lll i ml Mulhall SEPTEMBER 1953 Vol. 15, No.9 Lu Ss > a uo ” Lu Li a) (a) = Be) = © ao 2 Li = oO pet 9. te als iS) —< iS ek oe) a ad i= i) = ad bk © (or (S) 2 n i) as ce] i N me) i) a = SD) U (a) c O ws Oo £ == Nn = UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE DOUGLAS McKAY, SECRETARY JOHN L. FARLEY, DIRECTOR COMMERCIAL A review of developments and news of the fishery industries prepared in the BRANCH OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES — CT 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 allied industries. Address correspond- ence and requests to the: 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. Although the contents of this publication have not been copyrighted and may be re- printed freely, reference to the source will be appreciated. The printing of this publication has been approved by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, November 5, 1952. CONTENTS COVER: LARGE CATCH OF BLUE SHARK TAKEN IN GILL NETS BY JOHN N. COBB WHILE ALBACORE TUNA FISHING IN NORTH PACIFIC. BLUE SHARKS FAR OUT- NUMBERED ALBACORE IN EVERY SET ON BOTH GILL NETS AND LONG LINES. PAGE NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE TUNA EXPLORATION, 1952, BY EDWARD A. SCHAEFERS ...c.ccecececcceees 1 x * * * e eH ot PAGE PAGE RESEARCH IN SERVICE LABORATORIES ....2..-. 7 {FOREIGN (CONTD.): TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS: ..occcocccerccese 9 ECUADOR: ADDITIONS TO THE FLEET OF U.S. FISHING NEW FISHERIES LAW PLANNED ......es0+0- 23 VESSELS Iie Werte a eamunee si arene anne orate eg) NEW COMPANY PLANS FISH EXPORTS TO U.S. 24 CALIFORNIA DEVELOPS NEW MID-WATER TRAWL 9 TWO U.S. BOATS ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES CANS~-SHIPMENTS FOR FISHERY PRODUCTS, RENEWING FISHING LICENSES ...eeeece+. 24 JANUARY MUNE TOSS) Gogddsoncnu0bodonaocu IO GERMAN FEDERAL REPUBLIC: FEDERAL PURCHASES OF FISHERY PRODUCTS .. 10 FISHERIES PRODUCTION, 1952 ...e.e+0+0- 24 MARYLAND: JAPAN: CRAB MORTALITIES IN CHESAPEAKE BAY DUE U.S. AND JAPANESE TUNA INDUSTRY MIS- TOM OW OXYGENS IINEWATERMe nec cinema svnierc mali SIONS DISCUSS TUNA PROBLEMS ...0.000. 24 WHillmiEw BER CHMWAGGEDersticrienieritnce een eal EXPORTERS PLAN TO PROMOTE PRODUCTION JELLYFISH SCARCE IN CHESAPEAKE BAY .... 13 AND EXPORT OF CANNED TUNA ...c+ceeeoe 26 LOBSTERS REPORTED IN COASTAL WATERS ... 13 BILL FOR PROMOTION OF CANNED TUNA EX- RARE FRESH-WATER FISH CAUGHT IN MARINE PORTS: AMENDED: 5.0'c',5 siclncisecie ecole ee ene WATERS OF PATUXENT RIVER ..ccceosecoes 13 FROZEN TUNA EXPORTS, 1947-52 ...0-0++- 28 NEW YORK STATE ENACTS NEW FISHERY LEG- A NUMBER OF LARGE TUNA VESSELS TO BE HSIWATSMONI aievetepratnne clots ominters sro sions iceman: BUT SING TOSS eee eu ae ee eT eO) PRIBILOF SEAL SKIN PRODUCTION |NCREASED FROZEN BROADBILL SWORDFISH EXPORTS, AMINO ISIS) ay I ee AN a at ies a a ar Yt Ue eye ae nen EMR Ae yo a0, ZO) TARIFF TREATMENT OF FOREIGN-CAUGHT TUNA NORTH PACIFIC CRAB FISHING EXPEDITION PROCESSED IN GUAM OR AMERICAN SAMOA ... 15 ATTAUNSUGOAL, Soe his Galtcin eure eee SO WHOLESALE PRICES, JULY 1953 ..........-- 16 ANTARCTIC WHALING EXPEDITION RETURNS . 30 WISCONSIN'S GREAT LAKES COMMERCIAL FISH- REGULATION OF TRAWLING IN SOUTH CHINA ERMESW CATCH. MOST Soe annals eens serge on ali7 SEA CONTIINUEDId co Socei eae Soe eee SII FOR EVI GHGS sie eliec shes Ses oper epc de tes ee Sues aN Oe CRUE) MEX| CO: |NTERNATI ONAL: SHRIMP ASSOCIATION RESOLVES THAT U.S. INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION: SHRIMP VESSELS WILL NOT FISH WITHIN FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING ..ecceoscssscsess 19 NINE MILES OF MEXICAN COAST ...e.e.0- 31 ANTARCTIC WHALE-O|L PRODUCTION, 1945/46 NETHERLANDS: TON MOS2ASS) aie Sea eRe SN circ Weer ee unin tg FLOOD VICTIMS TO RECEIVE ICELANDIC ADEN: FAVSH WETS RUN eR GENS AUR OS STE ate 2 STATUS OF THE FISHERIES ..cesecvcceeess 20 NEW GUINEA: CANADA: TUNA INVESTIGATIONS qeeiaten seieeeee eee SEARCH FOR ATLANTIC HERRING wsesccceess 22 PERU: BRITISH COLUMBIA SURVEY REVEALS LITTLE CANNED FISH EXPORTS TO THE U.S.,1951-52 32 POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING SHRIMP FISHERY 23 PORTUGAL: STURGEON FISHING IN SASKATCHEWAN ...... 23 FISH ICANNIING),) 11052) lek teniseieieee ees CHILE: LOAN FUND FOR FISHING INDUSTRY ....... 33 FISHING |NDUSTRY TO BE MODERNIZED ..... 23 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: FISHERY PRODUCTS IMPORTS, 1951 .e.seo- 33 CONTENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 55 a ny September 1953 Washington 25,D.C. Vol.15, No.9 NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE TUNA EXPLORATION, 1952 By Edward A. Schaefers* SUMMARY To gain information on the migration pattern and the habits of albacore tuna (Thunnus germo) , the John N. Cobb explored the offshore waters of northern Cali- fornia, Oregon, and Washington from June 16 to August 8. The first albacore was caught on June 24--525 miles west of Trinidad Head,California. Water temperatures of 57° F. and over were not located in the area off Cape Blanco during the first phase of the 1952 exploration. In 1950 and 1951 warm water was prevalent in this i v7 i Go Ces TASTER SS? de al Victori 2 * Q LEGEND GENERAL TRACK OF THE JOHN N. COBB, June 16 - July 3 ——— AREA OF OPERATION, July 6 - Aug. 8 @ FIRST ALBACORE STRIKE % EARLY ALBACORE CATCHES AY cites tite abe, intaTe uy i" WASHINGTON c Slum, fearon CAUIEORNUASSY OREGON Crescont City FIG. 1°- AREA OF OPERATION BY THE JOHN N. COBB DURING THE 1952 ALBACORE EXPLORAT|ON area at the same time of the year. Results of fishing efforts during the first phase of the 1952 exploration were slightly better than 1951, but poor when compared with 1950 results. Favorable water temperatures (57° F. and over) were found in most areas after the first of July 1952. % F\SHERY METHODS AND EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST, EXPLORATORY FISHING AND GEAR DEVELOPMENT SECTION, BRANCH OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. 2 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 Result of the second phase of the 1952 exploration were as poor as the re- sults of the 1951 exploration, as contrasted with good results obtained during this phase of the 1950 exploration. The only concentration of albacore encoun- tered by the John N. Cobb during the 1952 exploration was in a small area between Cape Mears and Cape Falcon, Oregon. In 1951 the only concentration of albacore was encountered in late July in the vicinity of the explosives dumping area off Tillamook Head, Oregon. But in 1950 signs of schooling were noted during thesec- ond week of July and good concentrations of albacore were found off Grays Harbor on July 19 and off Cape Flattery during the last few days of July. The 1952 commercial albacore landings in the states of Oregon and Washington amounted to approximately 2,744,000 pounds--the lowest in the past 15 years. OBJECTIVES AND PLAN OF 1952 EXPLORATION The fourthl/ in a series of investigations to gain information on the migra- tion vattern and the habits of albacore tuna (Thunnus germo ) in the northeastern Pacific Ocean was conducted with the Service's exploratory fishing vessel John N. Cobb from June 16 to August 8, 1952,inthe offshore waters ofnorthern California, Oregon, and Washington. The main objectives of the 1952 exploration were: to attempt to intercept albacore early in the season off the Oregon coast and trace their movements into areas of commercial exploitation; to gain fishing information in the offshore waters and compare the results with those obtained in the previous years; to fish experimentally with gill nets to obtain information on the vertical distribution of albacore and to help determine the feasibility of using this gear for capturing albacore commercially; and to make daily radio broadcasts to the commercial fleet regarding prevailing weather, water temperatures, presence of albacore, and gen- eral fishing conditions. Secondary objectives included the experimental tagging of albacore with a streamer-type tag and the recording of certain oceanographic and biological obser- vations, such as surface and subsurface water temperatures, and lengths, weights, and stomach analyses of albacore. In planning the first phase of the exploration, water temperature was consid- ered as being the main ecological factor which might influence or indicate the ap- pearance of tuna off the Pacific Northwest coast (Powell, Alverson, and Livingstone 1952). Information with regard to water temperature gained during the 1950 and 1951 albacore explorations indicated that temperatures of 57° F. and over could be expected in mid-June approximately 400 miles off Cape Blanco, Oregon. The plan was to proceed to this offshore area with the expectation of locating warm water and albacore, and to release 5,000 drift cards2/ at regular intervals along the course. 1/FOR THE RESULTS OF PREVIOUS EXPLORATIONS AND HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE OREGON-WASHINGTON ALBACORE FISHERY, READERS ARE REFERRED TO: POWELL AND HILDEBRAND (1950) ; POWELL, ALVERSON, AND LIVINGSTONE (1952); AND SCHAEFERS (1952). 2/THESE DRIFT CARDS WERE RELEASED AS PART OF A COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENT WITH THE SCRIPPS INSTI TU- TION OF OCEANOGRAPHY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF OCEANOGRAPHY. THE MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO DETERMINE IF THIS TYPE OF DRIFT OBJECT WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR USE IN GAINING INFORMATION ON SURFACE CURRENTS OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTH AMERICA. EACH OF THESE CARDS, APPROXIMATELY 3-1/4 X 5-1/2 INCHES, WERE PLACED IN A POLYETHYLENE BAG AND WEIGHTED AT ONE END TO ALLOW THE CARD TO FLOAT IN A VERTICAL POSITION. VESSELS FROM THE COOPERATING AGEN- CIES RELEASED 15;000 CARDS BY MID-JULY AT STATIONS FROM A FEW MILES TO 500 MILES OFFSHORE AND FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, TO BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO. RESULTS OF THIS EXPERIMENT ARE BEING ANALYZED BY THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY . September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 3 RESULTS OF FIRST PHASE (JUNE 16-JULY 3) OF 1952 EXPLORATION Trolling operations commenced on June 19 approximately 500 miles west of Cape Blanco, Oregon, soon after the last of the drift cards were released. Sur- face water temperatures varied from 54.5° F. to 56° F. in this area. In an at- tempt to locate more favorable tuna water (57° F. and above) the John N. Cobb headed on an easterly course along the 42nd paralled from a position approximately 600 miles off the coast. Surface water temperatures varied from 55.5° F. to 56.5° F. to a position 260 miles offshore. At this point the vessel turned south Table 1 - Brief Comparisons of Certain Data for the First Phase (June 1l6-July 35) of 1950, 1951, and 1952 Albacore EEE , a 1952 Variable southerly to Weather (wind) northerly direction. Surface water oho northerly Variable southerly to direction. Usually northerly direction Usually force 5 or under.| force 6 or under. Usually force 5 or under temperatures 579-F, surface water first|57°-F. surface water 57°_F. surface water first encountered on June 17 first encountered on encountered on June 22, approximately 345 miles | June 14 approximately | 270 miles west of Trini- off Cape Blanco, Oregon 570 miles off Cape dad Head, California Blanco, Oregon June 18 by trolling at June 29 by trolling at |June 24 by trolling at position 42°12' N., Uae clon 43048' N., ee 40°59' Ne, 135°05' W. 134952" W ce ee el None to the 41st parallel, and then headed on a westerly course. Surface temperatures of 57° F. were recorded on June 22--270 miles west of Trinidad Head, California. A gradual warming of the water was noted as the vessel continued west, and the first albacore was caught in 58°-F. water on June 24, approximately 525 mileswest of Trinidad Head, California. Small numbers of albacore were also taken in this area on June 25 and June 28. First albacore encountered Number of alba- core strikes Number of alba- core caught On July 1, a general north-northeasterly course was taken from a position on the 42nd parallel 345 miles offshore. Surface temperatures varied from 56° F. to 56.5° F. along this course until July 2 when 58°-F. water was encountered approx- imately 170 miles west of Winchester Bay, Oregon. Water temperatures varied from 58° F. to 60° F. from this point to 25 miles off Cape Falcon, Oregon. No albacore were taken on this inshore portion of the trip. Weather conditions during the first phase of the trip were generally quite favorable, Southerly winds were present until June 22, and northerly winds, usu- ally of moderate force, were encountered from then until July 3; however, warm water was found farther south than at the same time in 1950 and 1951. (See table 1 for certain comparative data.) RESULTS OF SECOND PHASE (JULY 6-AUGUST 8) OF 1952 EXPLORATION The second phase of the exploration was carried out from July, 63/ toAugust 8. During this time the John N. Cobb explored for albacore in an area extending from the 42nd parallel northward to Ca Cape Flattery at distances from 30 to 255 miles offshore. No albacore were caught until July 11, when two were taken approximately 175 miles off Cape Blanco, Oregon. Five milieacone were Caught in this same general area on July 12. Results were negative from that date until July 24, when 27 al- bacore were taken between Cape Mears and Cape Falcon, Oregon, at distances from 48 to 72 miles offshore. A gill-net set during the night of the 24th failed to 3/JULY 4 AND 5 WERE SPENT IN ASTORIA OBTAINING SUPPLIES. 4 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 produce any albacore. Trolling results in this area from July 25 to July 29 varied from 4 to 89 albacore per day, with an average catch of 30 per day. The majority of these fish were taken at a distance of 43 to 52 miles off Cape Mears. During the remainder of the trip, fishing operations were carried on from Cape Mears to Cape Flattery, and only a few scattered fish were taken between Surface water Generally favorable, Generally favorable, Generally favorable, temperatures 57° F. and over 57° F. and over 57° F. and over July 8 in gill nets at July 14 in gill nets at July 11 by trolling at position 43°07' N., position 43°57' N., position 42907' N., 127900 W. 126°30' We 128°27' We By July 16 good catches be- The only concentration of |The only concentration ing made by commercial fleet albacore encountered was in} of albacore encoun- 60 miles southwest of Colum- | a rather restricted region | tered was in a small Concentrations bia. John N. Cobb encountered} in the vicinity of the ex-| area between Cape of albacore good concentrations of alba-| plosives dumping area off | Mears and Cape Falcon encountered core off Grays Harbor on Tillamook Head during the | during the latter part July 19, and off Cape Flattery| latter part of July. during the last few days of July. [Fishing results |Generally good Cid Stomach contents |Predominately juvenile rock- (|Predominately juvenile rock edominately juvenile of albacore fish in numbers up to 167 fish in numbers up to 30 frockfish in numbers up per stomach. per stamach,. o 46 per stomach. First albacore encountered the Columbia River and Willapa Bay. A gill-net set 30 miles off Cape Falcon on the night of August 5 captured two albacore. Results of the second phase of the 1952 exploration were poor as contrasted with good results obtained during this phase of the 1950 exploration (table 2). The 1952 commercial albacore landings in Oregon and Washington amounted to approximately 2,744,000 pounds4/—-the lowest in the past 15 years. GEAR USED AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS Two types of fishing gear were used during the 1952 albacore exploration: (1) conventional surface-trolled jigs and (2) gill nets. Trolling was usually carried on from before daylight to after dark. The two gill-net sets were made at night. TROLLING GEAR: The trolling gear was of the same specifications as that used during the 1950 exploration of the John N. Cobb (Powell, Alverson, and Livingstone 1952). Tension blocks (Schaefers 1952) were used as shock absorbers on bothstern lines and on the port inside and middle lines in place of coiled springs, and com- parative records of strikes in relation to fish landed were maintained. The lines rigged with tension blocks retained 6 percent more fish than the lines rigged with the conventional coiled springs (table 3). But the experimental data are insuf- ficient to termthis difference signifi- cant. Table 3 = Comparison of Fishing Results of Lines With and Without Tension Blocks No Tension Blocks Tension Blocks Starboard Inside and Middle Lines|Port Inside and Middle Lines 43 63 65 49 68 Various types of lures were used, including plastic Starboard and Port Tip Lines Starboard and Port Stern Lines jigs of assorted GOR ES Ce a a) ves asec roaded _————————————— ———————— 4/PRELIMINARY STATISTICS SUPPLIED BY THE MARKET NEWS SERVICE, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE; DO NOT INCLUDE IMPORTED ALBACORE. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 5 jigs with red-and-white feathers, rubber squids » 13-ounce Japanese red-pearl-eyed jigs with red-and-white feathers, and catalyn-head jigs withcolored plastic skirts. Although all lines and lures took fish when schools of albacore were encountered, single fishbit the lures on the longer outside lines more often than those on the shorter inside lines. During the best day's fishingon July 26, when most of the albacore were taken from small schools, 29 strikes were noted on the stern lines; and on the lines from the poles, 22 strikes were on inside lines, 55 on the middle lines, and 330n the tip or outside lines. es GILL NETS: The gill nets ne 4 were in 50-fathom shackles of FG. 2 - TENSION BLOCKS ON THE PORT TROLLING PoLe of | C2ther linen or nylon webbing, | THE JOHN N. COBB. A COILED SPRING ALLOWS THE LINE with mesh sizes of 75, 83, and 95 TO PAY OUT UNDER TENSION WHEN THE ALBACORE STRIKE, inches, stretched measure (Powell, THUS REDUCING THE INITIAL IMPACT. Alverson, and Livingstone 1952). The nets were fished in the following manner: eight shackles were tied together and fished in a string. Four of the shackles were 50 meshes deep, and four were 100 meshes deep. The four 50-mesh shackles were: one nylon, 74 inches stretched measure; one linen, 83 inches; one nylon, 84 inches; and one linen, 93 inches, The four 100-mesh shackles were of the same material and mesh sizes as the 50-mesh shackles. ef Lack of albacore limited the testing of gill nets and precluded obtaining data on the effectiveness of this gear as a means of gaining information on verti- cal distribution and as 4 possible methodof captur- ing albacore commercially. Onlytwo gill-net sets were made, both inthe area off Cape Falcon. The first of these, on the night of July 24, captured only two ey blue shark (Prionace glauca) @ and one mackerel shark . (Lamnaditropis). The sec- ond set onthe night of C4 August 5 captured 2 alba- oN core, 7 hake (Merluccius roductus), 2 soupfinshark oe (eaieoenians zyopterus) , Ses 4 2 Dall porpoise eee ae Does noides dalli), 1 thresher ae = ae ee a) shark (Alopias vulpinus), 51. 3 - CLEARING AND STOWING THE NYLON GILL NET ABOARD THE 1 jack mackerel (Trachurus JOHN N. COBB. THE NET 1S SET FROM THE STERN BIN WHILE THE symmetricus) , 2 blue shark, VESSEL MOVES AHEAD SLOWLY. and 1 mackerel shark. 6 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS SIZE OF ALBACORE: Albacore taken during the first phase of the exploration averaged 25.73 inches in length and 12.85 pounds each. During the second phase, the scattered fish taken off Cape Blanco averaged 25.50 inches in length and 12.21 pounds each. The rest of the fish measuredand weighed (caught between Cape Mears and Cape Falcon) were larger, averaging 28.48 inches in length and 17.80 pounds. These probably do not constitute a representa- tive sample, as the majority of the fish taken in this area were tagged. g The total albacore taken in ‘ all areas ranged from 24.80inches to 36.42 inches in length, with x“ { an average length of 27.79 inches, FIG. 4 - REMOVING AN ALBACORE FROM THE LINEN GILL NET. and from 10.50 to 34.00 pounds, THE NET 1S PICKED UP ON THE STARBOARD SIDE AMID- with an average weight of 16.53 SHIP. EXPERIMENTAL FISHING WITH GILL NETS WAS LIM- pounds. ITED IN 1952 BY THE VERY POOR RUN OF ALBACORE. FOOD OF ALBACORE: Sauryand squid were the predominate food items found in albacore stomachs in the area off Trinidad Head and Cape Blanco. Juvenile rockfish were noted in the stomach of one albacore taken off Cape Blanco. In the area between Cape Mears and Cape Falcon, small rockfish, the majority of which were Sebastodes alutus from lt to 3 inches in length, made up the bulk of the diet. Of 28 albacore stomachs examined in this area, juvenile rockfish were noted in 21; saury, in 1; squid, in 1; and 7 were empty. The juvenile rockfish were found in numbers varying from 1 to 46 per stom- ach. WATER TEMPERATURES: During the entire trip, surface water temperatures were recorded at hourly intervals and subsurface temperatures were taken daily with a bathythermograph. In the area of best fishing (between Cape Mears and Cape Falcon), the surface temperatures ranged from 58.59 F. to 60° F. The warm layer (57° F. and above) of surface water in this area averaged 66 feet in depth. TAGGING OF ALBACORE Experimental tagging of albacore was carried out aboard the vessel using a flexible plastic streamer-type tag, 8 mm. wide, 34 mm. long, and less than 1 mm, thick. Because of the scarcity of fish, only 147 albacore were tagged and released. Most fish were tagged at the base of the second dorsal; and the remainder, at the base of either the right or the left pectoral fin. To date none of these tags has been returned. LITERATURE CITED POWELL, DONALD E., AND HILDEBRAND, HENRY A. 1950. ALBACORE. TUNA EXPLORATION IN ALASKAN AND ADJACENT WATERS=-1949, U.S. FISH AND WILD- LIFE SERVICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 376, MAY. POWELL, DONALD E., ALVERSON, DAYTON L., AND LIVINGSTONE, ROBERT JR. 1952. NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE TUNA EXPLORATION--1950. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 402, APRIL. SCHAEFERS, EDWARD A. 1952. NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE TUNA EXPLORATION--1951, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, COMMERCIAL FISHER!ES REVIEW, VOL. 14,NO. 5 (MAY), PP. 1-12 (ALSO SEP. NO. 313). oj OS September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 7 Le Za Mey RESEARCH ey, IN SERVICE LABORATORIES Viv Va VL Nt PHYO Oh mre Le win Progress on Projects, August 1953 REFRIGERATION: Freezing Fish at Sea, Defrosting, Filleting, and Refreezing the Fillets: LABORATORY: Further studies were carried out on the penetration of salt into the meat of brine-frozen haddock prepared under commercial operating con- ditions and on the removal of the absorbed salt during the thawing process. Had- dockwere frozen at sea aboard the Delaware in a 22-to23-percent salt (sodium chlo- ride) solution at temperatures of 69F. to 8° F, The largehaddock remained in the refrigerated brine for 3 hours; the scrod haddock for 13 hours. The thawed samples were prepared by immersing the fishin running freshwater held at 60° F. (+ 5°). The large haddock were held in the thawing water for 33 hours; the scrod haddock for 2 hours. The results are shown in the following table: Salt Content of Unthawed and Thawed Brine-Frozen Haddock Salt Conten First g-inch of Meat | Second z-inch of Meat Range Range Average Percent Percent Percent Percent Brine—Frozen } Unthawed 1.19-1.67 1.4 0.18-0.27 0.22 Large Haddock!/ Thawed 2/ | 0.35-0.68] 0.43 0.17-0.25 0.19 Brine-Frozen Unthawed 1,02-1.15 aboll 0.17-0.24 0.21 Scrod Haddock3/ Thawed 4/ 0.25-0.36 0.32 0.18-0.24 0.21 1/HELD IN 22-23 PERCENT SALT SOLUTION AT 60 F. TO 89 F, FOR 3 HOURS. 2/\MMERSED IN RUNNING FRESH WATER AT 60° F, (*50) FoR 35 HOURS. 3/HELD IN 22-23 PERCENT SALT SOLUTION AT 69 F. TO 8° F. FOR 13 HOURS. 4/\MMERSED IN RUNNING FRESH WATER AT 60° F. (* 5°) FOR 2 HOURS. S/RESULTS OF ANALYSES OF SIX GROUPS FROM EACH SAMPLE. EACH GROUP CONSISTED OF THREE FISH. VESSEL: Experimental lots of frozen fish were prepared and the modified brine- freezing mechanism wastested under operatingconditions at seaduring the Delaware's five-day cruise (July 23-25). Fishingoperations were carried out by the Service's technological research vessel on the southeast part of Georges Bank. On this cruise (Technological Cruise No. 21) all freezing was done in a mixed magnesium-chloride and sodium-chloride brine, permitting the use of a freezing temperature of about -5° F, This is about 10degrees lower than can be safely attained with the refrig- eration equipment using a straight sodium-chloride brine. A substantial decrease in freezingtime for bothscrod and large haddockwas possible at this low temperature. Approximately 14,000 pounds of scrod and large haddock were frozen in-the-round in this mixed brine. Half of the total was glazed in sea water and thé remainder left unglazed. The frozen fish werethen stored at O°F. inthe vessel's hold. When the vessel docked, these fish were placed in commercial cold storage to determine the effect of the mixed brine on storage characteristics of thefish, Small lots of sev- eral other varieties of fish were also frozen in this brine. (Boston ) 8 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 COMFOSITION OF FISH: Abalone: During the Southeastern Alaska abalone inves— tigation in September 1951, representative samples of abalone (Haliotes kamtschat— kana) from three fishing grounds off the west coast of Prince of Wales Island were collected. These were packed in cans, frozen, and stored at 0° F. for storage tests and for later chemical analysis. Results of the proximate analyses are given in the following table: Proximate Canposition of Abalone Meat oe ea Abalone Protein Oi1 Ash Gilly Comchaooodc Tad WES 0.7 ay 2.6 3lanquigal Point.. 76.6 16030 P0l6 a ee ee 1/BY DIFFERENCE. w (Ketchikan) FALL BRINGS OVEN DINNERS The first crisp, cool days of autumn signal the time for oven dinners-- when you can pop your whole dinner into the oven and have a hearty, savory meal for your family. One of the best tasting and least expensive combinations of food is baked cod fillets and bakedpotatoes. Tender flaky fish and hot buttered baked pota- toes justnaturally go together. Perhaps you would liketo bake your dessert at the sametime. Deep-dishapple pie or peachcobbler are two suggestions. Tocomplete your meal, adda tossed saladand your family's favorite beverage. Allow 45 minutesto anhour for baking your potatoesand dessert. Halfan hour before the potatoes and dessert are done, put your cod fillets into the oven. As a suggestion for your oven dinner, the home economists of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommend Cod Fillets Baked in Spanish Sauce. COD FILLETS BAKED IN SPANISH SAUCE 2 POUNDS COD FILLETS 1 TEASPOON SALT 1/4 CUP ONION, CHOPPED 1/2 TEASPOON SUGAR 3 TABLESPOONS BUTTER OR OTHER FAT, MELTED DASH OF PEPPER 2 TABLESPOONS FLOUR 1 BAY LEAF 1/4 CUP GREEN PEPPER, CHOPPED 1 WHOLE CLOVE 2 CUPS CANNED TOMATOES Cook onion infat until tender. Blendinflour. Addallremaining ingredi- ents except fish and cook until thick, stirring constantly. Remove bay leaf and clove. Arrange fillets in a shallow well-greased baking dish and cover with sauce. Bake in a moderate oven, 350° F., for 25 to 30 minutes or until fish flakes easily whentested with a fork. Garnish and serve hot. Serves 6. : TRENDS 3 dave DEVELOPMENTS Additions to the Fleet of U. S. Fishing Vessels A total of 76 vessels of 5 net tons and over received first documents as fish- ing craft during hay 1953--28 less than in May 1952. Washington led with 20 ves— sels, followed by Texas with 11 vessels, and Louisiana with 8 vessels, according to the Bureau of the Customs. Vessels Issued First Documents as Fishing Craft, May 1953 and Camparative Data 7 ila Section 1953 1952 1952 New England ..cccccccccces Middle Atlantic .....+.... Chesapeake ..cccccscccccce Sowkan he llehwale Goqoao0000G (illsiateteleherclelelelehoheveleis za Caidiell CUeereteversisveleielshelelerenene Greatelakes! jeletsielelelsreisiere:slels AUS Katelercleleleleleielsicisieiciekstorene Mowe GosaqgongooboGG00G NOTE: VESSELS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE VARIOUS SECTIONS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR HOME PORT. California Develops New Mid-Water Trawl An almost untouched zone of the Pacific Ocean has been opened tocommercial fish- ing and research by a new mid—water trawl developed and perfected by tne California Department of Fish and Game, an August 5 release from that agency states. Using a giant net towed behind a powerful State marine research vessel, fishing at almost any desired depth in the ocean was possible. Until now, most ocean fish—- ing has been concentrated in two zones——near the surface and along the bottom. The assistant chief of the Department's marine fisheries branch reports that the trawl is being used to find out what kinds of fish, and how many, are in this salty "no man's land." Studies are planned for the life histories of many species, including unknown chapters in the ocean life of the young salmon. While operations with the mid-water type of trawl are not new, having been con- ducted in Kurope and Canada among other places, this modification is believed tohave produced the first successful results with commercial-sized gear in California waters. The new device, which can be used with standard otter-trawl gear, operates on the same principle as the parachute. Four quarter doors, or small kite—like deflec-— tors at the corners of the net, are forced outward as the net is towed through the water. Pulling against each other, they stretch the mouth of the net tight. The 10 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 modification eliminates the fish-scering bridle which runs in front of the ring- type net and earlier adaptations of the mid-water trawl. Only the amount of cable available limits the depth at which the new rig can be towed. From the research vessel N. B. Scofield, State workers have already made suc— cessful catches of rockfish, hake, black cod, and other micdle—depth fish. Cans--Shipments for Fishery Products, January-June 1953 Total shipments of metal cans for fish and sea food during Jan- uary-dune 1953 amounted to 47,584 short tons of steel (based onthe amount of steel consumed in the manufacture of cans), compared to 43,916 short tons shipped during the same period in 1952. Increased canning of tuna in California accounts for some of this year's in- crease to date. NOTE: STAT]STICS 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, MAY, AND JUNE 1 1953: For the military feeding of the U. S. Army, Navy, Marine Cort Compe and Air Force, the Army Quartermaster Corps in April 1953 purchased 1,455,915 pounds (valued at $654, 757) of fresh and frozen fishery products; in May, a total of 3,124,176 pounds (valued at $1,183,404); and in June, a total of 4,648,870 pounds (valued at $1,696,864). April purchases were 48.9 percent less in quantity than for the same month in 1952, but May and June purchases were greater by 24.0 and 16.5 percent, re— spectively. Purchases of Fresh and Frozen Fishery Products by Department of the Army April, May, and June 1953 and Comparative Data) Lbs. Aievelatabelcioterersterstave 2,849,408 aiansveieets ta ovansucrepeheversveleuevore 2,518,736 Period eoeeese eee ee ec ee ee January—A pri vesiostelsecees 9,716,797 Panuarry—May: fe satel eel cvelorstsler ole WAS) 35 D515) 16,224,580 3,125,183 4,308 , 587 6,005,451 Purchases of fresh and frozen fish by the Army Quartermaster Corps for the first six months in 1953 amounted to 12,599,918 pounds (valued at $6,005,451), a drop of 16.2 percent in quantity and 19.6 percent in value as compared with the same period in 1952. The over-all average prices paid in 1953 for fresh and frozen fishery products by the Quartermaster Corps were: April 45.0 cents per pound, May 38.2 cents, and June 36.5 cents. The 1952 prices for the same months were: 46.2, 46.9, and 43.7 cents per pound, respectively. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 151, In addition to the purchases of fresh and frozen fishery products indicated above, the Armed Forces generally makes some local purchases which are not includ— ed in the above figures. Therefore, actual purchases are somewhat higher than in- dicated, but it is not possible to obtain data on the local purchases made by mil- itary installations throughout the country. Maryland CRAB MORTALITIES IN CHESAPEAKE BAY DUE TO LOW OXYGEN IN WATER: Crab mortali- ties in crab pots placed in 15 feet or greater depths of water ané in certain soft- crab shedding pounds situated in sheltered areas in shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay area apparently are due to a low oxygen content in the water, according to a biologist of the Maryland Department of Research and Education. "Nature, not man, is responsible for these kills," he said. He stated that the localized mortalities which affect the Bay's blue crab pop-— ulation in summer recurred during the second and third weeks of July 1953. This period was characterized climatically by rather high temperatures, light winds, and in some localities, by exceptionally low tides. During this period crab fishermen reported dead crabs in crab pots in considerable numbers. Biologists, and investi- gators of the Chesapeake Bay Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, believe that the influx of the deep low oxygen waters that occurs during summer months in the Bay, on to the shallower bottoms where the pots are set, is responsible for the crab kill. Certain soft-crab shedding pounds suffered rather large losses at the same time. Situated as they are in sheltered, shallow areas where wave action is kept down by natural wind breaks or by board fences constructed for the purpose, the pounds (sel— dom in waters deeper than eight feet) were the location of high mortalities and were attributed also to low oxy-— gen content in the water. Investigators of the Chesapeake Bay Institute and Chesapeake Biologi- cal Laboratory of the Maryland Depart— ment of Research and tducation found the following conditions at one crab pound: (a) three or four deys of light winds preceded the kill; (b) hightem— BLUE CRAB peratures prevailed; and (c) low tides and very shallow water occurred. Although the normal depth of water was about five feet, the depth at the time of the mortality was less than two feet. The crabs en— closed by the floats are confined to the upper 8 to 10 inches of this depth. "The combination of all these factors contributed to a high death rate among the impound— ed crabs," one biologist stated. The crab biologist commented further, "Disregarding the presence of greencrabs in the floats, the investigations indicate that the conditions, although stemming from different causes in the crab pots and in the soft crab pounds, are fundamental- ly the same." In the crab pots, the crabs suffer from a lack of oxygen inthe deep- er waters because there is no mixing of the oxygenated surface waters due to the thermal stratification which occurs in summer months. In the crab pounds, low oxy— gen affects the crabs which are crowded in small floats in shallow, quiet, warm wa— 12 COMMERCTAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 ters. The high temperatures decrease the water's ability to hold oxygen in a dis- solved state while at the same time increasing the oxygen requirements of all liv— ing organisms in the water. He concluded: "Therefore, with little aeration of the water being accomplished by wave action coupled with an increased oxygen demand, it follows that an oxygen shortage must develop with the subsequent ill effects upon the populations of animals present." Many of the spectacular fish kills recorded in late spring and fall in Chesa— peake Bay waters are probably due to the effects of natural conditions described above, Crab mortalities while less spectacular can affect the livelihood of water-— men rather seriously. It is probable that nothing can be done to prevent the recur- rence of the conditions, but a prediction of impending mortalities might be of con— siderable value. WHITE PERCH TAGGED: White perch, the silver-hued pan-sized native of Chesa-— peake tributaries, lives a very circumscribed existence, according to a preliminary analysis of tags returned to Maryland's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory at Solomons. Last spring 3,000white perch weretagged in the Patuxent River system; 10 percent were recaptured byfishermen. A reward of 50cents was paid for eachnumbered tag, reports the Maryland Department of Research and Education. With the exception of those fish travelingover 60 miles fromthe mouth of the river during spawning season to a point above tidewater, white perch seem to be a home-loving fish, rarely moving great distancesduring the summer and autumn. Not one has been recaptured in Chesapeake Bay proper, ac- cording to a biologist of the Maryland Department of Research and Education at Solomons, although one was taken at the very mouth of the River at Little Cove Foint. Tagging re- turns indicate that white perch seem to be restricted generally to specific trib- utaries. At least, 2,700 tagged white perch, potentially worth $1,350, remain at large inthe Patuxent River systembelow Priests Bridge, await— ing an angler or commercial netter. Fishermen are urged tolook out for fish with plastie disks about the size of adime attached tothe back underthe topfin. Two tags, colored a bright yellow and red, are attached tothe fish bymeans of a straight pin, inserted directly into the flesh below the dorsal fin. WHITE PERCH (MORONE AMERICANA) The studyis designed todetermine (a) distances and speed which theytravel from one localityto another; (b) movements during the summer months; and (c) fishing pres- sure uponthe different year classes. Since scale sampleshave beentaken from each fish that wastagged, the age canbe ascertained by examiningthe scale for growth rings or annulithat are formedin winter each year. Thusit is imperative for each fisherman upon catching a marked white perch to send in his tag immediately for the reward with the following information: (a) exact locality where fish was captured; (b) date and time of capture; and (c) type of gear used to land the fish. Send all tags to Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solomons, Maryland. xe RK % September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 13 JELLYFISH SCARCE IN CHESAPEAKE BAY: The spectacular scarcity of jellyfish in Chesapeake Bay during the current season has been noted by both layman and marine biologist, reports a recent release from the Maryland Department of Research and Education. Bay residents in the past have been able to predict the invasion of jel- lyfish into their special coves, shores, and Bay loc:tions with precision. They arrive late in June, reach a peak the first week in August, and disappear in early September. The summer of 1953 has witnessed conditions in the Bay in which scarce- ly a jellyfish has been seen by casual observers even during the peak of the season. Marine biologists at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory have developed a num- ber of theories why jellyfish are less abundant this year. Jellyfish are strongly affected by changes in their environment. One of the most plausible explanations for the scarcity is that of temperature and oxygen supply. Heavy rains, coupled with a very warm spring, causedmarked stratification of estuarine waters inthe Bay: (a) one of fresher, less dense, oxygen-rich water on the surface; and (b) the other of saltier, denser, oxygen-poor water on the bottom. Oxygen—poor bottom waters have probably entered creeks and small estuaries this late spring and summer where the vegetative polyp form and immature jellyfish occur. These stagnant waters may have affected jellyfish production by slowing down or halting their reproduction. wo Mae me wn OW OW WwW LOBSTERS REPORTED IN COASTAL WATERS: The occurrence of the lobster (Homarus americanus) in Maryland coastal waters comes as a surprise to many conservation-— ists, but the Maryland Tidewater News published at the Chesapeake Biological Labo- ratory of the Maryland Department of Research and Education reports that the in- creased use of otter trawls in the Atlantic Ocean has produced sufficient numbers for a commercial yield. Lobster captures are incidental, Lobster landings in Maryland in 1938 totaled 100 pounds, valued at $100; in 1948, 1,500 pounds, valued at $450; in 1950, 1,100 pounds, valued at $274; and in 1951, 400 pounds, valued at $100. In Virginia off- shore waters, the landings have been progressively higher. Many more lobsters land- ed from Maryland's offshore waters do not enter the official commercial statistics because they are used locally by fishermen. Attempts were made to introduce lobsters into Chesapeake Bay in 1884, when 100 lobsters were transplanted from Long Island to a point off the mouth of the James River. Conditions, however, are recognized by biologists to be unsuitable for the establishment and successful propagation of lobsters in the Bay. be as ae ae ap RARE FRESH-WATER FISH CAUGHT IN MARINE WATERS OF PATUXENT RIVER: Pound—net fishermen operating off Cove Point near the mouth of the Patuxent River were sur-—- prised at catching a large mysterious hump-— backed fish, with thick lips, reports a re- SS (CAReLODES C¥EPINUSIT cent release from the Maryland Department SSS of Research and Education. Biologists at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solo- mons, were more startled when they identi- fied the fish as the lake quillback sucker (Carpiodes cyprinus). This sucker is fresh water in nature, and was caught in marine waters where few fresh-water fish dare to swim. The quillback sucker has never been found south of Bear Creek (near Baltimore) in the Chesapeake Bay basin. It is an uncommon species in Conowingo Reservoir, and Th, COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 is occasionally found in the brackish parts of the Susquehanna River at the head of the Bay, It is characteristically found in fresh waters of lakes and large rivers. The fish weighed about three pounds and was about 20 inches long. Long-term records kept at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory indicate that this species has never been found in the Patuxent drainage. e New York State Enacts New Fishery Legislation The 1953 session of the New York State Legislature enacted five bills pertain-— ing to commercial fisheries in that State, according to the June-July 1953 issue —>={ ——_ servation Department. The new laws are as follows: Butterfish (Marine fisheries)—Provides that butterfish of any size may be taken and possessed, bought, and sold at any time. Effective June 1, 1953. Fluke or Summer Flounder (Marine fisheries)—--Reduces minimum size limit from 15" to 14" for taking fluke or summer flounder by commercial fishing gear, and le— galizes the sale of fluke or summer flounder measuring not less than 14", Effec—- tive immediately. Menhaden, Shad, and Herring (Richmond County)—Extends to July 1, 1955, power of Department to issue licenses to operate gill nets, pound nets, and trap nets for taking menhaden, shad, and herring from March 15 through June 15 in waters of the Marine District in Richmond County; fixes the terms of such licenses, and make rules and regulations forthe operation ofnets used in takingsuch fish. Effective Julyl, 1953. Alewives—-Amends law to add alewives to the list of fish which may be taken by use of scap or dip nets in waters of the State when permitted by the Department. Effective immediately and until January 1, 1955. Closing Waters to Fishing-—-Extends to July 1, 1955, power of the Department to close, by order, any waters of the State to the taking of fish whenever an environ— mental investigation reveals that fish life therein isin danger of undue depletion because of low water levels brought on by drought. Effective July 1, 1953. Pribilof Seal Skin Production Increased in 1953 A total of 66,378 fur-seal skins was obtained in 1953 in Government—adminis— tered sealing operations on Alaska's Pribilof Islands, the Secretary of the Inte- rior announced recently. This yield was 2,508 skins greater than last year's take of 63,870 skins. The average annual yield over the past ten years has been 64,264 skins. The Fish and Wildlife Service conducts these sealing operations annually dur-— ing the Pribilof sealing season from June 22 to July 29. Although the fur-seal industry on the Pribilofs is the responsibility of the United States Government, 20 percent of this year's take will be delivered to the September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 15 Canadian Government under the terms of the Provincial Fur-Seal Agreement of 1942 between the two countries. The remaining skins will be delivered to a private con- cern in St. Louis for processing and sale at public auction under a special Govern- ment contract and account. Net receipts from the sale of 48,582 skins last fiscal year were $3,265,868. Approximately 80 percent of the world's fur seals go to the Pribilof Islands each summer to breed. During the winter these seals range scuthward as far as Southern California. At one time the number of Alaskan seals diminished to such an extent that the herd's commercial value was threatened. The depletion was due principally to pe- lagic sealing—-the indiscriminate killing of seals at sea. Under the protection of international agreements, the herd has since been re- stored to its original level of abundance. As the annual take is limited to 3- year old males—considered surplus from the standpoint of breeding—tne species is assured of survival under present conditions. , ow nosy as Tariff Treatment of Foreign-Caught Tuna Processed in Guam or American Samoa "Frozen, cooked, tuna loins prepared in Guam or Samoa from fish landed there by Japanese vessels would be treated for tariff purposes as products or manufac— tures of those islands, regardless of their subsequent use in the United States." This is the opinion of the Bureau of Customs, Treasury Department, in a recent let- ter to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service in answer to an inquiry onthe status for tariff purposes of fishery products shipped out of those islands to the United States. The letter further explains: "Tuna landed by Japanese vessels in Guam or Samoa where they are prepared for cooking, cooked, and frozen in unsealed cans would also be considered as products or manufactures of those islands even though oil is tobe added to the tuna in the United States after which the cans are sealed. "The labeling in Guam or Samoa of tuna which has been completely processed and canned in a foreign country would not make such tuna a product or manufacture of such islands. "The term ‘actual importations into the island,' as it appears in the present regulations, refers to articles imported into any of those islands with a bona fide intent that they shall be commingled with the mass of things in the island. It does not refer to goods merely in transit through the islands nor to goods merely stored in the islands with the intent to later send them to some place other than in the islands ." NOTE: SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, JULY 1953, P. 31; APRIL 1953, P. 26° 16 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEh Woils 25,5 Wo 9) Wholesale Prices, July 1953 Since the July catch of edible fishand shellfish was somewhat lighter than the previous month, prices for edible fishery products stiffened slightly in July. The edible fishand shellfish (fresh, frozen, and canned) wholesale index for July 1953 was 102.5 percent of the 1947-49 average (see table)--higher than June 1953 by 1.6 percent and below July 1952 by O.4 percent. Products under the drawn, dressed, or whole finfish subgroup were priced higher in July. Although the price of fresh offshore haddock at ex-vessel moved only slightly upward from June to July, substantially higher prices were reported at wholesale for halibut, salmon, and most fresh-water varieties. But compared with July 1952, prices this July were considerably lower for fresh offshore haddock (23 percent), Western halibut (5 percent ), and most fresh-water fish. The drawn, dressed, or whole finfish index for July this year was 3.7 percent above that for the pre- vious month, but 9.5 percent lower than in July 1952. Table 1 - Wholesale Average Prices and Revised Indexes for Edible Fish and Shellfish, July 1953 and Comparisons Group, Subgroup, een ate Avg. Prices Indexes and Item Specification Pricin Unit. $) (1947-49 = 100) June | May July 1953 1953 1952 106.5 | 102.9 FISH AND SHELLFISH (Fresh, Frozen, and Canned) Fresh and Frozen Fishery Products: ccccescccesccccoccrercces Drawn, Dressed, or Whole Finfish: ......cccsseesccecerereeeceetetesesssseere Haddock, large, offshore, drawn, fresh ....... Halibut, Western, 20/80 lbs., dressed, fresh or fTOZEN cec-cccccscccccccreccsseccces Salmon, king, lge. & med., dressed, fresh or FLOZEN ccccccccecsercsccoscresssoscscsosccces Whitefish, mostly Lake Superior, drawn (dressed) petreshclerctcleleleleleleletelsieicleisloreretaielalslevereta Whitefish, mostly Lake Erie pound or gill net, Tound, fresh cecccrecoecccseccscececccccccces Lake trout, domestic, mostly No. 1, drawn (dressed)ica fresh tayelnislcislelsislelelslasielelnielstelel=ielerolelsie Yellow pike, mostly Michigan (Lakes Michigan & Huron), round, fresh occccccescoscece Processed, Fresh (Fish and Shellfish): ...cccce Fillets, haddock, sml., skins on, 20-lb. tins Shrimp, lge. (26-30 count), headless, fresh OT fTOZEND cccccccerccoccreres Oysters, shucked, standards ..ccccccccccccccce eecccccccce Processed, Frozen (Fish and Shellfish): ......- Fillets: Flounder (yellowtail), skinless, WO=1b. PKG. ccccccccccccnccccccccce Haddock, sml., skins on, 10-lb. Cello—pack cecccccccccccccccccccrce Ocean perch, skins on, 10-1b. cello- PACK ceccccecccccccesccesccccccsece Shrimp, lge. (26-30 count), 5-lb. pkg. wecccoe Canned Fishery Products: cercossssorccereroscoree Salmon, pink, No. 1 tall (16 oz.), 48 cans PET CASO ceccccccccccccccccccsccscvccessccscee | COAttle Tuna, light meat, solid pack, No. } tuna Los (7 0z.), 48 Cans per CasS© -ccccccccccccccccces Angeles Sardines (pilchards), Calif., tomato pack, No. 1 oval (15 oz.), 48 cans per case seccoece Sardines, Maine, keyless oil, No. $ drawn (SE 0z.), 100 cans per case scccccccccsccscce 1/REPRESENT AVERAGE PRICES FOR ONE DAY (MONDAY OR T Y) DURING THE WEEK !N WHICH THE 15TH OF THE MONTH OCCURS. Fresh shrimp prices, which had dropped substantially in June, rose again in July because the Gulf catch did not come up to expectations. Fresh haddock fillet prices also increased. Quoted considerably higher this July than during the same month last year were fresh haddock fillets and fresh shrimp. The fresh processed fish and shellfish index in July was 3.6 percent above the previous month and 14.6 percent higher than in July 1952. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Aly Frozen shrimp prices (like those for fresh shrimp) also rose substantially in July. Prices for frozen shrimp in July were 11.5 percent higher than in June and 35.2 percent above July 1952. From June to July there was no change in frozen flounder fillet prices, but frozen haddock fillet prices increased 4.8 percent while ocean perch fillets dropped 2.3 percent. Compared with July 1952, frozen fillet prices this July were lower. Principally because of higher shrimp and haddock fil- let prices, the processed fro- zen fish and shellfish index rose 5.4 percent from June to July and was 9.5 percent high- er than a year earlier. Although early reports indicate a smaller salmon pack in Alaska this year, canned Pink salmon prices dropped 3.8 percent from June to July. Canned salmon prices had re- mained fairly stable for al- most a year. The lower salmon prices accounted for the drop of 2.1 percent inthe canned fishery products index for July 1953; this index was 1.3 percent below July 1952. {S- Wisconsin's Great Lakes Commercial Fisheries Catch, 1951-52 MARKET, CORNER OF FULTON AND UNION STS., CHICAGO, ILL. The total catch of Wisconsin's Great Lakes commercial fisheries during 1952 amounted to 21,613,710 pounds (see table), an increase of 9.5 percent over 1951. Wisconsin's Great Lakes Commercial Fisheries Catch, 1951-52 Lake Michigan Lbs. Lbs . Lbs. Lbs « Lbs . 3,058 ~6, 700 521 ,000 504,123 52h, 058 289,857 242,284 | 140,176! 182,828] 430,033 755504 44,312 306 4,387 75,810 6,755,125 | 6,578,057 17,761 6,461 | 6,772,886 3,959,117 | 3,392,840 | 5,889,584 | 5,346,740 | 9,848,701 1,247,648 854,726 ae 1,247,648 254,576 246,062 45,698 300, 27k, 1,068,578 | 1,111,527 19 1,068,597 7,326 9,187 ae : 7,326 48,210 41,023 ass 2 48,210 1,071,206 954,978 A 83h 1,116,040 15,207 7,011 15,632 593 eae 3,298 22,500 10,499 20,986 61 9,580 46,337 19,534 : 8,581 61,822 7,892 aa 4,401 6 0 ose one 6 | 6,681,374 [ 6,120,332 [21,613,710 | 19,731,267 Lake herring (46 percent) and chubs (31 percent) comprised the bulk of the total catch in 1952, and represented about the same percentage as in 1951. Landings of lake trout increased slightly in 1952 but comprised only about 2 percent of the to- tal in 1952, a very slight increase over 195l. 18 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW WOlko 155 Woo ¥ In both 1951 and 1952 Lake Michigan yielded 59 percent of the total catch and Lake Superior the remaining 31 percent. In Lake Michigan the leading species in both years was chubs, followed by herring end carp; there was only a very small quantity of lake trout landed in LekeMich- igan. lLeke herring comprised the bulk of the catch in Lake Superior in both years (about 90 percent). Practically all the lake trout landed in Wis- consin in both years was taken from Lake Superior waters. BYPRODUCTS PRODUCTION, 1952--U. S. AND ALASKA DO YOU KNOW: That the 1952 production of fishery byproducts in the United States and Alaska was valued at almost $68 million--2 percent less than in the previous year. Fish and marine animal scrap production in 1952 amounted to over 221 thousand tons, valued at over $27 million to the manufacturers. This was an increase of 11,600 tons in quantity and $1.8 million in value as com- pared with 1951. Marine-animal oils produced in the United States and Alaska during the year amounted to over 16 million gallons valued at $9.4 million to the manufacturers. This was a decrease of 11 percent in quantity and 44 percent in value as compared with 1951. Some of the other important byproducts produced during the year were marine pearl-shell, oyster shell, and fresh-water shell products, valued at almost $15 million; and fish solubles and homogenized condensed fish, valued at nearly $6 million. Byproducts were produced in 255 plants in 25 states and Alaska during 1952. --Canned Fish & Byproducts - 1952, C. F. S. No. 882 September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Ig) FOREIGN Se | International INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION FIFTH ANNUAL MESTING: The fifth Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission convened in London June 22-26, according to a press release fromthe Com- mission. The 17 countries represented by delegates were: Australia, Brazil, Can- ada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Fanama, South Africa, Sweden, U.S.S.R., United Kingdom, and United States. Four other countries-—~Argentina, Italy, Peru, and Fortugal—and three international bod- ies sent observers. The next meeting on Ju_y 19, 1954, will be held in Tokyo, Ja- pane Most of the Commission's deliberations centered around the necessity for some definite measures designed to promote the conservation of the whale stocks, which is the main concern of the Cammission; unanimity was reacned upon a number of these measures. How-— ever, as these have to be communicated to each government which thenhas the right to object within a period of 90 days, no finality can be reached until the expiration of that period. These measures involve amendments to the Sched— ule attached to the International Whaling Convention of 1946. Apart from the substantive amendments, a large number of other amendments to the Schedule, of a purely drafting character, were accepted by the Commission and will also be submitted to Contracting Governments. The Commission also aprroved a re-arrangement of the entire Schedule so as to secure uniformity, and this will in due course be submitted to the governments for their acceptance. ANTARCTIC WHALE-OIL PRODUCTION, 1945/46 TO 1952/53 Whales taken during the recent 1952/53 Antarctic whaling season vielded over one-fourth ‘more oil than those caught 8 years ago (see table) reports the July 13, Foreign Crops and Markets, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The yieldof oil per blue-whale unit rose from 16.42 long tons in 1945/46 to 21.09 tons in the last season. Whales killed in recent seasons have been fatter, partly because ofalater opening date for the whaling season. More efficient methods of oil extraction also are-responsible for the greater yields. 20 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 Other observations made at the U. S. Embassy, London, on the basis of a can— pilation of whale-oil production data by the British Ministry of Food include: (1) the length of the pelagic season has decreased from 122 days in 1946/47 to 64 days in 1951/52 and 74 days in 1952/53, (2) the increased yield of oil has resulted in an increase in total whale-oil production even though the number of blue-whale units E Antarctic Whale-Oil Production, 1945/46 to 1952/53 : Season 1952/53 1951/52 1950/51 1949750 19L8749 ISh77hE [1946747 SU5TLE TT Cumulative Season Commenced Nan. 2, 1953 | Jan. 2, 1952 |Dec. 22, 19 Dec. 22, 1949 |Dec. 15, 1948 |Dec. 8, 1947| Dec. 8, 1946] Not recorded Total Duration of pelagic season 7h days 64 days 78 days 84 days” 102 days 115 days 122 days Not recorded] g DOO gD oo Ob oO OG 5050.00 60.0 00.0 0 (Wong? Tons) Bai chewy ahelch eee en eae ene ae ee Land Station Catch: United Kingdom ........... 6,723 8,715 9,096 7,793 9,969 63,513) Norway sepyrttteretteseees 7,261 7,852 8,251 9,181 9,183 Argentinad,.......ceeeeeee 6,739. 8,821 8, 2hh 8,677 8,628 20,723 25,388 25,591 25,651 27,780 ———— Production: (Factoryship) United Kingdom ........00- 65,600 63,443 61,203 71,093 81,086 Union of South Africa .... 235 Lt 27,365 23,000 22,537 22,233 Norway nee 123,019 161,167 155,317 164,735 155,893 Netherlands 16,965 15,500 15,260 12,959 17,587 Japan 33,431 34,508 24,569 26,511 19,893 Russia 24,783 23,382 17,792 16,804 10,054 Panama 25,825 15,991 20,3 - = - - - 62,149 1 SS Te ETE Average productionper B.W.U. 21.09 21.37 19.39 19.65 19.26 18.52 18.87 16.42 ees Totalaiblue=whallelunitspt Orlin inoMeMicitoliciacai-ilcltc icicles iile tts incitciils i SatcitaWisia Eien ISaT= (Kiepelo oo o osolo OU DO a OlOmDD Ob UG-gO OD oO pelagic catch .........-00. 14,8. 15,971 16,371 16,011 15,926 16, 302 15,230 90 - - Grand total ..........- 334 06 66, 7h 343,06 0,290 334 526 [330,165 [313,073 | 135,727 [2,497,653] J/INCLUDES SEAL O}L CATCH FOR EACH SEASON EXCEPT 1952/53. has been fixed at 16,000 by international agreement. Thus, although the total num- ber of units caught in 1952/53 was 14,855, the production of whale oil was 334,063 tons, or greater than the 330,165 tons in 1947/48 when 16,302 units were taken, and (3) the output of whale oil by expeditions of the participating countries shows a sharp upward trend for the Russian and Japanese ships and a dovmward trend for Nor— wegian vessels. United Kingdom production also has tended downward, despite the increased daily processing capacity of her floating factories. Aden STATUS OF THE FISHERIES: Landings: It is estimated that 3,000 to 3,500 metric tons of fish are landed yearly in Aden Colony, reports a June 22 U. S. consulardis— patch from Aden. Of this total about 750 tons are consumed as fresh fishwithin the Colony and the balance is dried and salted for export. There is no breakdown of landings by species available, but the most important consumed fresh are dairak (a species of jack), Mediterranean tuna, snappers, mack— erel, sardines, and assorted rockfish. For drying and salting, sharks and ancho— vies are used, as well as dairak, tuna, snappers, and sardines. Fishing Methods: Along the Aden coast almost all fishing is done within a mile or two of the shore. It is estimated that in the Colony itself some 1,100 Arabs are occupied as fishermen and that they use approximately 200 small double- ended native canoes, usually manned by 2 men, and about 40 larger (35-foot) native surfboats. Cast nets are used for sardines; and gill nets, tangle nets, and heddle nets for other fish. At times, and for certain species, hand lines are also used. Marketing: At present, marketing methods are determined by the lack of cold- storage facilities and by the activities of 6 or 7 important dried fish exporters. A very large number of all the Colony fishermen rely upon these dried fish dealers for loans and advances for boats, gear, and even for personal emergencies and, as a result, are more or less continually in debt to the dealers, When these fisher— men land their catch, the dealers campel them tc sell it for drying or salting: . 7 ” September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 21 where a 10-pound dairak, for example, may bring only three shillings (42 U.S. cents) as against 10 or 15 shillings (US$1.40-2.10) if sold as fresh fish. Most of the fishermen are illiterate and, in any case, written accounts do not always exist so that, once in debt, it is difficult for a fisherman to get himself out. There is no central cold storage in Aden and refrigerator facilities among the fresh fish retailers, who usually buy directly fram the fishermen, are extreme- ly limited. Very often the retailer must refuse to buy for lack of refrigerator Space. The result of these conditions is that the supply of fresh fish in Aden is usually less than the demand. It is estimated that consumption in the Colony alone would increase from the present 15 metric tons a week to about 25 tons, if thenec- essary facilities existed to insure a greater supply. It is also estimated that ships calling at Aden would purchase in the neighborhood of 20 tons of fresh fish weekly, if it were available. Canning: There is little prospect of any canning enterprise in Aden Colony. The tuna and anchovies caught off the Colony are not suitable for canning and, al-— though the dairak and sardines could be made into a pack of inferior quality accept— able in certain markets, the Colony fish supply is inadequate and unreliable, ex— cept in the summer months. Several individuals, however, are said to be interested in the possibility of a canning and/or fish-oil plant in the Protectorate, probably at Mukalla. A plant was established there a year ago and failed. However, the interested firms, includ— ing three Italian firms already set up in Somalia, still believe the project is a feasible one. Exports: Exports of dried and salted fish in 1952 approximated 7,500 metric tons; about 5,000 tons of which were re-exports originally imported into Aden for grading and sorting, chiefly from the Aden Protectorates and Italian Somaliland. Almost all exports are to Ceylon, but in recent months Germany has appeared as a customer . Government Assistance: In 1948 and 1949 the British Government financed from Colonial Welfare and Development Funds a survey of the Southern Arabian coast. The survey was conducted by two fishery officers in two vessels, accompanied by a fish- oil chemist, a taxonomist, and a cannery expert. The results of the survey have not yet been published but, following the survey, the Colony established a Depart— ment of Fisheries to develop fishing in the Colony and Protectorates. At present this Department is staffed by only one British officer who has at his disposal one fishing vessel, but only limited staff, funds, and facilities. The Department of Fisheries aim in the Aden Colony is to increase landings, to establish cold-storage facilities, and to improve marketing methods. Its own fish— ing vessel is engaged in research for better fishing areas. There are no banks near Aden and all fishing is shoal fishing, but the Department believes that more suit- able areas may be discovered farther offshore and has already located several proamn—- ising spots 10 or 15 miles at sea. To avail themselves of these areas, of course, it will be necessary for the fishermen to have motors and bigger boats, and to show what can be done the Colony has equipped two surfboats of its own with motors. Ii any promising areas are discovered at some distance fran Aden, the Colony hopes to be able to persuade the fishermen to form a cooperative and perhaps even purchase a modern motorized fishing vessel. 22 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 To lessen ‘the dependence of the fishermen on the dried fish merchants, the Col— ony expects to spend £2,000 (US#5,600) this year buying gear and tackle for resale to the fishermen at cost, and it is operating a hire-purchase scheme by which fish— ermen are able to finance purchases of their boats through the Colony. In addition, a marketing cooperative for the export of dried and salted fish is now being formed. The Fisheries Director also has plans for the establishment of a fish market and cold-storage plant and, in connection with this, for the creation of one ormore fishermen's cooperatives. Unfortunately, the funds for this plant have not yet been voted by the Colony and there is no certainty as to when the project will get under way. NES Canada SEARCH FOR ATLANTIC HERRING: A large-scale search for commercial quantities of herring in offshore Atlantic waters has been initiated by the Canadian Depart— ment of Fisheries through its Fisheries Research Board, according to the May 1953 issue of Canadian Trade News, The search, which covers a wide range of waters off the coast of Nova Scotia as well as the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is being carried out by a small fleet of specially—equipped vessels. The M/V Harengus, a Fisheries Department vessel, .has been assigned to the Re- search Board for the work, and a Lunenburg dragger, the Marion Crouse, has been char— tered for the duration of the exploration program. Both vessels will use all avail- able modern devices, including echo-sounders, in the attempt to locate schools of herring. One of the Department's patrol vessels, the Louise Ruth, will conduct a search in waters off Newfoundland, and a commercial vessel will be chartered to explore the waters off Nova Scotia. . Technicians from the Research Board's Atlantic Biological Station at St. An-— drews, N. B., are taking part in the work to record scientific data, and experi- enced technicians from France and the Netherlands are on the vessels working in the Gulf to direct the use of special fishing gear which has proved successful in these countries. Various methods of fishing are being tried—-purse-seining and bottom and mid- water trawling. The experiments are expected to determine the most suitable andef= fective gear and techniques. Until now the Canadian herring fishery in Atlantic waters has been largely an inshore operation. In the spring in the Gulf, herring are concentrated in the inshore areas, where they spawn, providing good supplies during late April and May. They move farther out to sea in the summer and it is felt that by following them to deep water the herring season can be greatly extended, possibly by as muchas five months. Previous investigations have indicated that there are large stocks of herring in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and that in the daytime they go to the bottom, moving nearer to the surface at night. These investigations, carried out by the Atlantic Biological Station, have been of a research nature only. The present exploratory program is on a cammercial scale, Even with the comparatively short herring season which has been available to Canada's Atlantic fishermen it has provided a substantial revenue. In 1951 the total caten of herring, 271,100,000 pounds, had a marketed value of $13,400,000. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 23 BRITISH COLUMBIA SURVEY REVKALS LITTLE POSSIBILITY OF XPANDING SHRIMP FISH- ERY: In an attempt to extend profitable fishing grounds, the Fisheries Research Board of Canada's vessel Investigator No. 1 made an exploratory shrimp fishing trip in the Strait of Georgia off British Columbia during April. Fishing generally was restricted to depths available to shrimp vessels now operating, according to the May 1953 Trade News of the Canadian Department of Fisheries. Of the 29 hauls recorded, 24 contained shrimp. However, only relatively few hauls yielded them in quantities to suggest commercial possibilities. The most promising places appeared to be: (1) off Ladysmith Harbour to Chemainus; (2) in- side Bjerre Shoal, between Welcome Pass and Pender Harbour; (3) the southwest cor- ner of Gambier Island; (4) off the mouth of the Fraser River Most of the shrimp fishing in British Columbia waters is now carried out close to fishing ports on well established grounds and the potentialities of the shrimp and prawn resources of the Province have been relatively unexplored. STURGEON FISHING IN SASKATCHEWAN: Commercial fishermen in the Cumberland House and Island Falls areas of northeastern Saskatchewan may harvest more than 10,000 pounds of sturzeon this year, according to the Provincial Director of Fisheries, a June 30 news release states. The commercial season for sturgeon, which extends to September 15, was recent— ly opened for the fourth consecutive year on the Saskatchewan river and tributary waters in the Cumberland House region, where the limit is 8,000 pounds. In addition, for the first time since 1946, sturgeon fishing is also permitted on Okipwatsikew and Wasawakasik lakes near Island Falls, with a limit of 2,000 pounds for each of the two lakes. The Saskatchewan Fish Marketing Service is handling the catch, withan initial price of 50 cents a pound being paid fishermen at receiving points, and a final pay— ment when all sales are campleted. Sturgeon brings a higher price than any other inland waters fish on the market today. sl Chile FISHING INDUSTRY TO BE MODERNIZED: Annual credits of US}4 million to fisheries Industrial Credit Bank, Santiago, Chile, to modernize that country's fishing indus- try. New cold-storage plants are to be constructed, and improvements and expansion to be carried out on fishing ports and equipment. Ecuador NEW FISHERIES LAW PLANNED: The Ecuadoran Ministry of Economy plans to submit to Congress after August 10 a new law on fisheries. A meeting was held in Quito on July 20 between representatives of fishing companies operating in Ecuador, leaders of local fishermen's associations, and goverrment officials in order to obtain the yh. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Woks 155 wos 9) various points of view on Ecuador's fisheries. It is believed that the points of view brought out at the meeting will be taken into account in the draft of a new law on fisheries, NEW COMPANY PLANS FISH EXPORTS TO U.S.: A new fishing company is being pro- moted in Ecuador by a United States citizen. This company plans to buy fish fran local fishermen in Manabi Province for export to th@ United States. But the com— pany is also seeking to obtain a contract from the Ministry of Economy to permit it to operate its own fishing boats in Ecuadoran waters. TWO U. S. BOATS ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES RENEWING FISHING LICENSHS: It is re- ported t! that two United States bottom-fishing boats operating in Galapagos waters are encountering difficulties in obtaining a renewal of their fishing licenses. German Federal Republic FISHERIES PRODUCTION, 1952: The total production of the German sea fisheries in 1952 was 63 8 thousand USI es 2.5 percent less than the 654 thousand tons produced in 1951, reports the July 11 Foreign Trade, published by the Canadian De— partment of Trade and Commerce. The annual average for the period 1935-38 was 669 thousand tons. The year 1952 was the first since the end of World War II that pro- duction failed to increase. Deep-water trawlers accounted for 74 percent of the total landings in 1952; lugger herring fisheries, 9 percent; andinshore cutter fisheries, 17percent. Trawler landings decreased from 1951 because of unfavorabie fishing condi tions during the fall herring season and the unsettled market conditions. The 1952 herring produc— tion of 280,088 metric tons was about 30,000 tons below the previous year. The red perch (ocean perch) catch was considerably larger than in 1951; cod and saithe pro-— duction remained unchanged; and haddock Pendines decreased. Japan U. S. AND JAPANESE TUNA INDUSTRY MISSICNS DISCUSS TUNA PROBLEMS: A three-man mission from the United States canned tuna industry arrivedin Japan onJuly 17, states a U. S. Embassy dispatch from Tokyo. It is a fact-finding mission to determine pol— icy, programs, and trends of production and processing with respect to Japan's ex— ports of frozen and canned tuna. The mission will hold discussions on these topics with representatives of the Japanese tuna industry, and will in turn acquaint the local industry with the current status and outlook of the United States industry. It is hoped that these discussions will result in the development of a better under— standing of the problems, a basis of improving trade, and more cordial relations be- tween the United States and Japanese tuna industries. It is pointed out that the mission has no official status. A news release in the July 27, 1953, issue of the Nippon Suisan Shimbun, a Jap- anese trade journal, indicated that the following was a summary of the statement is- sued by the three-man mission from the United States: September 1953 1. Objectives of the representation: We are the formal representatives of the producers of 95 percent of America's canned tuna, The remaining 5 percent are factories in the east and at Monterey. Consequently what we say reflects the thinking of the United States tuna industry as a whole. 2. Objectives of the trip to Japan: To con sult on various problems concerning the methods of exporting Japanese frozen amd canned tuna. Accord- ingly we wish to discuss these provlems with all persons and official and unofficial bodies in the freezing, canning, exporting, and fishing businesses. 3. Understanding the position of the Japanese tuna industry: Japan must export frozen and canned tuna to earn dollars, At this time we are not op- posed to Japan's tuna industry's having a suitable share in the United States market. 4. Easis of that share: Japan's share should be based upon conformity with past historical re- cords. Of course, the United States market is ex- panding year by year, and Japan's share in it will probably also increase. 5. Development and determination of the Amer— ican tuna industry: The United States tuna indus- try has its troubles just as the Japanese industry does. The reasons why canned tuna production has attained its present level of development are (1) several millions of dollars have been spent on ad-— vertising to expand the market; (2) continual stud— ies of marketing areas and seasons are being car- ried on; (3) the basis of the enterprise has been formed by making the American housewife thoroughly conscious of the protein value and economy of canned tuna. We feel a proper pride in this and we are de— termined to protect our industry. 6. Frozen tum problems: There are those who oppose the importation of frozen tuna, but fromthe points of view of the world distribution of tuna fishing grounds, the conservation of the fish, and international economics, a free and unlimited mar— ket should be given to frozen tuna (raw material). COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 25 7. The brine-packed tuna problem: \e are con- vinced that continued unlimited exportation of tuna in brine will bring the total ruin of the United States market. Consequently if this is continued in the future the United States tuna industry will rise en masse to agitate for an increased tariff. Brine-packed tuna has a bad effect on the prices of other canned tuna, with the eventual result of lowering the prices of Japan's canned and frozen tuna. In other words, it reduces the income not only of the United States industry but of the Jap- anese industry as well. 8. Methods of solving canned tuna problems: We wish to seek a solution by the regular and nor- mal methods. Naturally we have no wish to disrupt the Japanese industry. hile thoroughly studying the Japanese canned tuna quota, we respect the time-honored position of the canning industry. In this spirit the United States tuna industry is pro- posing and urging the following plan. 9. Establishment of a joint sales organiza- tion: Establishment of a joint sales organization is proposed for the mutual profit of Japanese and Americans. The essentialsof theplan areas follows: (1) It would carry on sales of canned tuna. (2) It would be operated by experienced men conversant with conditions in both the Japanese and United States tuna indus— tries, (3) Japanese canned tuna will be guaranteed a share in the American market based on historical records (past sales). (4) The organization would probably also un dertake the mission of developing world markets. In case this plan appears worthy of adoption, discussion should be started concerning the follow- ing points: (1) location of the company; (2) per- sonnel; (3) financing. : 10. Postscript: We have no present connection with fishermen or importers. In addition to the three-man mission from the United States canned tuna indus— try, it has been reported that there is a mission in Japan representing the United States tuna fishermen. Another Japanese press release offers this countermove to the plan offered by the representatives of the United States canners: The international cast of the U. S. tuna export problem has deepened with the arrival in Japan of rep- resentatives of American canners and fishermen and with the publication of the canners' statement. As a conclusion drawn by assembling the opinions of fair- minded third parties, it is indicated that the most important point at this time is the strengthening of the domestic organization of the Japanese tuna indus— try. After all, for the Japanese tuna industry as a whole it is necessary to export frozen tuna, but the export of canned tuna is also important. Consequent- ly in order to counter the American canners' plan the only method is to form a strong economic organization composed of freezers, canners, fishermen, and export— ers to conserve (buy up) all of the fish landed and plan measures to support fish prices and adjust ex- ports. This would involve-- (1) Securing (buying) all tuna landings, main-— taining fish prices, and regulating ex- portse (2) For this purpose fishermen, refrigerated storage operators (freezers), canners, and exporters would organize to form a raw material purchasing company. (3) Buying of raw fish from the fishermen would be done on a floor-price system, and frozen fish would be purchased on a ceiling-price system. (4) The holding of frozen fish would be turn- ed over to the freezers at a fixed rate of pay for a fixed period. 26 (5) Sales would be first to frozen tuna ex- porters, second to canners as raw mate— rial, and third, excess goods would be soid domestically. (6) Inspection for quality of fresh and fro- zen fish would be carried on. As for the capital structure, the organization would function perfectly well with a total of about 2,000,000,000 yen (US$5,555,000), of which the mem— bers would put up half, the other 1,000,000,000 yen (US$2,777,000) for operating capital being obtained on a long-term loan. However, for this plan a strong and intimate coalition between the canners and freezers is a nec- essary prior condition, and it is particularly to be hoped that the present situation of stubborn opposi- tion will dissolve, but the attitudes of both sides have proved stiffer than could have been foreseen and it is believed that there is no way out except through the mediation of government leaders. In any case, the healthy development of the Japanese tuna industry lies in the establishment of autonomy through the solidarity of the persons engaged in the indus- try in Japan, andit is strongly hoped that they will realize this. On July 23 tuna canners held an important con— ference with the representative of the United tuna fishermen, the talk centering around the proposals COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 communicated as the unofficial views of the canners: (1) The visit of the American canners! repre- sentatives to Japan is not thought of as an official mission representins the parties concerned in the U. S., but simply as a frozen tuna buying group. (2) Japanese canning circles have already been studying the establishment of a joint Japanese-American cooperative sales company. (3) We wish, however, to study the proposals with the proviso that we will maintain our own standpoint and that Japanese products will use Japanese labels. These are, however, only the views that the canners representatives would be duty-bound to ex— press, and there are some who believe that they do not actually hold these opinions. A four-man group engaged in, or closely asso— ciated with, the Japanese canned tuna industry left Japan for the United States on July 21. The individ— uals of the mission are making the trip in connection with the business interests of their individual firms or organizations. It is expected, however, that ei- ther as a groupor as individuals they will take the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Unit- ed States tuna industry to discuss problems of mutual interest. This group is not considered an official mission from the Japanese tuna industry. porters of canned tuna are reportedly sponsoring a bill "for the promotion of canned tuna and skipjack exports" based on the contention that greater profits accrue from the export of canned as compared to frozen tuna. The bill has been introduced in the Diet and has created a furore in Japanese tuna circles, according to a June 22 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Tokyo. Exporters of frozen tuna are, of course, aroused and have held meetings to organize strong opposition to the bill. Exporters of fro- zen tuna are attempting to seek the support of tuna and skipjack fishermen organi-— zations in opposing the bill. An important official of the Japanese Canners Association voiced personal op— position to the bill on the ground that it condones unfair trade practices within the tuna industry. This is significant because the bill obviously intends to favor exports of canned over frozen tuna, and hence should benefit the canners who are not direct exporters. Some individuals in tuna groups believe the bill is in violation of Japan's fair trade regulations. The bill indicated that considerable interest is being evinced in the Japanese tuna industry at home as well as abroad over exports of tuna products. Canners of tuna and exporters of frozen tuna are in brisk canpetition for fish, with canners forcing higher bids on ex-vessel purchases. In view of the continued strong demand from United States buyers, especially for frozen tuna and to a less extent the canned product, Japanese firms are presently enjoying "a seller's market." Prospects were that this would continue to the end of the current albacore season in July and ex-— tend throughout the summer yellowfin season. An article in the June 20 issue of Nippon Times points out: September 1953 eeelhe backers of this bill contend that the best interests of Japan will be served by export— ing tuna as a finished product—canned-—rather than in its unprocessed state to feed American canneries. It is argued that Japan's cannery facilities will be expanded and more employment will be given work- ers, if the export of frozen tuna is curtailed. And in what they believe to be the "clincher" to their arguments, they naively suggest that the con- tinued export of unprocessed tuna would mean Japan's tacit recognition and supine acceptance of a colo- nial status. Apparently, it has not occurred to the propo- nents of this measure that neither the UnitedStates nor Australia ever considered it below their digni- ty as a sovereign nation to export raw cotton and wool to Japan. Surely the mere fact that a nation is an exporter of raw or semi-processed materials does not make it a colony which is being ruthless— ly exploited. Now, one of the rules of marketing and of trade is that the seller keeps himself in close touch with and adjusts his products to meet the needs and de- sires of the buyer. Japan has been exporting tuna products to the United States, our sole customer, over a long period. And that export has been in the form of both canned and frozen—in varying pro- portions because our customer wants it that way. It is true, of course, that we stand to make a greater gain by selling processed rather than raw tuna. But we cannot have our cake and eat it too. It is not difficult to imagine what would happenif we suddenly decided to curb our export of frozen tuna and to concentrate on the sale of canned tuna. For one thing the American tuna packing industry will come out with a concerted drive to raise the COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 27 present high tariff on canned tuna and to restrict its import. For another it will give great impetus to our chief competitors, Pcoru and the Pacific Coast fishermen, to expand their operations and in this they will have the aid of the packers so that the present heavy demands for unprocessed tuna can be met. Japan will lose her market not only for canned but frozen tuna as well. In short there wili not be any cake at all for her. We must realize that the phenomenal growth of the consumer demand for tuna products in the Unit- ed States—estimated at more than 10 million cases this year--has been the result of a widespread and high-pressure publicity campaign carried out by the American tuna industry. The American taste for tuna is actually being cultivated at the cost of millions of dollars in publicity by the tuna packers there. They are doubtlessly willing to share its results— but not at the expense of their being shut out by a flood of Japanese canned tuna. The desire of the Japanese canners to expand is, of course, under— standable and there are many potential markets oth— er than the U. S. which could be cultivated. We hope that the sponsors of this move will realize their short-sightedness. Certainly the interests of the Japanese tuna fishermen deem that this proposed bill be quashed, for if this measure goes through they will be at the complete mercy of the canneries. Japan is trying to expand her export at a time when there are forces at play abroad to raise tariff barriers. At such a time, it would be suicidal for any part of our industry to take action wnich would only encourage a move toward the erection of tariff walls, The whole problem of trade expansion is dif- ficult enough without our making it any tougher. BILL FOR PROMOTION OF CANNED TUNA EXPORTS AMENDED: The Japanese tuna industry became increasingly agitated by the proposed bill which would favor the exportation of canned tuna rather than frozen tuna, a July 10 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Tokyo points out. The original bill was concerned with "the promotion of canned tuna and and skipjack exports." This aroused such a protest from the frozen-tuna interests, that an amendment has been submitted which renames the bill "A Bill for the Promo- tion of Exports of Processed Aquatic Products;" in addition, certain specific terms were generalized. The principal articles of the amendment are as follows: Art. 1. The purpose of this law is to promote exports of superior, proc— essed aquatic products by regulating those processed in a lesser degree. Unless permission is obtained fron the Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the items listed separately shall not be exported in frozen form. Art. 2. Art. 3. If it is desired to export canned aquatic products, only those canned at the packing plants designated by the Minister in charge shall be released for export. 23 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 Art. 4. Before granting the permission referred to in Article 2, the Minister must have the opinion of the Aquatic Products Export Council (the council shall be established in MITI and its or— ganization and functions specified by a Cabinet ordinance).... Articles 1 and 2 are causing the most comment. In Article 1 the "superior processed aquatic products" is interpreted by the industry as canned tuna or tuna- like fishes, and the "regulating exports of those processed ina lesser dk degree,"a "as frozen tuna. Article 2 makes possible the mandatory control by the Government of exports of frozen tuna. Discussions on this bill have been quickly drawn into the heated controversy which recently developed over the authorization by an agency of the Government of a reported 21,000 short tons of frozen tuna for export (mostly to the United States) from approximately March 20 to June 26. This equals the official quota for last fiscal year (April 1, 1952, to March 31, 1953), which was originally 12,000 tons, but was raised twice to the limit of 21,000. Critics claim the Goverment should have started from the same base line in considering exports of frozen tuna for the current year. Negotiations are already under way between Japanese exporters and United States canners for the exportation of frozen yellowfin as soon as landings are made at Japa-— nese ports, indicating as strong a demand for this product as was the case last year. At the moment, therefore, interested Government agencies are holding frequent meetings to "consider the problem of tuna exports;" exporters and canners of tuna are urging support of the proposed bill on Hxports of Processed Aquatic Products and asking the Government to apply a quota on frozen tuna. Exporters of frozen tuna (conscious of their numerical weakness) are protesting against the bill and opposing any proposed quota on this product. Fishermen, or at least operators of tuna boats, have enjoyed a seller's market for their catches (especially albacore) over the past month, but present prices tend to decline with the end of the albacore season and following the brisk competition for fish which recently prevailed between the export— ers of frozen tuna and canners of tuna. FROZEN TUNA EXPORTS, 1947-52: Total Japanese exports of frozen tuna (albacore, skipjack, and yell llowfan)i in 1952 amounted to 26,905 short tons, valued at US$7,850,249 f.o.b. Japan (see table), a June 22 U. S. Dancer dispatch fran Tokyo points out. Albacore | Avg. Pricel, Per Year Quantity Value Short Ton Japanese Sxports of Frozen Tuna, 1947-52 Yellowfin « Total Avg. Pricel, Avg. Pricel, Per Short Ton e1 Value Short Ton Quantity Value Quantity Short Tons 702 1,067 1,721 ho48 19472/..-2%. 1/NO! A WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE. 2/NO EXPORTS OF FROZEN TUNA IN 1947. This is an increase of 46 percent in quantity and 49 percent in value as compared to the 1951 exports of 18,386 short tons, valued at US$5,260,807 f.o.b. Japan. Practically all of the tuna exports were shipped to the United States. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 29 Albacore is the leading frozen tuna species shipped out of Japan andcomprised 84 percent of the shipments in 1952. Shipments of albacore have increased sharply in recent years: in 1949 only 1,306 short tons of albacore were exported, as com— pared with 22,711 short tons in 1952. WHOLE YELLOWFIN TUNA FROZEN AND STACKED IN A COLD STORAGE HOLD. The average price f.o.b. Japan of all frozen tuna exported from Japan in 1952 was US$292 per short ton, 2 percent above the US#286 reported for 1951. This is the first price increase in the past five years—-from 1948 through 1951 the price f.o.b. Japan had been steadily declining. A NUMBER OF LARGE TUNA VESSELS TO BE BUILT IN 1953: Applications have been filed with the Japanese Government for the construction of 18 large tum vessels in 1953, states a June 22 U.S. Embassy dispatch fran Tokyo. These vessels will aver-— age from 300 to 450 gross tons each. Some financial assistance is expected fromJapa- nese Govermment banking institutions. The boats are intended for the more distant areas of the equatorial Pacific waters. Two tuna boats in the 400-gross ton class recently completed will be used as carriers for the salmon expedition now operating in the North Pacific. At the end of the salmon season in late August, the boats will shift to tuna fishingin the equatorial and adjacent southern waters. The construction of large-sized tuna boats continues the trend, begunlast year, for boats capable of exploring and fishing the more distant areas of the central and south Pacific and Indian Oceans. HX ERE FROZEN BROADBILL SWORDFISH EXPORTS, 1947-52: Japanese exports of frozen broad- bill swordfish in 1952 amounted to 3,701 short tons, valued at US#2,490,973 f.oeb. 30 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 Japan (see table), a June 22 U. S. Embassy dispatch fram Tokyo reports. This is a decrease of 39 percent in quantity and 34 percent in value when canpared with 1951 exports of 6,060 short tons, valued at US#$3,762,340 f.oeb. Japan. Also, it is the first decline in frozen swordfish shipments out of Japan since 1947. Japanese Exports of Frozen Broadbill Swordfish 1947-52 Avg. Price 2/} Year Quantity Value per pound 960000 toOdlo DEVI oooo0S US§ U.S. Cents 2,490,973 26 3,762,340 30 1,539,012 23 825,356 26 813,725 35 187,200 1/DOES NOT |NCLUDE STRIPED MARLIN AND BLACK SWORDFISH. 2/NOT A WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE. The average price (unweighted) of frozen broadbill swordfish exported from Ja— pan in 1952 was 26 U. S. cents per pound, f.o.b. Japan, 13 percent lower than the price of 30 U. S. cents for 1951. Ls ke KU KH K NORTH PACIFIC CRAB FISHING EXPEDITION ATTAINS GOAL: About 95 percent of the goal fixed for the current season has been attained by the Japanese crab fishing ex— pedition operating in Bristol Bay, announces the Nippon Times in its July 27 issue. The total catch as of July 27 was 1,032,257 crabs, and the canned crab meat produced by the factoryships amounted to 39,438cases of first-grade and 8,902 cases of third— grade products. ANTARCTIC WHALING EXPEDITION RETURNS: Main units of the Japanese Antarctic Whaling Expedition returned to Japan on April 13 and 14, an April 23 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Tokyo reports. The two fleets comprising the 1953 expedition began. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Bin baleen whaling on January 2 and ended operations on March 16, in accordance with In— ternational Whaling Regulations. On the basis of preliminary data, the expedition produced 34,100 metric tons of whale oil, 24,082 tons of meat, and 968 tons of other products. These figures include the 3,830 tons of frozen whale meat lost with the sinking of the refrigerated vessel Settsu Maru on March 7. The fleet headed by the factoryship Nisshin Maru reached a total production of 35,349 metric tons of all products, as compared with its target of 35,525 tons. The fleet headed by the factoryship Tonan Maru achieved a total production of 23,801 met-— ric tons (including the 3,830 tons of whale meat lost), approximately 23 percent be-— low the fleet's target of 31,059 tons. Managers of each fleet were in accord in emphasizing the need for more modern, larger, and faster catcher boats to compete more successfully withthefleets of other nations. KEKKK XK REGULATION OF TRAWLING IN SOUTH CHINA SEA CONTINUED: Regulations controlling Japanese trawling in the South China Sea will be continued, the Japanese Fisheries Agency recently announced. These regulations were applied by the Agency as a tem- porary measure in July 1952 when Japanese fishing boats petitioned the Government for permission to re-enter these prewar high-seas fishing grounds. The reguletions, in part, require that special approval be obtained from the Goverrment (Fisheries Agency) for operating in that area. The regulations make it possible for the Gov- erment to limit the number of boats and otherwise to supervise operations in the interest of maintaining good international relations. Landings are made directly at Japanese ports, The boats of the authorized fleet are not permitted to call’ at foreign ports either to land fish or to obtain operating supplies. The fleet reached a total of 12 otter trawlers and 20 pairs of bull. trawlers in the early part of 1953. A complete record of the catch is not readily available, but reports indicate that the project is commercially successful, states a United States Embassy dispatch from Tokyo dated July 15, 1953. Also operating in part of the South China Sea are at least two Japanese fishing boats landing their catches directly at Hong Kong. These craft operate under a dif-— ferent authorization of the Japanese Government and with special permission of the Hong Kong authorities. JAPANESE GOVERNMENT Mexico SHRIMP ASSOCIATION RESOLVES THAT U. S. SHRIMP VESSELS WILL NOT FISH WITHIN NINE MILES OF MEXICAN COAST: The Mexico City press carried front-page articles and edi- torials praising the 3rd Annual Convention of the Shrimp Association of the Americas for its decision to obtain the cooperation of the United States shrimp vessels not to fish within nine miles of the Mexican coast. The press reports speculated that this decision may be followed by formal recognition of Mexico's claim to nine miles of territorial waters. The Mexico City press (Excelsior, July 24) stated further "...Washington at present is studying the basis for a Mexican-North American treaty whereby the owners of fishing vessels formally will agree not to fish within ten miles.... In exchange for this, United States shrimp fishermen have asked that Mexico establish two refuge 22 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 zones near Tampico and Campeche where fishermen might seek shelter from storms with- out exposing themselves to detention by Mexican gunboats...." Excelsior attributed the above statements to the President of the "Internation-— al Commission" of the Shrimp Association of the Americas and the Vice-President of a Brownsville company. Reports indicated that American members of the Shrimp Association have sent to the U. S. Department of State a memorandum setting forth the need for respecting Mexico's nine-mile limit and requesting that a formal agreement to that effect be entered into with the Mexican Government. According to the press revorts, the 3rd Convention of the Shrimp Association of the Americas was attended by 37 American and 19 Mexican representatives of fish— ing industries, a July 30 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Mexico City points out. Vessels found in Mexican territorial waters do not infringe Mexican fishing laws unless they are found with nets in the water. aes Sen - Netherlands FLOOD VICTIMS TO RECKIVE ICELANDIC FISH FILLETS: The Netherlands Red Cross has been informed by the Icelandic Red Cross that a consignment of frozen fish fillets, valued at 500,000 Icelandic kroner (US$30,600) will be shipped to the Netherlands for victims of this year's flood disaster. According to authorized Netherlands sources, it is intended to make the shipment through normal commercial channels on the Neth—_ erlands market. It is estimated that about 250,000 pounds of filletswillbe shipped, reports the May 1953 Trade News of the Canadian Department of Fisheries. New Guinea TUNA INVESTIGATIONS: A tuna clipper operated by the Goverrment of Netherlands New Guinea is investigating tuna fishing in the waters north of Netherlands New Guin— ea, Investigations in the Arafura Sea, south of New Guinea, will be made shortly by a trawling cutter, reports the Pacific Science Association in its July 1953 Informa-. tion Bulletin. Peru CANNED FISH EXPORTS TO THE U. S., 1951-52: Peruvian exports of canned fish to the United States in 1952 amounted to 21,040,532 pounds, valued at 62,017,882 soles (US$4,016,702), reports a July 8 U. S. Embassy dispatch from Lima, This is a 25 per- cent increase in quantity and a 14 percent increase in value as compared with 1951 shipments of 16,812,959 pounds, valued at 54,543,306 soles (US$3,616,930). The Unit— ed States received 76 percent of all Peruvian canned fish exports in 1952 and 85 per— cent in 1951. —_m— == September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 33 Portugal FISH CANNING, 1952: The year 1952 proved to have been a difficult one for the Portuguese fish-canning industry, a July 3 United States dispatch fran Lisbon points out. This was true in spite of the fact that sardines had returned to the fishing areas in large volume and ample tinplate stocks were available. Although more fish were caught in 1952, ex-vessel prices remained high but export quotations dropped substantially. Total Portuguese canned fish exports in 1952 amounted to 38,674 metric tons, valued at 650,541 contos (US$22,469,000) as compared to 1951 exports of 31,186 tons, valued at 584,681 contos (US$20,195,000). These statistics indicate a drop in ex- port value. A total of 23,899 metric tons of canned fish was produced in 1952.as compared with 19,639 tons in 1951. uw vs. x aK LOAN FUND FOR FISHING INDUSTRY: The Portuguese Government has established a Fund for the development and modernization of the fishing industry, a July 24 U. S. American Embassy dispatch from Lisbon reports. The purpose of the fund is to modern- ize and develop the Portuguese fishing industry, and provide loans for any fisher- ies activity. It was established by Decree Law No. 39,283 published in the Diario do Governo of July 20, 1953 The Fund will be directed by an administrative cammittee made up of the Gov- ernment delegate to the corporative organizations of fisheries, a representative of the fishing gremios chosen by the Ministry of Marine, and a representative of the Ministry of Finance. The Fund is authorized to borrow up to 250,000 contos (US$8,625,000) through the sale of obligations amortizable in 12 annual install- ments beginning 3 years from the date of issue. These obligations will be sold through the Government Savings Bank, commercial banks, or direct to the public. The Fund will make loans at 3.75 percent, also repayable in 12 annual install— ments beginning 3 years from the date of the loan, and secured by mortgage on the vessels or other property acquired with the loan. In the case of loans made for the construction of new vessels, they will be granted up to 75 percent of the value of the vessel, with the condition that it must be built in Portugal unless it is of a type that cannot be built by Portuguese shipyards. This fund will operate very much like the Merchant Marine Loan Fund, which was established in 1946 and which has been very successful in helping shipping companies build up a Portuguese merchant marine. The requirement that the ships be built in Portugal is a new one, however, Cp @ Republic of the Philippines FISHERY PRODUCTS IMPORTS, 1951: Philippine importations of fishery products in 1951 were valued at 725.4 million (US$12.7 million). Of this amount, imports from the United States accounted for /23.1 million (US$11.5 million). 3h COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 Canned fish is subject to a duty 30 percent ad valorem. Smoked, dried, and salted fish are subject to specific duties at varying rates, generally averaging approximately 25 percent ad valorem. Fish meal is duty free. Importations of fresh Philippine Fishery Products Imports, 1951 fish are negligible, im— Millions of US% ported almost entirely from China and Hongkong, Millions of Pesos Wiesel II GooogaoG 2008 : anned =, soot eke 23.450 80 percent of all imports PVA, Chl a uace 3772 of canned fish consist of IFish eth Seo 1.136 Sardines 7m pontedy cay entirely from the United States. Salmon is the second largest canned item of importation and Canada presently supplies 56 percent of the total value of F1.9 million (US#950,000) of canned salmon. Importations of fish meal in 1951 valued at 71.4 million (US$700,000) were al- most entirely from the United States. Spain FISH CANNERS PREDICT POOR PACK: The closed season on sardine fishing—March 1 to April 30--failed to produce a return of former sardine runs, the Spanish fish canners in the Vigo District report. The fish packers' outlook for 1953 is gloamny, although heavy sardine catches do not normally begin until later in the season, states a U. S. consular dispatch from Vigo. One packer went so far as to say that the Spanish fish canning industry has already passed into history. Pessimism is mitigated, however, by the hope that the season run of albacore, which usually be- gins the last part of June, will be good, and by the report that multiple export exchange rates are to be replaced by a single exchange rate. Fish purchases by the fish canners in the Vigo District during May totaled 211,600 pounds as compared to 35,200 pounds in April and 338,000 pounds inMay 1952. May 1951 purchases amounted to 367,800 pounds and May 1950 purchases were 634,300 pounds. me a, BA 2c b) FISH CANNING TRENDS, JUNE 1953: Fish canning activities in the Vigo area of Spain during June showed a substantial increase over the previous month. Plants in general only operated at an estimated 15 percent of capacity production in spite of the fact that the canners took advantage of all canning fish available. The fish canning industry which is stocked with the largest supplies in same years of the principal raw materials: tin plate, oil, etc., finds itself still blocked because of the continued scarcity of sardines. In an effort to keep factories operating, sardines from the Mediterranean coast were brought overland by truck to Galicia for canning during the period, for the first time in the history of the canning industry. This experiment has not been successful, however, since due tothe slow transportation, excessive brine, and the lack of fat in the fish, the finished prod- uct has turned a dark color which, if sold abroad, would be prejudicial tothe pres- tige Spanish canned fishenjoys in foreign markets. It is believed, therefore, that the small quantity that hasbeen processed will haveto be disposed of at a loss in the domestic market. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 35 The fish canning association of Galicia, the most outstanding in Spain, is keeping in close contact with the authorities in Madrid regarding measures which would permit increased exports (if canning fish become available), which is the principal trade of the industry. Canning operational costs and fictitious export exchange rates have been long stand—- ing obstacles to the industry's export trade, as a result of which in the foreign markets its products are quoted at eight or nine U.S. dollars per case over prices quoted by the Portuguese industry, its principal competi- tor. In order to meet this problem the indus— try is and has been FROM SPECIAL SHAPED WIRE BASKETS, CUT TO CONVENIENT SIZE, AND working to obtain an e€x— PACK IN CANS. FISH ARE PLACED IN THE BASKETS DIRECTLY FROM port exchange rate of THE BRINE TANK. at least 40 pesetas to one dollar and a reduction in taxes over a period of at least three or four years. PRODUCTION LINE IN SPANISH SARDINE CANNERY. WOMEN TAKE FISH Purchases by the fish canners during June 1953 totaled 7,712,000 pounds as com— pared to 2,116,000 pounds in May 1953, 16,079,000 pounds in June 1952, 20,152,000 pounds in June 1951, and 10,350,000 pounds in June 1950. vB: United Kingdom MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION RECOGNIZED AS MAJOR PROBLEMS IN SECOND REPORT OF BRITISH WHITH FISH AUTHORITY: Marketing and distribution are recognized as major problems for the British fishing industry by the White Fish Authority in its second annual report (to March 31, 1953). ‘The report discusses landings, the publicity cam- paign to increase consumption, rebuilding of the fishing fleet, regulation of im- ports, freezing-fish-at-sea research, marketing and distribution, the position of wholesalers, and costs and earnings. The British fishing industry will shortly be consulted on a scheme to insure more stable prices for inshore fishermen. This will be introduced only where the prevailing opinion of. fishermen is in favor of it, reports a July 29 U.S. tmbassy dispatch from London. : The main points of the report are: The year 1952/53 was difficult for all sections of the industry. The opera— tions of the distant-water fleet were further restricted by the Icelandic Govern— ment's decision to close fishing grounds which had for many years been open to ves— sels of all nations. This led to a protracted dispute between the British and Ice- 36 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 landic Governments which has not yet been settled, and also to the ban on the land— ing of Icelandic fish in Britain which has been imposed by the industry at the main fishing ports. Supplies were little affected by the ban and total landings, because of the good weather and the good broods of cod, were little different from the pre- vious year. Catch: Total landings in the United Kingdom in 1952/53 were about 886,000 met-— ric tons, 5 percent less than in the previous year. The white fish landed by Brit— ish vessels was slightly up by about 8,000 tons, but the value of the total catch declined by almost 12,000,000 (US$5,600,000). The only section to show an increase in both weight and value was the inshore fishery. Imports of foreign—caught fish declined from 16 percent of the total landings in 1951/52 to 11 percent in 1952/53. The number of distant-water vessels slightly increased, but there was a marked decline of about 7 percent in the number of near— and middle-water vessels. The Authority has no information on the costs and earnings of the distant-water section, a gap which it proposes to fill by carrying out a cost investigation after consultation with the owners. The loss incurred by the near— and middle-water vessels as a whole rose steep-— ly during the year. In part, this may be attributed to the overfishing of the wa- ters where these boats fish. The Authority welcomes the decision of all the coun tries concerned to enforce in full the 1946 Convention from April 1954, but hopes that this step will be followed by other conservation measures. Publicity Campaign: The serious decline in values has reflected a marked fall in the demand for fish by the consumer. To increase consumption, the Authority decided to launch a publicity campaign, and, for the financial -year 1953/54, appropriated 80,000 (US$22/,,000), which will be spent largely on press advertising and displays in the retailers' and fishfriers! shops. The campaign began in the spring of 1953. A simultaneous campaign is being run by the British Trawlers' Federation for fillets, but care has been taken to a— void overlapping of effort. Hebuilding the Fleet: The Authority announced during the year its arrangements for making loans for the construction of new fishing vessels for the near, middle, and inshore waters, and for building or improving processing plants. It expected little response in regard to fishing vessels, as it had concluded that loans would be insufficient to promote rebuilding. This view was put to and accepted by the Gov— ernment . : A Bill was introduced in December 1952, which has been recently enacted as the white Fish and Herring Industries Act, 1953. This provides for the making of grants by the Authority for the construction of new boats of not more than 140 feet in length and, in certain cases, for new motors. The scheme has still to be approved by Par— liament, but the Authority has campleted administrative arrangements for dealing with applications. A prospective boat owner will still be eligible to receive a loan as well as a grant, and, as at the outset he will normally have to find from his own resources only 15 percent of the total cost of the vessel, the Authority trusts that these ar-— rangements will lead to a great step forward in the rebuilding of the fleet. Regulation of Imports: The Authority, while recognizing that imports are essen- tial at certain times of the year for the proper supplying of the market, considers that regulation is desirable, September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW By) It would be unsatisfactory, after the present dispute over fishery limits is settled, to return to the unreguleted and sudden gluts which cause loss both tothe British catcher and the foreigner. In February 1953, it recommended to the Government that a scheme for regulat— ing imports should be drawn up and operated. As such a scheme would, in order to comply with the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade, require an equivalent statu- tory restriction on British landings, it discussed the matter during the year with the Humber distant-water owners; no conclusions have yet been reached. Freezing Fish-at-Sea Research: Cooperation between the Authority and the De- partment of ‘Scientific and Industrial Research into fish problems has continued. Among the problems being studied is the refrigeration of fish at sea, Preliminary work has been carried out at Torry. Recently it has been agreed in principle that a distant-water trawler should be fitted out experimentally in order to determine whether it is practicable and economic to freeze at sea the early part of. the catch, and that the cost of this experiment should be shared equally between the Treasury, the Authority, and the distant-water owners. "The importance of this experiment cannot be overestimated. If it proves suc-— cessful and capable of extension, there will be a vast improvement in the quality of a great part of the distant-water landings." The Authority has also set up a Technical Committee, which includes scientists, vessel owners, builders, skippers, and engineers, to review research on the preser- vation of fish at sea, and proposes to set up other committees of this kind to deal with practical aspects of research problems. Marketing and Distribution: The Authority states that it will shortly consult the industry on a scheme designed to insure more stable prices to inshore fishermen and to spread their earnings more evenly over the year; it will be introduced at ports where the prevailing opinion of the fishermen is in favor of it. The Authority is also considering a scheme to improve the return of fish boxes, of which the box pools at the ports suffer serious losses. The Authority's Frozen Fish Scheme, which was published in the Autumn of 1952, has been postponed in order to allow for further consultation with the quick freez— ers, who objected not to the principle, but to the terms of the proposals put for-— ward. It would have been impracticable for any freezing scheme to have been intro- duced in the present summer. The Authority has appointed five inspectors of freez— ing, who are undergoing a year's training before taking up their duties. The Authority has decided to erect and operate a fish-meal factory in the South West of England; negotiations for a site at Plymouth are taking place. As a preliminary step towards the introduction of statutory regulations, the Authority has prepared two Codes of Practice; the first, "Handling of Fish on Shore," covering the wholesale stages of distribution; the second, "Freezing of Fish." Scotland and Northern Ireland: The Authority, in August 1952, appointed the Com— mittee for Scotland and Northern Ireland as its instrument for carrying out its statutory duties in those countries. The Committee hasbeen active inthe past year in encouraging the formation of mutual trading organizations at inshore ports, and in one or two cases is considering the granting of financial assistance to such bodies. 38 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 The Committee has also discussed with the interests concerned at Aberdeen the implementation of the recommendations of the McColl Committee for the rationaliza— tion of the Aberdeen fishing fleet and for setting up a marketing organization at that port. No conclusions have yet been reached. Costs and Earnings: The report includes the general results of the Authority's investigation during the year into costs and earnings of certain sections of theine dustry. One of the investigations made was into the inshore fishing industry. In the year ended July 31, 1952, the owners of the 110 vessels in the sample made a total net profit (after taking account of the subsidy) of 127,491 (US$77,000); with— out subsidy the profit would have been only 64,474 (US$12,500). The average earn— ing of the crews of these boats was b445 (US$1,246) with subsidy, and £385 (US#1,078) without it. The two other sections examined were the coastal and inland wholesalers. The 60 coastal merchants in the sample earned in the calendar year 1951 a total net pro- fit of 689,896 (US$251,700) or 1.2 percent of their gross sales. This compares with a loss of b1,184 (US$3,300) or 0.024 percent of gross sales in 1950. The 54 inland wholesalers examined had a net profit of 686,876 (US#243,300) or 0.79 percent of gross sales in the twelve months ended June 30, 1952; this compared with £58,722 (US$164,400) or 0.9 percent of gross sales in the preceding year. Investigations into other sections are taking place, but the Authority states that, as an insufficient number of firms are volunteering to lay open their books and records for the purpose, it intends to enforce in the near future the statutory powers granted by the 1951 Act. Position of Wholesalers: Statistical information is given about the number, facilities, and activities of coastal and inland wholesalers, collected as a result of the registration of these traders which the Authority carried out in 1952. There are 2,300 registered premises where a coastal wholesale business is carried on, and 1,053 where an inland wholesale business is carried on; these figures take no account of a large number of premises where the wholesale activities are less than 10 per- cent of the total business. Appendices to the Report contain an analysis of the num— bers and facilities by ports and markets. Moe st xs WwW Oe HERRING PROCESSED TO RESEMBLE SALMON: Processing herring to resemble saimon May 1953 Fish Industry, a British trade magazine, Research has been progressing in this direction for same time. It is indicated that only experts can tell the origin of the new pack, and then only by texture. In-— itvial tests have proved that the new herring-converted-to-—salmon pack will have a good demand and plans are being made for an expansion of production to exploit the process. It is claimed that the process eliminates the defects which limit the sale of canned herring, without eliminating any of the nutritional value of the fish. BRITISH-RUSSIAN FISHERY PRODUCTS TRADE AGREEMENT: The British and Russian Gov— ernments have concluded a trade agreement involving fishery products, the Secretary of State for Scotland announced in the British House of Commons on June 30 in answer to an oral question. Terms similar to those of 1952 were arranged: cured herring to the value of £973,000 (US$2,724,000) would be shipped to Russia, together with enough tin plate to pack the canned crab meat and salmon which the British Ministry of Food September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 39 will receive from Russia in a counterpart agreement of equivalent value. It is estimated that the value of the tin plate would be £117,000 (US$327,600), reports a July 7 U. S. Embassy dispatch from London, The canned crab meat that Russia will ship is estimated at 50,000 cases or about 1,070 metric tons. The quantity of salm— on will depend upon the sizes and types to be supplied. The Herring Industry Board has released the figure of cured herring to be sup-— plied to the world markets in 1953 as about 280,000 barrels of this year's produc-— tion, as against the total of 177,000 barrels for 1952. The proportion of this total which will go to Russia by the 1953 agreement has not been divulged, but it is estimated that not less than 180,000 barrels will be involved. There is still a shortfall of 38,000 barrels on the 1952 agreement to be made up. This was caused by the poor autumn season in East Anglia and the acute shortage of labor in the North-East Scottish ports during the bumper summer season. As these same Scottish ports were again enjoying fine summer fishing, they have already begun curing in order to take care of the previous year's shortfall as well as the new contract. For this purpose the labor force at these ports has been increased and a number of herring-gutting machines have been hired from the Herring Industry Board to augment the manual laborers. Thereisno doubt that the contract with the U.S.S.R. is valued by the herring industry in the United Kingdom as the one substantial outlet forthe bulk of the herring catches. Comment on the agreement by Government Members in the British House of Commons indicated that "lively satisfaction" would be felt, not only in the herring fishing industry but in other circles as well, Opposition Members, however, professed to be disappointed that canned crab meat, which was priced out of reach of the ordi- nary people at 3s. 9d. (44 U. S. cents) for a 3-ounce can, should have been taken instead of timber or coarse grains, and intimated that the best bargain had not been struck with Russia. FISHING PRIVILEGES OFF NORTHERN COAST OF RUSSIA EXTENDED: The British Foreign Office announced that the Russian Govermment has agreed to the extension of the fish- ing agreement between the two countries for another year. This Pact, which has been in force since 1930, allows British trawlers to fisn up to within three miles of the Russian White Sea coast instead of the twelve-mile limit imposed on all other coun-— tries. In conformity with the terms of the Pact, Russia announced in January the intention toterminate the agreement on June 30, thus giving the requisite six months! notice. The agreement to extend the Pact was reached at the last moment but it is known that representations were made to Moscow some months ago, a July 7 U. S. bn- bassy dispatch from London points out. The immediate result of Russia's extension of the 1930 Pact will be torelieve the british fishing industry of the threat of further restriction imposed upon it by a foreign country. Russia's earlier move, if carried to its conciusion, would have deprived Brit— isn fishing interests of 3,000 square miles of fishing grounds with a loss of some 28,000,000 pounds of plaice and haddock each year. It is hoped that the delay will enable the two countries to discuss further arrangements that will Be mutually ben- eficial. NOTE: SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, APRIL 1953, P. 59. 40 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 TRAWLERS SOLD TO ITALIAN FIRM: Four more Granton trawlers have been sold to an Italian company because of the depressed situation of the Granton industry, re- ports the May 1953 Fish Industry, a British trade magazine. The owners have dis- posed of the four because of the continuing serious position and poor prospects of the Granton fleet. This further sale depletes the Granton (Scotland) fleet still more and emphasizes the difficulties which owners in this area are facing through rising costs and poor consumer demand. The sale of two of their trawlers to Ital- ian owners some weeks earlier aroused opposition from the port, but there were no concrete alternative propositions. Venezuela PEARL CROP, 1953: The Venezuelan pearl crop in 1953 has been announced by the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture as 978,391 karats, valued at bo-— livares 1,314,692 (US$392,400). Of this total, 316,096 karats, valued at bolivares 597,285 (US$178,300) are in the hands of dealers, The crop is reported as satisfac— tory. No data are available on the number of pearl fishers engaged, reports aJuly 7 U. Se Hmbassy dispatch from Caracas, The Managing Director of the Banco Agricola y Pecuaria stated that his insti- tution would not purchase this year's collection of pearls unless the Venezuelan Government requests it. The Managing Director announced that the current stock of pearls from past harvests now in the Bank's vaults is valued at bolivares 1,698,000 (US$507,000). There is almost no market for these since France and India, the prin- cipal prewar buyers, are no longer seeking pearls. Efforts have been made to dis-— pose of them in Hong Kong and other oriental centers, but without much success. The Bank feels that the amount of money frozen in these jewels is too high. A total of 250,000 karats of seed pearls were sold in Europe and 50,000 in the United States plus 30,000 baroques. Also, some pearls have been sold in other Ven— ezuelan cities. Ze HELICOPTER IS USEFUL AS WHALE-SPOTTER DO YOU KNOW THAT: When the whaling factoryship Norhval arrived at Cape Town recently there was high praise for the usefulness of the helicopter carried aboard. On one occasion a school of 200 whales was spotted by the pilot. ... World Fishing, June 1953 September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW ral A FEDERAL 4 If ACTIONS Department of State HEARINGS SCHEDULED ON JAPAN'S APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY ACCESSION TO GATT, ber 17 session of the Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to be held in Geneva, reports an August 27 release from the U. S. Department of State. The two proposals are (a) Japan's application for temporary accession to the General Agreement, and (b) extension of the date after which Article XXVIII of the Agreement may be invoked (to continue firm life of individual tariff con- cessions in the Agreement). In view of the fact that full-scale tariff negotiations are not possible at the present time, Japan has asked that it be permitted to accede to the General Agreement on a temporary basis. Under such temporary accession, the United States and other contracting parties would apply to Japan, for such time as may be agreed upon, the provisions of the Agreement (including the schedules containing the tariff concessions) in return for the application to them by Japan of such provis- ions and for commitments with respect to Japan's tariff. Under the proposal, the accession would not involve the modification of any United States tariff ratesnor the addition to the Agreement of any new articles imported into the United States. Article XXVIII now provides that the concessions on individual products, negotiated at Geneva in 1947, at Annecy in 1949, or at Torquay in 1950 or 1951, may be modified or withdrawn on or after January 1, 1954, following consultation and negotiation with other contracting parties, without the necessity of termin- ating the entire agreement. To the extent that agreement is reached to extendthe date, it would mean that concessions could not be modified or withdrawn by the procedure provided for in that article until such new later date. In 1951 the date was extended from January 1, 1951, to January 1, 1954. No extension of this date in Article XXVIII will affect the right of any contracting party to withdraw or modify individual concessions pursuant to Article XIX (commonly called "the es- cape clause") of the General Agreement. Interested persons were invited to express views with regard to any aspectof these two proposals. Such views were to be considered before a final decision was reached as to the United States position on these proposals. Written views were to be submitted to the Committee for Reciprocity Information by September 10, 1953. Public hearings opened on September 14 in the Tariff Commission Building, Washing- ton, D. C. KeHKE the State Department late in August abolished the position of Fishery Attache in the U. S. Embassy at Tokyo, Japan. Wm. C. Neville has held this position since it was first established early in 1952, and has provided the U. S. fisheries with in- formation on current developments in the Japanese fisheries. TOKYO FISHERY ATTACHE POST ABOLISHED: Due to a curtailment in appropriations, 42 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Woils 155 Woo 9) The State Department has advised that, in the future, current data on the Japanese fisheries will be reported by the economic staff inthe Embassy at Tokyo. *areo OF Eighty-Third Congress (1st Session) AUGUST 1953 Listed below are public bills and resolutions introduced andreferred to com- mittees or passed by the Eighty-Third Congress (First 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- ports, hearings, or chamber actions on some of the bills shown in this section from month to month. First session of the 83d Congress adjourned sine die after clearing various bills for the Presi- dent. BILL INTRODUCED: Tuna Import Duties: Introduced in House H. R. 6816 (Utt) - a bill to amend the Tariff Act of 1930, so as to impose certain duties upon the importation of tuna fish, and for other purposes; to the Commit- tee on Ways and Means, Same as H. R. 6512 (see Commercial Fisheries Review, August 1953, p. 48). Revises H. R. 6348. BILLS PASSED: Prevention of Collisions in Inland Waters: Sen- ate passed without amendment and cleared for Pres- ident, H. R. 2234, to amend the rules for the pre- vention of callisions on certain inland waters of the Ws Se Presidential Authority to Enter into Trade Agree- ments: Committee of Conference reported to the House H, R. 5495 - a bill to extend the authority of the President fo enter into trade agreements under section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (Rept. No. 1089). House adopted the conference report and sent the measure to the Senate. Results of the conference were: (1) the House receded in its disagreement to the Senate amendment provid- ing that the enactment of H. R. 5495 expresses neither approval nor disapproval of General Agree- ment on Tariffs and Trade; (2) the House receded, with a clerical change, in its disagreement to the Senate provision amending section 22 (b) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act which provides for emergency action by the President without awaiting the recommendations of the Tariff Commission; (3) the conferees agreed to keep the membership of the Tariff Commission at six; and also agree that in votes as to whether investigations or hearings shall be held resulting in a tie, such proceedings shall occur; (4) the House receded with an amend- ment in its disagreement to the Senate provision that a quorum of the Commission on Foreign Eco- nomic Policy shall consist of 9 members, of whom at least 5 shall be Members of Congress; (5) the House receded with an amendment in its disagree- ment with the Senate on the provision pertaining to the general statement of the scope of the commis- sion's study. The amendment provides that the Commission is directed to examine, study, and re- port on the subjects of international trade and its enlargement consistent with a sound domestic econ- omy, our foreign economic policy, and the trade aspects of our national security and total foreign policy; and to recommend appropriate policies, measures, and practices. Senate adopted conference report and cleared H. R. 5495 for the President. CHAMBER ACTION: Food and Drug Factory Inspection: House voted to disagree toa Senate amendment to H. R. 5740, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, so as to protect the public health and welfare by providing certain authority for factory inspec- tion and returned the bill to the Senate. BILLS SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT: Customs Simplification: H. R. 5877 - An act to amend certain administrative proviSions of the Tariff Act of 1930 and related laws, and for other purposes (P. L. 243). The act modernizes the ad- ministrative and procedural provisions of the cus- toms laws and does not change any classifications or rates of duty. Food and Drug Factory Inspection Authority: H. R. 5740 - An act to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, so as to protect the pub- lic health and welfare by providing certain author- ity for factory inspection, and for other purposes (P. L. 217). This Law authorizes (a).officers or employees duly designated by the Secretary, upon presenting appropriate credentials and a written notice to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, are authorized (1) to enter, at reasonable times, any factory, warehouse, or establishment in which food, drugs, devices, or cosmetics are manufac- tured, processed, packed, or held, for introduct:on into interstate commerce or are held after such introduction, or to enter any vehicle being used to transport or noid such food, drugs, devices, or cosmetics in interstate commerce; and (2) to in- spect at reasonable times and within reasonable September 1953 limits and in a reasonable manner, such factory, warehouse, establishment, or vehicle and all per- tinent equipment, finished and unfinished materials, containers, and labeling therein. A separate no- ~tice shall be given for each such inspection, but a notice shall not be required for each entry made during the period covered by the inspection. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness, (b) Upon completion of any such inspection and prior to leaving the premises, the officer shall give to the owner, operator, or agent incharge a report in writ- ing setting forth any conditions or practices observed by him which, inhis judgment, indicate that any food, drug, device, or cosmetic in such establishment (1) consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or (2) has been prepared, packed, or heldunder insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or wkere- by it may have beenrendered injurious to health. (c) If the officer has obtained any sample inthe course of the inspection, upon completion of the inspection and prior to leaving the premises he shall give to the owner, operator, or agent in charge a receipt describing the samples obtained. (d) Whenever in the course of any such inspec- tion the officer obtains a sample of any such food, and an analysis is made of such sample, a copy of the results of such analysis shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator, or agent in charge. Interior Appropriations: H. R. 4828, Interior (including Fish an ildlife Service) appropriations for fiscal year 1954, Signed July 31, 1953 €P. L. 172). (While the Branch of Commercial Fisheries of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service will still take a reduction of about $29, 000 from the budget estimate, it will be possible in the current fiscal year to conduct all of the regular activities of the Branch at approximately the levels originally planned. ) Northern Pacific Halibut Act Amendment: S. 2434, to amend the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1935. Makes changes in the original act to con- form to the Convention between the United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of thé Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, signed at Ottawa, March 2, 1953. (P. L. 228) Outer Continental Shelf: H. R. 5134 - An act to provide for the jurisdiction of the United States over the submerged lands of the outer Continental Shelf, and to authorize the Secretary of the Inter- ior to lease such lands for certain purposes. (P. L. 212). This law defines the policy of the United States as that the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf appertain to the United States and are subject to its jurisdiction, control, and power of disposition as provided in this Act. This Act shall be construed in such manner that the charac- ter as high seas of the waters above the outer Con- tinental Shelf and the right to navigation and fish- ing therein shall not be affected. The Constitution and laws and civil and political jurisdiction of the United States are hereby extended to the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf and to all artificial islands and fixed structures which may be erected thereon for the purpose of exploring COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 43 for, developing, removing, and transporting re- sources therefrom, to the same extent as if the outer Continental Shelf were an area of exclusive Federal jurisdiction located within a State: Pro- vided, however, That mineral leases on the outer Continental Shelf shall be maintained or issued only under the provisions of this Act. Prevention of Collisions in Inland Waters: H. R. 2234 = An act to amend the rules for the preven- — ton of collisions on certain inland waters of the United States and on the western rivers. (P.L. 232). re Trade Agreement Authority: H. R. 5495 - An act fo extend the authority of the President toenter into trade agreements under section 350 of the Tar- iff Act of 1930, as amended, and for other purposes (P. L. 215). This act extends for a further period of one year from June 12, 1953, the authority of the President to enter into foreign-trade agree- ments under section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930. Reduces from 1 year to 9 months the period within which the Tariff Commission must make.-its inves- tigation and report on applications for relief under the escape clause. Establishes a bipartisan com- mission to be known as the Commission on For- eign Economic Policy. The Commission is directed to examine, study, and report on the subjects of international trade and its enlargement consistent with a sound domes- tic economy, our foreign economic policy, and the trade aspects of our national security and total foreign policy; and to recommend appropriate policies, measures, and practices. CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS: Committee reports on bills reported in this sec- tion of interest to the fishery and allied industries available only from the committee submitting the report. Trade Agreements Extension Bill of 1953, House Report No. 1089 (August 1, 1953, 83d Con- gress, Ist Session), 6 p., printed, conference re- port to accompany H. R. 5495. The committee on conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendments of the Senate to the bill, recommended the following amendments of inter- est to the fishing industry: that the enactment of the bill shall not be construed to determine or in- dicate the approval or disapproval by the Congress of the executive agreement known as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; whenever, in any case calling for findings of the United States Tariff Commission in connection with any author- ity conferred upon the President by law to make changes in import restriction, a majority of the Commissioners are unable to agree upon findings or recommendations, the findings (and recommen- dations, if any) unanimously agreed upon by one- half of the number of Commissioners voting may be considered by the President as*the findings and recommendations of the Commission (this amend- ment also provides that if the Commissioners vot- ing are divided into two equal groups each of which is unanimously agreed upon findings, the findings of either group may be considered by the Presi- dent as the findings of the Commission); whenever, in any case in which the Commission is authorized to make an investigation upon its own motion, upon complaint, or upon application of any interested AA party, one-half of the number of Commissioners voting agree that the investigation should be made, such investigation shall thereupon be carried out in accordance with the statutory authority covering the matter in question, and whenever the Commis- Sion is authorized to hold hearings in the course of any investigation and one-half of the number of Commissioners voting agree that hearings should be held, such hearings shall thereupon be held in accordance with the statutory authority covering the matter in question; that a quorum of the Com- mission on Foreign Economic Policy (established by title II of the bill) shall consist of 4 members COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 appointed by the President of the United States, 3 members appointed from the Senate by the Vice President of the United States, and 3 members from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (any nine members of the Commission would constitute a quorum); the Commission would be directed to ex- amine, study, and report on the Subjects of inter- national trade and its enlargement consistent with a sound domestic economy, our foreign economic policy, and the trade aspects of our national secu- rity and total foreign policy; and to recommend ap- propriate policies, measures, and practices. OYSTERS THRIVE ON SCRAP IRON Old iron may scarcely seem a fisheries subject but in one casetheiron has produceda small fortune from the oysters which have grownonit, reports THREE-YEAR-OLD OYSTERS GROWING ON HORSESHOES, HUNG ON AN OLD BEDSTEAD END. the April 1953 Fisheries Newsletter, an Austral- ian Government publica- tion. A resident of Dun- wich, Moreton Bay, in southern Queensland, struck by the remarkable catch on the iron rails used to support the Dun- wichbaths, andthe catch on iron hulks about the Bay, set out a part ofhis oyster lease with iron cultch. He purchased anum- ber of old iron hospital beds, andthese, with horseshoes and old fish- plates, formed the origi- nal cultch onhis Dunwich leases. So successful were these that he has since useda number of iron materials, particularly conduit and old motorcar springs and motorbike scrap. More recently angle-iron sticks, costing about 1 3 U. S. cent each, have been added to the cultch. The iron canbe used forcrop aftercrop, and the oysters are easily re- moved from it as a result of the inevitable surface rusting. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 45 FISHERY INDICATORS | A Se Cae ee ae CHART | - FISHERY LANDINGS for SELECTED STATES In Millions of Pounds MASSACHUSETTS CUMULATIVE 30} 2 MAS. 1953 - 60| 2 1952 - 1952 - CUMULATIVE DATA 7 mgs. 1953 ane 1952 - 302.0 1952 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC FLORIDA Louis! anal/ CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA 7 -MQS. 1953 - 118.9 1952 - 168.1 1952 - 212.5 8 MQS. 1953 - 42.5 i 1952 - 38.9 12 1952 - 62.5 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC NEW JERSEY 140 CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA 9 7 MQS. 1953 = 215.1 120 i 1952 - 102.6 1952 - 220.6 7 -MQS. 1953 - 58.6 7, 1952 - 64.4 12 1952 - 127.1 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC CUMULATIVE 7 MQS. 1953 - Dh) kee 12 1952 - JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 2/ONLY PARTIAL--INCLUDES PRODUCTION OF MAJOR FISHERIES AND MARKET FISH LANDINGS AT PRINCIPAL PORTS. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 16 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Voi. 155 Nos 9 CHART 2 - LANDINGS for SELECTED FISHERIES In Millions of Pounds ‘ HADDOCK OCEAN PERCH (Maine and Massachusetts) (Maine and Massachusetts) CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA MQS. 1953 - 81.0 7 MQS. 1953 - 98.1 1952 - 91.4 > 7, 1952 - 106.4 = 141.2 12 1952 - 189.0 JAN FEB MAR_APR_ MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC WHITING Maine and Massachusetts CUMULAT|VE DATA i 7 MQS. 1953 - 34.8 7, 1952 - 45.2 12 1952 - 72.8 SHRIMP Gulf States!/including Florida West Coast CUMULATIVE DATA . 1953 - 82.5 1952 - oo) 1952 - 156.1 ONTAN-FEB_ MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEG T/LA. & ALA. DATA BASED ON LANDINGS AT PRINCIPAL PORTS AND ARE NOT COMPLETE. In Thousands of Tons PACIFIC AND JACK MACKEREL (California) CUMULATIVE DATA T T PA PILCHARD TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE FISH (Cali fornia) a . (Cali fornia) CUMULATIVE DATA MENHADEN ast and Gulf Coasts) CUMULATIVE 7 MQS. 1953 - 7 MQS. 1953 - 22.8 1952 - Lo 1952 - 22.1]7 12 1952 - 82.9 7 MQS. 1953 - 104.2 1952 - 88.4 1952 - 179.8 Legend ——1952/53 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 47 CHART 3 - COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS and FREEZINGS of FISHERY PRODUCTS * In Millions of Pounds U. S. & ALASKA HOLDINGS U. S. & ALASKA FREEZINGS CUMULATIVE DATA MQS. 1953 - 153.9 mn 1952 - 181.9 1952 - 313.2 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 MIDDLE & SOUTH ATLANTIC HOLDINGS2/ Vaascnay aratuylabaaxalscmettn taster (prom: lomana NEW ENGLAND HOLDINGS/ 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/MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE |SLAND, AND CONNECTICUT. 2/ALL EAST COAST STATES FROM N. Y. SOUTH. MIDDLE WEST HOLDINGSS/ GULF & SOUTH CENTRAL HOLDINGS4/ 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 B/OHIO, IND., ILL., MICH., WIS., MINN., IOWA, MO., N. DAK., NEBR., & KANS. B/ALA., MISS., LA., TEX., ARK., KY., & TENN. WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND ALASKA HOLDINGS CALIFORNIA HOLDINGS Ta nd ad Lt =e OVTAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC *Excludes salted, cured, and smoked products. 48 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 CHART 4 - RECEIPTS and COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS of FISHERY PRODUCTS at PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS In Millions of Pound RECEIPTS!/ AT WHOLESALE SALT-WATER MARKET ms 9/ (FRESH AND FROZEN) NEW YORK COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS CUMULATIVE DATA Simic 1953 - 116.2 2 is CITY 1952 - 118.9 1952 - 174.2 1/\NCLUDE TRUCK AND RAIL IMPORTS FROM CANADA AND DIRECT VESSEL LANDINGS AT NEW YORK CITY. RECEIPTS AT WHOLESALE MARKET COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS (FRESH AND FROZEN) CHICAGO CUMULATIVE DATA 8 Mgs. 1953 - l4].3 7° 1952 - 12 1952 - JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC SEATTLE BOSTON WHOLESALE MARKET RECEIPTS, LANDINGS, LD-STORAGE HOLDIN & IMPORTS (FRESH & FROZEN) ass a = CUMULATIVE DATA 8 mgs. 1953 - 56.1 8 1952 - 64.4 12 1952 - 97.5 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC FISH OIL (In Millions of Gallons) FISH MEAL (In Thousands of Tons) 7 mgs. 1953 - 7m li. S2 k= 12 1952 - 7 MQS. 1953 - 8. Tien O52 — 076 12 1952 - 15.8 a —— Z JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 19 CHART 6- CANNED PACKS of SELECTED FISHERY PRODUCTS In Thousands of Standard Cases TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE FISH - CALIFORNIA MACKEREL!/—- CALIFORNIA Legend: CUMULATIVE DATA —_ 1953 7-NQS. 1953 - 4,677.8 7 t 1952 - 3}885.1 Mee 12 1952 - 8,057.9 JAN-FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG, SEPT OCT NOV. DEC ANCHOVIES - CALIFORNIA SALMON - ALASKA CUMULATIVE DATA CUMULATIVE DATA 7 -MQS. 1953 - 1,131.1 8 gS. 1953 - 2,740.0) 7 4 1952 - (140.2 8 | 1952 - 3,348.4] 12 1952 - 867.5 1952 - 3,530.5] JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC O TAN FEB__MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC SARDINES (ESTIMATED) - MAINE CUMULATIVE DATA STANDARD CASES 6 MQS. 1953 - 514.9 6 |, 1952 - 1,036.6 12 1952 - 3,457.6 Can Designation Net Wat. &% drawn 3y OZ. = DEROZia No. % tuna 6&7 oz. PILCHARDS ........ No. | oval ISgoze SALMON |-pound tal| 16 oz. ANCHOV1ES z |b. 8 oz. UL JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC SARDINES - CALIFORNIA SHRIMP - GULF STATES . BS CUMULAT| VE DATA Legend Say) CUMULATIVE OATA 1952/53 SEASON, ide eg eg ——1951/52 Z _|1952/53 SEASON, AUG.-JAN. - AUG.-JULY - 879.8 1951/52 SEASON, ! 1951/52 SEASON, AUG. -JAN. AUG. ~- JULY - 787.5 JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY 50 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 15, No. 9 CHART 7- U.S. FISHERY PRODUCTS IMPORTS In Millions of Pounds GROUNDFISH (INCLUDING OCEAN PERCH) FILLETS, FRESH & FROZEN CUMULATIVE DATA 8 MQS.. 1953 - 60.6 i 1952 - 73.6 12 1952 - 107.3 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOVsDEC SHRIMP, FRESH & FROZEN, FROM MEXICO CUMULATIVE DATA 6 MgS. 1953 - 16.0 Ste i 1952 - 17.0 1952 - 33.8 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV. DEC TUNA, FRESH & FROZEN CUMULATIVE DATA! 6 mgs. 1953 - 42.7 1952 - 27.1 1952 - 69.0) FEB MAR _APR_ MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC CANNED TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE FISH (IN OIL) CUMULATIVE DATA 6 MQS. 1953 - 10.1 6 , 1952 - 10.8 n2 1952 - 18.1 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC FILLETS & STEAKS OTHER THAN GROUNDFISH, FRESH & FROZEN CUMULATIVE DATA 6| & Mas. 1958 - 23. 6 , 1952 - 1 4 12 1952 - 52.9 JAN FEB MAR _APR_MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC LOBSTER & SPINY LOBSTER, FRESH & FROZEN CUMULATIVE DATA) 6 MQS. 1953 - 24.6 1952 - 1952 - 39. 0) 0 6 WEES 1952 - 10. 1952 - 21. CANNED SARDINES N_OIL_AND_NOT_IN OIL JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW pill September 1953 Recent publications of interest to the commercial fishing industry are listed below. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS THESE PROCESSED PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FREE FROM THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WASHINGTON 25, D. C. TYPES OF PUBL! CAT 1 ONS ARE DESIGNATED AS FOLLOWS: CFS - CURRENT FISHERY STATISTICS OF THE UNITED STATES AND ALASKA. SSR.-FISH. - SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC REPORTS--FISHERIES (LIMITED DISTRIBUTION). SEP.-SEPARATES (REPRINTS) FROM COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW. Number Title CFS-894 - Chesapeake Fisheries, 1951 Annual Sum— mary, 4 pe CFS-896 - Mississippi Landings, May 1953, 2 p. CFS-€98 - Fish Meal and Oil, June 1953, 2 p. CFS-9Cl1 — Massachusetts Tanaines May 1953, 8 p. CFS-904 — Middle Atlantic Fisheries, 1951 Annual Summary, 7 Pe CFS-905 — New Jersey Landings, June 1953, 2 p. CFS-906 - Frozen Fish Report, August 1953 Final, 8 p. CFS-907 - Mississippi Landings, June 1953, 2 p. CFS-908 -— Maine Landings, June 1953, 4 pe Sep. No. 355 — Report on the Norwegian Frozen Fish Fillet Industry. ‘Sep. No. 356 - Trap Lift Net for Catching Tuna Bait Fishes. SSR-Fish. No. 104 - Survey of the Domestic TunaIn- dustry, by A. W. Anderson, W. H. Stolting, and Associates, 451 p., processed, 1953. Special- ists of the Fish and Wildlife Service teamed to- gether to produce this detailed report request- ed by six Pacific Coast Senators. The report pertains to the tuna industry's position in the domestic economy. Subjects covered include: history of the industry; consumption; world pro- duction; domestic production; processing; rela— tionship of the industry to the national inter- est; distrioution; Government assistance in the United States and competing countries; and rec-— cmmendations for action by both the tuna indus- try and the Federal Goverrment. Each part covers considerable detail, and it represents the re- sults of exhaustive analysis by experts in spe- cialized fields after having worked for months on the subject. For the principal subjects cov—- ered the report contains the following observa- tions: consumption—outlook bright; world pro— duction—landings can be maintained and increased; domestic production and processing—prospects of large relative cost reduction rather bleak; dis— tribution—no great prospects of cost savings. The report also contains several recommendations. Many tables and charts, interspersed throughout, provide a wealth of statistical detail on various subjects related to the tuna industry. The re- port does not purport to contain all economic in- formation for this industry. It refers to a con- temporary study completed by the U. S. Tariff Com— mission which also contains excellent detail, par- ticularly on volume of international trade inthe products of this industry, costs of production, etc. Both of these reports taken together will furnish readers with a broad insight into the eco- namics of the tuna industry. —W. H. Stolting 52 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEV Vol. 15, No. 9 MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS SERVICE, BUT USUALLY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE AGENCIES |SSUING THEM. CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING PUBLICATIONS THAT FOLLOW SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE RESPECTIVE AGENCIES OR PUBLISHERS MENTIONED. IF READILY AVAILABLE, ARE SHOWN. Bibliography of the Noises Made by Marine Organ— isms, by W. N. Kellogg, American Nuseum Novit- ates, No. 1611, 5 p., printed. American Museum of Natural History, New York, March 20, 1953. This is contribution no. 6 from the Florida State University Oceanographic Institute. The author has attempted to bring together the most important references to work which has been done on the production of sound by fishes and crus— taceans. Nearly all the work in this field has been carried out since the beginning of World War II when our Navy was particularly interest— ed in listening for enemy ships. Additional sources of underwater biological sounds are con- tinually being discovered, and the field encom— passes some of the most exciting developments in marine research in recent years, Fifty-three references are given. The goverrment reports listed are only those which have been declassi- fied. Commodity Standards for Fishery Products, prepared by Ernest Hess, FAO Fisheries StudyNo.2, 163p., printed, US$2. Food and Agriculture Organ- ization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, April 1953. (Sold by Columbia University Press, International Documents Service, New York 27, N. Y.) The report is a digest of standardiza- tion regulations, and grading and inspection systems in existence in the various countries of the United Nations. It should be of partic-— ular interest to the importer or exporter of fishery products. The book is divided into three main chapters as follows: I. Introduction: A. Previous FAO work; B. International Trade in Fisheries Products; C. International Standardi- zation Efforts. II. Present National Standards: A. Standards of Containers and Packaging; B. Standards of Weights; C. Standards of Quality; D. Standards of Description. III. Control of Production and Trade: A. Control of Production for Export; B. Export Control; C. Import Control. Included are 59 valuable tables covering infor- mation on such subjects as: capacity, size, and standards for containers and packages for fresh, frozen, cured, and canned fishery products; grade requirements and standards; standardization of fish meal and oils; requirements for cold stor-— age of fish; etc. --F. T. Piskur Conversions of the Standard, Fork, and Total Lengths of the Maine Herring, by Leslie W. Scattergood, Technical Bulletin No. 2, 16 p., illus., print- ed. Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Au- gusta, Maine, November 1952. This is the fifth report resulting from the Maine sardine or her— ring (Clupea harengus ) investigation carried on joirtly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Maine Sardine Packers! Association, and the Maine sar=— DATA ON PRICES, dine industry. This report discusses the various methods of measuring the length of a herring, and presents the conversion tables necessary to deter-— mine the canparative values of various length meas— urements. 33 p., processed. Foreign Agricuitural Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., June 1953. Western Europe is the large fat-—defi- cit area of the world, and provides the most im— portant foreign outlet for surplus fats and oils (including fish oils) fram the United States. This report summarizes the present market conditions in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Western Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kirgdom, and discusses the export prospects for 1953. Among the statistics included in this report are average and annual, figures on exports of fish oil, by area and European countries of des- tination. "Fisheries of the Indo-Pacific Region, 1951/52," ar— ticle, FAO Fisheries Bulletin, Jan.eb./March— April 1953, vol. 6, nos. 1-2, pp. 27-35, printed, single copy 30 cents. Food and Agriculture Organ— ization of the United Nations, Rame, Italy. (For sale by International Documents Service, Columbia University Press, New York 27, N.Y.) Describes the inland and marine fisheries resources of the Indo-Pacific region, fishing operations, harbor facilities, marketing, processing, trade in fish and fishery products, estimates of production, and government programs. There has been a quickening interest in the fisheries of the Indo—Pacific re- gion during the last few years. The fishermen have become extremely active in effecting a change in their methods and organization, and in consequence important developments have taken place in mecha— nization of fishing and in the formation of fish- ermen's associations. National and international programs have contributed substantially towards this development, which has included the provision of equipment, funds, and personnel for the indus— try and for goverrmental research, as well as var— ious projects in technical instruction. Home Freezing of Foods (How to Prepare, Store, Thaw, and Cook Frozen Foods), by Vera Greaves Mrak, Cir- cular 420, 39 p., illus., printed. The College of Agriculture, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. This circular is planned to help the home— maker decide whether or not it is practical to store frozen foods for home use, what methods of freezing storage are available, and what size home— freezing unit is essential. It also gives general instructions in hame-freezing techniques; and how to prepare, store, thaw, and cook various kinds of foods (including fish and shellfish). Directions for freezing precooked foods are also included. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 53 THESE PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, BUT USUALLY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE AGENCIES LSSUING THEM. (Internetional Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission) Annual deport 1952, 39 p., illus., printed. Ine ternational Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission, New Westminster, Canada, 1953. A report of the Commission, an international agency, appointed under a Convention between Canade and the United States for the protection, preservation, and ex- tension of the sockeye salmon fisheries in the Fraser River system. Discussed in this report are the various activities of the Commission during 1952, the regulations, the United States fishery, the Canadian fishery, Indian catch sta- tistics, escapement, the 1953 cycle, rehabilita- tion of barren areas, and gereral investigations. "Japan: Pearls to Order," by J. C. Britton, article, Foreign Trade, vol. 14, no. 343 (July 25, 1953), pp. 14-16, illus., printed, single copy 10 cents. Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, Canada. (Available from The Queen's Printer, Government Printing Bureau, Ottawa, Canada.) Describes Ja— pan's cultured pearl industry, particularly in the Toba Bay area which is responsible for 50 percent of the world's production. Producing cultured pearls requires continuous day and night supervision for from 2 to 7 years. Even withex-— pert culture, an estimated 20 percent of produc- tion will not be marketable, 30 percent will not be suitable for necklaces, and only 10 percent will be top quality. The statistics covering pearl exports show that the United States is by far the largest market for Japanese cultured pearls. However, there are a number of other important markets, including Canada, and the de- mand is growing in other countries as Japanese cultured pearls become more widely known. The article touches upon the origin and stabiliza— tion of the industry. The Maturity of the Maine Herring (CLUPEA HARENGUS) by Leslie W. Scattergood, Research Bulletin No. 7, 11 pe, illus., printed. Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Augusta, Maine, December 1952. This report is the sixth of a series con- cerning the Maine sardine or herring (Clupea harengus) . It presents further biological ob-— servations collected during a cooperative fish- ery investigation sponsored by the Maine Depart- ment of Sea and Shore Fisheries, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Sardine Packers Associa— tion, Inc., and the Maine sardine industry. The purpose of this report is to discuss the matu- rity of the herring with particular reference to the size of the fish. (MSA) Monthly Report of the Mutual Security Agency to the Public Advisory Board (Data as of April 30, 1953), 109 p., illus., processed. Division of Statistics and Reports, Mutual Security Agen- cy, Washington 25, D. ©. Included are charts and tables summarizing important activities un der the economic assistance and defense support programs of the Mutual Security Agency and its predecessor, the Economic Cooperation Adminis— tration, through April 30,1953. Charts and ap— pendix tables on the European program cover : MSA/ECA operations beginning with April 3, 1948. Charts and appendix tables on the Far East 'pro— gram cover MSA/ECA operations under the China Area Aid Act of 1950. A section of the report deals with European industrial projects. (New York) Forty-first Anmal Report of the Conserva— tion Department of the State of New York for the Year 1951, Legislative Document (1952) No. 78, 338 pe, illus., printed. New York State Conservation Department, Albany, N. Y. This report gives de- tails of the accomplishments of all branches of the Conservation Department during 1951, which includes, among others, the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife In- vestigations, Bureau of Fish Culture, Bureau of In- lend Fisheries, and Bureau of Marine Fisheries. The Bureau of Fish and Wildlife Investigations maintairs five fisheries districts which provide statewide coverage fram centers at Rochester, Poughkeepsie, Saranac Lake, Norwich, and Watertown. This decentralized coverage makes it possible to handle field studies of a large number of indivd- ual waters each year and to make information avail- able to interested persons or agencies in the in— terest of developing a progressively more effective management of the waters. Field investigations in— volve a survey of the New York City water supply; Adirondack trout restoration program; fish popula- tion control studies; landlocked salmon study; Mongaup Creek fish population study; trout tagging, WSYR project; Unadilla River marked brown trout ex— periment; Stillwater Pond study; Cranberry Lake brook trout study; Chatauqua Lake miskalonge in- vestigations; and North Sandy Pond pike study. The Bureau of Fish Culture describes the work being conducted at the various fish hatcheries. In order to operate the expanded hatchery facilities, it was necessary to make same changes in hatchery manage- ment practices during 1951. The most outstanding advancements were the central refrigeration and freezing plant at Rame, the small electric refrig- eration units that were installed in many of the hatcheries, an increase in egg production, early egg production, and the use of blended dry-food in- gredients in fish-food diets. The Bureau of In- land Fisheries describes the developments in the commercial fisheries of the Great Lakes and the Hudson River and the Hudson River shad study. The Bureau of Marine Fisheries describes the discovery of a large bed of surf clams in the Atlantic Ocean, the transplanting of hard clams, and the salt—wa- ter fisheries. Previous annual reports of the Con— servation Department for the years 1949 and 1950, numbered Legislative Document (1950) No. 76 and Legislative Document (1951) No. 48, respectively, have also been issued. Proceedings of National Food and’ Nutrition Institute, Agriculture Handbook No. 56, 163 pe, illus., proce essed, 65 cents. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., July 1953. (For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. Ce) A report of the proceedings of the National Food and Nutrition Institute which was held in Washing- ton, D. C., on December 8-10, 1952, for the pur- pose of reviewing nutrition progress and determin- ing ways of strengthening existing nutrition pro— grams. More than 400 representatives of govern— mental and nongovernmental agencies carrying re- sponsibilities for various phases of current food and nutrition programs attended. Papers present— ed at the general sessions covered the following subjects: (1) nutrition and health; (2) the nation— al food situation; (3) mtritional health in the United States; (4) nutrition as a/factor in dis— ease; (5) food laws and food protection; and (6) emergency food planning. Discussion-group reports are also presented. ah COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW \ Vol. 15, No. 9 THESE PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, BUT USUALLY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ISSUING THEM. Shellfish Survey Methods, by Robert L. Dow, Techni- cal Bulletin No. 1, 15 p., printed. Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Augusta, Maire, No— vember 1952. The three principal survey methods used as a basis for population estimates are dis— cussed: (1) compass and chain; (2) plane table; and (3). photo-enlarged shoreline survey. In 1952 experiments were begun in the use of verti- cal aerial photographs. The objective of these ‘ experiments is to establish a reliable and yet comparatively cheap method of campleting an in- tertidal hydrographic survey which would furnish a basis for population and productivity estimates as well as a record of hydrographic changes oc— curring from time to time. The accuracy of any survey method is governed by the skill of the manipulator. For one lacking experience and skill in the manipulation of the telescopic ali- dade, or even in the sketching table, the cam pass and chain method is more practical, partic— ularly if stakes or rods are used for control purposes in establishing base lines and in turn— ing angles. The selection of method to be used should be made only after a reconnaissance of the area to be surveyed has been made. The plane table, the sketching table, the compass and chain, and the photo-enlarged shoreline survey all have their limitations. Reconnaissance of the areato be surveyed will permit the selection of the meth: od which will give optimum results for that par—_ ticular area, Discusses the results of estimates where it has been possible to check them with actual production figures. The author points out that it appears from the estimates summarized on a sampling-fraction basis that, if the sam— pling fraction is approximately 1/12,000 or great— er, the error of estimate may be anticipated to be no greater than plus or minus 10 percent. It may further be anticipated that, if the sampling fraction is approximately 1/4,500 or greater, the error of estimate will be no greater than plus or minus 5 percent. "Some Aspects of Fisheries Development #conomics, by G. MN. Gerhardsen and C. Beever, Monthly Bul- letin of Agricultural Economics and Statistics, vol. Il, no. 5 (hay 1953) , pp. 1-7, printed, single copies 50 U. S. cents. Food and Agricul ture Organization of the United Nations, Rame Itely. The authors have set down on a relative— ly few pages an interesting article which covers in short, concise form important aspects of the whole range of fishery economics. This is done to stage the setting for their approach to sug- gestions for development of fisheries in under— developed areas. The authors aptly cram much of fisheries economics into a few pages and then make pertinent suggestions as guides or aids to setting up plans for technical assistance in un- derdeveloped fish-producing areas. The great risk involved in the vagaries of commercial fish production is noted. The tendency for develop- ment of large integrated firms to develop in order to lessen risks is observed for highly de— veloped areas. The authors express the opinion that in these areas, the number of small individ— ual operators is likely to decrease and larger organizations to expand their activities as a result of more comprehensive commercial policies and increasing interest of governments. The need for caution in going into the various types of HE AGENCIES fish production is appropriately emphasized for underdeveloped areas. It is also noted that there must be some hope that the native operators them— selves will respond energetically. These are things which shculd be carefully observed by any govern— mental planning agency. The article inspires thought and although some principals set down may be subject to considerable debate, it contains much valuable information. —W. H. Stolting AMERICANUS), 1. The Lobster Egg as a Sourne of Estrogenic Hormone, by J. Kenneth Donahue, Re- search Bulletin No. 8, 7 p., printed. Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Augusta, Maine, Decem— ber 1952. This report, the first of a series of experimental reports, seeks to cast furtner light on the control of moulting (ecdysis) in the Amer— ican lobster, Homarus americanus. The investiga- tions described in this report give evidence that one of possibly several moult-controlling factors may reside in the reproductive organs of the fe- male’ lobster. It would appear that the failure of the mature female lobster to moult while carry— ing eggs might in some way be related to an inhib-— itory action by the eggs themselves, an action es— sentially hormonal. The discovery and separation of a fraction from the lobster egg which, although not chemically identified, exhibits the character- istic behavior of estrogens of mammalian origin is the substance of this report. Includes a chart showing the fractionation procedure adopted for obtaining the best yield for both biological and | fluorimetric methods of assay. Studies on ea in the American Lobster (HOMARUS United States Imports and Exports of Herring and Sar- dines in Recent Years, by Leslie W. Scattergood, Research Bulletin No. 6, 51 pe, illus., printed. Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Augusta, Maine, October 1952. This is the fourth report published by the Maine herring investigation, which was conducted under a cooperative agreement with the Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Maine Sardine Packers Association, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Maine sardine industry. This report gives statistical data for 1924-50 on the United States import and export trade in her- ring and sardines. It also discusses some of the factors which have influenced the world-wide sar- dine and herring markets, such as the pre-World War II depression, the War itself, the. changes in consumers! seafood preferences, the develop:nents of new sardine fisheries, the closing of some Eastern European and Asiatic markets, the import restrictions enacted by certain countries, andthe increased importance of the United States as a mar— ket for foreign-produced sea foods. It covers im- ports of frozen sea herring, fresh sea herring, smoked or kippered herring, pickled or salted her— ring, canned herring and sardines (not in oil), and canned sardines in oil. It also covers ex- ports of salted, pickled, smoked, and dry—cured herring and sardines; canned herring; and canned sardines. "Weakfish Study on Long Island," by Alfred Perlmutter, article, The New York State Conservationist, June— July 1953, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 6-7, illus., print- ed. NewYork State Conservation Dept., Albany, N.Y. September 1953 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 55 WILDLIFE SERVICE, BUT USUALLY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE AGENCIES ISSUING THEM. For the past several years there has been a marked decline in the abundance of gray sea trout (weakfish )—-Cynoscion regalis—along the shores of Long Island. An intensive study has been started by the New York State Conservation 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 Commerce field offices at $1.00 per list: Department in the Peconic Bays and Great South Bay areas to find out, if possible, the reasons for the decline of the gray sea trout and, even more important, to develop management measures designed to bring about a recovery of the fish- ery. Three~quarters of the expense for this in- vestigation is borne by the U. S. Fish and Wild- life Service under the Dingell—Johnson Act which provides Federal aid in fish restoration. This article describes in detail a typical day's ac— tivities at one of a series of research stations located throughout the Peconic-Gardiner's Bay area and the Shinnecock-—Moriches—Great South Bay area. TRADE LISTS The Commercial Intelligence Branch, Office of International Trade, U. S. Department of Commerce, Canneries - Chile (May 1953), 3 parts. Part II lists the names and addresses of fish and shellfish canneries, pp. 5-9. Size of firm and types of products packed are in- dicated; also the estimated annual produc- tion for each firm. Part I and III list canneries for other food products. Canneries - Portugal (May 1953). Lists names and addresses of canneries. Size of firm and type of products packed are indicated. Fish canners are included. Commercial Fishing Companies and Fish Exporters - Philippines (May 1953). Lists names and ad- dresses of fishing vessel owners, and the number and type of vessel each operates. CONTENTS, CONTINUED PAGE FOREIGN (CONTD.): SPAIN: FISH CANNERS PREDICT POOR PACK oceescoee 34 FISH CANNING TRENDS, JUNE 1953 .eoecee 34 UNITED KINGDOM: MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION RECOGNI ZED AS MAJOR PROBLEMS IN SECOND REPORT OF BRITISH WHITE FISH AUTHORITY .wecccoee 35 HERRING PROCESSED TO RESEMBLE SALMON . 38 BRITISH-RUSSIAN FISHERY PRODUCTS TRADE AGREEMENT ia sletessteletelele/ereiclelelelerelelsicicleicleieleie SG FISHING PRIVILEGES OFF NORTHERN COAST ORMRUSSIFAWEXTIENDEDMtaysreterefelorcielelerereislereision OO TRAWLERS SOLD TO ITALIAN FIRM weseeeee 40 VENEZUELA: PEAR (CROPS ICSE hooqadonaddoopGodudeD |» 40) FEDERAL ACTIONS: weccreccccciereceserccccs 41 DEPARTMENT OF STATE: HEARINGS SCHEDULED ON JAPAN'S APPLI- CATION FOR TEMPORARY ACCESSION TO GATT, AND PROPOSED EXTENSION OF FIRM LIFE OF GATT TARIFF CONCESSIONS .eeoe 41 TOKYO FISHERY ATTACHE POST ABOLISHED . 41 FEDERAL ACTIONS (CONTD.): EIGHTY-THIRD CONGRESS (FIRST SESSION), AUGUST 1953 seveserccecccoreroreserese 42 FISHERY INDICATORS: .escccccecececcesvess 45 CHART 1 = LANDINGS FOR SELECTED STATES 45 CHART 2 - LANDINGS FOR SELECTED F|ISHER- IES fei cre) olsiele\'eol(e, sicleieleieisiejeleleieieieloielcieleieieieieve! 14.0 CHART 3 = COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS AND FREEZINGS OF FISHERY PRODUCTS .wcocorcee 4/7 CHART 4 - RECEIPTS AND COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS OF FISHERY PRODUCTS AT PRIN- CIPAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS wcccoeceeee 48 CHART 5S - FISH MEAL AND OIL PRODUCTION, UNITED STATES AND ALASKA wcocecercrore 48 CHART 6 = CANNED PACKS OF SELECTED FISHERY PRODUCTS .esccccccresecvessese 49 CHART 7 - U.S. FISHERY PRODUCTS IMPORTS 50 RECENT FISHERY PUBLICATIONS: wccccecesvcee 1 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS 51 MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS wecoeecerese 02 Editorial Assistant--Ruth V. Keefe ITilustrator--Gustaf T. Sundstrom Compositors--Jean Zalevsky, Betty Coakley, Alma Greene, & Kathlyn Brophy KH Photograph Credits: x * Page by page, the followinglist 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. Pages 5 & 6--Staff of Exploratory Fishing and Gear Development Section field office at Seattle, Washington. INT.—DUP. SEC., WASH., D.C. u9468 iN Imports and Exports of Fishery Products, 1948-1952, C. F. S. ae oe isa 7-page bulletin covering the United States foreign trade in fishery products and by- products for the years 1948 through 1952. Both imports and exports are listed by commodity. The quantity and valuefor eachcommodity are given. The report in- cludes a historical table listing the totalimports and exports of edible and nonedible fishery products for 1924 through 1952. \ Serer f| IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF FISHERY PRODUCTS, 1924 - 1952 ee United States foreign trade in fish- a aioe ery products and byproducts in 1952 j ‘ was valued at $262,375,598--6 percent vy more thanthe previous year. Imports valued at $240, 428,817 were 13 per- cent greater and exports valued at $21,946,781 were 39 percent less than in 1951. Imports amounted to 705, 118, 225 pounds of edible fishery products, valued at $183, 120, 813; andnonedible products were valued at $57, 308,004. Among the im- portant items received in much greater volume than in 1951 were fresh or frozen salmon, swordfish, tuna, and groundfish and other fillets. Exports totaled only 62,055,973 pounds of edible fishery products, valued at $15, 510, 784; nonedible products were valuedat $6,435,997. Exports of canned fish and shellfish decreased from 156.3 million pounds in 1951 to 55.2 million pounds in 1952, and the quantity of fish oilexported decreased 12 percentin the same period. Copies of C. F. S. No. 889 are available free upon request from the Division of Information, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington 25, D. C. a-82et “AR°N *edeuyy AZTSASATUN [Tseuso0g ‘11 sy ACUISa UOTFEAISEUCD Jo *4daq "ap *SqqTy °H yaeqoy SSANISNG TVIDIS40 ‘ ‘3 °G ‘S@ NOLONIHSVM ais af \ SASDIAYAS 3SI1G1IM GNV HSI4 | ae & YOIMSLNI FHL 40 LNAWLYVdad =| SALVLS GALINA