to blame the publisher in part for these shortcomings. But I think the author himself must answer for contradictory statements, for inconsistencies between text and tables (see the cisco catch, pages 290-291), for calling the same fish Leucichthys artedi albus on page 234 and Leucichthys artedi artedi on page 271, for not crosschecking text references to be sure they all appear in the bibliography (they don't-- Hile, 1952, for instance, on page 290), for long passages on fishing techniques, which may be interesting but scarcely develop the theme of ecological relationships of western Lake Erie and actually impede the reader who is looking for these. Perhaps others will join me inwish- ing that the map of the area covered by the book--it appears on page 2 as figure 3--had been reproduced in sufficient size to be read- able without a reading glass. Dr. Langlois obviously has not done some- thing very important for all authors to do--he has not decided what kind of audience he is addressing. So the text ranges from almost pa- tronizingly simple and elementary statements as ''Lake Erie is a large body of fresh water," (page 336) and ''Nets do not catch fish which stand still, so the principal catches are made when great numbers of fish are moving," (page 341) to technical ecological jargon such as ''Eu- trophic lakes become senescent as a result of sedimentation, with first signs of senescence appearing in bays and areas protected against wind. ...As an aquatic ecosystem passes into terrestrial phases and proceeds towards matu- rity its productivity increases" (page 359). I am puzzled by another aspect of the book's organization. The section entitled "Summary COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 16, No. 7 BE OBTAINED FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS ISSUING THEM. and Discussion, '' which appears and reads like and independent chapter, is followed by about 60 pages on "Fish Management.'' But the sum- mary and discussion (28 pages) seems actually to be more a sounding board for personal and professional grievances and differences of opin- ions than a roundup of knowledge on Lake Erie ecology. Perhaps Dr. Langlois' whole thesis may be expressed in this single quotation from the book: "Scientific agriculture is more important to management of Lake Erie as a huge fish farm than mere attempts to manipulate the fish stocks, scientifically or otherwise'' (page 411). Certainly he gives scant time to the future of fishery research--less than one full page atthe end of the book and at the end of the section on fish management, but without suggesting possi- ble relationships between research and man- agement. The book does contain a lot of useful refer- ence material on western Lake Erie, mostly in the form of quotations from others and in sum- marizations of recommendations and actions of the State of Ohio fishery agencies over many years. The carefully prepared index and the list of references cited make the book usable from this standpoint. My principal criticism of the book is that it contains too much of some material, too little of other. Too many of the elementary, too much of unsupported assertions about the Gar- den-of-Eden quality of the days of the first white settlers, too much of descriptive ecology and too little of ecological relationships and their significance, too much airing of personal differences of opinion, too much irrelevant de- tail of fish cultural and fishing and agricultural methods, and too little real summarization. Whatever its other faults or merits, the book will bring you up-to-date on a long-standing feud which has done nothing to enhance the standing of fishery science and which has some- thing of right on both sides, with the realtruth somewhere in between, as usual. --Paul E. Thompson "Why Study Sturgeon?,'' by Robert T. Probst, ar- ticle, Wisconsin Conservation Bulletin, March 1954, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 3-5, illus., printed. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison 1, Wis. Discusses a research study, initiated about a year ago in connection with the manage- ment program, to obtain more information on the life history of the sturgeon and the status of its present population. TRADE LISTS The Office of Intelligence and Services, Bureau of Foreign Commerce, U. S. Department of Com- merce, Washington 25, D. C., has published the following mimeographed trade lists. Copies of these lists may be obtained by firms in the United States from that office or from Department of Com- merce field offices at $1.00 per list. Canneries - Morocco, 7 pp. (March 1954). As a consequence of the production and marketing difficulties encountered by French Morocco's fish canning industry since 1951, the 114 fish canneries still operating have grouped themselves into 24 cooperative associations which control production and sales. Only these cooperative associations are included in the present listing. Pro- duction figures are not available, andclas- sification has been made solely according to the number of canneries controlled by each association. Fruit and vegetable can- neries are also included. Sardines constitute the overwhelming part of French Morocco's canned fish prod- ucts, although small quantities of tuna, mackerel, and other fish are canned. Feedstuffs - Importers, Dealers, Manufactur- ers - Colombia, 7 pp. (March 1954). Lists the names and addresses, size of firm, and type of products handled by all dealers in feedstuffs in Colombia, including firms hand- ling fish meal and oil. The report states that in view of the extreme shortage of feedstuffs in Colombia and the fact that local manufac- turers are unable to meet the demand, it is believed that there is a high potential for United States feedstuffs of all kinds. Feedstuffs - Importers, Dealers, Manufactur- ers and Exporters - Denmark, 15 pp. (March 1954). Includes firms handling fish meal and oil. Lists the names and addresses, size of firm, and type of products handled. The re- port includes a brief summary of basic data on the industry, and comments: ''The types of feedstuffs manufactured in Denmark are oil-containing feedstuffs (to a great extent based upon imported raw materials), fish meal, and related products." Feedstuffs - Importers, Dealers, Manufactur- ers, and Exporters - Japan, 13 pp., (March 1954). Includes firms handling fish meal and oil, Lists the names and addresses, size of firm, and type of products. The report states: "Japan is primarily an importer of feedstuffs, but it does have some export trade, princi- pally in fish meal, as production of most other feeds is usually just adequate or not sufficient to meet domestic requirements." July 1954 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 81 CONTENTS, CONTINUED Page Page FOREIGN (Contd.): FOREIGN (Contd.): Angola: New Zealand: Srarsiontie RiSHeries) epcaicis)a(shal s)injatielie (6 n, o/0s 43 May Buy U, S, CannedSalmon ............. 54 British Guiana: Norway: Shrimp Fishery .........2-esseeeeeeees 44 Wi SaAidsfor Pisheries!.o\. ).alsieseleteleresierten 54 Canada; New Fish-Freezing Plant Dedicated ......... 55 Duty-Free Import of 15 Large U, S, *‘Deep-Sea”’ Record Catch of Whales for 1953/54Season.... 55 Fishing Vessels Permitted .............- 45 Fishing Gear Import Agency Established ..... . 56 1953 Canned Salmon Pack AllSold .......... 46 Spain: Record British Columbia Herring Catch in1953/54 46 Vigo Fish Canning Trends, March 1954 .....-. 56 Federal Government to Have Jurisdiction Over Modernization of Fishery Fleet Discussed ..... 56 Newfoundland Fisheries .........-.2++005 46 Union of South Africa - South-West Africa: Combination Sealer-Trawler Built .......... 47 Review of the Fisheries, 1952/53 .........-. 57 Colombia: U,S.S.R.: U, S. Refrigerated Vessel to Buy Fish From Fish- Japanese Firm May Build Tuna Fishing Vessels . 58 ermen|Onm GolomDiale. «io iels =< ~ css s0/e + « 48 Sweden to Build Trawlers ....... sites Netane eetss 58 Fish Cannery to Close Down ...........--: 48 Fisheries Ministry Formed............... 58 Costa Rica: United Kingdom: Fishery Products Import Tariffs Raised ...... 48 Factoryship Fairtry Sails for GrandBanks .... 58 Denmark: To Lay-Up More Deep-Sea Trawlers ........ 59 New Faroes Island Fish Plant ............- 48 Passenger Vessel to Help Fishermen Locate German Federal Republic: FORT Ig oc. opfo,.s vs hetac ane oe veer alee tine ener otewe 60 Whaling Fleet Not German-Owned ........-- 48 | FEDERAL ACTIONS: ......... CS a ree 61 Greece: Foreign Operations Administration: ashing Industry,/1958) .loyeicisiciwic cis © 6.0.01 «0's 49 Greece Authorized to Buy Canned Fish ...... = 61 Sponge Fishery, 1953 and 1954....... cm acee 49 Formosa Authorized to Buy Fisheries Equipment 61 Hungary: Department of State: Inland Fishery Program to Triple Catch ...... 50 U, S.-Philippine Trade Act Modification Proposed 61 India: Treasury Department: Fishing Industry to be Modernized at Cost of $2 Bureau of the Customs: MIUiOny vate stale) exels een etore © Siqpend Chars ron 51 Duty for Fish Sticks and Fish Blocks ....... 61 Iran: Tariff Commission: U. S, Technical Assistance for Fisheries Con- Investigation of Items With Duties Equivalent to 50 BINMES ape PeharsuevautheTaisl euslensy elevate: sie Goompg als Percentior More®., .!5.. . Asvae.nie.s oe tiene ayes 63 Japan: Eighty-Third Congress (Second Session), June 1954 63 Tuna Vessels Fishing for American Samoa Can- FISHER YsINDIGATORS:) &..2)4.. ys eects ators oe 66 nery Have Fair Success ......... setae 51 Chart 1 - Fishery Landings for Selected States... 66 North Pacific Salmon Expedition Sails ........ 52 Chart 2 - Landings for Selected Fisheries ...... 67 Crab Fishing Fleets Having SuccessfulSeason .. 52 Chart 3 - Cold-Storage Holdings and Freezings of Restoration of North Sea Fishing Rights From Fishery) Products: & (5) s/ss.csreterd ousneiea eee 68 RES S ER) SOUIGHE Pasi istrelfous lelfetiencls) choi) =<: oie. 6 sou) ey Chart 4 - Receipts and Cold-Storage Holdings of Antarctic Whaling Fleet to be Increased ...... 52 Fishery Products at Principal DistributionCenters 69 Republic of Korea: Chart 5 - Fish Meal and Oil Production - U, S, Fish-Canning Capacity to be Doubled by New andcALaskawa tesyeu hac vel cbexessie cored eomeme fonere eters 69 Machinery <2 es< am «i= apc eho bodod ye ee Chart 6 - Canned Packs of Selected Fishery Prod- Mexico: RICES Saco chats cele nciouatioyehenabeiter/ctis: lied svomeneeatalingeta 70 Sinaloa Shrimp Exports to U, S., October 1953- Chart 7 - U. S, Fishery Products Imports ...... 71 MAAN CHM Stue/aeW alam Nalicvalelelclye tele: ois \s a's ...+.- 93 | RECENT FISHERY PUBLICATIONS: ........... 712 Merida Shrimp Exports to U,S., January-March Fish and Wildlife Service Publications ........ 72 2 7 es ered Yo dobpavonanooomoae 53 Miscellaneous Publications ............--:+: 73 Netherlands: Fish Meal for Human Consumption Investigated . 54 a ee—EE————————— Editorial Assistant--Ruth V. Keefe Illustrator--Gustaf T. Sundstrom Compositors--Jean Zalevsky, Betty Coakley, and Kathlyn Brophy OK OK KOK Photograph Credits: Page by page, the following list gives the source or pho- tographer for each photograph in this issue. Photographs on pages not mentioned were obtained from the Service's file and the photographers are unknown. Pp. 2, 3, 4, and 5--J. A. Dassow; pp. 10, 12, 14, and 17--J. J. Murray; p. 36--J. Pileggi; p. 40--Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy; p. 43--R. W. Tyson; p. 49--A. M. Sandberg. INT.-—DUP. SEC., WASH., D.C.63528 WLU 3 9088 010 SALMON, AN AMERICAN FAVORITE Salmon has long been one of America's favorite fishes. Whether fresh, frozen, canned, smoked, or kippered, it can be found in grocery stores and fish markets in all parts of the United States. Well adapted tothe diverse food habits of many people, canned salmon has also become widely used throughout the world. Tothe nutrition-minded, a can of salmon holds a wealth of body-building and health-giving nutrients. Vita- mins, minerals, and protein aboundin the rich oil, soft bones, and flaky meat. Canned salmon is ready for the table as it comesfrom the can. As a quick salad it is a luncheon favorite. Asa main dish it makes an excellent entree for dinner. The wise homemaker will keep several cans of this versatile fish on her kitchen shelf to use throughout the year. Canned salmon--a product of the Pacific Northwest--is packed from five distinct species of salmon. When canned, the different species are recognized by color, texture, and flavor. The higher-priced varieties are deeper red in color and have a higher oil content. The different species of salmon are: (1) chinook or king, (2) red or sockeye, (3) medium red or coho, (4) pink, and (5) chum orketa. Chinook andred salmon are excellent for salads andfancy dishes | while pink andchum salmonare very popular for cooked dishes and sandwiches. Salmon steaks, a real delicacy, are featured in many markets throughout the country. Some marketsfeature themfresh or unfrozen, butin most cases they canbe purchased packed in frozen one-poundconsumer packages. Hither fresh or frozen, salmon steaks(and in some cases fillets) are ready for your oven or broiler with no waste or preparation. They cook easily and quickly either baked, broiled, fried, or poached, although baking and broiling are gen- erally the most popular methods. Here's a recipe for a delicious salmon loaf developed and tested by the home economists of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. SALMON LOAF 1-pound can salmon 1/2 teaspoon celery salt 3 cups fine bread cubes 3 tablespoons butter or other fat, melted 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped parsley 2 tablespoons grated onion 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 eggs, well beaten 1-1/4 teaspoons salt 3/4 cup liquid (liquid from canned salmon Dash cayenne plus milk to make volume) Drain and flake salmon, saving liquid. Combine allingredients except egg and liquid. Mix well. Place ina well- ~greased loaf pan. Combine beaten eggs and liquid, and pour over the salmon mixture inthe loafpan. Bake in moderate oven (350° F.) 45 minutes or until loaf is firm in the center. Unmold on hot platter, and serve plain or with a sauce. Serves 6. iit