SH || — NNN on Ml == [lll DECEMBER 1957 Oo 8 == Wu = On 0U uu ¢O all Cf) a= 3 << Sie Lid — 9 U— = 82 ao Of Es Lid 11) TS N= 2x one > 5 YT) 2 oO — 2 a: ; SS Ls — GAD s % a5 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FRED A. SEATON, SECRETARY COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW A review of developments and news of the fishery industries prepared in the BRANCH OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES A.W. Anderson, Editor J.Pileggi, Associate Editor H.M.Bearse, Assistant Editor Mailed free to members of the fishery andallied industries. Address correspondence 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 reprinted 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, May 21, 1957. (5/31/60) CONTENTS Page Effects of Temperature Upon the Storage Life of Fresh Shucked Pacific Oysters (Ostrea gigas), by Harmon L, Liebman, . Georgerindanduitai Gs Chapel andi J OSepnsAupSte reared tel Nalelccishevalclcaellehedeve rst arsistaicuchalisielenereh ele clat aienckenemen.tenencn sata 1 A Review of the Soupfin Shark Fishery of the Pacific Coast, by Lorry M. Nakatsu ...........2 cee eeeeeneceteeae 5 Page Page RESEARCH IN SERVICE LABORATORIES:.......... 9 | TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS (Contd.): Research Developing Ways to Assure Boneless Fish North Pacific Exploratory Fishery Program: PROGUCLS Ramet tatatelay Wala lstenstensa- uel ante Rat austeewat sae 9 Exploratory Fishing Cruise to Alaskan Waters Com- Utilizing the Unique Properties of Fish Oils........ 9 pleted (M/V Tordenskjold Cruise 32)........... 29 Keeping Quality and Rate of Freezing of Cooked Lobster Pacific Oceanic Fishery Investigations: WIENS 6 a. Sect OCA DuOr OL O, MO Ceo. ced, 0, QCA Srey Gono 10 Skipjack Tuna Concourse Areas Survey Completed Technical Note No. 41 - Bacterial Studies of Frozen Raw (John R. Manning Cruise 37) ....0-+2 ec creees 31 Breaded Shrimp, by Jerome Kern ............. 11 Oregon: Studies on the Free Liquor, Salt, and Dry Solids Relation- Salmon Tagging Program at Bonneville Dam Completed 32 ships of Oysters Continued 14 Sockeye Salmon Enter Willamette River for First Time 32 TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS: &G0 6 15 Oysters: California: Set in Long Island Sound a Failure, Summer 1957 ... 33 Shrimp Industry Attains Catch Quotas in Certain Areas 15 Salmon: Inshore Areas Between Santa Cruz and San Diego Sur- Alaska's 1957 Pack of Canned Salmon ........... 34 veyed by Airplane for Pelagic Fish Schools (Cessna School Lunch Fish-Cookery Demonstrations ........ 34 1359D Flight 57-5 and Cessna 3632C Flight 57-6) . . 15 South Carolina: Cans--Shipments for Fishery Products, January-August Fisheries Biological Research Progress, July-Septem- LEE woloita manda oo OUMomOMOOMo ode mo Ado Oo 16 BOS 7 ei aire felie viel lelielssilvvite! etielhede.ohele! aiieisatisiie ialfalia (a 35 Chesapeake Bay: Task Force to Study Handling of Frozen Foods ...... 36 Virginia-Maryland Joint Fishery Investigation ..... 17 United States Fishing Fleet Additions ............ 36 Containers; United States Fishery Landings in 1957 Still Below 1956 36 Giant Rubber Tube For Shipping Liquid Developed . . 17 Umocseishpoticky Production tale icicie | i cltciin ie) eller eleiraire) elie q 38 Federal Aid Fund Apportioned to States .......... 18 U. S. Foreign Trade: Federal Purchases of Fishery Products: 19 Groundfish Fillet Imports, September 1957 ....... 36 Department of Defense Purchases, January-September Edible Fishery Products, August 1957........... 39 NERY EOS oo, Doc ono OC cube. A orO-© Cont OD, On raoro-o cho 19 Imports of Canned Tuna in Brine Under Quota Proviso 39 Overtime Inspection Barred on Canned Foods Procure- Use of Term "Brevis Red Tide" for 'Red Tide" ..... 39 MOVE OHOOnoN oun OMG oU oS OOK poor OooOd 20 Utilization of Fish Waste in Northern Oregon for Mink Films: Reed whys he Bruce santond) jena. hc aleratroreiarel ene cleheeie 40 New Film on Use and Preparation of Maine Sardines . 20 West Coast Albacore Fishermen Adapt Unique Method Fur-Seal Skins: for Relaying Information by Ship's Radio, by A. D. Prices Declineatihall AUCH ONmrlarsketetehaiel ses ttre fellas 21 BOKOUCHEE webevopatovalialiciatel susie eieneies eielelcisimroes ee cite 47 Great Lakes Fishery Investigations: WholesslesPrmces | Octobers 9 omar. 1a aretaleveiane el eirereie 48 Otter-Trawling and Gill-Netting Survey of Eastern Fishery Market News Service Observes Twentieth Birth- Lake Erie (M/V Cisco Cruise 8) ...........-. 22 GEVe a6 6 p oma bitinithG.d oo lO ceDIEn o OlOnongin Dane OG 49 Gulf Exploratory Fishery Program: ROREIGIN Mg talenemederNaielelea cl aketey clieveyeusunsastedicues is teat oa 52 Experimental Fishing for Red Snapper in Gulf of International: Mexico (M/V Silver Bay Cruise 4) ............ 22 Food and Agriculture Organization: Shrimp, Tuna, and Live-Bait Explorations Off Central Meeting Planned on Fishing Costs and Earnings .. . 52 America (M/V Oregon Cruise 46)..........+.- 23 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade: Marketing: Japan OL ENS PE LOLOCOMMyarciaetelie cierevetercbetelionetiarerciic 52 Edible Fishery Products Marketing Prospects, Through International North Pacific Fisheries Commission: Rinsti Quarters! 9 5atmeajaretenen-raieliaye hel el snnl iaiataelers 24 United States Section Meets in Seattle ......... 53 Maryland: International Whaling Commission; Effect of Dams on Lower Susquehanna Fish Populations United States Adheres to Convention........... 53 EONS US tUALeC ye vanranalall sa: steed SL. STALE, are that shucked oysters be classi- EDIBLE ¥ fied according to the levels de- scribed in table 1. A measure which often has been used as a rapid indication of spoilage of oysters is the acidity or, as itis alternatively known, the hydrogen ion concentration or pH. The acid inoysters arises from the breakdown of the muscle sugar, glycogen, into lactic acid. This breakdown can be caused by autolytic activity of the oyster it- self andby micro-organisms, as FIG. 2 - pH OF PACIFIC OYSTERS DURING STORAGE AT VARIOUS a result of their growth and me- UEWASH UES tabolism. Regardless of the causative agent, many investigators (Piskur 1947; Pottinger 1948; Anderson, Betzold, and Carr 1949; Bordaweker 1950; Gardner and Watts 1956) have found that there is anin- crease inthe amount of acid (indicated by the decline in pH value) associated with organo- leptic changes of flavor, odor, and appearance. While there are differences due to variety, season, and area, the relationships indicate generally that, when both liquor and meats have a pH of 6.0 or above, oysters are acceptable organoleptically. A pH range of 5.8 to 6.0 has been correlated with borderline acceptability, and pH's of 5.7 or lower have been associated with unacceptable quality. 5 10 TIME OF STORAGE (Days) This paper is concerned with the effects of good and poor refrigeration practice in relation to bacterial growth and spoilage during cooling and subsequent storage. "Total'' bacterial counts and pH measurements have been employed to determine the progress of spoilage of shucked oysters which were stored at various temperatures. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Samples of Pacific oysters (Ostrea gigas) were obtained from the Samish Bayarea of PugetSound. Prior to shucking, these oysters had been held for two days in the shell. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 3 Immediately after shucking, the oysters were packed into half-pint friction-lidded glass jars whichthen were packed inice. The shucking and packing operations were done in a commercial plant. The samples were delivered to the School of Fisheries, University of Washington, the same day as packed. At the School's processing laboratory, the jars were placed in storage in ice, at 349-389 F., at 399-459 F., and at 460-540 F. (The center temperature of the jars averaged, over a1l6-day storage period, 33° F., 36° F., 46° F, and 53° F., respectively.) Control samples were taken immediately upon receipt, and the initial pH and bacterial counts were determined. Over the next 16 days, samples were removed from storage at specific inter- vals, the pH of each sample was measured, and the bacterial counts were determined. The day following delivery of the samples, a portion of the jars from the group held in ice were removed from storage. These jars were warmed to a center tem- perature of 75° F. in 35 minutes, and then placed in cooling baths. One group was cooled in such a manner that the center temperature reached 50° F. at the end of 25 hours. A second group was cooled to a center temperature of 50° F. infour hours, and a third group was cooled to a center temperature of 50° F. in six hours. Atthe end of each of these intervals the pH and total bacterial count of each sample was determined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results of the experimental work for the cooling experiment are shown in table 2. Table 2 - Bacterial Counts gn Oysters and pH Changes in Samples Cooled from 75 F. to 50° F. Over Varying Time Intervals Total Plate Count Organisms /Gram 2,500 4 hours of cooling 4,500 i 6,000 pH G While the data are not conclusive, there is an indication that the longer the time required to cool the oysters, the higher the bacterial counts and the lower the pH. This can be interpreted to mean that the longer the time necessary to cool the product to the required 50° F. level, the poorer will be the condition of the product at the start of storage. From a public health point of view, these results are of importance. If micro- organisms present in oysters double in number every two to three hours during cooling from 75” F. to 50° F. and if any of these micro-organisms are of fecal ori- gin, then a delay in cooling or slow cooling may result in sufficient numbers of pathogenic organisms to cause the oysters to become dangerous to the consumer. The results of the 16-day storage study‘are presented in figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 presents the bacterial counts of the samples_stored at the various temperatures. It can be seen that the oysters stored at 53° F. would have been classed as ''rejectable'' using the United States Public Health Service standards at the end of 4 days of storage. At 46 F., the samples would have been classed as "rejectable' at the end of 8 days. Those stored at 36 F. would have been classi- fied as ''acceptable" after 12 days of storage and "'conditional'' from 13 days on. The samples stored on ice would have been classified as "acceptable" through 15 days of storage and as "conditional" on the sixteenth day. 4 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 From this illustration, it is evident that lower temperatures of storage--ap- proaching that of ice--are conducive to maintaining low level bacterial counts in fresh shucked oysters. Figure 2 illustrates the changes in pH of the samples stored at different tem- peratures. The organoleptic boundaries are those suggested by Bordawekar (1950), who demonstrated the existence of a very close correlation between pH andorgano- leptic scores. The figure shows that oysters held at 53 Fr. passed into the "putrid" range after but three days of storage. Oysters held at 46 F. came into this range after seven days, while those at 36~ F. and on ice were still edible at 16 days of storage. It can also be seen that the jars stored in ice were in the ''good" range approximately five days longer than those held at 36° F., which entered into the "slightly stale'' region after seven days. While slight discrepancies between the results of the bacterial determinations and the pH-organoleptic results are noted, the correlation is so close that there is no doubt that an intimate relationship between bacterial growth and glycogen decom- position was in existence. These slight discrepancies in the absolute storage times are not of major sig- nificance. If oysters of better or poorer initial quality, or oysters obtained froma different area or during a different season, or of a different variety had been used as the test animal, the absolute results would probably have differed from those reported above. However, the relation between quality, storage time, and temper- ature of storage would not change greatly, if at all. SUMMARY To summarize the results of the experiment: the samples held at 53° F. were unacceptable after 3 to 5 days; those held at 46° F. were unacceptable after 7 or 8 days; while those stored at 36 F. and on ice were still acceptable after 13 to16 days of storage. It is apparent that temperature is an important factor with respect to the rate of spoilage of fresh shucked oysters. Rapid cooling and lower temperatures (inthe neighborhood of 32° F.) will prolong the storage life, while slow cooling and higher storage temperatures will be conducive to rapid spoilage and a short shelf life. LITERATURE CITED ANDERSON, R. B.; BETZOLD, C. W.; AND CARR, W. J. GARDNER, E. A., AND WATTS, 6. M, 1949, pH DATA ON PACIFIC OYSTERS, COMMERCIAL FISHER- 1956. CORRELATION OF pH AND QUALITY OF SHUCKED SOUTH- JES REVIEW, VOL. 11, NO. 11 (NOVEMBER), P. 1. ERN OYSTERS. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW VOL, 18, NO. 11 (NOVEMBER), P. 6. ANONY MOUS 1954, RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR BACTERIA COUNTS OF PISKUR, FRANK A. SHUCKED OYSTERS. SHELLFISH BRANCH, MILK, FOOD 1947, PRELIMINARY STUDY OF CORRELATION OF pH AND QUAL~- AND SHELLFISH SANITATION PROGRAM, DIVISION OF ITY OF SHUCKED PACIFIC OYSTERS. COMMERCIAL SANITARY ENGINEERING SERVICES, U, S. PUBLIC FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL. 9, NO, 6 (Goaeie P, 22. HEALTH SERVICE (uuULy 1954), POTTINGER, S, R. 1956, PUBLIC HEALTH RFPORTS. SHELLFISH SANITATION 1948, SOME DATA ON pH AND FRESHNESS OF SHUCKED EASTERN WORKSHOP, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCA- OYSTERS. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL, 10, TION, AND WELFARE, VOL. 71, NO. 10, P. 1054, NO. 9 (SEPTEMBER), P. BORDAWEKAR, B. Re TANNER, Fe We 1950, A STUDY OF THE RELATJONSHIP OF pH TO THE QUALITY 1944, MICROBIOLOGY OF FOODS, GARRARD PRESS OF PACIFIC OYSTERS \OSTREA G1GAS) AS DETERMINED CHAMPAIGN, ILL., 2ND ED,, PP. 810-832. BY ORGANOLEPTIC TEST. M, S. THESIS, SCHOOL OF FISHERIES, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, UNPUBLISH- EO, December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 5 A REVIEW OF THE SOUPFIN SHARK FISHERY OF THE PACIFIC COAST By Lorry M. Nakatsu* The soupfin shark of the Pacific Coast was discovered in 1883 in California and described as Galeorhinus zyopterus by Jordan and Gilbert. Clemens and Wilbyre- fer to this species as Galeorhinus galeus (Linnaeus) 1758 but general preference appears to be given to the name Galeorhinus zyopterus. The soupfin belongs to the Carcharinidae family. Other names used in refer- ence to this family are Carchariidae, Galeorhinidae, Galeidae, Triakidae, and Eulamidae. The gelatinous rays of this species are highly prized by the Chinese who use them for making soup, hence the common name. DISTRIBUTION AND BIOLOGY The soupfin shark is found along the Pacific Coast and its range extends from Southern California to Northern British Columbia. Catch statistics appear to indi- cate that this species does not : range far out to sea. The fish- ery is generally confined to wa- ters within 100 miles from shore and usually in waters a- round 25 fathoms. 2coyet Soupfin Shark’: “"(Galeorhinus z zyopterus) Very little is known regarding its movements along the coast. However, a fe- male shark tagged six miles south of Ventura, Calif., in July 1943 was recovered at Nootka Sound, west coast of Vancouver Island, in September 1945, and this seems to indicate a coastwise movement. The discovery that the liver of this species had a high vitamin A content, a re-~ duction of vitamin A imports due to World War II, and an encouraging high price led to an intensive fishery. This led to numerous studies concerning biology, abun- dance, and vitamin yield. The soupfin shark belongs in the Elasmobranch group of fishes, having skele- tons which are wholly cartilaginous. The species is ovoviviparious. The eggs grow to the size of a golf ball, 4 to 6 centimeters (approximately 15 to 23 inches) indiam- eter, and are fertilized internally and hatched within the body of the parent. Ripley's study in Southern California indicated that fertilization of the eggs takes place dur- ing the spring in this area, with a gestation period of one year. By spring of the fol- lowing year the pups average 28 to 37 centimeters (approximately 11 to 143 inches) and suggest an average length of 35 centimeters (nearly 14 inches) at birth. Observations on embryo count from samples taken in the Santa Catalina area revealed a range of 16 to 54 fertilized eggs, with an average of 35 for female soup- fins around 175 centimeters (approximately 53 feet) in length. The number seems to increase progressively with the size of fish, smaller females having less eggs and larger females more eggs. The soupfin is reported to reach a length of six feet and weighs from 25 to 40 pounds. The species is carnivorous and its food depends upon the availability of oth- er fishes. Stomach analyses have shown that in the California area sardines, mid- shipman (Porichthys), rockfish, squid, flatfish, herring, mackerel, sculpin, smelt, ratfish, and many other forms make up its diet. Rockfish, midshipman, flatfish, etc., FISHERY RESEARCH BIOLOGIST, PACIFIC SALMON INVESTIGATIONS, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES, U. Se FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, SEATTLE, WASH. 6 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 are bottom-living forms, whereas squid, sardines, etc., are pelagic forms. This diversity indicates that the soupfin will pursue food where available. The species appear to be seasonal, being common at some times and not at oth- ers. Also, sex differences are noticeable in the commercial catch. Studies have shown that the catches of Northern California have been predominantly male. In Central California and in the Santa Barbara region males and females seem tooccur in about equal numbers, but in the Santa Barbara region females predominate in the catches in waters less than 30 fathoms. In the San Pedro area, investigations re- vealed an overwhelming preponderance of females (97.8 percent), but the catches did not include any from deep water. Young soupfin are abundant in the Southern California waters and adult females have been taken in the greatest quantity in this area. The average size of females in Southern California was larger and the percentage of mature females greater than for the rest of the State, seemingly indicating the existence of a nursery area. In Oregon and Washington males have predominated in the commercial catches. Floater nets which make fishing possible in deeper waters have contributed the ma- jor source of shark livers since 1945. Female soupfins made up 1 percent of the landings in February 1943. Off the coast of British Columbia, large numbers have been caught in Hecate Strait and off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The percentages of females varied from about 50 percent in November and December 1942 to about 1 percentin February 1943. COMMERCIAL LANDINGS Encouraged by high prices, fishing effort for soupfin sharks and dogfish in- creased greatly during the war. Despite this increased effort, the soupfin catches fell off drastically throughout its range, showing a decline in abundance. In California, the landings of soupfin in 1941 and a few years thereafter com- posed at least half of the total shark landings. For the period 1938 to 1941 in which the greatest catches of sharks were made (species breakdown is not available), the soupfin shark is believed to have made up the bulk of the shark landings. In 1954, 770,337 pounds of shark livers with a value of $70,210 were landed, but this figure includes sharks in general. The landing of soupfin shark livers in Oregon reached a peak in 1943 of 270,000 pounds, then rapidly declined to a low of 50,000 pounds in 1948. The landings dropped further and in 1950 were reported to be 6,470 pounds, 134 pounds in 1951, 46,590 pounds in 1952, and 4,750 pounds in 1953. The landings for this four-year period are not identified by species. In June of 1950 no Oregon boats were known to be fishing for soupfin sharks. The landings that were made seem to have con- sisted of sharks caught incidentally with other fishes. The State of Washington also showed a sudden rise in soupfin shark liver land- ings, with a high of 415,300 pounds reported in 1943. The total landings for the four- year period 1942-1945 amounted to 1,196,546 pounds. Landings dropped precipitous - ly in 1946 to 71,258 pounds, held fairly steady until 1949, then dropped to 1,724 pounds in 1952. In 1955, 1,229 pounds of soupfin shark livers were landed. Similar to a trend experienced by the Pacific Coast States, British Columbia landings of soupfin shark increased tremendously during the war years. Catches dwindled sharply thereafter, although the price per pound of liver remained highfor some time. The annual statistical bulletin of the Canadian Department of Fisheries reports dogfish liver landings amounted to 449 pounds in 1956, but soupfin livers are not mentioned. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 7 The vitamin A potency of shark livers fluctuates greatly with respect to the size and sex of the fish, and the locality and time caught. Thus, the price paid for livers fluctuates greatly. The price per pound of liver remained high during the bonanza war years and for several years thereafter. However, a rise in liver imports coupled with the introduction of synthetic vita- mins comparable to those obtained from natural sources contributed to the drop in fish-liver prices, resulting in a decline of the fishery. Commercial fishermen have turned their efforts to harvesting other more profitable species of fish and the catch of sharks appears to be incidental. SHARK FISHERY IN OTHER AREAS Walford (1945) reports landings of Eulamia sharks related to the soupfin at San Marcos Island, Lower California. Of 36 whole specimens examined 75 percent were Eulamia lamiella; of shark carcasses on the beach 90 percent were E. lamiella, the remainder mostly hammerheads (Sphyrna diplana). The most important sharks caught in this area seem to consist of these two species which, fortunately, are two of the richest in vitamin A content. Warfel and Clague (1950) studied the shark fishing potentialities in the Philip- pine Islands. They sampled 16 different species of shark but most were found to have very low vitamin A content. Springer (1951) reports that a small shark fishery existed in the Gulf of Mexico but it has been abandoned following the decline in prices of vitamin A in 1949 and 1950. The Anglo-American Caribbean Commission (1945) reports the existence of eight species of Eulamia which is related to the soupfin of the Pacific Coast, and these sharks are reported to have livers with high vitamin A potential. UTILIZATION The drop in fish-liver prices has discouraged commercial shark ventures, but it might be pointed out that sharks have been utilized commercially for other pur- poses. Shark hides and teeth (as a novelty item) have been in demand to some ex- tent. There appears to be a ready market for shark fins to resident Chinese for making soup, but local markets should be investigated thoroughly first. Inaddition, sharks can be utilized for human food, fish meal, and fertilizer. The report of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission discusses shark utilization, prices, and lists companies in the United States and in England dealing in shark hides. REFERENCES KANDERSON, LYLE SQUALUS SUCKLEYI, LANDED IN THE STATE OF 1946, SOME TECHNICAL NOTES ON THE HANDLING OF ALAS- WASHINGTON. WASH. STATE. FISH, BIOLOGICAL RE- KAN SLEEPER SHARKS. U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE PORT 49 A, PP. 83-114, SERVICE, FISHERY MARKET NEWS, VOL. 5, NO. 11, BUCHER, GLENN C.; CLEGG, WM.; AND SANFORD, BRUCE F. ANGLO-AMERICAN CARIBBEAN COMMISS1|ON 1948. DISTRIBUTION OF OIL AND VITAMIN A IN FISH LIV- 1945, GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL SHARK FISHING IN THE CAR- ERS. U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FISH- IBBEAN SREA. U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERV- ERY LEAFLET 290, 4 PP. ICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 135, 149 PP, **BUTLER, CHARLES BARRACLOUGH, W. Es 1948, FISH LIVER OIL INDUSTRY. U. S. FISH AND WILD- 1948, THE DECLINE OF THE SOUPFIN SHARK FISHERY IN LIFE SERVICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 233, 104 PP. BRITISH COLUMBIA. FISH. RES. BD. OF CANADA, PROGRESS REPORT OF THE PACIFIC COAST STATIONS, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME NO. 77, PP. 91-94, 1956. THE MARINE FISH CATCH OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE YEARS 1953 AND 1954, CALIF. DEPT. FISH AND >*BONHAM, KELSHAW GAME, FISH BULLETIN 102, 99 PP, 1954, FOOD OF THE DOGFISH, SQUALUS ACANTHIAS. WASH. STATE FISH. RESEARCH PAPERS, VOL. 1, NO. 2, CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES PP. 25-36. 1956. BRITISH COLUMBIA CATCH STATISTICS, 1956. DE- PARTMENT OF FISHERIES OF CANADA, PACIFIC AREA. ; SANFORD, F. B.; AND BUCHER, G. C. 1949, BIOLOGICAL AND VITAMIN A STUDIES OF DOGFISH, *% REFERENCES NOT EXAMINED, BUT OF INTEREST. 8 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 REFERENCES (CONTINUED) * CARLSON, CARL 8, 1942, SUBSURFACE GILLNET FISHING FOR SOUPFIN SHARKS, PACIFIC FISHERMAN, SEATTLE, WASH., FEBRUARY 942, CLEMENS, W. As AND WILBY, G. V. 1949, FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST OF CANADA. FISH. RES. BD. OF CANADA, BULLETIN NO. 68, P. 57. DANIEL, J. FRANK 1934, THE ELASMOBRANCH FISHES, UNIVERSITY OF CALI - FORNIA PRESS, BERKELEY, CALIF 332 PP. or, FOERSTER, R. E. 1945, CALIFORNIA SOUPFIN SHARK CAPTURED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. FISH. RES. BD, OF CANADA, PROGRESS REPORT OF THE PACIFIC COAST STATIONS, NO. 64, ** HAMM, WM. Sy 1950. LIVER OIL PROPERTIES OF PHILIPPINE SHARKS AND RAYS. U,. S. FISH AND WILOLIFE SERVICE, RE- SEARCH REPORT 23, 5 PP. HIGGINS, ELMER 1945, SQME METHODS OF FISHING SHARKS (EXTRACTED FROM PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE SHARK INVESTIGA- TIONS AT BIG PINE, FLA, ). U. Se FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 158, 2 PP. HILDEBRAND, SAMUEL F. 1947. SHARKS AND SKATES OR RAYS. Us Se FISH AND WILOLIFE SERVICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 123, HOLLAND, GILBERT A. 1957. MIGRATION AND GROWTH OF THE DOGFISH, SQUALUS ACANTHIAS (LINNAEUS), OF THE EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC. WASH, STATE FISHERIES RESEARCH PAPERS, VOL. 2, NO. 1, PP. 43-59. MARTINEZ, JOSEPH L. 1947, PART 1. THE CUBAN SHARK FISHERY. PART 2, CUBAN GOVERNMENT FOSTERS FISHING CO- COOPERATIVES. U, S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERV- ICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 250, 27 PP. MIYAUCHI, DAVID AND SANFORD, F. BRUCE 1945, VITAMIN A ANALYSES OF TWO SHARK LIVERS, FISH AND WILOLIFE SERVICE, NEWS, VOL. 7, NO. 11, P. 5, U. Ss. FISHERY MARKET * PACIFIC FISHERMAN 1943, SOUPFIN SHARK BOTTOM NETS, 1942-43 MODEL, PACIFIC FISHERMAN SEATTLE, WASH., VOL. 41, NO. T, PP. 18-27. 1943, DRIFT NETS FOR SOUPFIN SHARKS. PACIFIC FISH- ERMAN, SEATTLE, WASH,, VOL, 41, NO. 4, PP. 27-25. * PUGSLEY, Le. |. 1940, FACTORS INFLUENCING THE VITAMIN A AND D PO- TENCY OF GRAYFISH LIVER OIL, SQUALUS SUCKLEY! (GIRARD), JOURNAL OF FISH, RES. BD. OF CAN- ADA, VOL. 4, PP. 312-322, KREFERENCES NOT EXAMINED, BUT OF INTEREST. RIPLEY, WM, ELLIS 1946, THE SOUPFIN SHARK AND THE FISHERY. IN: THE BIOLOGY OF THE SOUPFIN, GALEORHINUS ZYOPTERUS , AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE LIVER. CAL- IFORNIA DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME, FISH BUL LETIN NO, 64, PP. 7-37. ROEDEL, PHIL M, 1953, COMMON OCEAN FISHES OF THE CALIFORNIA COAST. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT FISH AND GAME, BULLETIN 91, 184 PP. FISH ** SANFORD, F. BRUCE 1945, VITAMIN A POTENCIES OF LIVERS OF MATURE FE- MALE GRAYFISH CAUGHT [N HECATE STRAIT. U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FISHERY MARKET NEWS, VOL. 7, NO. 11, PP. 7-8. SMITH, HARRISON S. Jo56. FISHERIES STATISTICS OF OREGON, 1950-1953, OREGON FISH COMMISSION CONTRI AUT 1ON 22, SoPPa SPRINGER, STEWART. 1951. THE OREGON'S FISHERY EXPLORATIONS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO (A PRELIMINARY REPORT), COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL, 13, NO. 4, PP. 1-8, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 1943, PREPARATION OF THREE FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST, SHARK, SHAD AND LINGCOD. U, S, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 30, 4 PP. WALFORD, LIONEL A. 1935, THE SHARKS AND RAYS OF CALIFORNIA. NIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, LETIN NO. 45, 66 PP. CALI FOR- FISH BUL- 1945, OBSERVATIONS ON THE SHARK FISHERY IN THE CEN- TRAL PART OF THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA WITH RECORDS OF VITAMIN POTENCY OF LIVER OILS AND WITH KEYS TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF COMMER- CIALLY IMPORTANT SHARKS, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FISHERY LEAFLET 121, 6 PP, WARFEL, HERBERT E. AND CLAGUE , 1950. JOHN A. SHARK FISHING POTENTIALITIES OF THE PHILIP- PINE SEAS. U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, RESEARCH REPORT 15, 19 PP, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES 1956, 1955 COMMERCIAL FISHING STATISTICS. STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH., 47 PP, WASH, WELANDER, ARTHUR D, 1949, OUTLINE OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES, U- NIVERSITY OF WASH, SCHOOL OF FISHERIES, 72 PP, WESTRHEIM, SIGURD J. 1950, THE 1949 SOUPFIN SHARK FISHERY OF OREGON, OREGON FISH COMMISSION RESEARCH BRIEFS, VOL, 3, NO. 1, PP, 39-49, we VACUUM PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF MOISTURE FROM HERRING BEING CANNED A vacuum process for removal of some of the moisture from herring thatis being canned was tested on an industrial scale. A batch process employing a vacuum chamber was used, vacuum being obtained by a water-jet ejector, supplied with sea water by a centrifugal pump. A muchimproved firmer product can be obtained by this process. --Annual Report of the Fisheries Council of Canada, 1954 December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 9 by LZ Vfllbtleio vitiane.. a Ww IN SERVICE LABORATORIES RESEARCH DEVELOPING WAYS TO ASSURE BONELESS FISH PRODUCTS Boneless fishery products will really be boneless if experiments being conduct- ed by the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries at the East Boston Technological Laboratory are successful. Up to the present time experi- ments made onfish sticks have prov- en the value of the fluoroscope in spot-checking this product for bone particles. Future experiments will include work on fish fillets and fish blocks and will also be directed at developing methods for continuous scrutiny of fish products on acom- mercial scale rather than on just a sample or spot-check basis. These projects will be followed by an economic study to relate fluor- oscopy to the cost of production. A truly bone-free fishery prod- uct would be much more attractive to the consumer and resultina great- er utilization of fish, processors be- lieve. At present a small percent- age of bone-containing fillets get past even the most rigid inspection. It is hoped that the Bureau experi- ments will make it possible for the industry to detect every bone in the early stages of processing. FIG. 1 - SETTING THE CONTROLS FOR THE X-RAY UNIT. Research indicates that the fluoroscope will show up bones in fish blocks, fillets, or other products which are less than an inch in thickness. OAALLAA UTILIZING THE UNIQUE PROPERTIES OF FISH OILS From time immemorial, men have braved the dangers of the deep to obtain their needed supplies of marine oils. Marine oils have traditionally been used to supply man with food, medicine, and a variety of industrial products. In manyparts of the world, their importance for these uses is as great as ever; but in the United States the plentiful supply of fats and oils from other sources and the rapid develop- ment of synthetic products has diminished the need for fish oils to be used in the traditional ways. 10 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Volk 1S Nok Fish oils are known to be unique in containing a high percentage of long-chain fatty acids, with many double bonds. Most uses for which fish oils are employed, at present, do not make use of these unique properties, In many cases, they are an actual disadvantage. The peculiar structure of fish-oil fatty acids make them potentially valuable for the manufacture of many industrial and pharmaceutical products. To develop these products, however, requires considerable research. In the meat industry, this type of research has led to the development of new byproducts which, in some instances, yield a profit far in excess of that from the sale of the meat itself. Since 1953, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been investigating the chem- istry of fish oils. From a small start at the Service's Seattle Fishery Technological Laboratory, the program has expanded to a nationwide program including contract research at various university and other laboratories. A number of different phases of the subject are being investigated. The program includes a study of fish oil polyamino fatty acids, which should have excellent surface-active properties. These compounds have potential applica- tion as fungicides, corrosion inhibitors, detergents, and ore-flotation agents. Another phase of the investigation is the preparation and separation of fatty al- cohols made from fish oils. Why study fatty alcohols? They are extremely valu- able in organic research because of the variety of other substances that can be pre- pared from them. Derivatives of fish-oil fatty acids being prepared in the laboratory include alkyl halides, silicones, and quaternary ammonium salts. The alkyl halides are most im- portant as intermediary compounds in the preparation of other potentially useful products. It is possible that a highly stable drying oil or a tough resilient copolymer may result from the production of silicones containing long-chain polyunsaturated alkyl groups. The quaternary ammonium salts have potential use in the production of disinfecting and preserving agents, detergents, fire-extinguishing foams, wetting agents, and flotation agents. The future for fish oils thus is brightening. Research is taking advantage of their peculiarities in chemical structure and is making assets out of liabilities. By these studies, fish oils--in addition to their nutritional uses--may gain added prom- inence as a source material for many new industrial chemicals. SAAAAL KEEPING QUALITY AND RATE OF FREEZING OF COOKED LOBSTER MEAT Preliminary tests on the storing of cooked meat from large deep-sea lobsters (Homarus americanus) in cans at 0 F. and at -20 F. show that lobster meat stored at -20- F. for 18 weeks was of good quality, while similar samples stored at0 F, were of fair to barely acceptable quality. The effect of no vacuum, 14 inches of yacu- um and 27 inches of vacuum on the storage life of the lobster meat at 0° and -20 F, was also studied; no significant difference in quality due to vacuum in the can could be detected. The rate of freezing, in a blast freezer, of No. 2 cans containing one pound of lobster meat was also determined. It was found that with an air-stream velocity of 1,500 feet per minute and an air-stream temperature that decreased from -10° to December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 11 -35° F, during the freezing period, 85 minutes were required to cool the cans of lobster meat from 45 to 0° F., and an additional 15 minutes to cool the meat to -20 F. (North Atlantic Technological Laboratory, East Boston, Mass.) BSBLAALB4A TECHNICAL NOTE NO. 41 - BACTERIAL STUDIES OF FROZEN RAW BREADED SHRIMP ABSTRACT THE TOTAL NUMBERS OF MICRO-ORGANISMS VARIED WIDELY IN THE FINISHED SHRIMP PRODUCTS EXAMINED AND IN THE COMPONENT RAW MATERIALS. ONLY ONE SAM- PLE OF UNFROZEN RAW SHRIMP YIELDED A TOTAL COUNT OF LESS THAN 100,000 PER GRAM. THERE WERE NO SAMPLES OF FRESH OR FROZEN GREEN SHRIMP WITH COUNTS LESS THAN THIS NUMBER. BOTH BREADING AND BATTER MIXES CONTRIBUTED SIGNI - FICANTLY TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MICRO-ORGANISMS. COAGULASE-POSIT!VE STAPHY- LOCOCC] WERE NOT DETECTABLE IN ANY OF THE SAMPLES PURCHASED IN FOOD STORES IN ALL BUT ONE SAMPLE OF UNFROZEN GREEN RAW SHRIMP OBTAINED DIRECTLY FROM THE PROCESSOR, HOWEVER, COAGULASE-POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI] WERE PRESENT. STUDY OF THE RESULTS OF COLIFORM AND ENTEROCOCC] DETERMINATIONS REVEALED THE LAT - TER MAY BE THE MORE RELIABLE INDICATOR OF THE DEGREE OF SANITATION PRACTICED DURING PROCESSING. HIGH ENTEROCOCCI] AND TOTAL COUNTS COUPLED WITH LOW COLI - FORM COUNTS MAY INDICATE A LONG PERIOD OF FROZEN STORAGE OF THE BREADED SHRIMP PRIOR TO RETAIL SALE. BACKGROUND : Sales of frozen raw and precooked fishery products have increased markedly in the last several years. Consumer acceptance of these products has made the devel- opment of voluntary grade stand- ardsdesirable as an aid in the production and marketing of these products. The Fishery Techno- logical Laboratory, U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, College Park, Md., is engaged in research designed to determine the various factors required for the develop- ment of such standards for a va- riety of frozen seafoods. The ob- jective of one project is the in- vestigation of microbiological procedures currently employed for the examination of foods in order to determine their suitability for use on frozen fishery products. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Samples of frozen raw breaded shrimp were obtained for bacterio- !G. 1 - ‘PREPARATION OF BREADED SHRIMP FOR USE IN logical examination from retail BACT ER LOTOSUEAT ae UDIKESI: sources in the College Park area as well as directly from several processors of breaded shrimp in the Brunswick, Ga., area. In addition, as soon as collected from the processors, samples of unfrozen raw shrimp, breading, and batter mixes were placed in sterile containers, frozen with dry ice, and transported to the laboratory for microbiological analysis. Wherever possible, catch data and storage histories were obtained for each sample. 12 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Voly 195 Now t2 For analysis, 20 grams of a sample were transferred acceptically to 180 mil- liliters of buffered dilution water contained in a sterilized Waring Blendor that had been chilled previously for 30 minutes in a refrigerator (American Public Health Association 1955). After the sample had been blended for 2 minutes and the result- ant foam had been allowed to settle for 10 minutes, the following procedures were employed for the analyses: PREPARATION OF DILUTIONS: From the initial 1-to-10 dilution of sample, dilutions of 1-to-1,000 and 1-to-100,000 were prepared asdilution blanks. From these, dilutions of from 1-to-10 to 1-to-100,000 were plated in triplicate in Nutri- ent Agar-1.5 pergent NaCl (Baltimore Bilogical Laboratories). Incubation was carried out at 30° C, (86° F.), and plates containing between 30 and 300 colonies were counted after 72 hours, with the aid of a Quebec colony counter. PREPARATION OF COLIFORM ANALYSES: Organisms of the coliform group were enumerated by use of the "Most Probable Number" (MPN) method employing five replicate tubes of Lactose Broth (Difco) in three dilutions (Hoskins 1940). The results of presumptive tests were confirmed in Brilliant Green Bile Broth (Difco). Temperature in time of incubation for both procedures was 37 C, (91 F.) for 48 hours. PREPARATION OF ENTEROCOCCI ANALYSES: The importance of enterococci (fecal streptococci) as a more certain indicator of pollution of fish and shellfish has been demonstrated by Winter and Sandholzer (1946) and by Fellers, Gagnon, and Kiyoshi (1956). A modification of the standard MPN procedure as described by the latter authors was employed for the enumeration of this group of organisms. Three dilutions of sample were innoculated into five replicates of double-strength Azide able = icrobial Populations of Authentic amples 0: Sreen and of Processed SI mp irom Commercia Plants Sample Plant Plant Operatio : oe cone Coliforms | Enterococci | Coagulase-Positive Number | Number anon am |PerGram | PerGram Staphylococci 1/ (Thousands) = I A Fresh unheaded green shrimp, packed in ice (landed 2 2 hours previously), 160 350 aaa 2 B 48 hours in cooler, shrimp, headed, deiced, machine-grad- ed, manually peeled and deveined 36-40 count. 1,700 38 130 +444 3 B 48 hours or longer in cooler, shrimp, manually peeled and ce deveined 36-40 count. | 130 22 26 - 4 B 48 hours or longer in cooler, shrimp, peeled and deveined, manual pinning operation. 980 210 >2,400 + 5 B Batter, used all day and reinforced with fresh mixture as used, 280 1,600 540 - 6 B Breading, used all day, sifted periodically and reinforced a as used, 78 350 140 - 7 B 48 hours or longer in cooler, shrimp, peeled and deveined, | + stored in cooler for pinning operation. 390 3.6 170 - 8 B Peeled and deveined, shrimp, in cooler awaiting pinning, not more than 16 hours in cooler, 480 0 1,600 +4+ f 9 B 10-oz. pack of breaded shrimp, hand boxed, after 30-45 minutes of blast breezing. 230 49 =| 540 + 10 B Green shrimp, graded, peeled, deveined, 13 hours since is landing. | 660 4 17 ; - B Breading, used in #10, taken 45 minutes after preparation. 75 7.8 920 3s B Batter, used in #10 taken 60 minutes after preparation, 13 B 10-oz. pack of breaded shrimp, hand boxed, after 30-45 minutes of blast freezing, green shrimp from sample #10. 1,200 26 280 + 14 Cc | Green shrimp, storage history unknown, composite of T several boxes of iced shrimp. 82 17 79 - 15 Cc Batter, cooled storage tank, age unknown. | 150 170 920 = 16 Cc Breading, sample of sifted breading in use during day ll operation. 41 350 1,600 - 17 Cc 10-oz. pack, breaded shrimp, hand boxed, taken from day's production using #14, 15, 16. 490 70 >2,400 Green shrimp, composite of unknown history. Batter mix, unknown history. Breading ‘mix, unknown history. 10 oz. pack of breaded shrimp, from day's production T/THE TERM “STAPHYLOCOCCI” 15 USED CONVENTIONALLY IN PLACE OF THE ACCEPTED NOMENCLATURE, MICROCOCCUS PYOGENES OFTEN USED AS AN INDEX OF THE QUALITY OF A PRODUCT. QUALITATIVE SYMBOLS: 4+44+ HEAVY GROWTH\ +++ MODERATE \ ++ LIGH + FEW COLONIES \ 7 ONE COLONY, NONCOAGULASE PRODUCING \ = NEGATIVE December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 13 Dextrose Broth (BBL) and incubated at 37° C. If turbidity was observed at the end of 48 hours, a large loopful was innoculated into Ethyl Violet-Azide Broth (BBL), and the tube was incubated for 48 hoursat 37 C.(91 F.). The formationofa "purple button" of sodiment at the bottom of the tube was interpreted as a positive confirm- ed test. Microscopic examination of stained preparations of these sediments re- vealed gram positive cocci in chains. PREPARATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCI ANALYSES: Qualitative detection of coagulase-positive staphylococci was carried out by streaking 0.02 milliliters of the 1-to-10 dilution on, duplicate plates of Tellurite Glycine Agar (BBL) and incu- bating the plates at 37° C. (91. F.) for 48 to 72 hours. Zebovitz, Evans, and Niven (1955) have demonstrated that the appearance of jet black colonies is to be inter- preted as a positive presumptive test. Standard coagulase tests were carried out with incubation for 1 hour at a 37° C. (91 F.) water bath, on isolates that had been propagated in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (Difco) for 16 to18hours at 37° C. (91° F,). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 1 indicates that a wide range existed in total numbers of micro-organ- isms in the finished product and in the raw component materials. Only sample num- ber 14 of unfrozen raw shrimp yielded a total count of less than 100,000 per gram. There were no samples of frozen raw green shrimp with counts under this number. Both breading and batter mixes contributed significantly to the total numbers of micro-organisms. Table 2 - Analyses of Samples Obtained from Retail Sources Sample Bed ne en Coliforms | Enterococci | Coagulase-Positive No. (Th d Per Gram Per Gram Staphylococcil/ ousands) A 11 A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ACHOOFHFAOCNNWeweS 1/THE TERM STAPHYLOCOCCI IS USED CONVENTIONALLY IN PLACE OF THE ACCEPTED NOMENCLATURE, MICRO- COCCUS PYOGENES. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were not detectable in any of the samples purchased in local food stores (table 2). It was impossible to determine the age of these samples, since storage histories and catch data were not available. One may only infer that this organism does not remain viable in samples subjected to pro- longed frozen storage and that no information would be forthcoming from procedures designed for their detection in these samples. In all but one sample of unfrozen raw green shrimp and in all samples of the finished frozen breaded product, received directly from the processors, coagulase- 14 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 positive staphylococci were present (table 1). It became evident that the inclusion of of coagulase-positive staphylococci in any microbiological standard for frozen raw breaded shrimp would be dependent upon whether processing plant or retail samples were examined. Further study of the results of coliform and enterococci determinations reveal- ed that the latter may be a more reliable indicator of the degree of sanitation prac- tical during processing of the product. The magnitude of the total counts paralleled more closely the occurrence of greater numbers of enterococci in all of the products examined than the coliform counts. Previous work reported by Fellers et al (1956) has demonstrated that enterococci are more resistant to frozen-storage tempera- tures than are coliform organisms, since survival curves of the latter show a steady decrease in numbers of viable organisms with time in storage. It is possible that high enterococci and total counts coupled with low coliform counts indicate extended frozen storage of the frozen breaded shrimp prior to actual sale to the consumer. --BY JEROME KERN, FORMERLY BACTORIOLOGIST, FISHERY TECHNOLOG] CAL LABORATORY, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES, COLLEGE PARK, MD. LITERATURE CITED AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION 1955, STANDARD METHODS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF WATER, SEWAGE AND INDUSTR{AL WASTES. TENTH EDITION. 1790 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 19, N. Ye, PP. 367-368. HOSKINS, Je Ke 1940, MOST PROBABLE NUMBERS FOR EVALUATION OF COLI AEROGENES TESTS BY FERMENTATION, PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS, U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, REPRINT NO, 1621, WASHINGTON, D, C. WINTER, C. Es, AND SANDHOLZER, L. Aq 1946, STUDIES OF THE FECAL STREPTOCOCCI, 1. THE ISOLATION OF ENTEROCOCCI FROM NATURAL SOUR SOURCES. FISHERY LEAFLET 201, Us. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPT, OF THE INTERIOR, WASHINGTON 25, D. C,, OCTOBER. FELLERS, C. Re; GAGNON, M.; AND KIYOSHI, 7. 1956, DEVELOPMENT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR A GRADE STANDARD ON FROZEN RAW BREADED SHRIMP. FINAL REPORT, CONTRACT NO, 14-19-008-2368 BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY, UNI - VERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST, AND U. S, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, JUNE. ZEBOVITZ, Es; EVANS, J. Bs; AND NIVEN, C. Fe, JR. 1955, TELLURITE-GLYCINE AGAR: A SELECTIVE PLATING MEDIUM FOR THE QUANTITATIVE DETECTION OF COAGULASE-POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCC], JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY, VOL, 70, NO. 1 (uuLy), PP. 686-690. OOABAABA STUDIES ON THE FREE LIQUOR, SALT, AND DRY SOLIDS RELATIONSHIPS OF OYSTERS CONTINUED With start of the oyster season in the Tidewater area of Virginia during the last week of August 1957, the College Park Fishery Technological Laboratory of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has resumed the study, begun in the spring of 1957, of the interrelationship of dry solids, free liquor and salt, and the effect of variations in processing and storage conditions on these factors for oysters. Production during September has been good with ample quantities of shell oysters and fairly high yield of the shucked product for this early in the season. The study was originated to pro- vide the industry with information needed to further improve the methods in process- ing oysters. NOTE: SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, JUNE 1957, P. 15. OBO&ASAAA December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 15 en Bere | RENDS == = AND EDEVELO PMENTS * California SHRIMP INDUSTRY ATTAINS CATCH QUOTAS IN CERTAIN AREAS: For the first time in a single year, California's growing ocean shrimp industry in two areas has reached catch-limit quotas ahead of the scheduled legal closing date. / i { Nar) A Ye oxi a! The California Department of Fish and Game announced that the shrimp fleets operating out of Bodega Bay and Fort Bragg reached their catch limits well ahead of the October 15 closing date. When the season's quotas are reached ahead of time, the Department's Marine Resources Branch explained, the operators are then given two weeks' notice before the shutdown order becomes effective, thus avoiding a sud- den curtailment of their business activities. The State's shrimp industry also operates out of Crescent City, Eureka, and Morro Bay. ook ok ok INSHORE AREAS BETWEEN SANTA Se AND SAN DIEGO SURV EME BY Time Period Fish Schools Wee Fish eS Observed ¢ Observed 5 g. Ft. 12:48 p. m.-1:07 1:07 -1:20 1:42 -2:00 2:00 -2:16 2:16 -2:30 2:30 -2:45 2:45 -3:02 3:02 -3:17 4:10 -4:28 p. apanancrH|Z from July 25-28 (flight 57-5) and on August 6 (flight 57-6). The flights were designed to assess the abundance and distribution of schooling pelagic fish and to measure the hourly variation in the abundance of fish in a given area. Weather conditions were poor in the area between Santa Cruz and Point Sal on the first flight so an additional flight (57-6) was conducted to adequately cover this area, In general, sardine schools dominated the area between San Pedro and San Di- iego. Sardine schools were also reported by commercial fishermen to be concen- 16 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol, 11.9), Nori2 trated in the Point Mugu and Santa Rosa-Santa Cruz Islands areas. Reports of sardines near Avila could not be confirmed by the Department's observers. Compared to 1956 at this time, there were far fewer anchovies and Pacific mackerel. Anchovies were found in the Point Vicente-Santa Monica area, around Santa Barbara and Carpinteria, between Point Sal and Avila, and in Monterey Bay. Table 2 - Sardine and Anchovy Schools Observed in 10-Mile Sections of Coast off California Z ° = Nnmnawoooo°oc°oc°oco°ococood “<" )\ Santa Monica > lop) 3,524,600| 77 | 407,100] The first of a proposed series of observa- tions designed to measure hourly variations in abundance of fish in a given area was initiated on this flight. A portion of one day was spent flying over the waters between Huntington Beach and Dana Point. On each of the 15-min- ute flights made from 12:48 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. and 4:10 p.m. to 4:28 p.m. P.S.T. numbers of fish schools were counted and their visible area measured using an optical instrument. AIRPLANE SPOTTING FLIGHTS 57-5 (uULY 25- 28) AND 57-6 (AUGUST 6). The observations made on the two isolated sardine school groups found in the area, one off Newport Beach and the other off Laguna Beach, are listed in table 1. The fish school area, as shown in table 1, is only the first step in the develop- ment of a method of estimating the density of observed schools. Asyet these figures cannot be converted into a measure of absolute density such as pounds per square foot. The resolution of this problem, however, is in the planning stage. A tally of sardine and anchovy schools and total area (square feet) of fish in each 10-mile section of the coast in which these species were observed is shown in table 2. a Total shipments of metal cans during January-August 1957 amount- ed to 86,130 short tons of steel (based on the amount of steel consumed in the manufacture of cans) as compared with 77,147 tons in January- August 1956. Although the shipments of cans this year exceed those of ™—/ last year, the packs of some important fishery products this year through August were below the previous year. The can shipments this year indicate the December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 17 plans of canners to pack more fishery products than the previous year, but various conditions in the fisheries have hindered these plans. NOTE: STATISTICS COVER ALL COMMERCIAL AND CAPTIVE PLANTS KNOWN TO BE PRODUCING METAL CANS. RE- PORTED 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 OFS STEEL. Chesapeake Bay VIRGINIA-MARYLAND JOINT FISHERY INVESTIGATION: What fishes were in Chesapeake Bay in September’? What parts of the Bay were they occupying? These and other questions were answered by scientists from the Virginia and Mary- land marine laboratories late in September 1957. The Pathfinder, new Virginia Fisheries Laboratory research vessel, was accompanied by two biologists from Gloucester Point, Va., and two biologists from Solomons, Md., points out an Octo- ber 1 press release from the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory. Although Virginia and Maryland scientists have, at times, visited each other's waters to gather information about the fishes of the Bay, this was the first joint in- vestigation. There has always been close cooperation between the biologists of the two states and it is expected that other surveys will be made jointly in the future. Fishing was done with a trawl net, similar to that used by shrimp fishermen. The net was hauled along the bottom for 15 minutes at seven-mile intervals, from the_ mouth of the Bay to its northern extremity. Commenting on the expedition, one biologist said, ''Chesapeake Bay must be studied as a whole if we are to understand clearly the movement, growth, and mi- gration of fishes. Fishes are no respecters of boundaries and biologists often find it necessary to follow them through the waters of both states. In past years Virginia biologists have made many surveys of the Bay and the major estuaries from the ocean to fresh water. As a result, they know a great deal about the distribution and movements of fishes and other animals, On this latest cruise, they found that the pattern of fish distribution up and down the Bay is differ- ent in several respects from the distribution up and down a river like the York. Containers GIANT RUBBER TUBE FOR SHIPPING LIQUIDS DEVEL- oil, and even fish scrap with substantial savings in transpor- OPED: The development of a giant rubber-fabric container tation costs. The giant tube may be carried on almost any which has the appearance of a huge toothpaste tube was an- kind of truck body, railroad car, or barge. It is thus possible nounced by the President of a large rubber manufacturing to carry a dry cargo in one direction and a liquid cargo on firm during the dedication of its new research center at the return trip. It is reported to be a simple matter to pump Wayne, N. J. This container, known as a ‘‘Sealdtank,’’ was material into the ‘‘Sealdtank’’ and it may be as readily de- sponsored by another corporation for the transportation pri- flated. It can then be rolled up and stored out of the way. It marily of liquid products; Such a container might be of great is looked upon as one of the most significant advances in liq- value in the transportation of condensed fish solubles, fish uid transportation of the last 50 years. 18 onnecticut.. Delaware Florida COrgaiEy 5 5 oc daho "co * © # © aryland assachusetts ichigan innesota ississippi.. TSSOUTIN. ate Ontanaye .). ebraska ... VACA Scie cue ew Hampshire ew Jersey.. ew Mexico.. ew YOrki . - orth Carolina COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Apportionments of Federal Aid Funds to States for Sport Fishing and Wildlife, Fiscal Year 1958 port Fishing 123,648.97 109,045.10 114,738.36 300,000.00 137,547.15 60,000.00 60,000.00 1aieatae 107,590.53 94,303.37 180,867.40 186,015.97 111,357.08 99,135.79 106,559.32 77,517.70 62,587.21 60,000.00 60,000.00 285,922.62 300,000.00 64,757.59 155,653.35 146,137.56 94,253.30 85,936.36 60,000.00 60,000.00 102,307.48 174,771.47 107,991.38 62,804.32 198,486.13 131,365.44 130,363.30 168,878.31 60,000.00 73,427.81 79,828.14 167,908.80 277,255.11 | 82,437.93 60,000.00 100,266.39 127,096.13 60,000.00 238,420.88 101,182.53 60,000.00 Wildlife 338,131.27 422,718.40 321,757. 912,818.70 513,589.28 95,650. 95,650. 267,460.37 304,236.30 354,522.51 525,586.81 563,080.87 422,784. 383,446.48 303,470.70 314,413. 217,902. 130,729.21 103,715.35 956,500. 609,305.85 266,380.56 456,387. 591,508.71 351,497.32 370,028.11 95,650. 135,501.28 433,718.36 799,621.99 393,276. 291,221.70 581,041, 339,833.12 484,815.28 757,852.86 95,650. 198,308.96 351,689.96 436,920. 956,500. 361,063.89 95,650. 379,537.01 414,828.79 257,468.11 582,663.59 396,262. 95,650, Vol, 19, No. 12 Federal Aid Funds Apportioned to States State programs for the restoration and development of sport fishing and wildlife in the 48 States will have their biggest year in fiscal year 1958 with the apportionment of $25,130,000 in Federal aid funds, Assistant Secretary of the In- terior Ross Leffler announced October 13, 1957. This represents an increase of $4,068,000 over the previous high appor- tionment of $21,062,000 in 1957. On the basis of one dollar from the state for every three of Federal funds, $32.5 million will be available to state conservation departments for their fish and game programs in fiscal year 1956, The combined Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife Restoration program is administered by the Bureau of Sport Fish- eries and Wildlife of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, approved September 2, 1937, popularly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, was design- ed to help check the depletion of the Na- tion's wildlife and stimulate its restora- tion. The Federal Aid in Fish Restora- tion Act, or Dingell-Johnson Act, ap- proved August 9, 1950, was enacted to help the States solve their sport-fishery problems. Sport fishing programs will receive $6 million in 1958, Wildlife restoration projects will have $19,130,000 which in- cludes the third 20 percent--$2,693,494-- of the accumulated backlog of Federal aid funds. In 1955 the Congress author- ized the appropriation, over a five-year period, of the reserve of $13,467,468 which had accumulated from 1939 to 1946 when Congress did not appropriate total receipts annually from the excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. The wildlife total in 1958 is an in- crease of $2,894,000 over last year's apportionment of $16,236,000. The a- mount available for sport fishery projects is $1,174,000 greater than the 1957 total of $4,826,000. The revenue for the Federal share of the sport fish restoration program December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 19 comes from the 10-percent excise tax on fishing rods, creels, reels, artificial lures, baits, and flies as paid by the manufacturers of these products. Collections from this source during the year ended June 30, 1957, amounted to $6,404,564. From this totalistaken the annual apportionments of $75,000 to Alaska, $10,000 each to Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Vir- gin Islands, and $299,564 to cover the adminis- tration of the Act. To obtain the benefits of the Federal grants, the States submit project proposals to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Such proposals may consist of surveys, investigations, land ac- quisitions, land and water development, manage - ment of restoration areas, and maintenance of the completed projects. Acting for the Secretary of the Interior, the Service reviews these proposals to determine whether they are substantial in character and design, within the meaning of the Acts. When Federal Aid projects are approved by the Service, the state fish and game departments proceed to carry out the plans, spending their own funds. The States then submit reimbursement claims for 75 percent of the costs of the project, either periodically or at the completion of the work, The remaining 25 percent of project expenditure is financed out of regular state funds. All equipment, lands, and struc- tures become the property of the states. All project workers are hired by the states and are state employees. NOTE: SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1957, P. 30. Federal Purchases of Fishery Products DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PURCHASES, JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1957: Fresh and Frozen Fishery Products: For the use of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense, 1.6 million pounds (vaiue $48,000) of fresh and fro- zen fishery products were purchased in September by the Military Subsistence Market Centers. This was lower than the quantity pur- chased in August by 23.9 percent and 17.8 percent less than the amount purchased in the same month a year earlier, The value of the purchases this September was lower by 29.2 percent as compared with the previous month and down 14.9 percent from September a year earlier. Table 1 - Fresh and Frozen Fishery Products Pur- chased by Military Subsistence Market Centers, September 1957 with Comparisons eptember 957 il $1,000 ee © © o WPL VUUU] >. «© © © © o o For the first nine months of 1957 anned Fishery Products Pur- purchases totaled 18.7 million pounds, chased by Military Subsistence Market valued at $9.7 million--a decrease of Centers, Sept. 1957 with Comparisons 7.5 percent in quantity and 4.2 percent QUANTITY in value as compared with the same : 1957 | 1957 1956 6 ols (LOO IE aid Prices paid for fresh and frozen fishery products by the Department of Defense in September averaged 52.7 cents a pound, about 3.9 cents less than 20 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 the 56.6 cents paid in August, but 1.8 cents above the 50.9 cents paid during Septem- ber a year earlier. Canned Fishery Products: Salmon and sardines were the principal canned fish- ery products purchased for the use of the Armed Forces during September as com- pared with the same period in 1956, purchases for the first nine months of 1957 of canned tuna were down 33.7 percent, of canned salmon were up 10.3 percent, and of canned sardines down 45.5 percent. Total purchases of these three canned fishitems January-September 1957 were down by 7.3 percent from the like period of 1956, NOTE: THE ARMED FORCES INSTALLATIONS GENERALLY MAKE SOME LOCAL PURCHASES NOT INCLUDED IN THE DATA GIVEN. ACTUAL TOTAL PURCHASES ARE HIGHER THAN INDICATED, BUT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN LOCAL PURCHASES. ok OK ok OVERTIME INSPECTION BARRED ON CANNED FOODS PROCUREMENTS: Overtime for inspection of canned foods procured by the Military Subsistence Sup- ply Agency will no longer be permitted. Canned food purchases will be inspected only five days a week, Monday through Friday, in any 8-hour cycle from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The action is aimed at a reduction in Federal spending. It stems from a policy directive by the Secretary of Defense which constitutes a general prohibition onover- time in defense contracting. The policy is being implemented now by the various Defense Department buying agencies. The Military Subsistence Supply Agency in Chicago has been instructed by the Defense Department that inspection of canned foods is to be performed without pay- ment of overtime, and this information has been given to the canning industry by the various Market Centers, with October 10 asthe effective date of thisnew policy. Itis understood that the only exception so far allowed with respect to canned food pro- curement is in contracts wherein the overtime inspection will not exceed 2 percent of the labor hours of the contract and will result in a cost advantage to the govern- ment, Purchasing officials are well aware of the difficulties created by the new policy with respect to contracts which involve inspection of 'in-process'' production. They suggest, however, that the new policy will have no effect on procurement of ware- house stocks because they usually are inspected on regular time. The policy is not to be construed as diminishing the requirements for Government inspection. ) DINES: The many ways in which sardines can be used and i a prepared by the housewife to make tasty meals, sandwiches, and snacks for the whole family are featured in the newest X film ‘‘Sardines from Maine, Down-East Style.’’ The film was previewed in Bangor, Maine, at a meeting of Maine sar- dine canners, the Maine Sardine Council announced on Octo- ber 10, The film, scheduled for national distribution about October 15, 1957, is in 16 mm., with full color and sound and runs for J 13 minutes. It was made for the Council by a New York City f firm with the technical cooperation of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Distribution will be handled through the 4 A film libraries of the U. S. Department of the Interior and the Ad Maine Sardine Council. } et / Most of the footage was shot in Maine around the theme A ? that sardines are good food whether eaten in the summer, i fall, winter, or spring. Other scenes were made in various BROILED DEVILED SARDINES. parts of the country. December 1957 The film opens with a brief showing of the fish harvesting and canning operations and then concentrates on the uses and preparation of Maine sardines under many conditions as well as the various types of pack, oils, and sauces, Sail boats, stately sardine carriers, the rocky coast, autumn foliage, winter scenes, the coming of spring, the glory of sum- mer, and a host of Down-East men, women, and children in the role of actors and actresses makes the film entertaining as well as informative. School lunches, outdoor picnics, party snacks, hearty sand- wiches, and tasty main dish meals for the family dinner are all depicted in colorful scenes. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW al Approximately 75 prints are being made for initial distri- bution and others will be added to the supply from time to time. ‘‘They will supplement our many other promotional and advertising activities,’’ the Council Chairman pointed out. The film will be available at nc cost for showings by schools, clubs, fraternal and civic organizations, and cther groups and may be obtained, on a loan basis, from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington 25, D. C., or the Maine Sar- dine Council, 15 Grove Street, Augusta, Maine. The Council’s award-winning film, ‘‘It’s the Maine Sardine,’’ made several years ago, is still much in demand and is a very popular fisheries film distributed by the Interior Department. held at St. Louis on October 18, 1957. A total of 28,782 skins, products of the seal- ing industry administered by the U. S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Com- mercial Fisheries on the Pribilof Islands, brought $1,983,208. Thiscompares with 27,819 skins sold for $2,547,182 at the April 1957 sale. The average for all skins sold for the account of the United States Govern- ment was $68.90; at the A- pril 1957 sale it was $91.56; at the October 1956 sale it was $100.96. The sale was well at- tended by United States, Canadian, and European buy- ers. The Alaska skins in- FUR BUYERS EXAMINING FUR-SEAL PELTS. cluded 9,843 black, 12,204 dyed ''matara'' (brown), and 6,735 of the recently-intro- duced new shade called "kitovi." The kitovi skins brought an average of $73.04, a decline of 29.3 percent from the April average of $119.39. Matara skins sold for anaverage of $67.85, adecrease of 13.4 percent under the April average of $81.91. Black skins averaged $67.39, a decline of 16.5 percent from the April average of $88.32. Percentage changes in price are calculated on the basis of grade and shade of color. In addition to the United States skins, 13,068 South Africa fur-seal skins were sold for private shippers and the account of the Government of the Union of South Africa at anaverage of $26.91, a decrease of 23 percent from the April 1957 sale. A total of 487 Uruguay fur-seal skins were sold for the Government of Uruguay at an average of $20.32; the April 1957 average was $31.04. NOTE: ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, MAY 1957, P. 24. 22 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Volz 19), Noss 1a Great Lakes Fishery Investigations OTTER-TRAWLING AND GILL-NETTING SURVEY OF EASTERN LAKE ERIE Erie by otter trawling and gill-netting was continued from September 24-October 8, 1957, by the Service's research vessel Cisco. The area under study was the same as that surveyed during cruise 6 (August 12-26) and the catches were about the same, Smelt continued to dominate all catches taken from beneath the thermocline. In shallower waters bordering thermally-stratified areas (12-14 fathoms and less), there were practically no smelt except for fry. Catches of all species in the shallow areas were generally light. Trawling operations were carried out in 9 areas of eastern and in 2 areas of central Lake Erie. Except for smelt (up to 2,600 fry, 4,000 yearlings, and 250 adults in single 15-minute tows) and trout-perch, there were few large trawl catches of any species in the eastern area. On occasion, however, fairly large numbers of spot- tail shiners and small alewives were taken. Other species caught in the eastern basin include white bass, black crappie, small-mouth bass, burbot, whitefish, stone- cat, sheepshead, sculpin (Cottus sp.), log-perch, sand darter, johnny darter, walleye, blue pike, and yellow perch. Smelt, mostly yearlings, made up almost the entire catches of several midwater tows made at night off Long Point. Trawl catches in the central basin, off Ashtabula and Erie, varied from those in the east end mainly in that they contained more perch and especially sheepshead. Experimental nylon gill nets were set in 3 areas off Erie, N. Y., andin 2 areas off Long Point, Ontario. A bottom net (several mesh sizes) in 34 fathoms off Long Point took 75 smelt and 8 coregonids. The latter were tentatively identified as lake herring, but some of them resemble Leucichthys alpenae of Lakes Michigan and Huron, Another bottom net consisting of 1,200 feet of 35-inch mesh was set in 16 fathoms off Erie. This net contained 6 whitefish, 8 burbot, one lake herring, and 750 smelt. A net (several mesh sizes) suspended 4 fathoms below the surface over a 9-fathom bottom off Erie caught only one perch, 2 walleyes, 2 blue pike, and 2 giz- zard shad. In an oblique net set in 26 fathoms off Long Point smelt were taken at all depths. They were most abundant near the middle of the net, which was in the thermocline. Other fish in the net, all in the top half, were 1 walleye, 4 yellowperch, 1 lake herring, and 2 small alewives. An oblique net in 13 fathoms off Erie had noth- ing in its top 20 feet, but contained a sizable catch of smelt and large yellow perch in the bottom 60 feet. The epilimnion in eastern Lake Erie had become thigker since gruise 6, but the thermocline was still sharp. Surface water had cooled 5 -10 ¢. (9-18 F.), and ranged mostly between 17° and 18.5° C., with extremes of 15.9° C. (60.6° F.) and OFC (GO. ar) NOTE: SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1957, PP. 17-20, FOR SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED, < it fi ey Gulf Exploratory Fishery Program EXPERIMENTAL FISHING FOR RED SNAPPER IN GULF OF MEXICO (M/V Silver Bay Cruise 4): In an exploratory otter-trawl fishing cruise for red snapper by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries chartered fishing vessel Silver Bay, the best results were obtained off Freeport, Texas, in an area known as “Little Cam- peche Bank.'"' The cruise was made between September 19 and October 4, 1957, and includes 36 fishing stations made in 15-100 fathoms in the Gulf of Mexico off the December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 23 coasts of Louisiana and Texas. The fishing gear consisted of 5-inch mesh 60-foot and 76-foot New England-type otter trawls. The largest single catch of 300 pounds of red snapper was made in 41-45 fath- oms with the 76-foot trawl, or approximately 187 pounds per hour tow. The red snappers caught in this tow ranged from 3 to 15 pounds, and averaged 14 pounds. Other catches in this area varied from 2 to 225 pounds, or about 1-113 pounds per hour tow. The highest rate of catch with the 60-foot trawl was about 120 pounds per hour tow. The16 ’ tows made in the area off Free- port in 41-50 fathoms yielded a total of 682 red snapper (1,058 pounds). d y ake 7 ql oF LEGEND: Nine tows were made off the orm MW EKI CE ©- FISH TRAWL STATION, Louisiana coast in 40-100 fath- oms. No red snapper were caught W/V SILVER BAY CRUISE 4 (SEPTEMBER 19-OCTOBER 4, 1957). in depths over 75 fathomsand the catches were very light in all depths. The best tow was made in 43 fathoms where a catch of 43 pounds was made in a tow of 14 hours. ok KOK OK SHRIMP, TUNA, AND LIVE-BAIT EX- PLORATIONS OFF CENTRAL AMERICA (M/V Oregon Cruise 46): Exploratory shrimp trawl- ing, tuna fishing, and the determination of live- bait availability along the east coast of Central America occupied the M/V Oregon during cruise 46 (August 12-September 26.) > Seer Honduras \ gh cart Six long-line sets were made south of Cabo ap } ™. | Gracias A Dios. Two 49-basket sets made west _s-seaes ) | and south of Old Providence Island yielded no : tuna. Four sets off Panama and Costa Rica caught a total of 81 yellowfin tuna at rates of 2.0 to 6.9 per 100 hooks, with an average weight per fish of 110 pounds. ’ t _/QUITA SUENO BANK." cua ter aD) Nicaragua i A total of 72 exploratory shrimp-trawling : statlons were made on the outer edges of the ee broad shelf off Honduras and Nicaraguaindepths hes of 100 to 550 fathoms. Royal-red shrimp (Hy- menopenaeus robustus) were caught in small numbers over wide areas in depths of 250 to 400 fathoms. At no time did catches exceed 15 pounds an hour. Bottom-temperature transects showed avery marked temperature decrease (58.3° to 47.5. F.), in the 200- to 300-fathom range. Catches from beyond 400 fathoms con- tained small numbers of very large (4-10 count heads-on) scarlet-red shrimp, Plesiopenaeus edwardsianus. 7ST. ANDREWS |. M/V OREGON CRUISE 46 (AUGUST 12-SEPTEM- Fifteen shrimp-trawl drags were made in BER 26, 1957). depths of 10 to 100 fathoms on the outer edges 24 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No, 12 of the shelf, In general, very poor trawling bottom was encountered and no species of commercial interest were caught. Live bait for pole-and-line tuna fishing was caught with a trap-lift net at Old Providence Island, Cristobal Harbor, and Swan Island. Several schools of blackfin and skipjack tuna were observed, but efforts to catch them by means of jack poles and chumming with live bait were uniformly unsuccess- ful. THROUGH FIRST QUARTER 1958: United States civilian consumption of fishery products through next spring may average a little below the year earlier per capita rate, Slightly smaller supplies of canned and possibly frozen prod- ucts are likely. Retail prices of most edible fishery items during the coming months probably will average near the high levels of a year earlier. Commercial landings of edible fishery products are declin- ing seasonally but will be about as large as last fall and win- ter. Stocks of frozen items were moderately larger this Oc- tober 1 than last, but may decline below the year-earlier level as the season progresses unless imports are larger than currently anticipated. Stocks, which include imports, are the major source for frozen fishery products marketed during the winter months. Canned fishery products may be in a little smaller supply during the next 5 or 6 months than a year earlier. The 1957 pack of canned salmon was noticeably less than last year’s, Canned tuna production will likely be smaller than in 1956, but supplies in the months ahead will continue large because of heavy stocks. The pack of Maine sardines is larger this year than last. Domestic production of canned fishery prod- ucts will be supplemented to some extent by imports. Imports of fishery products during the next several months may be no higher than a year earlier. Among the frozen commodities, the import volume will depend as usual mainly on receipts from Canada. Exports of canned fish probably will be smaller than last fall and winter, depending on the pack of California sardines (pilchards) this fall. This analysis appeared in a report prepared by the Agri- cultural Marketing Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and published in the former agency's October 29, 1957, release of The National Food Situation (NFS-82). Maryland EFFECT OF DAMS ON LOWER SUSQUEHANNA FISH POPULATIONS TO BE STUDIED: Fish populations in the lower Susquehanna River and the upper part of Chesapeake Bay will be studied by biologists of the Maryland Department of Re- search and Education from the fall 1957 to the spring 1961. This important project, known as the "Susquehanna Fishery Study,'' was discussed at the first meeting of the Susquehanna Fishery Study Advisory Committee held at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solomons, Md., on October 14-16, 1957. The primary objective of the project is to provide a sound biological basis for decision as to whether or not a passage, such as a fishway, should be provided for fish at Conowingo Dam. The dam is located near the confluence of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. A flight over the study area was made by the Advisory Committee on October 15. The construction of a series of hydro-electric dams along the lower Susquehanna River has raised some very interesting questions concerning their effects on fish in the river. The study will deal with the kinds of fish and the numbers that reach Con- owingo Dam and the estimation of the effects of passage on these fish. It will also be concerned with biological studies, population census, and the effects of the dams on young and adult fish. Considerable data is already available at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory about the fishery problems of this area. Creel censuses of the sport-fishing catch in 1955 and 1957, from the Maryland-Pennsylvania line to Port Deposit, have been December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 25 carried out by the Maryland Department of Research and Education in close coopera- tion with the Maryland Game and Inland Fish Commission. The historical aspects of migratory fish runs, especially of shad, have been documented in detail by the De- partment. Much data is also found in its files about the physiography of the area as well as other recorded information. The Susquehanna River Project will be under the direction of a project leader in fishery biology. Although it will be administered by the Department of Research and Education, the Advisory Committee must approve the plans, progress, and re- ports of the project leader. Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Project EFFECT ON FISH AND WILDLIFE CAUSES CONCERN: Concern over the effect of the Mississippi River-Gulf Out- let engineering project on the area's fish and wildlife re- sources has been expressed by the fishing industry, The Wild- life Management Institute, the Louisiana Wild Life and Fish- eries Commission, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commis- sion, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Asa result, a seminar was held and a four-day aerial and water reconnaissance was made of the inside waters and marsh areas of Louisiana which would be affected by this project and numerous other proposed projects. The National Fisher- ies Institute, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission were repre- sented, This study, which covered almost the entire Louis- iana waterfront, clearly indicated the irrevocable damage which may very well result unless immediate steps are taken to require adequate biological investigations in advance of construction of canals, dams, or other man-made devices in these estuarine waters. The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet was suggested many years ago. The basic plan for the project was prepared in 1946 by the Corps of Engineers. A report of the preliminary survey was submitted in 1951 by the Corps of Engineers in accordance with a request adopted in May 1943 by the Com- mittee on Rivers and Harbors of the House of Representatives. The project was authorized finally in March 1956 by Public Law 455 (84th Congress), which was never referred to the Department of Interior for ‘‘comments and possible sugges- tions of amendments to provide for the conservation of fish and wildlife resources in connection with the projects.’’ Dur- ing the current fiscal year, however, the Fish and Wildlife Service will undertake investigations with funds to be trans- ferred from the Corps of Engineers. It is hoped that a report of this study will be completed by January 1958 on an interim basis, and it is anticipated that such report will recommend modifications specifically in the interests of fish and wildlife resources, The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has indicated concern as to the possible adverse effects of dredging and spoil deposition related to this project on shrimp and:other shellfish resources in this inland sea area and on nursery values of the area for various species of finfishes. The Serv- ice is also concerned with the effects of the project on valu- able waterfowl marshes, The Fish and Wild Life Commission of Louisiana adopted, at its meeting on May 28, 1957, a reso- lution expressing concern over the effects of the project on the fish and wildlife resources. The Commission has also suggested certain modifications in the project plans in the interest of fish and wildlife conservation. The investigations and proposals of the Fish and Wildlife Service on this project are being closely coordinated with the Louisiana Commission. The resolution of the Louisiana Commission states in part: ‘In view of the progress that has been made in the planning of the New Orleans to the Gulf Tidewater Channel and in view of the fact that this agency has not been requested to official- ly comment on this proposed project, it is felt that the Wild Life and Fisheries Commission must make some comments and recommendations since this channel will have a pro- nounced effect on the fish and wildlife resources within a considerable area . . . this Commission is charged by law with the responsibility of preservation, protection, and prop- agation of the fish and wildlife resources of Louisiana. There- fore, pertinent factors associated with this project, as pres- ently planned, must be pointed out . . . that portion of the proposed canal from Paris Road to Chandeleur Island will cause irreplaceable losses to fish and wildlife resources. Thus, this Commission urges strong consideration of re- alignment of the channel since the proposed alignment is the worst possible one for fish and wildlife resources.’’ The Commission sets an annual value on oysters and shrimp at $24 million ex-vessel alone and states that the value of finfishes, both commercial and sports, and waterfowl cannot be estimated. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service stresses the importance of the brackish margin of our coast which deter- mines the very existence of many of our most valuable fishery resources. A large project which severly modified the drain- age, or which changed such properties of the water as tem- perature and salinity, or such features as depth, or the direc- tion and rate of flow of currents, could have serious effect on the productivity of the area. A single small project might have only slight effect; an accumulation of several could be very damaging indeed. The Service suggests in the interest of the conservation of our food and recreational resources that every major project involving the inshore environment should be preceded and accompanied by adequate biological studies designed to determine how the project could be mod- ified to preserve or improve the productivity of the area af- fected. The proposed plan of the Division Engineer for the Missis- sippi River-Gulf Outlet contemplates a canal some 76 miles in length, 36 feet deep, and 500 feet wide at the bottom ina southeasterly direction from a point just east of the City of New Orleans across approximately 40 miles of marshland and thence transecting Chandeleur Sound and extending to the 38-foot level in the Gulf of Mexico, with protective jetties and a permanent retention dike across open water. The pres- ently estimated federal cost is $92 million. Congress has just approved $375,000 for planning only and $625,000 for construction in the present fiscal year. This construction will be limited to improvements in the Intracoastal Waterway which are essential to the total project. No additional funds can be requested for construction until such time as plans for the entire project are completed. 26 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 National Fish Week 1957 Fish Parade, Ross L, Leffler, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife, appeared on Dave Garro- way’s ‘‘Today’’ Show on September 27. Leffler told the 6.5 million viewers of ‘‘Today’’ how the fishing industry is help- ing American housewives enjoy the abundance and variety of fishery products--by conservation measures, setting quality standards, and disseminating information about the nutritional and health-giving qualities of fishery products. He said also that the fishing industry is supplying ways to make fish cook- ery easy and delicious. This year’s National Fish Week (September 18-28) was the third such national promotion which featured advertisements in grocery, hotel, restaurant magazines, publicity in newspa- pers, magazines, and over radio and television. Task forces ROSS L, LEFFLER, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE in large cities carried out local programs, with advertising INTERIOR FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE BEING NTER- and publicity in the daily newspapers and over local radio and television stations. The Fisheries Council of Canada held i] VIEWED RB ISIDAN ESGARROWAVON SES SaTODA age SiO. their Fish Parade at the same time that the United States : fishing industry promoted its products. ae National Tuna Week INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS CANNED TUNA SALES CAMPAIGN: A- nother joint annual industry-Government sales promotion program designed to move the plentiful supplies of domestically-produced canned tuna into normal trade chan- nels again had the full support of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Ross Leffler announced. This nationwide program, publicized as "National Canned Tuna Week," was aimed at both institutional and home-consumer markets and climax- ed during the 10-day period of October 31-November 9, 1957. The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries aided the industry's promo- tional efforts through special work with schools, institutions, and food trade groups. Informational and educational activities were increased in order to attract greater consumer response. Industry leaders were confident that housewives would respond to this merchan- dizing activity since canned tuna fits into fall menus so well and is one of the few protein foods which is now lower in price than last year at this time. National ad- vertising by the tuna industry was expected to add tremendously to the sales effort by pinpointing special values of interest to homemakers. The Department of Agriculture also participated in the joint campaign by lend- ing the facilities of the Federal Extension Service and the Food Distribution and In- formation Divisions of the Agricultural Marketing Service. Canned tuna was included on the list of plentiful foods during October. Nets CARE IN CHOOSING TWINE: Has there been too much The author of the paper, reporting on tests of cotton, linen, haste and too little thought in substituting new for traditional ramie, hemp, manryo, nylon, and terylene, points out that materials used in the manufacture of commercial fishing both new and old materials have in some instances been re- gear? This question is raised by the Technological Station jected because of inadequate tests and improper use of the of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada at Vancouver in twines. Illustrating this point, he cites the selection of twine a paper to the First International Fishing Gear Congress. sizes for salmon gill nets, This meeting was organized by the Food and Agricultural Or- ganization (FAO) and is being held in Hamburg Germany, Oc- ‘Because fish must be caught from water, wet strength is tober 7-12, 1957. more important than dry strength even though, for conven- December 1957 ience, many people only measure the dry strength. At one time all gill nets used to catch salmon on the British Colum- bia coast were made of premium-grade linen, which is about 50 percent stronger when wet than when dry. In contrast to linen, nylon decreases about 15 percent in strength when wet- ted; therefore, if the size of twine for a nylon gill net is cho- sen to give the same dry strength as has the linen gill net which it is to replace, then the nylon gill net will be little more than half as strong as the linen net when both nets are in the water.”’ While manufacturers of nylon gill nets are aware of this and have selected twine sizes of sufficient wet strength to carry normal fishing loads, some net men and fishermen still select nylon gill nets on the basis of hand tests applied to dry netting. The nets so chosen are too light for the loads they must carry, and are easily torn. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 27 Another example of multifilament nylon gill nets is quoted in the paper. The knot strength is more important in fishing gear than the strength of the straight twine. Soon after nylon 66 multifilament gill nets were introduced into the British Columbia salmon fishery, nylon 6 multifilament gill nets be- gan to appear although, when tested, it was found that nylon 6 twine was about 40 percent weaker than nylon 66 twine of the same weight. Nylon 6 was rejected as being unsatisfac- tory for gill nets. However, because these two nylons react differently to knotting, the mesh of a nylon 6 net is only about 20 percent weaker than the mesh of a nylon 66 net of the same weight, states the author. The paper stresses that where materials, either new or conventional, are to be used in new applications, their physi- cal properties should be described in an absolute manner, (Trade News of August 1957, Canadian Department of Fish- eries.) North Atlantic Fisheries Investigations SEA SCALLOP TAGGING AND SPAWNING OBSERVATIONS (M/V Albatross III Cruise 103): In continuation of the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries stud- ies on the Georges Bank scallop, the research vessel Albatross II made 55 drags with a scallop dredge on the eastern part of the Bank. About 12,000 scallops were examined for spawning condition and 5,500 scallops were tagged and released. In addition 300 un- derwater photographs were made, hydrographic data collected, and a transponding buoy tracked for six days. The vessel sailed on September 18 and returned Sep- tember 26, 1957. SERVICE'S RESEARCH VESSEL ALBATROSS III. 2K ok Ok Ok HADDOCK TAGGING AND COLLECTING CRUISE COMPLETED (Albatross II Cruise 104): A total of 1,803 haddock, 515 cod, 69 halibut, and 50 dogfish were tag- ged by the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries research vessel Albatross II during an October 9-20, 1957, cruise. In addition, 434 haddock less than one-year old were collected and 631 cod were examined for the presence of the copepod par- asite Lernaeocera branchialis, found on the gills of cod and other species. The area covered by the cruise included Great South Channel, a few miles east of Highland Light, Georges Bank, and Browns Bank, Fishing was conducted in 25-60 fathoms and 110 30-minute tows were made in 25-60 fathoms with a standard No. 41 otter trawl. The cod ends were lined with a 3-inch mesh reliner to retain the catch of small fish. The haddock were tagged with ''spaghetti type'' tags through the back or dorsal area, with Petersen disc tags through the operculum, and Lea internal anchor tags. Cod were tagged alternately with Petersen disc tags through the back and with Lea internal anchor tags. 28 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 195SNow 12 North Atlantic Herring Research DRIVING HERRING SCHOOLS WITH COMPRESSED-AIR CURTAIN: Field ex- periments on the driving of herring schools were conducted by Boothbay Harbor, Me., staff of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries during the last week in August and the first nine days of September 1957. A ''wall" of compressed air discharged on the sea bottom was tried in these experiments as a means of influencing the movements of herring schools, After several weeks of building and testing this gear at the Boothbay Harbor Research Station, it was taken aboard the 35-foot motorboat Clu- pea to Tenants Harbor for the field trials. In this area, working in cooperation with a sardine fisherman from St. George, Me., tests of the gear were made on actual schools of herring. The fisherman performed the essential task of spotting the schools from the air in his piper cub airplane and of directing the setting of the gear. All observations of the effects of the air discharge were also made by airplane. The trials were made at Pleasant Island near Ten- ants Harbor. Pleasant Island SEINE AND POCKET ce AIR DISCHARGE Wa The gear used consists principally of an cae th industrial-type air compressor, a 700-foot length of flexible polyethylene pipe with an in- side diameter of 1.050 inches, and a power- 3 driven hose reel with air fittings to allow set- rae _- | ting out and hauling in the plastic pipe while LD Rees ey pumping air. The compressor was capable of : 4 Two delivering 60 cubic feet of air a minute ata Island maximum pressure of 75 pounds a square inch. This compressor was connected through the FIG, 1 -| SETS MADE TO TEST EFFECTIVENESS hose reel to the plastic pipe--500 feet of the Weacrun ecieGuee SURATUL UI GEESUMIDINE pipe was drilled at one-foot intervals with a : i-inch diameter drill and weighted with a wrapping of lead wire to make it sink.” An additional 200 feet of the pipe, undrilled and unweighted, was connected between the drilled piece and the hose-reel outlet. SLA rf hae The gear thus assembled was capable of discharging air bubbles along the 500- foot length of drilled pipe at depths of up to 100 feet. When in operation, from the pipe lying beneath the water a continuous 500-foot-long ''curtain'' of small air bub- bles would rise to the surface. Fish were located in suitable position for trials of the equipment during periods of favorable weather on August 31, September 1, September 8, and September 9. Sets made on these dates are shown diagramatically in figures 1 and 2. The pattern of movement of herring schools observed in this area was an approach from the south (bottom of diagram) and movement in a northerly direction toward Pleasant Island, usually going around the west side of the island. On August 31 and September 1, part of a lead in a seine was removed from a set of commercial gear and the air-discharge pipe substituted for it as diagrammed at the top of figure 1. On August 31, the fish moved in close inshore without approach- ing close enough to the air discharge to give a good indication of their reaction to it. Since the fish moved along the island closer to shore than was their usual pattern, it appeared possible that the air discharge and noise of the compressor might have af- December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 29 fected their movements somewhat. On the night of September 1, the gear was put into operation as the herring schools approached, but the schools altered their usual course and swam around to the western side of the island. On September 8, the air-discharge pipe was laid between Crow Island and Two Bush Island. On this night most of the fish veered off toward Crow Island and passed between the end of the air discharge and the island. One school, however, moved up to the air discharge and stopped there. The school remained in this position as long as sufficient light remained to allow observation. Crow Island SEPT. 9 HERRING SCHOOLS In order to obtain a definite test, the channel between Crow Island and the un- named island to the west of Two BushIs- land was almost completely ''blocked off" with the air discharge, as shown in fig- ure 2, during the evening of September 9. On this night several large schools start- ed through the channel as usual. These schools did not cross through the air dis- -charge but stopped a short distance from it, flattened out against it, and moved a- FIG. 2 - COMPRESSED-AIR CURTAIN BLOCKS OFF HER- long it just as they do along a length of SERS ect seine. Some fish moved around eachend of the air curtain but a large proportion of the school remained flattened against it for approximately the 45 minutes during which they could be observed before darkness. In addition to these trials on ''wild fish,'' the air curtain was tried out onherring already captured. An attempt was made to drive the fish from one pocket into anoth- er. This was not successful. The enclosed fish avoided the air until they became concentrated in approximately one half the pocket, but as they were crowded closer they began to run through it. These experiments showed herring to definitely avoid the air curtain and resist strongly passing through it. The movements of the ''wild fish'' particularly were altered by the air discharge. These tests were made with the gear set in a fixed position. Additional work is in progress presently to improve the gear by making it effective over a longer length and to make it more portable. A particular problem if herring are to be driven is that of towing the plastic pipe over rough bottom. Pro- vision has been made for adding irritant chemicals to the discharged air to make the fish avoid it, however, this has not proved necessary to date. North Pacific Exploratory Fishery Program EXPLORATORY FISHING CRUISE TO ALASKAN WATERS COMPLETED (M/V Tordenskjold Cruise 32): Important concentrations of Pacific ocean perch, black rockfish, shrimp, and fair quantities of king crab were found by the Bureau of Com- mercial Fisheries chartered schooner-trawler Tordenskjold during a five-months trip which ended October 16, 1957. The trip was planned to investigate the distribu- tion of king crab, bottom fish, and shrimp for possible extension of known fishing grounds and their availability to commercial types of fishing gear. 30 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol, 19, No. 12 Exploration in the offshore waters of Southeastern Alaska be- tween Dixon Entrance and Hazy Is- lands was carried out from May 23- June 30 using standard 400-mesh Atlantic otter trawls and a 40-foot Gulf of Mexico flat shrimp trawl. Fishing efforts in this area reveal- ed a considerable amount of clear trawling bottom and significant con- centrations of Pacific ocean perch ‘| (Sebastodes alutus) and black rock- fish (Sebastodes melanops). Ex- ploration in both inshore and off shore waters of Southwestern Alas- Unalaska Island was conductedfrom July 18-October 1. Standard king crab pots and 400-mesh Pacific ot- ter trawls were used in this area in addition to the gear usedinSouth- eastern Alaska. King crab were taken in fair amounts in some places, +B x ON were made consistently in several localities. ENTRANCE “ The exploration off Southeast- ern Alaska was a continuation of FG apie M/V TORDENSKJOLD CRUISE 32 (MAY 16-OCTOBER 16, 1957). OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN ALAS KA. ‘ work initiated by the Service's ex- ‘| ploratory fishing vessel John N, Cobb in the fall of 1956. Pacific ocean perch were caught by the Tordenskjold at depths of 87-140 fathoms at average rates of 1,000- 3,150 pounds per hour in each of the following areas: in the 125- fathom gully off Timbered islet, along the 100-fathom edge offshore from Wolf Rock to Forrester Island, and on the 125-fathom bank south of Forrester Island. Average catches of 1,100 pounds of black rockfish per hour were made near the 100-fathom edge off Noyes Island. Off Cape Bartolome several half-hour drags with the Gulf shrimp trawl at depths of 82-93 fathoms caught from 130-340 pounds of small pink shrimp. Seventy percent of the drags attempted on the Southeastern grounds came through clear, Al- though the other 30 percent "hung up,'' very little gear damage re- sulted. Weather conditions were generally good in sharp contrast to those experienced during the fall of 1956. The primary objective of the exploration in Southwestern Alaska FIG. 2 - 1957). PACIFIC OCEAN M/V TORDENSK JOLD CRUISE 32 (MAY 16-OCTOBER 16, ( OPERATIONS |N SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 31 was to determine the distribution of king crab outside of the known commercial fish- ery. Because of the large amount of area to be covered in a limited time, crab pots were normally set $-mile apart. Individual pots caught 15-22 crabs each on grounds south of Umga Island, north of Sanak Islands, Stepovak Bay, and in Cold Bay, Akutan Bay, and Unalaska Bay at depths ranging from 36-102 fathoms. Drags with both Eastern and Western otter trawls caught relatively small numbers of king crab. True cod was the most frequent species of bottom fish taken in the otter trawls, with 5,000 pounds caught in one 60-minute drag. Excellent catches of shrimp (mostly ''cocktail' size pinks) were made with the Gulf shrimp trawl at depths ranging from 44 to 85 fathoms inthe vicinities of Sealion Rocks, Stepovak Bay, Balboa Bay, Beaver Bay, and Pavlof Bay. Drags in each of these areas produced catches averaging from 550 pounds per half hour in Stepovak Bay to 2,950 pounds per half hour at Beaver Bay. The largest single catch was 3,800 pounds tak- en in a half-hour drag in Beaver Bay. A representative of the Bureau's King Crab Investigations project supervised the tagging of male king crab aboard the vessel in Southwestern Alaska. All halibut caught during the cruise were measured for the International Pacific Halibut Com- mission. NOTE: SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, JUNE 1957, PP. 30-31. Pacific Oceanic Fishery Investigations SKIPJACK TUNA CONCOURSE AREAS SURVEY COMPLETED (John R. Mann- ing Cruise 37): A month-long study of the distribution of skipjack tuna (aku) in Ha- walian waters was successfully completed by the Bureau's Pacific Oceanic Fishery Investigations research vessel John R. Manning on October 18, 1957, The primary objective of the cruise was to con- tinue studies initiated last sum- mer on a skipjack concourse near Cape Kaea, Lanai. This concourse is a small area in which, for rea- sons as yet unknown, the ordinar- ily highly mobile skipjack tuna schools appear to linger for con- siderable periods of time. The fishery scientists and oceanogra- phers believe that if their study of the food and behavior of the fish and the water temperature and oth- er environmental factors can pro- vide them with an explanation of the almost constant presence of skipjack tuna in this one spot, they may well be able to apply this THE PACIFIC OCEANIC FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS RESEARCH knowledge to the broader task of VESSEL JOHN R. MANNING. explaining the seasonal movements of this valuable fishery resource in and out ofthe Hawaiian area as a whole. Observations made during the cruise showed that skipjack and little tuna (kawaka- wa) were still present in the concourse. There appeared, however, to have been some changes in the population, for a school of 11- to 17-pound skipjack was fished about 500 yards off Cape Kaea in an area where the fish have previously been predominant- ly about 5 pounds. Tagging of skipjack with a plastic dart tag was carried out, as on the earlier cruises, and 129 fish were successfully marked and released. 32 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vols Loy Nos v2 In an attempt to locate other skipjack concourses the John R. Manning surveyed areas off Halawa, Molokai; Kaena Pt., Lanai; Barking Sands, Kauai; Lehua Rock, and a shallow bank off Niihau, but no skipjack were found. At the bank east of the southern tip of Niihau, however, little tuna schools were attracted to the vessel on 3 out of 4 chumming attempts. NOTE: ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1957, PP. 26 AND Zils ris Oregon SALMON TAGGING PROGRAM AT BONNEVILLE DAM COMPLETED: A total sion during the summer and fall of 1957 in the final phase of a 2-year study to deter- mine what influence The Dalles Dam has had on salmon migration in the Columbia River. A Commission biologist, directing the migration study, said the tagging phase of the investigation was completed late in September, but final results will not be known for several months. The study is being made under a U. S. Army Corps of Engineers fisheries engineering research program dealing with fisheries problems related to dam construction in the Columbia basin. The study was designed to compare salmon migration rates before and after completion of The Dalles Dam. Migration rates of king and sockeye (blueback) salmon were obtained in 1956, before The Dalles Dam was completed, by putting numbered discs on fish at Bonneville Dam. A portion of the tagged fish were recaptured at McNary Dam to establish the average number of days it took the fish to swim the 145 miles between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam. This past summer, with The Dalles Dam extending entirely across the Columbia River channel, fish tagging at Bonneville Dam was repeated. The biologist stated that ''When average migration rates for tagged fish recov- ered at McNary Dam this year are compared with last year's figures; we should be in the position to know if the newly-constructed dam has influenced the migration rate between Bonneville and McNary Dams." KOK OK ok Ok SOCKEYE SALMON ENTER WILLAMETTE RIVER FOR FIRST TIME: The first "yrun™ of sockeye (blueback) salmon ever recorded in the Willamette River system was reported on October 18, 1957, by the Oregon Fish Commission. A total of 115 adult fish appeared at Dexter Dam on the middle Wil- lamette River where the Commission collects spawning salmon blocked from their native spawning grounds above Lookout Point Dam. The superintendent of the Commission's Oakridge Hatchery said 100,000 eggs had been collected from the returning sockeye. The adult fish are the product of 52,000 fingerlings released in the adult salmon holding pools at Dexter Dam in 1955, The finger- lings were hatched at the Oakridge Hatchery from eggs imported from a UnitedStates Fish and Wildlife Service hatchery at Leavenworth, Wash. The returning sockeye are the second new run of fish that has come into the middle Willamette River this year. Last spring 260 mature steelhead salmon trout, also the result of fingerling plants from the Oakridge Hatchery, appeared at the Dex- ter holding ponds. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 33 The acting Oregon State Fisheries Director said sockeye plantings in the middle Willamette River originally were not made with the idea of establishing a permanent run. The fish had been obtained for release in Lookout Point Reservoir to test the efficiency of an experimental fingerling attracting and trapping device. Due to a de- lay in the attraction experiment, the sockeye fingerings were released below Dexter Dam, giving the fish free access to the ocean. Adult returns from another plant of 44,000 sockeye fingerlings in the middle Willamette two years ago will be due back to Dexter Dam next summer. The sur- vival of this group of fish will have a bearing on whether or not the Commission will attempt to establish a permanent sockeye salmon run in the stream. Le = Oysters SET IN LONG ISLAND SOUND A FAILURE, SUMMER 1957: ee ee OE ee SS Eee See ee some dissolved substances can profoundly affect the devel- Observations on setting of oysters were discontinued at the end of September 1957. These observations, as well as in- formation received from oystermen and other sources, show that setting of oysters during the summer of 1957 was a com- plete failure. For example, in Milford Bay where three col- lecting stations were located at depths of 10, 20, and 30 feet, respectively, only a single spat was found during the entire summer, reports Bulletin 4 dated October 4, 1957, from the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Marine Biological Laboratory in Milford, Conn. Examination of numerous plankton samples, collected by pumping 250 gallons of water in each case, showed in most instances almost a complete absence of oyster larvae. Thus, larvae were very scarce even though the oysters of Long Is- land Sound had developed normal quantities of spawn. In comparing the intensity of setting in 1957 with that of previous years, it is clear that this year has been the poorest since the beginning of systematic studies on setting over 20 years ago. Even the set of 1938, which was previously con- sidered the poorest, was much superior to that of 1957. Ob- viously, Since only one spat was found on the collectors this summer, no indication of the beginning or end of the setting season, or the time of the maxima of the two waves of setting which are commonly observed in Long Island Sound, can be made, No explanation as to why the oysters failed to set this year can be offered. A study of such environmental factors as changes in temperature, salinity, amount of precipitation, solar radiation, direction and velocity of the winds, etc., does not indicate anything that sharply distinguished this summer from certain previous ones when good sets of oysters were obtained. However, judging by the scarcity of oyster larvae in the plankton samples, it is possible that their mortality and therefore, the lack of set, was caused by a lack of food ar by epidemic diseases, As has already been pointed out in many publications originating from the Laboratory, oys- ter larvae are extremely selective in their foods, being un- able to utilize most of the microscopic forms which not so long ago were considered to be larval food organisms. Mor- tality of larvae due to diseases has also been observed at the laboratory on numerous occasions. Two other possibilities are mentioned in connection with mortality of larvae; first, that the larvae were eaten by their enemies, which would also consist principally of planktonic forms. However, examination of plankton samples showed that such forms were not abundant enough to exterminate the majority of the larvae. The second possibility is that ‘‘un- healthy’’ conditions of the sea water, which are still not well understood, caused the larvae to die. Service biologists have found, as have their colleagues in England and in Japan, that opment of eggs of marine animals and the survival of larvae. The Milford Laboratory hopes to gain a better understanding of these ‘‘water factors’’ by using chemical approaches and methods of bioassay, In connection with the failure of setting this year it was pointed out to the oystermen that good oyster sets in open waters along the Connecticut shore are quite uncommon. The records of the state shellfish authorities, several leading oyster companies of the state, which have been operating since the turn of the century, and Service observations fully support this contention. These records show that between 1904 and 1925, a period of 21 years, not a single general heavy set occurred in the Sound. Since 1925 good sets have occurred on only five occasions, i.e., 1930, 1939, 1940, 1944, and 1945. Thus, during the last 57 years only 6 or 7 good general sets have occurred. The remaining years have been ‘comparative failures; years during which a general but light set occurred in the Sound, or years when good sets occurred in some Sections, but in other areas setting was a failure. For example, in 1953 only the Bridgeport area had a good set, while the Milford and New Haven sections suffered near- failures. Previous reports from the Laboratory have indicated that the open Long Island Sound is not only unreliable for obtain- ing a regular set, but also that control of enemies of spat and young oysters there will always remain difficult and ex- pensive. Finally, during the last decade the oyster beds of the open Sound have suffered greatly from seyere storms and hurricanes. These factors should, obviously, be consid- ered in connection with the cultivation of oysters in deep or open waters, Because of the above considerations, Service biologists have suggested that the Connecticut oyster growers consider the possibility of transferring part of their seed-oyster pro- duction operations from the open Sound to more shallow, better protected waters, where oysters set more regularly and where control of enemies is more feasible. This could be achieved if the natural oyster growers and oyster planters of Connecticut would combine their efforts to utilize efficient- ly the numerous bays, harbors, and mouths of rivers where, in-the past, extensive natural oyster beds existed but which, at present, are barren and unproductive because of overfish- ing and a lack of cultivation. If oyster-producing areas are re-established in such inshore waters, the industry may be assured of getting commercially-important sets more often than in open waters. Furthermore, under these conditions control of the chief oyster enemies, drills and starfish, would probably not be needed at all because these pests, which re- quire water of comparatively high salinity, are not able to exist in inshore areas where the salinity is often temporarily reduced after heavy rains. 34 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 Salmon ALASKA'S 1957 PACK OF CANNED SALMON: Preliminary figures indicate a pack of 2.4 million cases (48 1-Ib. cans) for allof Alaska, a decline of 18 percent or over 500,000 cases from 1956, and only 2.7 percent higher than the 1955 pack. The 1955 pack was the lowest in over 50 years. The pack of pink salmonin South- eastern and Central Alaska was below expectations with the pack of this spe- cies 36.2 percent below the 1956 pack of 1.2 million cases and 40.5 percent under the 1955-cycle year pack of 1.2 million cases. The pack of reds was normal, although 24.8 percent below the 1956 pack (1956 was a cycle year). The only encouraging feature of this year's Alaska salmon pack was the substantial pack of chum salmon which exceeded the 1956 pack by 137,000 cases and was 13.2 percent or 96,000 cases above the 1954 cycle year pack. fable 1 - Alaska’s Canned Salmon Pac T9571 Ea a cam. | SOO ch OLCE CEO, DIOL OIG CLL cae tandard(Casesiof 48) 1=1b, Cans)! .) 2s «\.<. «shes se as oneneneneneie 15,722 29,150 46,230 1,272 215212) (23,767 47,818 51,373 179,986] 484,498 746,996 72,851 341,030] 579,761 621,644| 1,006,951 331,873 2 736,096 634,272 1,154,330] 1,237,465| 1,136,792 432,797} 31,142 828,695| 294,282 363,634] 732,338 4,388 99,900] 114,584] 167,299 644,031 | 2,985,693] 2,385,145) 3,094,753) 5,078 90,907 549,870 | 2,448,924 28,282 988,660 46,497 1,049,174 1,292,488 1/PRELIMINARY DATA. NOTE: SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, DECEMBER 1956, P. 49, School Lunch Fish-Cookery Demonstrations Home economists assisted by the fishery marketing specialists of the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries will present 92 fish-cookery demonstrations in 11 states and the District of Columbia this winter and spring. 2 ere ‘aS A U. S. BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES HOME ECONOMIST CONDUCTING A FISH-COOKERY DEMONSTRAT1ON BEFORE SCHOOL-LUNCH SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 35 Demonstrations will be given mainly for school-lunch and Extension Service personnel. The home economists will present the proper preparation of appetizing, economical, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare fish and shellfish dishes. The recipes to be used in these demonstrations were developed in the Bureau's test kitchens at College Park, Md., and Seattle, Wash. Special attention is given when developing the school-lunch recipes to provide 2 ounces of cooked protein per serving to meet the Type A school-lunch require- ments. The fish used in these recipes are plentiful and inexpensive. They are fro- zen fillets and portion fish such as cod, haddock, and ocean perch; canned fish such as mackerel and tuna; and precooked fish such as frozen fish sticks. The demonstrations for the Extension Service are usually given to group lead- ers who, in turn, give similar demonstrations to their local groups. The recipes used in these demonstrations are taken from the Test Kitchen Series. The home economists usually present six recipes featuring the varieties of fish and shellfish available in local markets. To date, the Bureau has scheduled demonstrations in the following states: New York 37, Idaho 11, Colorado 8, Iowa 8, Rhode Island 8, Oregon 5, Nevada 4, Mary- land 3, Ohio 3, Utah 3, West Virginia 1, and District of Columbia 1. SRS South Carolina FISHERIES BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH PRO- GR. J -SEPTEMBER 1957: ster Re- search: An experimental shipment of commercial seed oysters has been made from South Carolina to northern waters. Late reports from the Chesa- peake Bay area indicates that these oysters are growing and thriving. Apparently they suffered little mortality in being transplanted. Success of this shipment augurs well for this new seed oyster industry, points out Progress Report No. 33 (July- September 1957) of the Beare uff Laboratories. In connection with the expansion of the seed oyster industry, studies have been continued ona » substitute shell which can be used as cultch. This possible substitute is found in old dead oyster shells thrown up on banks of many creeks andriv- ers by wave action and stormy seas. Test plant- ing of this shell in different years and at different times of the year show that washed shell is not particularly valuable as cultch when planted on oyster beds, but is suited for seed oyster produc- tion in suspended trays, bags, and baskets. The amount of washed shell available in South Carolina is unmeasured, but in one stretch of the North Edisto River alone there is an estimated half-million bushels of shell. This is a "'renew- able resource" in that every period of bad weather washes new shells up on the banks. With funds provided by a recent grant from the Charleston Scientific and Cultural Educational Foundation, a one-acre experimental pond at Bears Bluff has been partially cleaned of accumulated silt, and a part of its floor has been shelled and hardened for experimental planting. A portion of this oyster pond has been planted with seed oysters. The necessary engineering work for the control of salinity is well under way with the purchase and installation of pipe lines for the transfer of fresh water, The mechanical work on one pump was completed, and a gasoline motor to be used in pumping was completely overhauled. Just as ten years ago when similar experiments were started, the depredation of young seed oys- ters by crabs is great. However, unlike the situa- tion of ten years ago, the facilities and measures for controlling these crabs are now at hand. It is hoped that control measures can be actively under- taken in the next quarter. Shrimp Research: Sampling and analysis of the shrimp catch at the regular established stations by experimental trawl hauls was continued. In all, 88 experimental tows were made and analyzed. A concerted effort has been made this season to arrive at some practical means by which the future commercial catch of shrimp could be pre- dicted on the availability of young shrimp in the marshes. To date the studies look promising but are not sufficient to draw conclusions, Pond Cultivation of shrimp: Experimental studies on the cultivation of shrimp in ponds has been continued. Up to now, all information on pond cultivation of shrimp has been obtained from the one-acre ponds which could be flooded or drained by tidal action. Since so many requests for information come from areas where tidal mag- nitude is slight, two new ponds have been con- structed on high land above the influence of tide. These ponds are filled by irrigation pumps. Cost analyses on operation, stocking and management, production figures, feeding experiments, growth rates, and mortality of shrimp in these ponds is being studied. A small amount of seed oysters have been planted in one of the ponds. o000o00 36 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 Task Force to Study Handling of Frozen Foods A 15-man task force to explore improved handling of fro- zen foods from packer to consumer has been named by the National Association of Frozen Food Packers in Washington, D. C. The Association President and Chairman of the Task Force said that acceptance of appointments was 100 percent, indi- cating that '‘everyone who has a stake in frozen foods is aware that mishandling does exist, that it is having a detri- mental effect on industry expansion, and that it can be elim- inated,’’ The force's objectives are: ‘‘to impress upon all handlers of frozen foods the downgrading effects which exposure to temperatures above zero have upon the products’’ and ‘‘in- form and educate, by every means available, on proper han- dling methods.”’ The program was begun after a release by the U. S, De- partment of Agriculture’s Western Utilization Branch on the effects of poor handling on color, flavor, texture, and nutri- tional value of frozen foods. All phases of frozen food processing, distribution, and marketing are represented on the task force. The fishing industry is represented by the President of the National Fish- eries Institute. (Food Field Reporter, September 16, 1957.) United States Fishing Rice! Additions JULY 1957: First documents as fishing craft were issued to 76 vessels of 5 net tons and over during July 1957. Compared with the same month in 1956, this F New Eneland’) 375 5 © Middle Atlantic Puerto Rico otal NOTE: THE BASIS OF THEIR HOME PORTS. was an increase of 8 vessels. Table 1 - U. S. Vessels Issued First Documents As ishing Craft by Areas, July 1957 with Comparisons Total 1957 1956 VESSELS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE VARIOUS SECTIONS ON Table 2 - U. S. Vessels Issued First Documents As Fishing Craft, by Tonnage, The Gulf area led with 20 vessels, followed by the South Atlantic area with 16, the Pacific 14, and the Chesapeake and Alaska with 9 each. The remaining 8 vessels were credited to the Middle Atlantic and New Eng- land areas and Puerto Rico. 1/ INCLUDES BOTH COMMERCIAL AND SPORT FISHING CRAFT. United States Fishery Landings in 1957 Still Below 1956 The United States and Alaska catch of fish and shellfish for the first eight months of 1957 was running considerably below that reported for the same period of the previous year. Fisheries which this year yielded approximately 2.7 billion pounds, last year yielded nearly 3.1 billion pounds. The greatest decline occurred in the menhaden catch which during the first eight months of 1957 totaled 1,2 billion pounds--nearly 403 million pounds less than in the same peri- od of 1956. On the Pacific Coast, catches of tuna and tunalike fishes declined nearly 33 million pounds and Alaska salmon landings dropped 47 million pounds below 1956. Landings of ocean perch on the Atlantic Coast declined nearly 21 million pounds, Compared with the same period in 1956, the landings of only three species increased during the first 8 months of 1957--the herring catch in Maine was up almost 29 million pounds, the herring catch in Alaska increased nearly 11 mil- lion pounds, and landings of whiting in New England increased nearly 32 million pounds, It is evident from the information reported to date that the 1957 catch will be considerably lower than the record 5.2 bil- lion pounds landed by United States and Alaska fishermen in 1956. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW United States Catch of Fishery Products, Various Periods, 1957 and 1956 CEU GEE Nonna Sinee Salman b ee af 156 1956 cooooo. 4000 NSH) S665 Massachusetts: Boston Gloucester New Bedford Provincetown Rhode Island 2/ New York 2/ — 7 New Jersey 2/ 7 46,097 North Carolina 2/ {8 49,009 Georgia a hae 16,711 Florida 2/ Tf ® 142,493 Alabama a ® 12,320 Mississippi 2/ @ 22,573 Texas 2/ 8” 61,993 Ohio (Mar.-Aug.) ep 24,928 Oregon G70 California: 295,312] 604,218 Certain species 3/ Other 37,823] 156,116 Total California 333,135] 760,334 Rhode Island, Middle Atlantic, Chesapeake, South Atlantic, and Gulf States (men- haden oniy) Hl mos 1, 131,848] 1,489,724 Louisiana, shrimp heads-on) 6 mos Washington (halibut only 4/) 8mos.} 13,887 Alaska: Halibut 4/ fs}, 140 Herring (season) |8 ” Salmon ts}. 19,672 114,664 204,000 251,000] 263,396 Total of all above items 2,685,981) 3,072,871] 4,628,035 argent | | Gf yh eee Grande | paossceilsirerafsiam aw | 1/ Preliminary, 2/ Excluding menhaden, 3/ Includes catch of: anchovies, jack and Pacific mackerel, ~ tuma and bonito, and squid, 4/ Dressed weight, 5/ Not included, Note: Round or ‘‘as caught’’ weight mess otherwise indi- cated, 37 United States Catch of Certain Species, Various Periods, 1957 and 1956 V/ B Wha. 1956 phone ronsnet (el OOORIEDSS) ee etemears Anchovies, California 7 mos, 7 mos, 8” 8” 1,514 13,942 1,264 Total cod Haddock; Maine Boston Gloucester 33,076 Total halibut 33,059 33,513 49,680 Herring: Maine Tmos.| 88,678 60,113) 140,472 Alaska (season) 8 ” 114,664] 103,759 ES Mackerel, ifornia: Jac mos 36,722 36,706 76,784 ares lees 9,702 14,486 47,766 8 mos. 1,553,228] 2,076,588 Ocean perch: Maine ‘7 mos 40,857 64,967 Boston Sas 1,905 2,839 Gloucester Sie 61,198 83,303 Total ocean perch 83,210} 103,960} 151,109 Salmon, Alaska le mos, 204,000} 251,000] 263,896 Scallops, sea, New Bedford 633,09 11,097 9,756 14,243 Shrimp (heads-on) 6 ” 62,209 63,945} 183,862 Squid, California |7 ” 9,842 9,588 15,790 Tuna and bonito, California Thais 165,810} 198,424] 409,596 Whiting: Maine 11,326 14,835 Boston 150 413 Gloucester 33,914 46 432 Total of all above items Other 3/(not included) Grand Total 1/ Preliminary, 9/ Dressed weight, 3/ Partial data, Note: Round or ‘“‘as caught” indicated, —_ La - 1956, imports this August were substantially greater for fil- - (Millions of Lbs.). (Millions of §) - lets and blocks, canned salmon, and raw tuna. These in- Imports: creases more than offset declines in the imports of shrimp Fish & shellfish: (about 1 million pounds) and slightly lower imports of a few Fresh, frozen & other items. processed1/.. | 87.5 23.8 | 22.4 Exports: Imports for August 1957 averaged 27.2 cents a pound as ances shellfish: compared with 29.9 cents a pound for the same month of 1956. Processed 1/ only (excluding fresh Exports of processed fish and shellfish in August 1957 rose and frozen 5.7 82.8 2.1 11 19.2 46.3 percent above the previous month and were up 19.6 per- cent above the same month in 1956. The August 1957 value H/INCLUDES PASTES, SAUCES, CLAM CHOWDER AND JUICE, AND OTHER SPECIALTIES. XK OK Ok Ok calendar year 1957 at the 125-percent rate of duty is limited to 44,528,533 pounds. Any imports in excess of that quantity will be dutiable at 25 percent ad valorem. Imports under the quota from January 1-September 28, 1957, amounted to 30,034,996 pounds, according to data compiled by the Bureau of the Customs. This leaves a balance of 14,493,537 pounds of the quota which may be imported during the balance of 1957 at the 125-percent rate of duty. CEE Use of Term 'Brevis Red Tide" for ''Red Tide" The association of Gymnodinium brevis with the sporadic mass mortality of fish and other marine animals occurring in the Gulf of Mexico since 1947 is fairly well established. Further, investigation in the laboratory has demonstrated that this dinoflagellate in pure culture is toxic to fish. On the basis of this evidence, it has been proposed that the name "brevis red tide" be used for such mortalities in- stead of the nonspecific term ''red tide,'' which is used commonly in popular and scientific writing. (The Progressive Fish-Culturist, October 1957.) ade 40 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 Utilization of Fish Waste in Northern Oregon for Mink Feed Achallenging problem often met in the fishing industry is how best to utilize fish waste. One solution to this problem has been to convert the waste into feed for fur animals, such as mink, — a During the last decade, this use has become par- ‘1; a ai ticularly important in Wash- .. ington, Oregon, and North- ern California, where a sub- stantial fur-farming indus- try has developed as a re- : a ; : sult of the availability of FIG. 1 - PLANTS PRODUCING MINK FEED ARE LARGE IN ORDER TO PRO- fish waste in those areas. VIDE AMPLE FROZEN-STORAGE FACILITIES. THIS IS A TYPICAL ONE. Ty fact not only the waste > but also certain of the noncommercial species of whole fish are being used where state laws permit, as in Oregon (table 1). = 1 a ae -2 3 2 2 8 2 1 6 1 5 Ne PNYNNISS: amwnoocooneo 7 6. Me 6. 2 3. 2. 9. 2. 8 T/DATA COMPILED BY OR. GEORGE Y. HARRY, JR. AND WALTER G. JONES, AND MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COURTESY OF ALFRED R. MORGAN, QUATIC BIOLOGIST, FISH COMMISSION OF OREGON FIG. 2 - DOCK FOR UNLOADING WHOLE FISH. Not all fish waste can be used for feeding mink. The waste must be strictly fresh, just as with fish used for human food. It must be relatively free of thiaminase, as otherwise the mink may get Chastex paraly- sis. And it must not be too oily, since a high content of oil is said to cause yellow-fat dis- ease, especially if the oil is highly unsaturated. The manufacture of waste into mink feed varies somewhat from one locality to another. In the cities of Astoria and Newport, Ore., the process is essentially one of grinding the waste, placing it in paper bags, freezing the bags with the waste, and holding them in frozen storage until needed. If whole fish are used, the process is the same except that the fish are washed thoroughly before they are ground. The photo- graphs show the various steps in the process, FIG. 3 - UNLOADING FISH FROM DRAGGER. ON THIS PAR- TICULAR TRIP, ONLY 20,000 POUNDS OF FISH WERE CAUGHT, OWING TO ROUGH WEATHER. THIS VESSEL HAS A 17-FOOT BEAM AND A LENGTH OF 58-FEET. BEING A COMBINATION BOAT, IT CAN BE USED FOR DRAGGING, TROLLING (FOR BOTH SALMON AND TUNA), AND FOR HALIBUT FISHING, NOTE THE DECK HOSE USED FOR CLEANING THE PEN BOARDS. ABSOLUTE CLEANLINESS 1S ESSENTIAL TO THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY FISH. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 41 FIG. 4 = PUTTING FISH IN THE HOPPER FOR A CON- FIG. 5 - WASHING FISH. VEYOR SYSTEM. Sint S FIG. 7 - LOADING FISH INTO TRUCK. FIG. 6 - FISH WASHER. Se. FIG. 9 - SCALE (40,000-POUND CAPACITY) FOR WEIGHING FISH. FIG. 8 - WASHING EQUIPMENT. METICULOUS CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE CLEANLINESS OF THE EQUIPMENT. 42 FIG. 14 500 Pou _ THIS BAGG NOS OF GROUN f 10 - UNLOADING TRUCK. {NG AND p FISH COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW SS SEWING OPERATION W PER MINUTE FIG, 12 - FILLING BAG WITH FISH THAT HAS BEEN GROUND UP, THESE ARE THREE - PLY BAGS WITH POLY- ETHYLENE LINERS. EACH BAG HOLDS 55 POUNDS OF GROUND FISH. Vol. 19, No, 12 (— FIG. 13 - BAG-SEWING MACHINE. THIS MACHINE WILL SEW SEVEN BAGS PER MIN- UTE. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 43 FIG. 17 - TRUCKING BAGS INTO SHARP FREEZER. FIG. 19 - BAGS OF GROUND FISH IN FROZEN STORAGE. THIS ROOM WILL HOLD 450 TONS OF BAGGED FISH. FIG, 18 - SHARP FREEZER WITH A CA- PACITY OF 15 TONS. THE BAGS OF GROUND FISH ARE COMPLETELY FROZEN IN 20 HOURS. 44 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 FIG. 21 - COMING OUT OF VESTI- BULE OF FROZEN-STORAGE ROOM WITH BAGS OF GROUND FISH THAT HAVE BEEN IN FROZEN STORAGE, FIG, 22 - LOADING BAGS ONTO CON- VEYOR, LABOR-SAVING DEVICES ARE EMPLOYED WHEREVER POSSIBLE, FIG, 25 = FACILITIES FOR LOADING FLAKE ICE INTO FISHING VESSEL. THE ICE |S LOADED BY MEANS OF THE FUNNEL-HOSE DEVICE LYING AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE DOCK, FIG. 24 - FLAKE-1CE MACHINE. ESSENTIALLY, THIS DEVICE IS A LARGE, HOLLOW, VERTICALLY -MOUNTED DRUM MAINTAINED AT A LOW TEMPERATURE BY MEANS OF REFRIGERATION, WATER SPRAYED ONTO THE INNER WALL OF THE DRUM FREEZES IN A THIN LAYER. A ROTATING SCRAPER CRACKS OFF THE ICE, AND THE RESULTING FLAKES OR CHIPS FALL THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE DRUM INTO A FROZEN-STORAGE ROOM BELOW, THIS MACHINE WILL PRODUCE 4-TON OF FLAKE ICE AN HOUR, THE FLAKES ARE AT A TEMPERATURE OF 5° F, WHEN THEY COME FROM THE MACHINE AND ARE HELD AT O° F, UNTIL NEEDED. THE ICE 1S USED BY DRAG BOATS AND BY FUR FARMERS WHEN HAUL- ING FRESH FISH, December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 45 FIG. 27 - PREPARING q1O GRIND FISH IN A FUR FARM. PLATES HAVE® - ORD -INCH HOLES. THE DEVICE 1S RUN BY A 25-HORSEPOWER, 3-PHASE MOTOR AND WILL GRIND ABOUT 2.5 TONS OF FISH AN HOUR, FIG. 26 - FROZEN STORAGE FACILITIES OF FUR FARM- ER AT BAY CITY, ORE. FISH PRODUCTS ARE OBTAIN- ED FROM ASTORIA, NEWPORT, AND NEARSY GARIBALOI. THE PRODUCTS, IF NOT BAGGED, ARE FROZEN AND THEN |1CE GLAZED TO PREVENT DESICCATION AND OXIDATION. FIG. 28 - LOADING GROUND-UP FISH MIXTURE INTO CART. THE MIXER BEHIND THE WORKMAN IS RUN BY A S-HORSEPOWER, 3-PHASE MOTOR. FIG. 30 - FEEDING GROUND FISH MIXTURE TO MINK KITS. THIS FARM AND TWO ASSOCIATED ONES PRO- VIDE A YEAR-AROUND LIVELIHOOD FOR FOUR MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES. DURING THE PELTING SEASON, TWO ADDITIONAL PERSONS ARE EMPLOYED. NOTE: ACKNOWLEDGMENT: THE AUTHOR GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE KIND AID OF CHARLES SMITH, PRESIDENT; MARVIN HICLE, MANAGER (ASTORIA); FRANK SCHAUB, FOREMAN; ORVAL HART, CHIEF ENGINEER; AND NORMAN GREEN, MANAGER (NEWPORT OF THE OREGON FUR PRO- DUCERS ASSOCIATION; CAPTAIN GORDON WHITE, OF THE DESTINY; ROBERT H. WATT, AND 80B WATT, AND GEORGE |MHOFF, MINK FARMERS AT BAY CITY, ORE.; AND FRED C,. CLEAVER AND MARTIN HEERDT OF THE U. S. BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. --BY F. BRUCE SANFORD, CHEMIST, FISHERY TECHNOLOGICAL LABORATORY , BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES, U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, SEATTLE, WASH. 46 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 BIBLIOGRAPHY BIEL, J. M., AND THOMPSON, CLAUDE 1951. "FRESHWATER FISH AS AN INGREDIENT OF MINK RATIONS. FISHERIES RESEARCH BOARD OF CANADA, BULLETIN NO. 92, 13 PP. BUTLER, CHARLES 1946. PAPER BAGS FOR FISH MEAL. U. S. FISH he WILDLIFE SERVICE, WASHINGTON 25, D. C. COM- MERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL. 8, NO. 1 (JANUARY), PP. 9- {2 (SEPARATE NO. Ne 1945, SURVEY OF AVAILABLE AND POTENTIAL FISH WASTE FOR REDUCTION iS WASHINGTON AND OREGON. FISHERY MARKET NEWS, VOL. 7, NO. 2 (FEBRUARY), PP, 8-15. (SEPARATE NO. 91. > SLAVIN, JOSEPH W.; PATASHNIK, MAX; AND SANFORD, F. BRUCE 1956. REFRIGERAT J ON OF FISH - PART 1. COLD STORAGE DESIGN AND REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT. FISHERY LEAFLET 427. U. Se. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WASHINGTON 25, D. Cw CRAVEN, HOWARD J. 1953. ALASKA SALMON POTENTIAL. NATIONAL FISHERIES YEARBOOK, PP. 107-108, 113. KYTE, Re Me 71957, POTENTIAL BYPRODUCTS FROM ALASKA'S FISHERIES: PART 1 - UTILIZATION OF SALMON EGGS (MANUSCRIPT IN PREPARATION). LALOR Jes LEOSCHKE, W. L.; AND ELVEHJEM, Co Ao 1951, YELLOW FAT IN MINK. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION, VOL. 45, NO. 2, OCTOBER, PP. 183-188, LANDGRAF, JRe, Re Ge 1953. TECHNICAL NOTE NO, 27 - ALASKA POLLOCK: PROXIMATE COMPOSITION; AMINO ACID, THIAMINE, AND RIBOFLAVIN CONTENT; USE AS MINK FEED COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL. 1S; NO, 7 (uuty), PP. 20-22, (sEPaRATE No. 354.] 3 MIYAUCHI, D. T.; AND STANSBY, M, E, 1951. UTILIZATION OF ALASKA SALMON CANNERY WASTE AS A SOURCE OF FEED FOR HATCHERY FISH. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL, 13, NO. 11A (NOVEMBER SUPPLEMENT), PP, 26-33. (SEPARATE NO, 298. ) LEE, CHARLES F. 1948, THIAMINASE IN FISHERY PRODUCTS: A REVIEW. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL, 10, NO. 4 (APRIL), PP. 7-17. (SEPARATE NO. 202.) } NILSON, HUGO W.; AND CLEGG, WILLIAM 1955. TECHNICAL NOTE. NO. 31 - WEIGHT RANGE, PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, AND THIAMINASE CONTENT OF FISH TAKEN IN SHALLOW-WATER TRA fine IN NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO, COMMERCIAL FISH- ERIES REVIEW, VOL. 17, NO. 3 (MARCH), PP. 21-23. (SEPARATE NO. 396.) LEEKLEY, JAMES R.; LANOGRAF, JRe, Re Ge; BJORK, JEANNE Eo; AND HAGEVIG, We Aw 1982, SALMON CANNERY WASTE FOR MINK FEED. FISHERY LEAFLET NO. 405. U. S,. FISH AND WILD- LIFE SERVICE, WASHINGTON 25, D. C. NIELSEN, K. HOVGAARD 1955, FEEDING MACKEREL AND HERRING TO MINK KITS, DANSK PELSOYRAUL, VOL, 18, JUNE, PP. 223- 225. PIGOTT, GEORGE M. 1951, TECHNICAL NOTE NO. 10 - PAPER BAGS FOR FISH MEAL. U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WASHINGTON 25, D. C. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL. 13, NO. 3 (MARCH), PP. 13214. (SEPARATE NO. 276.) PREMETZ, ERNIE D. 1956, DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETS FOR UNDERUTILIZED LAKE ERIE FISH--PROGRESS REPORT. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL, 18, NO. 11 (NOVEMBER), PP. 1-7. (SEPARATE NO, 454.) SANFORD, F. BRUCE 1950A. UTILIZATION OF FISHERY BYPRODUCTS IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON. FISHERY LEAFLET NO, 370, U. Se FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 19578. FISH HATCHERY FOOD FROM ANCHOVIES CAUGHT NEAR SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. COMMERCIAL FISH- ERIES REVIEW, VOL. 19, NO. 2, (FEBRUARY), PP. 16-19. (SEPARATE NO. 47 1957C, A PICTURE STUDY OF AN AMERICAN WHALING OPERATION, COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL. 19, NO. 4 (May), PP. 1-8. (SEPARATE NO. 476, om 1957D. PACIFIC COAST FISHING PORTS: GARIBALDI, ORE. (MANUSCRIPT IN PREPARATION). STANSBY, MAURICE E. AND ASSOCIATES 1953. UTILIZATION OF ALASKAN SALMON CANNERY WASTE, SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC REPORT: FISHERIES NO, 109, U, S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WASHINGTON 25, D, C, December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 47 WATT, PHYLLIS Ro 19524. THE FEEDING OF MARINE FISHES TO MINK. NATIONAL FUR NEWS, VOL. 24, NO. 6 , JULY, PP. 125135 256 1953B. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS ON RATIONS WITHOUT HORSE MEAT. BLACK FOX MAGAZINE AND MODERN MINK BREEDER, VOL. 37, NO. 1, MAY, PP. 8-9, 20-23, WIGUTOFF , NORMAN B. 1952, POTENTIAL MARKETS FOR ALASKA SALMON CANNERY WASTE. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, VOL, 14, NO. 8 (AUGUST), PP. 5-12. (SEPARATE NO. 320.) West Coast Albacore Fishermen Adapt Unique Method for Relaying Information by Ship's Radio Albacore tuna fishermen on the Pacific Coast during the last several years have adapted a rather unique method for relaying information by radio. At present ship-to-ship radio conversations are conducted on two Federal Communications Commission authorized frequencies, 2638 kilocycles and 2738 kilocycles. Due to the large amount of traffic on the air it is almost impossible for a vessel to trans- mit any distance unless he has a powerful set. The larger sets are able to drown out the smaller ones, but even the large powerful sets have trouble putting out over 100 miles. Much confusion with interrupted conversations take place so that prac- tically every call takes much longer to complete, and most distant messages are so garbled that they make sense to no.one. Larger sets do not solve the problem because the same confusion will be con- tinued only on a louder and noisier basis. Probably the classic remark that this observer heard on the air relative to this problem was: ''Things are really getting out of balance. I have a 60-watt set on a 1,000-foot boat, and this other fellow over- riding me has a 1,000-watt set on a 60-foot boat, so I don't know exactly what I am going to have to buy in order to transmit." As albacore range over a wide area from Guadalupe Island, off Lower Califor - nia, up the coast of California and Oregon, and off Grays Harbor, Wash., fishermen are constantly seeking information from other areas. Being a rapidly swimming fish, it is not uncommon for albacore to disappear in one area and show up100miles away several days later. Fishermen in an area where the fish have disappeared immediately all get on the air trying to find out where the fish have gone. This creates confusion and the fishermen have difficulty in getting proper information for their next move. Recognizing the problem, a few of the vessel owners got together in an effort to arrive at some solution. It was decided that they would seek the cooperation of all of the other groups using the same frequency; such as, other fishing vessels, yachtsmen, sports-fishing operators, tugboat men, etc. They felt that if they could have the air to themselves for one hour a day they could get all the information they desired on the air in that time, and if the other operators were willing to voluntarily stay off the air for that period, a great deal of "hash" or confusion would be elimi- nated. There are approximately 15,000 vessels with transmitters registered on the Pacific Coast, and when one considers that there are over 1,500 albacore vessels on the West Coast, it is easy to understand how eliminating most of their transmis- sions would help the picture greatly. The other operators agreed to cooperate, and it was decided that each day during the albacore season all vessels would stay off the air between 12 noon and 1 p.m. This was cut down to 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. when it was found that all of the information could be collected or relayed in half an hour. Each day a vessel is appointed by the previous day's chairman to serve as chairman for that day. Promptly at 12 noon all vessels go off the air, and the chair- 48 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Violy lS yaNone2 man transmits his position, fishing conditions, weather, and any other pertinent data. Step by step he works his way up the coast calling other vessels in each fishing area, Each in turn gives the desired information all the way from Guadalupe Island to Grays Harbor. If transmission happens to be poor on any given day, the messages are relayed by vessels in between. Surprisingly enough this ''Silent Hour" has received practically 100-percent co- operation from all other vessels. The information given has undoubtedly saved lives as a few vessels have gone on the air during the ''Silent Hour" and put out distress messages which probably could not have been heard otherwise. It has saved fisher- men time and money in prospecting for fish, and has greatly assisted others to get special messages in times of emergency at home. Most cannery operators listen to the reports along with the fishermen, and are able to keep abreast of what takes place on the fishing grounds daily, thereby, be- coming more efficient in their operations, With the large number of vessels of all types coming into the small boat field yearly, the traffic on the air in most regions is getting so heavy that it is practical- ly impossible to get messages through. With someone to take the lead, a program of this type can be worked out and part of the traffic practically eliminated. --A. D. SOKOLICH, FISHERY MARKET NEWS REPORTER, MARKET NEWS SERVICE, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES, SAN PEDRO, CALIF. Wholesale Prices, October 1957 Changes in the over-all edible fish and shellfish (fresh, fro- zen, and canned) wholesale price index (119.3 of the 1947-49 average) from September to October 1957 were slight. Prices were quite stable on the average, with increases and de- creases just about balancing each other out. Compared with the same month a year ago, prices this October rose 6.0 per- cent. From September to October this year prices declined (4.4 percent) for all the items in the drawn, dressed, or whole finfish subgroup, except for large haddock prices at Boston which increased about 20.5 percent. Declines in the prices for Pacific Coast halibut (down 19.5 percent) and king salm- on (down 3.3 percent) were due to the changeover in October from fresh to frozen prices. Lower prices for the fresh- water fish items were normal following the strong Septem- ber holiday market. The market this October continued to be firm for haddock at Boston due: to seasonally-low catches, low inventories, and a good demand. This October's index for this subgroup was 9.6 percent above the same month in 1956 due to higher prices for all items except halibut (down 17.1 percent) and lake trout (down 14.6 percent). The most pronounced increase this October was in the large haddock price which was 75,1 percent higher than in October 1956. Fresh processed fish and shellfish prices in October this year were up 2.0 percent from September, due primarily to firm fresh shrimp prices following the rather sharp decline that occurred in September. Higher prices this October for Small haddock were reflected in an increase of 14.7 percent in fresh haddock fillet prices at Boston as compared with the previous month. As compared with October 1956, the index for the subgroup this October increased 6.7 percent due to higher haddock fillet and shrimp prices. Oyster prices re- mained unchanged from a month ago and a year ago this October. Frozen processed fish and shellfish prices increased 2,0 percent from September to October due to the stronger mar- ket for frozen shrimp prices (up 5.1 percent) at Chicago. Frozen fillet prices remained firm except that frozen had- dock fillet prices at Boston were down about one cent a pound, As compared with October 1956, the subgroup index this October was higher by 12.2 percent, due principally to higher shrimp prices (up 21.2 percent) and frozen haddock fillet prices (up 3.7 percent). This October’s flounder fillet prices were slightly lower and ocean perch fillet prices were unchanged from the same month in 1956. Although the subgroup index for canned fishery products in October this year remained almost at the same level as the previous month, there were some significant price changes among the individual items included in this subgroup. From September to October canned light meat chunk-style tuna prices rose 2,2 percent and were 5.6 percent higher than in the same period in 1956, Offsetting this increase, canned California sardine prices dropped 5.5 percent and Maine sar- dine prices dropped 2.0 percent from September to October. The drop in California sardine prices reflect the current price for the 1957 pack. But since the pack to the end of October was substantially less than the previous year, fu- December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 49 ture prices will depend on the outcome of the fishery during the last two months of the year. Compared with October 1956, canned prices this October for California sardines were up 9.7 percent, but for canned Maine sardines they were down 16.1 percent. There is very little technical reason for any changes in the canned salmon market because light stocks are counterbalanced by some resistance to any further price in- creases. Table 1 - Wholesale Average Prices and Indexes for Edible Fish and Shellfish, October 1957 With Ee wn Compericous mists Point of vee ieee ee Group, Subgroup, and Item Specification Pricing Unit (1947-49=100) Oct, Sept. Aug. 1957 1957 1951 1957 1957 “eh JALL FISH & SHELLFISH (Fresh, Frozen, & Canned), . ... 2 eeeecccvseceee 119.3 120.0 | 116.0 12. HreshichrozenyuisherysOroducts-y i.e imemieneerch on teniciieion carckicitontciieinemen nem ence 133,1 122.0 Drawn Dressedsorjwholejrimishsy pewter.) (fap loueulctsckeulemeulomfamreien tenures 134,3 140.5 112.9 122.5 THaddockn leew: ige., offshore, drawn, fresh . . . .. [Boston Hf 4 67.4 Halibut, West., 20/80 Ibs., drsd,, fresh or froz, |New York : J : .0 | 133.5 Salmon, king, lge, & med! drsd,, fresh or froz. |New York H 150.6) Whitefish,L, Superior, drawn, fresh . ... . |Chicago HM 179.7 | 151.2 | 135.9 Whitefish,L, Erie pound or gill net, rnd., fresh |New York 3 195.1 | 161.8 | 161.8 Lake trout, domestic, No. 1, drawn, fresh. . . | Chicago s 153.6 Yellow pike, L. Michigan& Huron, rnd.,fresh , |New York A 146.6 | 152.4} 83.3 Processed, Presh\(Rishye|Shellfish)chiejre ree) 'e) (ol (oll leuetleleioilaitelifelate uretrsursiretee 133.8 | 131.6 Fillets, haddock, sml., skins on, 20-ib, tins. . [Boston b, 39! 134 132.7 | 115.7] 103.8 | 91.9 Shrimp, lge, (26-30 count), headless, fresh . . |New York |b. AES) SUA 122.5 120.9 | 138.5 | 112.2 Oysters, shucked, standards ........ |Norfolk gal, | 6.00} 6.00 148.5 | 148.5 | 142.3 | 148.5 Processed, lrozen\(hishi@ Shellfish) syoyey eiel io) ciieliiobiololisivellolobiellielcnieulen ols 119,2 116,9 | 131.3 | 106,2 Fillets; Flounder, skinless, T-Ib. pkg. ... . [Boston ib. 239 E39) 100.8 | 102.1 | 102.1 Haddock, sml.,skins on, 1-1b, pkg.. . . |Boston b, 29} .30 86.3 Ocean perch, skins on, 1-lb, pkg. . . . |Boston bb, GH Gal 108.8 Shrimp, lge, (26-30 count), 5-Ib, pkg, . .. .. [Chicago b, .83| .79 105.7 Canned) Fishery TOducts:/ em seeMoMcmiaelieyt ay oli oll eh oil sioul star sia esti Wlilo iro olllolalcilie 99.0 ~ Salmon, pink, No, 1 tall (16 oz.), 48cans/cs.. . . [Seattle cs, [22.65 /22.65 120.0 Tuna, It, meat, chunk, No, 1/2 tuna (6-1/2 0z.), Usicans/oss’- 1: cane Tee eens os Angeles}|cs, |11.45 |11.20 78.2 Sardines, Calif,, tom, pack,No. 1 oval (15 0z.), 48 cans/cS, . 2 «+ © «+ + © © + © «© @ © oe (Los Angeles|cs, | 8,50} 9.00 90,4: Sardines, Maine, keyless oil, No. 1/4 drawn (3-1/4 0z,), 100 cansfes, . . . » « © © © » © © |New York |cs, | 6.46] 6.59 81.9 l1/ Represent average prices for one day (Monday or Tuesday) during the week in which the 15th of the month occurs, These prices are published as indicators of movement and not necessarily absolute level. Daily Market News Serv- ice ‘‘Fishery Products Reports’’ should be referred to for actual prices, Fishery Market News Service Observes Twentieth Birthday The Fishery Market News Service, which serves as the eyes and ears of the fishing industry by collecting and disseminating commercial fishery information, will celebrate its twentieth anniversary on November 30, the Department of the Interior announced, The Fishery Market News Service, which was organized in 1937, issues daily market news reports covering all aspects of the fishing industry for the use of the fishermen, buyers, and distributors. Today, it operates in Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, San Pedro, Seattle, and Hampton, Va., as an activity of the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. 50 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 Since timeliness is important in the market news program, the Bureau of Com- mercial Fisheries has an average of 40 reporters and agents in principal landing ports and market areas, gathering and transmitting information on landings, receipts, stocks, canned packs, market trends and conditions, prices, and developments in the fishery and allied industries. FISHERY MARKET NEWS COLLECTS THIS INFORMATION: WHERE IT GOES « ORIGINAL PROGRAMS: Fishermen & Producers eagle alge MARKET — pecan developments in the U, S. N EWS sats Sa ee SERVICE peng pa OFFICES coma Processors Manufacturers of products used by fisherles NEW PROGRAMS UNDER S-K: or a> Aa Tr Government officials Universities and researchers Biologists Cold-storage warehouses Magazines, trade periodicals, newspapers and radio Associations Prices for frozen fishery products Prices for canned fishery products Special trend reports Ex-vessel shrimp prices "Current Fishery Trade" -- over-all view of U. S. Fisheries trends Fisheries developments in foreign countries The seven offices of the Fishery Markets News Service relay pertinent data to each other, and each office in turn releases information to interested persons in its area. In this way, a fisherman landing halibut in the Seattle area knows the whole- sale price that species is bringing that day in New York and Chicago, In the same way, the distributors in New York and Chicago and elsewhere know how much fish is being landed on the West Coast on that day and the prices paid to the boats. The shrimp fishermen in the Gulf and South Atlantic ports know the prices of shrimp in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and the Boston fishermen and deal- ers know the price of frozen fillets in Chicago and New York. With all this complete and current information, business transactions relating to fish or fishery products can be conducted with each interested party having all the authentic data necessary for intelligent bargaining and making sound business decisions, The market information is made available to the public through daily mimeo- graphed releases called Fishery Products Reports, by telephone, personal contact, collect telegrams, and in some instances through radio and newspapers. Each office issues its own daily report, which is designed to meet the needs of the fishery in- dustries in its area. There are about 9,000 subscribers to the daily mimeographed reports. Most of these are persons interested in the daily market transactions. The reports are sometimes used as the basis for "open-end" contracts in which the seller and buyer December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 51 agree that the price of a shipment will be the highest paid for that product at a des- ignated market on the day of delivery as reported in the daily report issued by a specific office. The mailing lists include not only fisheries people but lawyers, research ana- lysts, investment analysts, marine accountants, transportation companies, chemical companies, gear manufacturers, banks, and many others. CORRECTION Article ''New Fishery For Small Shrimp" on p. 42 of the November 1957 issue of Commercial Fisheries Review, first sentence should read: ''The catch of small pink shrimp landed at Westport, Wash., exceeded one million pounds for the year ending June 30, 1957." HOT TUNA CHOWDER Wintry breezes mean good appetites. One of the most satisfying meals, which ean be quickly prepared, is composed of a steaming bowl of tuna chow- der, accompanied by crisp crackers, atossed salad, and apple pie. Canned tuna isa "nat- ural" as the basic ingredi- ent for a steaming chowder since it is a familiar item in almost every American home. Itisalso economical, excellent nutritionally, easy-to-prepare, and tasty. The home economists of the U.S. Bureau of Com- mercial Fisheries suggest that you take advantage of the abundance oftunaon the market and serve a "Tuna Chowder" after the game. TUNA CHOWDER 1 can (64 oR 7 OUNCES) TUNA 3 TABLESPOONS BUTTER OR OTHER FAT 1 cup DICED POTATOES 3 TABLESPOONS FLOUR 1 CUP TOMATO JUICE 1. TEASPOON SALT 1 MEDIUM ONION, SLICED 4 TEASPOON PEPPER + TEASPOON CELERY SEED 3 cups MILK 1 cUP BOILING WATER CHOPPED PARSLEY Draintuna. Breakinto large pieces. Combine potatoes, tomato juice, onion, celery seed, and boiling water. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender, Add tuna. Melt butter; blendinflour and seasonings. Add milk gradu- ally andcook until thick and smooth, stirring constantly. Add to tuna mixture; heat. Garnish with parsley sprinkled over the top. Serves 6. 52 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 a FoRciGn International FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION MEETING PLANNED ON FISHING COSTS AND EARNINGS: An International ture Organization for the autumn of 1958. It is expected that the meeting will last one week and will probably be held in London. The meeting will be of direct interest to fishermen, fishing boat owners, proc- essors, and others in the world's fishing industries, as well as to governments and organizations concerned with fisheries. ''The meeting will be attended by men with direct experience of keeping track of costs and earnings. We hope that 20 or 30 qualified participants will come from important fishing countries belonging to FAO," states the Chief of the Economic and Statistics Branch, Fisheries Di- vision, FAO. The great part played today by governments in the mainte- nance and development of fishing industries, such as through sub- sidies, credit schemes, tax and duty remissions, price support and marketing schemes, and many others, has made studies of costs and earnings of paramount importance to them. "The industry is also particularly interested in such studies as a basis for ne- gotiation of contract prices, share agreements, minimum and maximum prices, and other business,'' the FAO official added. Governments, agencies, and those sections of the fishing industry sending par- ticipants will pay the cost of attendance. FAO will provide the secretariat and con- sultants and run the meeting. The host government will provide the meeting rooms and facilities. Interested persons who wish to contribute papers to the meeting should write to the Chief, Economics and Statistics Division, Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome, Italy. GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE JAPAN SIGNS PROTOCOL: The protocol amending the preamble and parts II and III of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the protocol amending part I and articles XXIX and XXX, and the protocol of organizational amendments, all three done at Geneva March 10, 1955, were signed by Japan on June 17, 1957. Three similar protocols done at Geneva on December 2, 1955, were also signed by Japan on June 1957. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 53 INTERNATIONAL NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES COMMISSION during the 1957 season (when the Japanese took a postwar record catch of red salmon on the high seas while the United States salmon run was extremely disappointing) provided a serious background for examination of preliminary reports on salmon research by the United States Section of the Inter- national North Pacific Fisheries Commission at a meeting in Seattle, Wash., September 12-13, 1957, Scientific data collected during the year was to be pooled with that gathered by Canada and Japan at the annual meeting of the entire Commission in Vancouver, B. C., early in No- vember 1957 for study and action by the international group. Some of the significant points indicated by preliminary re- search reports were: cessfully distinguishing between salmon of Asian and Amer- ican origin, These studies are based on many thousands of samples collected from known locations on the high seas and on both sides of the Pacific Basin and involve great numbers of precise scientific tests and examinations. 4, Unusual net marks on red salmon entering the Bristol Bay fishery in 1957 were studied by the research staff. Although the evidence was not conclusive, there are indi- cations that these marks were made by gill nets of a small- er mesh size than those used by American fishermen, The United States Commissioners requested their research staff to complete their analysis of the data for the interna- tional meeting, and particularly to examine the degree to which it may show the westerly distribution of stocks of salm- on of North American origin in the high seas, 1. Tagging carried out by three vessels along the entire Aleutian Chain is still under way, but about 15,000 tags have been affixed this year. Recoveries cannot be consid- ered complete for at least two years. All returns to date from the 1956 and 1957 red salmon tagging were recovered in North American streams or in the area of the Japanese high-seas fishery. All four United States commissioners attended the section meeting: Milton E, Brooding, San Francisco, chairman; Ross L. Leffler, Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D, C.; Edward W, Allen, Seattle; and John H, Clawson, Anchorage, Alaska. Advisory committee members attending included: Lowell Wakefield, Seattle, chairman; Robert Kallenberg, Dillingham, Alaska; George Johansen, W. C. Arnold, DeWitt Gilbert, Har- old E. Lokken, Seattle; Clarence L, Anderson, Juneau; Milton C. James and John Hodges, Portland; James Waugh and Don- ald P, Loker, Terminal Island, Calif. The few pink salmon tags returned to date were all re- covered west of the area of tagging, and none from Ameri- can streams. Tagged chums were recovered both in Asian and American streams. 2. Studies of the 1957 distribution of salmon in the sea showed a heavy concentration north of the Aleutians and slightly west of the provisional abstention line. It was in this area, not heavily fished in previous seasons, that the dapencee made very large catches in a short period in une, Officials attending from Washington, D. C., included W. C. Herrington, special assistant for fisheries to the Undersec- retary of State, Donald L. McKernan, director, U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Scientific research presentations were directed by Dr. W. F. Thompson, Fisheries Research Institute, University of Washington, and C, E, Atkinson, chief, Pacific Salmon Inves- tigations, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. 3. Racial studies based on body measurements, blood types, associated organisms, and scale structure are suc- INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION UNITED STATES ADHERES TO CONVENTION: The protocol amending the In- ternational Whaling Convention of 1946, done in Washington November 19, 1956, was ratified by the President on August 30. The ratification was deposited by the United States on the same date, the U. S. Department of State announced in September 1957. This amendment is not in force as yet. NORTH PACIFIC FUR SEAL CONVENTION CANADA AND UNITED STATES DEPOSIT RATIFICATIONS: Both the United States and Canada on September 16, 1957, deposited ratifications to the Interim Con- vention on Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals, signed at Washington February 9, 1957. This Convention is not in force yet, (U. S. Department of State Bulletin, Oc- tober 7, 1957.) INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION NORTH PACIFIC HALIBUT AREA 3A CLOSED SEPTEMBER 22: The closure of fishing in Pacific halibut Area 3A took place on September 22 (MeL ion, 12S, 4), The International Pacific Halibut Commission made the announcement on September 4 since it estimated that by September 22 the catch limit of 30 million pounds for Area 3A would have been reached. While last year there was a second fishing sea- son of 9 days in Area 3A, this season the regulations call for only one season since the Commission felt that with the 30-million-pound quota the stocks in that area would be fully utilized in the single season. The Commission at the same time announced that halibut fishing in Areas 3B and 1A were to continue until 6:00 a.m. (P.S.T.) October 16, 1957. Last year Area 3B closed on the same date as Area 3A and was reopened for 9 days the same as Area 54 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol, 19; No. 12 3A. In 1956 the first fishing season in Area 3A and 3B closed on August 24 when the catch limit of 28 million pounds for Area 3A was attained. The official opening date for all halibut fishing in the Pacific regulatory area this year was May 1 at 6:00 a. m.(P.S.T.). The United States fleet sailed in time to commence fishing on the opening day, but the Canadian fleet did not sale until May 3 and started fishing about 5 days after the United States fleet because of a labor-management dispute over certain fringe benefits and ''lay'' apportionments. In 1956 the opening date was May 12, but both United States and Canadian fisher- men voluntarily agreed not to start fishing until May 20. In 1955 the official open- ing date was also May 12 and actual fishing started on that date. This year Area 3A was open to fishing for 144 days--the longest season for this area since 1945 when the area was open to fishing for 147 days. Prior to 1955 the trend had been towards a shorter season, but since that year fishing has been spread over a greater number of days due to a combination of several factors: (1) a decline in the number of vessels fishing for halibut; (2) labor-management disputes; (3) voluntary tie-ups by fishermen; and (4) weather conditions. Prior to this year Areas 3A and 3B opened and closed at the same time. As compared to 144 days for Area 3A this year, Areas 3A and 3B were open for halibut fishing for 104 days in 1956, 81 days in 1955, 58 days in 1954, 52 days (shortest on record) in 1953, 60days in 1952, 56 days in 1951, 66 days in 1950, 73 days in 1949, and 72 days in 1948. Areas 2 and 1B were closed to fishing on June 17 when the quota of 26.5 million pounds for Area 2 was attained. A second fishing season in Areas 2 and 1B took place from July 29-August 5. Under authority of the Convention between Canada and the United States of A- merica for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, this year's regulations became effective April 10, 1957. ORGANIZATION FOR TRADE COOPERATION JAPAN ADHERES TO AGREEMENT: The agreement on the Organization for Trade Cooperation, with annex, done in Geneva March 10, 1955, was signed by Ja- pan on June 17, 1957. This agreement is not in force as yet. TRADE AGREEMENTS AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN SIGN NEW TRADE AGREEMENT: A new trade agree- ment between Australia and Japan, providing for reciprocal most-favored-nation treatment in all matters of trade between the two countries, was signed in Tokyo July 6, 1957, and was made provisionally effective from that date pending the ex- change of ratifications. Imports into Australia from Japan are now admitted at the most-favored-nation rates of duty applying to non-British countries. Australia MODERN TRAWLER TO INVESTIGATE FISHERY POTENTIAL OF GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT: In order to investigate the possibility of establishing a com- mercial fishery in the Great Australian Bight, a modern Diesel trawler of 160 feet or more will be purchased by the Australian Government. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 55 The project will be financed from the Fisheries Development Trust Fund. It was recommended to the Minister for Primary Industry by the Interdepartmental Committee which considers developmental proposals to be financed by the Fund, and was supported by the Western Australian, South Australian, and Victorian rep- resentatives at the conference of Commonwealth and State Fisheries officers in Canberra at the end of May 1957. The Victorian delegate emphasized that his State, as a major importer of fish, would welcome increased supplies of fresh fish. An increase in Australian production of fresh fish has become an urgent need. In two years (1953/54 to 1955/56) fish landings (excluding crustaceans and mol- luscs) fell by 18.1 percent. The catch taken by the steam trawlers based at Sydney has fallen in seven years from about 10 million pounds to 3.6 million pounds. Only four trawlers are operating now instead of 12 as formerly. In 1955/56, Australian landings of fish, crustaceans, and molluscs at 43.8 mil- lion pounds (edible weight) was sufficient to provide only the extremely low per capita consumption of 4.7 pounds. A total of 52.5 million pounds of imports, less about 5.5 million pounds of exports, raised this figure to 9.7 pounds. If Australia's population continues to grow at the rate of about 250,000 a year, fish imports will continue to rise unless domestic production is increased. After careful consideration of the conditions under which any vessel in the Bight must operate, it was recommended that a Diesel trawler of about 160 feet would enable the Bight grounds to be efficiently worked. One important advantage of a vessel of this size for fishing in the Bight is that it will be able to fish in all but the worst weather, and thus maintain a flow of fish to the markets. This in turn should help to stabilize prices and encourage distrib- utors to expand their handling of the catch on a permanent basis. The trawling grounds in the Great Australian Bight were discovered in 1912-13 by the Commonwealth investigation ship Endeavour, which was lost with all hands in a storm in December 1941. In 1949-52 a London-originated commercial venture fished the grounds with two obsolete steam trawlers, using English wartime utility nets that were too small and heavy in construction for Australian fishing conditions. Even under these handi- caps, one of the ships averaged 3,222 pounds of fish per day's absence from port and the other 2,594 pounds, compared with 3,000 pounds for Sydney-based trawlers. It may be expected that a modern Diesel trawler will do considerably better. The catches taken by the two trawlers included three fishes that form the bulk of the southeastern trawl fishery catch--flathead, morwong and nannygai--also red snapper, queen snapper, Silver flounder and three types of boarfish. (August 1957 Fisheries Newsletter of the Australian Commonwealth Director of Fisheries.) NOTE: ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 1957, P. 51. ok OK Ok NEW SHRIMP RESOURCE DISCOVERED ON FIRST STAGE OF YEAR'S SUR- VEY: On the first stage ofa survey of shrimp resources in Queensland and north- ern New South Wales, the Australian Government chartered vessel Challenge lo- cated an extensive new ground near Fraser or Great Sandy Island (southern Queens- land) between Double Island Point Light and Indian Head. The ground extends from 6 to 20 miles offshore in water up to 35 fathoms and covers an area of about 750 square miles. Large king shrimp (Penaeus plebejus) were predominate, and some tiger shrimp (P. esculentus) were taken, but no banana shrimp (P. merguiensis). 56 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 Some fishermen have started to fish the new area. The survey, which is scheduled for 12 months, is being financed from the Fisheries Development Trust Fund and carried out by the Commonwealth Fish- eries Office. Gu LF oF CARPENT AR 4 Employed in the survey is Austral- ia's newest and most up-to-date shrimp vessel Challenge, which has been chart- ered for the full 12 months. In a press statement announcing the survey, the Australian Minister for Pri- mary Industry said: "Prawn fishing promises to become the basis for a valuable export trade, mainly with the United States where shrimp are a favorite sea food. In 1955/56 Australia exported about 100,000 pounds of shrimp. By mid- January 1956/57, exports had already reached 206,000 pounds, worth about £70,000 (US$156,000). "While the United States is by far the biggest market for Australian shrimp, we are also selling small quantities to the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Fiji and other Pacific Islands. "The known grounds in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland are already being heavily fished and it is most desirable to ascertain the real extent of our shrimp resources. "The Australian species which brings the highest price in the United States is the banana shrimp, which is fished in waters near Bundaberg. It is considered that the ocean waters within the tropics and near the large Queensland coastal rivers are areas which are most likely to carry shrimp stocks." The Challenge has been converted into the most modern shrimp vessel in Aus- tralia and uses a coil brine tank for immersion freezing. This method appears to produce a better product than conventional freezing, and the product has a longer storage life. Freezing takes place much faster. The Challenge is 85 ft. by 20 ft. by 7 ft. The engineroom is aft. The main en- gine is a Diesel twin unit developing 375 hp. at 2,100 r.p.m. It is cooled by a heat exchanger. Independent clutches enable the ship to be run on one of the twin engines if necessary, and each engine has independent electrical starting from four 6-volt, 15-plate batteries which also supply electricity for some of the ship's lighting. The auxillary engine is a 3-cylinder Diesel developing 80 hp. at 1,850 r.p.m. It is started by two 6-volt, 25-plate batteries and is cooled by a heat exchanger. This engine drives the ammonia compressor (63"' x 63'' twin), and the main 15 hp. generator which supplies power for driving the winch, brine-tank agitator, brine- circulating pump, forced-draught condenser fans, battery charger, and bilge pump. A second 63-hp. generator is driven by the main engine. This generator sup- plies enough power to drive several but not all of the equipment items mentioned above at the same time. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW o7 The winch and gallows are aft of the deckhouse. The winch is electrically driv- en through a double worm drive gear box, giving independently operated drums. The freezing and packing chamber is 20 ft. by 10 ft. by 6 ft. The ammonia-coil- brine-immersion tank, which is made of heavy galvanized iron, is 6 ft. 6 in. by 3 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 6 in., and the actual immersion area is 4 ft. by 3 ft. by 1 ft.--large enough to hold four 50-pound galvanized wire baskets of whole shrimp. The brine is circulated by an electrically-driven, 3-bladed, 9-inch diameter propeller turning at 720 r.p.m. Temperature can be held at 0 F. The holding room is 21 ft. by 13 ft. by 8 ft. It is insulated for OF. temperature and is cooled by a 3-fan (16-inch diameter) forced-draught condenser. Brine from the freezing tank is circulated through the unit by an electrically-driven 1-inch pump. The holding room is loaded through a port at the after end and an insulated hatch is provided in the deckhead for discharging. All drainage from both the holding and freezing rooms goes into a sump, so none can find its way into the bilge. The Challenge has bunk accommodation for 5 in the forecastle and 1 in the wheel- house, and two berths can be fitted if necessary in the wings amidships. There is seating for 8 in the messroom. The fresh-water tank holds 250 gallons and the fuel tank 867 gallons. Cruising consumption of 10 gallons per hour gives the vessel a range of about 700 miles. Equipment includes a transreceiver and an echosounder. NOTE: ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, OCTOBER 1957, Ro 24, ANDO SEPTEMBER 1957, P. 60. ok ek ok PEARL-SHELL OPERATIONS OFF AUSTRALIAN COAST BY JAPANESE IN 1957: Japanese pearl-shell fishermen operated off the northern coast of Australia during the 1957 season under an arrangement made by the Australian Commonwealth Government--but in order to conserve pearl-shell resources limits were placed this year on their activities in certain areas. The Japanese operated again this year under the Provisional Regime set up by the Governments of Australia and Japan. This is a temporary arrangement con- cluded in 1954 pending a decision by the International Court of Justice on Japan's feces to the validity in International Law of the Australian Pearl Fisheries Act 1952/53. Arrangements for the 1957 season were substantially the same as those in force in 1956. The number of pearling vessels approved was the same and the greater part of the Japanese operations took place off the Northern Territory. "In the interests of conserving pearl-shell resources two areas were closed to all pearling and an upper limit was placed on the quantities of shell permitted to be taken by the Japanese in two other areas north of Arnhem Land. Permission was again given to the Japanese to operate in two areas off the northwest coast of Western Australia, and also to take a limited quantity of shell from an area southwest of Broome. The areas to the west of Torres Strait, made available in 1956, were slightly enlarged this year. The prohibition against the Japanese operating within 10 miles of the Australian mainland or of an inhabited island was continued. The Japanese were required to comply with all requirements of Australian legislation, including the taking out of licenses, furnishing of production data, and close supervision. 58 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 The Commonwealth Government's survey of Australian pearl-shell resources, started in 1956 and suspended during the summer months, was to be resumed as soon as the weather permitted the survey vessel to operate. The survey is expected to provide the information on which effective conservation measures (in the long- term interests of the pearling industry) would be based, states an April 10, 1957, dispatch from United States Embassy in Canberra. KOK OK OK OK TUNA RESOURCES OFF WESTERN AUSTRALIA: The Australian Minister of Fisheries informed a member of the Legislative Council of the Western Australia Parliament that a survey of the commercial resources in the seas off the North- west and the Kimberley coast of Australia show that at least two species of tuna occur in great quantities. The survey under way for several years found that north- ern bluefin tuna (Neothunnus tonggol) and mackerel or little tuna (Euthynnus allet- teratus) occur over a considerable area off these coasts. Other species of tuna, namely yellowfin (Neothunnus macropterus), striped tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), and dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda nuda) are found in lesser quantities in these waters. The fishermen in the above areas are interested in exploiting the tuna resources if a market could be found in the United States. If a market could be found, a mod- ern tuna clipper would be purchased with suitable facilities to freeze the catch for export. Brazil. JAPANESE VESSELS LAND FISH AT SANTOS: After 12 days at sea, three of the Japanese fishing vessels, Tokai Maru 33, Akashi Maru 33, and Akashi Maru 35, arrived back at Santos, Brazil, on September 12 with a total catch of 90 metric tons. The fourth vessel, the Tokai Maru 35, was expected to unload its cargo of 30 metric tons at Rio de Janeiro. The company organized to handle the boats has requested the municipal author- ities for permission to install 10 distribution stands in various sections of the City of Sao Paulo. Since this permission had not yet been granted, only half of the catch was sent to Sao Paulo and the remainder was stored in a refrigerated warehouse at Santos. Because of the large amount of fish available, it had been expected that the price would drop sharply. As this did not occur, the press interviewed the head of the Fish and Game Section of the State Secretariate of Agriculture. He said the explan- ation was that the fish went through the regular wholesale trade, because the per- mission to install stands for sales directly to the public had not yet been granted by the municipal authorities. (United States consular dispatch from Sao Paulo dated September 18, 1957.) Ok ok Kk JOINT FISHING VENTURE WITH JAPANESE OPPOSED BY FISHING VESSEL OWNERS: The arrival of the first four of six Japanese fishing vessels at the port of Santos on August 16, 1957, resulted in a protest by the Association of Fishing Vessel Owners of the Brazilian State of Sao Paulo. The arrival of the Japanese vessels marked the initiation of the agreement between the Brazilian Government and a large Japanese fishing company for permission to fish in the territorial wa- ters of Brazil. The Association's protest to Brazil's President and the Ministry of Agriculture claimed that the Japanese firm had received "special privileges.'' The December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 59 Government in answer to this protest on the part of the vessel owners stated that not only were no special privileges involved, but that the arrival of the Japanese vessels augured well for the more efficient use of one of Brazil's important natural resources. The agreement reached on July 24, 1957, between the Brazilian Government and the Japanese firm included a plan to puta fleet of small trawlers into operation immediate- ly with the possibility of later building fish-processing plants and a shipyard in Santos for the overhauling, repair, and possible construction of fishingcraft. The signing of the agreement resulted in the formation of a subsidiary in Brazil. Two additional Jap- anese trawlers are due to arrive to implement the first phase of the joint venture. At the present time the Japanese subsidiary firm ''Pescados Oceania do Brasil," is a small distributing organization with over 50 percent of the capital stock owned by the Japanese firm and with the minority stock Brazilian, but largely subscribed to by members of Brazil's substantial Japanese colony. This distributing organiza- tion plans to enter into retail sales by opening their own retail outlets, first in Sao Paulo and then in other important cities of the area. It is probable that the fishing vessels will remain Japanese flag boats for the duration of the contract period. In the meantime, steps are being taken to establish a processing company to freeze fish, and process fish into meal and oil. It is reported that the capital structure of the company will be similar to that of the distributing company and that perhaps the same stockholders will participate. Upon completion of the 2- to 3-year agreement, the Japanese flag vessels will become Brazilian flag vessels and will, it is under- stood, become a part of the Japanese capital investment in the newly-formed proc- essing company. The agreement also specifies that the Japanese will leave Bra- zilian waters if at the end of the contract period they have not made an arrange- ment to have the fishing boats become Brazilian flag vessels. It was also reported that while the Japanese company has provided in the contract that a small percent- age of profits and/or capital may be repatriated to Japan, the early operations are not expected to produce any profits; and it is the intention of the parent company not to withdraw capital at first, but to re-invest any profits and if necessary pro- vide additional capital during the formative years of the company's existence. The new fishing company has opened offices in Santos and is planning to open a preliminary sales office in Sao Paulo very shortly, starting with a capitalization of Cr$10,000,000 (about US$132,000), largely in the form of the fishing boats sup- plied by the Japanese company. The initial fleet of six deep-sea trawlers are ex- pected to be fully equipped to undertake a wide variety of deep-sea fishing. Two of the vessels which have arrived have a 200-ton hold capacity, while the other two are considerably smaller with a hold capacity of only 50 tons. In addition, steps are actually being undertaken to construct the first refrigerated warehouse at Santos, and it is planned to order from Japan in the near future the necessary processing equipment. With the first small fleet, the officers of the Japanese subsidiary com- pany estimate an annual catch of about 20,000 long tons. Officials estimate the total consumption of fish in Brazil at over 1,000,000 tons, and that present opera- tions of the Japanese fleet will not seriously affect Brazil's consumption of fish, the size of the over-all fish harvest, or its distribution. However, it was revealed that the company intends to sharply undersell current wholesale prices of fresh fish, perhaps reducing the price to as much as one-third of the present landed price in either Santos or Sao Paulo. A figure of an estimated landed price of Cr$10a kilogram (about 6 U. S. cents a pound) was mentioned. This is in comparison to a current price of Cr$35 a kilogram average (about 21 U. S. cents a pound). At the present time there are no indications that the Japanese company plans to export any of its processed products in the near future. It was, however, re- ported that the processing company, which is to be formed in the near future, may build a canning factory and thus prepare for possible future export (U. S, Consulate in Sao Paulo dispatch dated August 23, 1957). NOTE: 1. ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1957 P. 49, OCTOBER 1957 P. 24, 2. VALUES CONVERTED AT THE RATE OF ONE CRUZEIRO EQUALS US$0.0132. Sj SO 60 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Canada EXTENT OF NEW SCALLOP GROUNDS ON ST, PIERRE tists of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, are larger than an earlier report indicated. The larger of the two beds is roughly rectan- gular and covers about 70 square miles (previously reported as 12 square miles). Its center is at 45 34'N_ latitude, 56 02! W. longitude and runs about NNW. and SSE. magnetic for 14 miles and is about five miles wide in 24-26 fathoms. Sev- eral catches were made in this area of 15-25 bushels of whole scallops per 30- minute tow. The shells averaged almost 5 inches in diameter and the scallop meats were large and firm. =e ji Sea Scallop (PECTEN MAGELLANI CUS) The sinaller of the two beds lies about 15 miles north mag- netic from the larger bed. It is about 4 square miles in area and has its center at 45 44' N. latitude, 56 09' W. longitude in 25-26 fathoms. Yields from this bed were from 11-15 bushels of whole scallops per 30-minute tow. The scallops were slightly larger than those from the larger bed and had high-quality scallop meats. Large numbers of small scallops were found both on the newly-discovered beds and in the area west of the old bed (discovered in 1954) on the northern part of St. Pierre Bank. The presence of the small scallops indicate good fishing in all three areas for 1959 and 1960. (Trade News, August 1957, Canadian Department of Fisheries.) NOTE: ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, NOVEMEER 1957, P, SO. ee KKK INSULATION FROM EEL GRASS: In Shelburne County on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, there is a plant which manufactures insulation from eel grass. This grass, a form of seaweed, is common along the coast of North America and very plentiful in southwest Nova Scotia. Eel grass has a num- ber of natural qualities that make it suitable for insulation: (1) it will not burn or rot; chemically it contains silica, salt, and iodine; (2) each blade of the grayish black material holds millions of minute air cells; this also makes it valuable as a sound deadener. Eel grass grows from 6 to 10 feet underwater offshore. It breaks off and floats shoreward. During the summer months men gather it up in dories in shallow water, bring it ashore, and dry it in the open fields. The price paid varies from $21 to $30 a ton, depending on the distance the grass must be haul- ed to the plant at Sable River. (Maine Coast Fisherman, De- cember 1956). Chile JAPANESE APPLICATION FOR INVESTMENT IN WHALING INDUSTRY: The application of a large Japanese fishing company for authorization to import into Chile a million dollars worth of equipment and capital for investment in Pesquera del Sur was approved by the Chilean Foreign Investments Committee on June 5, 1957. To finalize this action the Minister of Finance and the President must each sign this approved application, in- dicating their separate approval and application must then be submitted to the Comptroller General for his approval. Once these three concurrences have been obtained, the foreign in- vestor may proceed with the importation under the specific conditions laid down by the Foreign Investments Committee when it issued its statement of approval. If one of the three approvals just listed is withheld, the application must be re- turned to the Committee for further consideration, an August 6, 1957 dispatch from the United States Embassy in Santiago re- ports. In the case of the Japanese application, once the Committee has issued its approval on June 5, no further official action was taken until approximately the middle of July. During this interim period, both the opponents and proponents of this in- vestment continued to give voice to their respective arguments for and against the investment which had all been advanced dur- ing the period when the application was being considered by the Foreign Investments Committee. In general, the arguments against the authorization of this proposed investment were advanced by (1) Chilean private Vol. 19, No. 12 fishing interests and (2) the majority of other business inter- ests in Chile. Their arguments followed these lines: (1) the whaling industry is being adequately exploited now and the introduction of more personnel and equipment would be det- rimental; (2) Japanese whaling methods differ considerably from Chilean methods, in that they are crude--they will re- duce the available stock in a few years and the industry will gradually disappear; (3) the Japanese plan is, in effect, a cover for the Japanese Immigration Department's plan to send large numbers of Japanese, with their families, to set- tle in Chile; (4) it is inadvisable to permit a foreign firm to install its headquarters just across a rather narrow bay from Chile's most important naval base; (5) the authorization to the Japanese company constitutes a violation of the Chile- Peru-Ecuador Agreement for the protection of the resources of the South Pacific, which forbids the establishment of land- whaling stations within 250 miles of one already established Advocates of the investment, mainly Chilean Government officials, argue in general as follows: (1) the introduction of new foreign capital into Chile is a worthwhile goal in itself; (2) the Chilean whaling industry would benefit by foreign com- petition; the field has not been adequately explored because a few individueis have been able todominate this industry in Chile. On or about July 15, 1957, both the Minister of Defense and the President signed the decree authorizing this importation of capital, and the decree was forwarded to the Comptroller General for the final act which would constitute acceptance or rejection of the proposal. To date no statement has been is- sued by the Comptroller Gen- eral. The matter has been discussed by industry, by the Ministry of Agriculture, and on the floor of the Chamber of Deputies. In the Chamber a strong case was made against this investment and the rec- ommendation was made that, if necessary, a special Ses- sion of Congress be called to review the subject in detail. a) Colombia NEW REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE FISHING INDUS- TRY: On September I[, 1957, the study of maritime fauna and the regulation and approval of fishing licenses was transferred from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, fishing in Colombian territorial wa- ters will henceforth be permitted only by ships operating un- der the Colombian flag or by foreign vessels operating under contract with firms domiciled in Colombia. The resolution was the result of a conference held by fish- ing industrialists with the Minister of Agriculture on August 27, 1957. The industrialists also asked for the creation of a Na- tional Fisheries Office, expansion of credit facilities, and im- portation and distribution of fishing implements through the "Caja Agraria.’ Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture state that these requests are currently under study, points out a September 11, 1957, United States Embassy dispatch from Bogota. Cuba OFFICIAL STATES VIEWS ON THE ‘‘LAW OF THE SEA": The August 22, 1957, issue of the Havana daily newspaper Excelsior published an interview with the Special Adviser to the Cuban Ministry of State on legal matters on the subject of territorial waters, the continental shelf, the high-seas fish- eries, and related matters. The Special Adviser is a member of the United Nations International Law Commission and Cu- ba's representative on the Inter-American Council of Jurists, In the interview, the Special Adviser reiterated the posi- tion which Cuba has been following in the United Nations and the Organization of American States on these matters. He reaffirmed Cuba’s adherence to the three-mile limit of territorial waters, basing this stand on the traditional rights of states to engage in fishing on the high seas. With respect to the continental shelf, he pointed out that there was general December 1957 agreement on the proposition that the coastal state has ‘‘ex- clusive and sovereign rights. . .over the resources found in the seabed and subsoil of the continental shelf, or insular or other submarine areas adjacent to its territory.’’ He went on to point out, however, that no such unanimity exists with respect to waters over the continental shelf. In response to a query regarding the depletion of certain species of fish, hé called attention to the desirability of continuing to meet this problem through cooperation among states interested in the fishery, rather than through unilateral action by the coastal state, In reply to a question regarding freedom of the seas and nuclear experiments and referring to the possibility that this subject might arise at the forthcoming United Nations Con- ference on the Law of the Sea in Geneva in 1958, he stated: ““Of course in. case of a debate on this question it would first have to be determined to what extent this charge (the danger of contamination of the waters by radioactivity) can be scien- tifically proven, given that among the rights guaranteed all states under the principle of freedom of the sea is that of making scientific experiments on the oceans. The question is also important because the experiments which are current- ly being conducted can likewise be directed toward making progress in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.’’ Denmark FISH CONSUMPTION DECREASING: At a meeting held in Odense, Denmark, on August 19, 1957, by the National Organ- ization of the Danish Fish Retailers, it was stated that the an- nual consumption of fish per capita in 1956 was only 12 kilo- grams (about 26.5 pounds) compared to 14 kilograms (about 30.9 pounds) in 1955, a decline in total consumption of 9 mil- lion kilograms (19.8 million pounds). The Danish Minister of Fisheries, who attended the meeting, recommended that a publicity campaign be launched to promote fish consumption. Another fisheries official expressed the o- pinion that the decrease in consumption of fish was due to the fact that the National Organization of Fishery Propaganda had stopped its publicity campaign. The former Minister of Fish- eries was of the same opinion and suggested that a new pub- licity campaign be started. Statistics for 1956 indicate an over-all increase in meat consumption in Denmark of 6 percent over the preceding year, states an August 27 dispatch from the United States Embassy in Copenhagen. mR KK Ok SEAL SKIN AUCTION BRINGS HIGHER PRICES: The en- tire lot of seal skins brought up for auction in Copenhagen by the Royal Greenland Trade Department was sold at prices averaging approximately 6 percent over those obtained at the 1956 auction. Included in the September 3, 1957, auction were 24,588 ringed-seal skins and 619 harp-seal skins. Total sales a- mounted to 1.8 million crowns (US$261,000), slightly more than expected. Several foreign buyers were present at the auction, al- though none directly from the United States. American in- terests, however, were undoubtedly represented by local commission agents. Principal traditional markets for Greenland seal skins are the United Kingdom and West Ger- many. (United States Embassy, Copenhagen.) OK Ok VIEWS ON FISHERY TRADE AND COMMON MARKET PLANS: At the annual meeting of the Danish Fishery Trade and Deep Sea Fishing Association held on August 28, 1957 its chairman expressed some rather concrete viewpoints with regard to the effect on the Danish fishery situation of participation in one of the proposed common market plans. He indirectly supported Danish participation in the Eu- ropean Common Market by stating that Danish fish exports to West Germany and Italy would be endangered if Denmark did not join, and by noting that membership would open the promising French market to greatly increased exports and COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 61 offer the possibility of regaining the Belgian market. He also maintained that the Danish fisheries would not be in- jured by increased imports, because of Denmark's favor- able competitive position. With regard to the free-trade area, he stated that Danish participation would not erase the presently existing British duty of 10 percent. He held that the enactment of a Nordic Customs Union would carry with it improved conditions for the Danish fish- eries but would be catastrophic for the Danish canned fish industry. (On this point he undoubtedly referred to the ex- pected domination of this market by Norwegian canned fish.) In closing he joined an increasing number of Danish econ- omic spokesmen by expressing his opinion that the plan for a Nordic Customs Union had lost practically all actuality since the inception of plans for either a European Common Market or free-trade area. (United States Embassy dis- patch from Copenhagen, September 6, 1957.) ~—®, El Salvador REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES: El Salvador's fishing in- dustry, despite its important potential, is very poorly de- veloped. Aside from an unknown number of canoe fisher- men, there are only four sizable fishing boats in operation, the largest of which is capable of bringing in perhaps a million pounds a year, and there are only two very small ice plants to furnish the ice which is absolutely necessary for handling fish in a warm climate. There are no statistics to show the quantity of fish land- ed in El Salvador; none are kept officially covering the four fishing boats, and there is, of course, no way of total- ing the catch of numerous canoe fishermen. Perhaps the catch of the four large boats is 2.5 million pounds a year of fish and 250,000 pounds of shrimp. The fish are of several varieties, bearing local names which are not al- ways subject to translation into English, but the best from the point of view of flavor are "boca colorada" and Cali- fornia corvina. Both of these, when obtained fresh and cooked properly, are very tasty. The value of the catch at the dockside is usually calcu- lated at 30 centavos (14 U.S. cents) a pound for fish and at 1.25 colones (50 U.S. cents) a pound for shrimp. The catching, distributing and marketing of the fish is done in a primitive manner. The four fishing boats dis- charge their catch at small piers at La Union in the Gulf of Fonseca. They necessarily carry a certain amount of ice in their holds, but the quantity is generally found by experts to be far too little. At the dock, the fish or shrimp are weighed--often in the sun--and packed in 100-pound boxes with crushed ice (again usually in insufficient quan- tities). The boxes are then transported to inland cities and delivered to markets and fish stores. A dispropor- tionately large quantity of the fish has spoiled during this procedure, owing entirely to the use of insufficient ice. The Government's policies and programs have been for the most part directed toward the regulation of the fish in- dustry. There are elaborate requirements for licenses, for fishing enterprises, and even for single embarkations for fishing purposes. These are set forth in the Govern- ment's Decree 1961 of October 25, 1955, which consisted of a fisheries law, and Decree No. 77 of September 12, 1956, which contained the regulations implementing the previous decree. Of significance to foreigners is the fact that while the fisheries law (Decree 1961) stated in its Article 17 that foreigners would be allowed to fish, at least for bait (ancho- veta), in El Salvadoran waters, provided they had a license, the regulations which the law stated would be forthcoming have yet to be promulgated, and foreign boats now fish at their own risk. The Government's industrial development corporation (INSAFOP) has made a survey of a potential fishing industry but has yet to find funds to establish one. There is in effect an industrial processing law, which was designed to encourage 62 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW investment in new industrie~. and which would grant incentive tax concessions to such a "\~w industry if it were founded. The potentialities of the shrimp fishing industry are good. The shrimp caught in El Salvador is considered to be of good quality, and there is no doubt that it could find a ready market if there were vessels for catching it and facilities for packing it in the proper manner. France claimed, by a Frenchman of St. Malo, who has patented and put on the market a device now on sale in the principal ports of France. According to latest information heavy sales are being made to French owners, and an English firm has taken up English rights. Called the ''Exocet,"' it is in effect a framework which car- ries a rectangular panel at an angle of 30 degrees and which, in turn, has provisions for two or three floats of conventional FRENCH DEVICE FOR ENSURING MAXIMUM VERTICAL SPREAD OF THE TRAWL MOUTH, design. This, it is claimed, entirely obviates the objection to the ordinary method of holding the trawl mouth open with floats (whether glass or metal) with which it is found that at about 3 knots the resistance set up against forward movement is great- er than their rising force so that the opening is diminished in- stead of being made larger. The French technieian was faced with the problem of how to produce something sufficiently simple and light, with the least obstacle to easy handling, yet still solid and able to hold its essential position in the water and having the greatest possible lift. He solved these by using an aluminum alloy in the form of a rectangle with rounded corners, reinforced round the edges with flanges, and having provision for floats near the leading edge. Itis fixed directly to the headline at the top of the trawl so that the rectangular part is held at an angle of 30 degrees from the horizontal. It is then found that the rising force increases pro rata to the speed of trawling as the mouth of the trawl is forced open by the force of the water against the inclined plane. Catches are thereby increased as the mouth of the net is en- larged, and a ground can be fished effectively at much higher speed. The risk of tearing the net is also reduced. The effect of the apparatus, it is claimed by the French in- terests, is constant under any trawling condition. It has been used by trawlers of all types and proved itself on the grounds. The framework is so designed as to permit the rectangular plate to oscillate freely so that its transverse equilibrium is held. The floats are fixed by special ''feet'' or cramps which permit easy replacement in case of damage. Their placing is important too, as it insures that the net takes its proper form as soon as it is cast and holds its position should the trawler be stationary or change direction during trawling op- erations, and prevents any possibility of reversing, alleged to be a major defect in some other devices. The hydrodynamic form itself is responsible for lowering the resistance to progress. In effect, the pressure on the Vol. 319) sNowrt2 back of the plate literally forces the mouth of the trawl for- ward and upwards, forming an arc of which the cod end is the center. The rising or lifting force is claimed to be greatest at the moment when the trawl is open and is at a maximum in the vertical plane while the opening, fixed as it is right at the center of the trawl mouth, is such as to permit that it is widest where the fish enter. In other words, it has the same effect in a vertical plane as the otter boards have in the hor- izontal plane. Three models have been made, differing only in size, the numbers referring to the length in centimeters at the edge. Exocet 80, intended for the largest trawlers with powerful engines; Model 70, for large speedy trawlers fishing for fairly heavy catches and also for the smaller vessels with less powerful motors; Model 60 for the small trawlers or those using small trawls. The latter takes two instead of three floats. An English visitor to St. Malo saw demonstrations which gave satisfactory results at 34 knots. British trawlers cus- tomarily work at a higher speed, but it is claimed that ad- aptions permit equally satisfactory results at those speeds (The Fishing News, August 23, 1957.) xe RK K PLASTIC FISH BOX DEVELOPED: A new type of fish box has been developed in France for handling fragile fish,. such as sardine. The box is made of polyester, reinforced with fiber-glass. It is 500 mm. (19.6 in.) long, 400 mm. (15.7 in.) wide, and 100 mm. (3.9 in.) or 70 mm. (22 in.) deep. It weighs 1 kg. (2.2 pounds) and the sides are perfo- rated with round holes. The box floats on sea water. These boxes can be piled up without crushing the fish, they are & Iceland POLISH CREWS FOR FISHING TRAWLERS PROPOSED: In- dependent Icelandic skippers are eager to employ some Polish crews for their trawlers during the white fish season, the Au- gust 16 issue of The Fishing News points out. The Icelandic manpower deficit is put at + O00 men. The Icelandic trawler owners have made the employment offer official, and it is al- most certain to be accepted by Poland. The rates offered are £120 (US$336) a month for deck- hands with experience. Up to 70 percent of the pay would be available for transfer to Poland. Since Poland is also short of experienced white fish catch- ers, Icelanders propose to take several dozen graduates of Polish fisheries schools for practical experience on Iceland- ic trawlers. According to Polish sources, the visit to Reykjavik of the Polish fisheries training trawler Jan Turleiski has occasioned keen interest in Icelandic trawlercircles. Sheisasteam trawl- er, and Icelanders are willing to buy one ormore for their fish- ing fleet. Talks now being conducted include employment of Polish crews. eR KES SUMMER HERRING FISHERY A FAILURE: The summer herring season with purse seines off the north and east coasts of Iceland has failed for the 13th successive year. The 230 vessels taking part provided 653,000 barrels and crans (about 392 pounds) compared with 512,000 last year by 187 vessels. The season can be called a moderate failure, which means the Icelandic Government will have to distribute large sums to compensate the fishermen. Although the total catch was higher, much of it was unsuit- able for salting, the herring being less fat than usual. Half a million crans went to factories, 140,000 barrels were salted, and 13,000 barrels were frozen. December 1957 There is keen disappointment because it was expected that the larger number of vessels of 25 to 150 tons and including five vessels with big purse nets, would enable the fishery to approach its wartime record. Fewer and smaller vessels caught over a million crans in 1944. Fishermen know the unpredictable behavior of the herring. They point out that since 1944, when the lean seasons began, there has been a succession of good seasons off the west coast of Norway. Markings have shown a close connection and mi- gration habits between Iceland's summer herring and Norway's winter stocks, The theory has been that if the Norwegians get good winter herring, the next summer season off Iceland will be poor. Last winter, however, the herring season off Norway was poor, but the expectation that as a result the herring would come to the northern coast of Iceland was not fulfilled. In August the herring went east and the Icelandic vessels pursued them for 150 miles, much farther thanusual. Towards the end of August the vessels returned to begin drift-net fish- ing off the south and west coasts, while some of the bigger ves- sels of around 100 tons sought more herring between Iceland and the Faroes. (The Fishing News, August 30, 1957.) HE Italy NATIONAL FISHING INSTITUTE OPENED: A National Fish- ing Institute has been opened in Italy, with the aim of instruct- ing fishermen in the best fishing methods and techniques. The Institute receives a subsidy from the Government, according to the July 1957 World Fishing. 2 Japan FISHERY SURVEYS OFF BRAZIL AND DOMINICAN RE- PUBLIC: The Toko Maru, a fisheries trawler-type patrol ship (1,110 tons gross) belonging to the Japanese Fisheries Agency, returned to Tokyo July 25, 1957, after completing a 9-months' around-the-world voyage in the course of which surveys were made of fishing grounds off Brazil and the Dom- inican Republic. The scientific party aboard was headed by the Director of the Nankai Regional Fishery Research Labor- atory, an outstanding authority on tunas and spearfishes. Brazilian Surveys: In view of the topography of Brazilian waters, the surveys were carried out in three steps: (1) the southern part of the continental shelf, (2) the tuna long-lining grounds off the eastern part, and (3) the northern part of the continental shelf (vicinity of the mouth of the Amazon River). (1) Grounds of the Southern Part of the Continental Shelf: The area of the continental shelf south of 22° S. latitude is about 83,000 square miles. The continental shelf extends to depths of about 150 meters, beyond which the bottom falls off steeply. From the latter part of December to the middle of March, 67 2-hour trawl hauls were made and observations were made on coastal migratory fishes (sardines, mackerel- scad, etc.). During this period, 85 oceanographic stations were occupied. The results of the trawling survey were: (a) Catches were larger in shallow water and in the south, tended to be smaller in deeper water and toward the north. In waters deeper than 40-50 meters there were rarely indications of potentially- profitable fishing. (b) In general, the fishes which were always most abundant in the catches were small sharks and many spe- cies of rays. The market value of these fish is low. (c) The fish of high market value--pescada, corvina, and other sciae- nids--were generally abundant in shallow water. (d) Thenum- ber of different species captured was about 160, fewer than ex- pected. (e) The bottom was good, and of the 67 hauls, only one resulted in a torn net. (f) There was always some wind and sea, but never enough to interfere with fishing. These results indicate that it would be more profitable to fish this area with small boats rather than with large vessels. However, the survey was made during the middle of the South- ern Hemisphere summer, and it may be thought possible that different results would be obtained in winter. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 63 In the survey of coastal migratory fishes, the sonic fish- finder and nightlights were used. There was a high frequency of traces of schools on the fish-finder, particularly in shallow water. The sardine is one of Brazil's most important fishes, but within the scope of this survey no indication of phototaxis was seen, and the fish could not be taken with the nightlight. It was thought that it would be effective to locate the fish by echo- ranging and then use a round-haul net, but this could not be tried because the Toko Maru was not equipped for this type of fishing. (2) Tuna Long-Lining Grounds off the Eastern Area: From about 22° S. north to the vicinity of the Amazon's mouth there are coral reefs along the coast, and the pros- pects for coastal fisheries are slight, so a tuna long-lining survey was made. Long lines were fished 13 times, and dur- ing this period 29 oceanographic stations were occupied. The stations were distributed north and south at 50 to 300 miles off the coast. The results were briefly as follows: (a) Catch rates (number of fish caught per 100 hooks fished) ranged from a low of 2.5 to a high of 20, or in terms of weight of a day's catch, from 700 pounds to an estimated maximum of 5,500, pounds. (b) A fishing ground boundary was found at about 4 S., where there was also a sharp change in oceanographic struc- ture. North of the boundary yellowfin were the most abundant tuna in the catch, while south of it albacore were the main species. Quite a few bluefin tuna turned up in the vicinity of the boundary. (c) Thenorthern limit of the northern yellowfin grounds was not made clear by the present survey. Albacore fishing appeared to fall off to the gouthward, but fair catches were still being maintained at 22° S. (d) Few sharks were caught, and shark damage to the catch was less than in the Indian or Pacific oceans. (e) There were steady force 3 winds, mainly from the northeast, which were not thought to be such as to hamper the operations of a regular long-liner. In general the area can probably be said to be a superior tuna long-line fishing ground. Since the grounds are close to the coast, it is thought that it would be both possible and prof- itable to fish them with small vessels. The scale of long-line fishing on this survey was held down to about one-eighth that of a commercial boat, but it is estimated that the catch per day for a regular long-liner would be 3-5 tons on the albacore grounde, or 10-15 tons on the yel- lowfin grounds. It is difficult to form any definitive ideas of the structure of the South Atlantic tuna grounds as a whole, because of in- adequate data, but (1) the different current systems form dif- ferent habitats, and have different characteristics as fishing grounds, and (2) within a given current system the geographi- cal differences in the character of the fishing grounds appear gradually, except where affected by the topography, and sharp changes, like those between current systems, do not appear. If this theory is admitted, the areas of each of the major cur- rents, such as the South Equatorial and the Equatorial Counter- current, each have their own different characters as fishing grounds, and they will preserve such characteristics as are referred to in (b) and (c) above as we follow them offshore to the eastward, with only gradual changes in fishing ground characteristics within the current systems. In terms of distance to the fishing grounds, it will be most advantageous to base in such port cities of the northeast as Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza, whereas southern cities like Rio and Santos are better from the point of view of markets and bait supply. (3) Fishing Grounds of the Northern Continental Shelf (A- round the Mouth of the Amazon): In this region the continental shelf extends to depths of around 100 meters, with an area of around 73,000 square miles. The bottom is generally covered with coral and rock reefs and is rough, with the echo sounder showing saw-toothed traces, the ''teeth'' being mostly 2-3 meters high. This con- dition is especially marked south of the river mouth, being somewhat ameliorated north of the river, where there are ac- cumulations of mud. Around the river mouth, silt makes the ground unfit for trawling. Near the Guiana border there are some rather extensive areas suitable for trawling. During the the period of the survey there were constant northeast winds of around force 3, and the current ran strongly northwest. Hauls were made at first at the planned station positions, but so many nets were torn that it was judged difficult to com- plete a comprehensive survey in this way, and it was decided 64 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW to use echo-sounding and oceanographic observations to find places to fish. By this system 13 1-hour hauls were made, with trouble developing on only 6 of them. At the same time, 63 oceanographic stations were occupied Because of the topography, this area offers little possibil- ity of large-scale trawling by big ships. The fish taken were not such as to attract attention, and it appeared that the strong currents would in many cases interfere with operations. It ap- pears to offer some possibilities as a shrimp ground, but be- cause of the type of bottom, it is thought that operations by small vessels would be more advantageous than the use of large ships. However, without a great deal of experience on the grounds, operation would probably be difficult. Dominican Republic Surveys: Survey work in waters of the Dominican Republic comprised 1 trawl haul (net torn), 5 hauls with a shrimp net, and 6 long-line sets, with 23 oceanographic stations occupied during the period. Because of the topography, there was thought to be little to be hoped for from the coastal fisheries, and results of the survey confirmed this belief. The area is thought to be fairly promising as a tuna long-lining ground. Within the scope of the survey, it was judged that the Caribbean side is mainly a yellowfin ground and the Atlantic side principally an albacore and spearfish ground. There were constant northeast winds of about force 3, which hampered op- erations of the small fishing boat used for long-lining but which would not bother a regular long-line vessel. Since the grounds are close in, operation by smaller vessels is probably quite possible. (Nippon Suisan Shimbun, Japanese periodical, July 31, 1957.) * eK EK FROZEN TUNA EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES: Japan- ese exports of frozen tuna for the first six months of 1957 to the United States amounted to about 53.5 million pounds as com- pared with 46.3 million pounds for the same period in 1956. The [cr ar ese Pac ae wea peg SS eS ee ee Lesser foarte} [7.762 | 295.AT BYBTO ITS 496 [64.657 15.877 | declared export value of the frozen tuna exports to the United States in the first six months of 1957 of US$7,149,000 was 10.5 percent higher than the January-June 1956 value of US$6,467,000. Exports to the United States accounted for 81.2 percent of the total quantity of frozen tuna exported to all countries inthe first six months of 1957. The average declared value of US$317 a metric ton for frozen albacore tuna exported to the United States in the first six months of 1957 reflected the weaker American market for the species. For the comparable period in 1956, albacore tuna exported to the United States averaged US$388 a ton. (U, S, Embassy in Tokyo dispatch dated July 31, 1957.) ee KKK GOOD SKIPJACK FISHING OFF NORTHEASTERN HONSHU: With a market boundary between warm and cold currents 180 to 300 miles off the Japanese province of Kinkazan (northeast - ern Honshu), the skipjack tuna schools are lingering in that vicinity. Landings at the port of Kesennuma July 1-25 were 3,500 metric tons from 98 boats witha boat value of US$390,600. If the albacore landed since May are added, tuna landings at this port amounted to 5,140 tons, worth $638,300, or 30 per- cent of the value of all fishery landings in Miyagi Prefecture. It is expected that if the cold-water mass retreats or disap- pears, the schools will come in closer to Kesennuma and that landings will exceed last year's record of 14,042 tons. Since the changeover from albacore to skipjack fishing in July, the average tuna trip has brought in about 36 tons, worth $4,113. With an average price of $111 a metric ton, this is unprecedentedly good fishing. Trips are running about 10 days, and trip expenses for large boats are about $1,944, so even though the price is low, the operators are all cheerful, The skipjack rush is being aggressively led by the canners and Vol. 19, No. 12 driers, who are consuming 70 percent of the landings. Dried skipjack stick production is particularly active, with groups of part-time producers in the picture along with the regular proc- essors, and it is anticipated that production will reach 8,000 barrels, 1,000 barrels more than in normal years. Deliveries at the Kesennuma fish market have been good since June, and especially during July when landings of all types of fishery products averaged $27,700 a day. The skipjack live-bait fleet supplied about 50 percent of the value of the landings at the port, and the rest was supplied by seiners, long-liners, trap fishing, salmon gill-netting, salmon trout long-lining, harpoon boats, and small hand-liners, all enjoying a summer peak season, Tuna seining, which had been slow since the middle of July, picked up again. With the vari- ous types of salmon boats ending their operations, and with the ''skipjack rush" in full swing, it was expected that the peri- od from the last of July through the early part of August would be. the busiest of the year at the port of Kesennuma. (Nippon Suisan Shimbun, July 31, 1957.) OK KOK Ok TUNA LONG-LINE FISHING GEAR AND METHODS: In- troduction: The Japanese tuna long-line fishery began its de- velopment in the early 19th century in central Japan for the capture of the bluefin tuna migrating along the Japanese Pa- cific coast. In this fishery, high-priced (in Japan) large fish could be taken with a small amount of capital equipment and the operation of the gear was simple, so the number of fish- ermen using this method gradually increased. Then, with the development of shipbuilding techniques and the internal com- bustion engine, the radius of operations was expanded until at present the fishing grounds take in almost the whole world, and the catch comprises all such species as yellowfin tuna, big-eyed tuna, and the spearfishes, which inhabit the middle depths of 100-150 meters (330-500 feet). However, the main gear of this fishery, the long line, has undergone no radical improvement in the past 200 years. The development of the fishery has been supported only by the in- crease in the number of units of gear employed and the ex- ploitation of new fishing grounds. If there is any element in the fishing gear which has brought about a great advance in this fishery, it is the invention of the line-hauler, This de- vice made it possible to use more than 3 times as much gear as when hauling by hand and brought about a rapid increase in catching power. There has, however, been no improvement in catching power through any essential improvement of the gear, and under present conditions the fishery is maintained in operation by the heavy labor and low pay of its fishermen. Recently more distant fishing grounds are being exploited, with a consequent necessary increase in the size of the ves- sels, and thus the cost of production has risen steeply, so that the great problem for this fishery from now on will be how to improve the gear and devise efficient methods of fish- ing it. I wish, therefore, to center my discussion around this point, in order to discover where there is room for improve- ment of this type of gear and this fishing method and to seek out the direction of progress and development. The Construction of Tuna Long Lines: It is believed im- possible to capture by seining, trawling, or other such meth- ods tunas which swim at depths of 100-150 meters (330-500 feet). This means that hook-and-line gear must be used, and for this the tuna long line has the efficiency of multiple hooks and the capability of landing large fish. At present this gear varies somewhat in dimensions and in weight of the line and wire of which it is made, according to the species fished, but since it is all the same in principle, we will discuss the construction of the long lines in general use. This gear is made up of main lines, branch lines, swivels, seizing wire, wire, hooks, float lines, floats, flags, and light buoys, but for the sake of simplifying its operation, 5-6 pieces of main line, 4-6 branch lines, and 1 floatline are taken as a unit or one skate. LINE: Up to the present time cotton line (20-count 50-55 thread 3 x 3) treated with coal tar has been used, but syn- thetic fibres such as nylon and vinylon have appeared on the scene, and since it has been proved that their useful life is far longer than that of natural fibers and that they are far su- perior in tensile strength and resistance to abrasion, they have made astonishing progress despite their high cost, because they can satisfy the demand for fineness of line, which is the essence of hook-and-line fishing. December 1957 There remain, however, a number of unsolved problems inthe application of these materials to fishing gear, such as specific gravity, coloration, and so forth, but they are being solved one after another by fishing gear specialists, so that the changeover of all the gear to synthetic fibers is probably only a matter of time. FLOATS: Glass balls are used as floats, but their greatest shortcoming is that when they are broken by some external force during use, the float becomes a sinker and carries the gear down, so that in the worst cases it becomes impossible to haul the lines in. Therefore substitutes are being experimentally manufactured out of aluminum, vinyl, polyethylene, rubber, and other materials, however, so far the problems of water pres- sure and cost have kept them from taking the place of glass balls. LEADER WIRE AND SEIZING WIRE: At present galvanized No, 27 wire (diameter 0.42 mm. 3 x 3) is used. Its tensile strength is 180 kg. (396 pounds). This is an important element in the construction of hook-and-line gear, and if it were pos- sible, the use of a clear, colorless material like nylon gut would improve catches, but there is no such material which would give the 180-kg. tensile strength for the same thickness Of line. If there were some material which even though opaque could give the same tensile strength with less bulk, it would prob- ably replace the wire. The seizing wire is No. 27 wire served with No, 4 or 5 viny- lon or cotton, but this is being replaced with small-diameter nylon line. ACTION OF GEAR IN THE WATER: When gear of the con- struction outlined above is set inthe sea, its basic form (with no wind or current) is probably a catenary. That is, with branch lines at 50-meter (164-feet) intervals and a total mainline length of 300 meters (almost 1,000 feet), the depth of the hooks is determined by the number of feet of distance within which the unit of gear is set. If it were possible to detect with a fish finder the depth at which the schools of fish were swimming (there is as yet no fish finder manufactured in Japan which can pick up individ- ual tuna), the proper setting interval could be decided by ap- plying the direction and force of the current and wind to this basic curve. In actuality, however, it is extremely difficult to set the line so as to maintaina definite depth, and the gearhasacom- plex form, because of the angle at which it is set in relation to the wind and current and because of differences between surface and mid-level currents, which push the gear one way or the other. Particularly when the wind and current are run- ning in contrary directions and are strong, the fishing depth cannot be reached and catches are poor. Captains of long ex- perience can judge such situations and set their gear accord- ingly. Where chemical tubes have been attached to the lines to measure the depth of the gear and at the same time the wind and current speed and direction have been measured to cal- culate the degree to which the lines are streamed out, the calculated results have in many cases not agreed with the ac- tual measurements, but this is probably because of differ- ences between the surface anddeeper currents. However, ifthe lines are streamed out to some extent by the current, while maintaining an appropriate depth, they take on the form of trolling gear, and this is probably the ideal situation. According to past catch records, the branch line in the middle of the main line produces the highest catch rates. Other lines which stream out in the same direction as the main line are interfered with by the latter, and their catch rates are thereby lowered. Consequently, there is a need for a high degree of expertness on the part of the captain in de- ciding on the direction in which to set his gear in accordance with the prevailing sea conditions, and this is one of the great- est drawbacks of this type of gear. If it were possible to detect the depth at which the fish sought were actually swimming at the time, and if the depth at which the gear was hanging could be accurately known, or if the depth of the gear could be easily and quickly adjusted, there would naturally be a great and sudden increase in the effectiveness of this gear, but at present no such improvements are being carried out. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 65 SELECTING FISHING GROUNDS AND TRACKING THE SCHOOLS: The most reliable basis for selection of fishing grounds is that of ascertaining the actual presence of fish, thatis, sighting them at the surface or detecting them under the water with afish finder. However, we donot at present have any device capable of detecting tunas swimming at mid-depths, so right now the selection of tuna fishing grounds is done as follows: There are statistical data for the approximate selection of fishing grounds, however, the systematic compilation of ef- fective statistical information has been carried only for the past 2 or 3 years and it is still inadequate. Therefore, in most cases the role of statistical data is filled by each indi- vidual's experience or by reports heard from other fisher- men. What is known is known in only an extremely approxi- mate way, and the concrete question of where to set gear, in the absence of reports from other boats, can be answered on- ly after arriving in the area and givingitatry. As more sharply- focused methods of fishing ground selection, such things as water temperature, water color, currents, bottom topography, birds, and radio reports of other boats are studied closely for several days preceding the vesscl's arrival in the area of op- eration, andif records or memories of experience on the ground are available, they are referred to. As far as water tempera- ture is concerned, almost all tuna boats take surface tempera- tures, but very few of them measure the temperature of the middle depths. For estimating the depth of the schools, how- ever, determination of mid-depth temperatures supplies power- ful data. To take only the surface temperature and then judge that a particular area contains a zone of water suitable for the occurrence of tunas and spearfishes is to jump to conclusions (although of course it may be of some value as an indicator). The significance of continuous measurements of surface tem- perature is rather to detect changes and thus discover current boundaries. The reason for this is that the tunas, other than those resident on shoals, often tend to accumulate on one side of a surface of contact between different water masses. Con- sequently, it must be noted that a rapid grasp of the pattern of ocean currents in the area will be reflected directly in the a- mount of the catch. As for water color and transparency, if we take into account the development of plankton, it is natural that an area with water color of 3-4 on Forel's scale and low transparency should be a better fishing ground than an area with water color of 1-2 and high transparency; however, places with very bad water color are said, on the other hand, to pro- duce poor catches. This is because the occurrence of large numbers of fish and the catching of iarge numbers of fish are different matters, particularly in the case of hook-and-line gear. This can be granted, I think, if we consider such mat- ters as feeding reaction and range of visibility. Ocean cur- rents, as stated earlier, have an important significance. It is especially essential to get a firm grasp of their boundaries. For this reason the captains of tuna boats go to much trouble dropping drift bottles and following them for hours, using cur- rent direction and velocity meters, and checking their drift by celestial navigation in order to get an accurate knowledge of ocean currents and tidal currents. Location of fishing grounds by the bottom topography and in relation to islands is oftendone, and since this places the ground firmly in a definite area, once a good ground is discovered, the boat has only to return to the same position again. Thisisthere- fore the easiest method of fishing ground selection. Itcan, how- ever, easily give rise to loss of gear, danger to the vessel, and problems of territorial waters, so it requires minute care in ship handling and fishing operations. Sea birds are an impor- tant indicator,...and... it is said that tuna are certain to be present in areas where many birds are flying. Putting all of these things together, the tactical selection of the fishing ground is made, but since the gear is not set on the basis of sightings of tuna schools, it probably rarely happens that the schools are encountered on the first set. If the fish- ermen take a certain point as a center and set their gear in different directions from it over a period of 4 or 5 days, they will be able to judge the sea conditions and the fishing condi- tions over an area about 70 miles square, and if they then work gradually in the direction that seems most promising, they will end up making a section of observations across an area of about 150 miles. If while searching in this manner they encounter the schools, they begin to follow them. How- ever, with this type of gear this pursuit of the schools is a most difficult and tricky business. If it were possible to track the schools with certainty, it would be unnecessary to make sets of 400 skates of gear over a distance of 35-40 miles, as is the practice at present, and this would bea radical improve- ment in the fishing method, but there is as yetnocertain meth- od for tracking the schools. The simplest method of following 66 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW the schools is to set the gear again at the geographical loca- tion where the catch was best on the previous day's set, and by repeating this process to get an estimate of the situation. This is the method used on resident fish or when it is not pos- sible to figure out the direction of movement of the schools. Another method is to hypothesize that the larger fish precede or head the movements of the schools and that the fish move against the current while feeding and are carried with the cur- rent while resting; by this method the direction of movement of the schools is judged by the size of the fish taken, the loca- tion of capture, and the direction and speed of the current. This method fits comparatively well in the case of schooling migratory tunas, but it still presents many doubtful points. An- other clue to the size and direction of movement of the school is to take the changes in catch rates along the various parts of the set as a measure of the density of the school, since the density of a school becomes lower toward its rear, Whether the fish are found alive or dead on the lines can also similar- ly play an important role in deducing the direction of move- ment and the location of a school. METHOD OF USING THE GEAR AND THE FISHERMEN'S LABOR: In discussing the method of using this gear, explana- tion of the details will be omitted, and the discussion will take up mainly the handling of the vessel. When the boat is hove-to on what, by the methods outlined in the preceding section, is estimated to be a good ground, the setting of the lines is begun around 3 o'clock in the morn- ing. This is because the feeding reaction of fishes is most pronounced at such times as sunrise and sunset, at the change of the tidal current, or when sea or weather conditions change. Line setting is done in accordance with the factors mentioned earlier. Once the line is set, it is left tosoakfor 2 or 3hours, and then line hauling is begun. With expert hands this opera- tion is carried on at the rate of about 4 minutes per basket. At this time great skill in handling the boat is required; when the weather is bad, it is especially difficult and great demands are made on the engine, whichis often the cause of breakdowns. Furthermore, the expertness or lack of it in this operationhas a bearing on the working life of the long lines, and on the oc- currence of mainline breaks and the loss of hooked fish. An experienced crew will not leave off fishing or cut down the a- mount of gear fished up to wind forces of about 5. About 19 men are required in setting the gear. The boat steams at 8-9 knots while the line is set from the stern, set- ting being finished in about 4-5 hours. The speed of setting is related to the depth of the gear. Line hauling is done us- ing all hands. The hauling of the lines requires 12-14 hours, and when there are line breaks or the catch is heavy, the work frequently continues through the night. Once line haul- ing is completed, setting starts again after 1 or 2 hours. When fishing is poor, boats sometimes keep on operating for as long as 40 days. The working hours of the crew are 6 hours for line setting, and 13 hours for hauling, a total of 19 hours, and if 1 hour is added for meals and so forth, about 3 or 4 hours are left for sleep. As such labor is done continuously, the fishermen are terribly fatigued by the end of a trip, and frequently their health is damaged. Consequently, men can engage in this work only up to about the age of 40, The compensation for this labor averages 29,000 yen (US$80) a month, and when taxes and cost of working clothes are sub- tracted, this leaves a monthly income of 25,000 yen ($70). The captain receives 3 times as much as an ordinary fisher- man and the chief engineer about 2.5 times as much, In 1956 the average monthly income of regularly-employed workers in Japan was 20,669 yen ($57), and. for miners the figure was 20,465 yen (less than $57). By comparison the pay of tuna long-line fishermen is very low in view of their work- ing conditions. In foreign countries the income of maritime workers is gen- erally considered to be about twice that of workers ashore, but the Japanese fisheries are peculiar in this respect, and this is one of the problems to be faced in the future. BUSINESS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TUNA LONG-LINE FISHERY: Next I will take up briefly the peculiarities of tuna fishing as a business. After World War I Japan was very short of food, particular- ly animal protein, and the government took special financial Vol. 19, No. 12 and other measures for the promotion and protection of the fisheries, especially the tuna fishery, which was regarded as an alternative to the North Pacific salmon fisheries and the Antarctic whaling. As a result the number of operators en- gaged in this fishery increased by leaps and bounds, but this has brought about declining prices and at present it is by no means a profitable fishery. Let us look at the actual situation of a 350-ton vessel in 1956. This boat was completed in August 1953 at a cost of 78 million yen (US$216,000), and by the time she was ready to begin fishing the cost was up to 82 million yen (US$227, 000). This boat made four trips in the 446 days between Novem- ber 9, 1955, and January 28, 1957. Total trip time was 375 days, and 71 days were spent in port. The total value of the catch during this period was 59,753,265 yen ($165,981), which averages out to 306 yen per kan ($227 a metric ton). During this time expenditures totaled 70,586,874 yen ($196,075), leaving a deficit of 10,833,609 yen ($30,009). This vessel operated without any trouble, and fish prices received were slightly higher than the 1956 national average of 304 yen ($227 a metric ton), It is clear that under these conditions this fishery has no future, and it can be seen that we must try to maintain the fishery by broadening the market for tuna, by getting the price of fish up to around 350 yen per kan ($257 a ton), and by shortening trip time through raising the efficiency of the gear. From the fact that fuel cost is 67.1 percent of operating expenses, it can be seen how greatly the distance to the grounds has increased, and it can also be seen that cutting down the fuel cost might be one way to stabilize this fishery. Therefore it can be said that the unavoidable fate of this fish- ery is to change to mothership-type operations or to opera- tions based in foreign countries. However, for these types Costs of a 350-ton Long-liner in 19 -]$ 8,503.50 Japanese Operating Market charges. Fishing gear a uel cost. .... Go doom on bid Ooo Oo te Expendables (ice, bait, vessel equipment) . . PrOVA SIONS) arapepatat emai aballerstsitekeliclsleleliel« ofc Improvements to vessel ........... Marthe oganooobpo SoD aoeaGoOd MIU PEns Soagacocgsunsa0o ASULANCE) feast nsec Fell ofel sts) euolailselfele [Vessel amortization ...........--. Taxes and public charges Business expenses ashore |Miscellaneous expenses. ......-+ oeloous [Total ooo oie oc toe os one ws oe ele of operations much capital is required, and the natural re- sult will be for the industry to be absorbed by big capitalists. This problem is one that is already with us, for such capi- talists already have three mothership-type fleets in opera- tion and foreign bases are being used in American Samoa, at Recife in Brazil, at Colombo in Ceylon, and elsewhere. OUTLOOK: The foregoing is a general account of the tuna long-line fishery. From the standpoint of fishing gear de- velopment, there is room for study to determine to what ex- tent the operation of the gear can be simplified, but in view of the essential character of hook-and-line gear, there will probably be no fundamental change in the long line. In the United States at present they are using snaps and re- moving the branch lines from the main line, putting 10 branch lines on each basket, reeling in the main lines on drums, and so forth, These changes are being studied in Japan, but have not as yet been put into actual use. After all, this gear and the fishing method have been handed down as a traditional skill for 300 years, and although there have been partial im- provements during that period based on experience, there has been no scientific study combining the knowledge of oceano- graphy, ichthyology, and gear materials technology. ik At this time, when the food preferences of the world's peo- ples are shifting from meat to fish, there is bound to be an increase in the consumption of fish in all nations, and there is a high possibility that this fishing method will be developed in various foreign countries as a way of capturing deep-swim- ming tunas. In Japan the fishery is faced with business diffi- culties because of the effect of the distance to the fishing grounds on the cost of production and because of the failure December 1957 of fish prices to balance these costs, but if this fishery is op- erated in other countries, it can be a very promising enter- prise because of the short distance to the grounds, provided adequate shore facilities can be installed and ways can be found to maintain the price of fish. However, if tuna long-lining is adopted as acommercial fish- ery in foreign countries, the problem will be to adapt the gear so that it can be efficiently used by foreign fishermen, just as foreign systems of fishing introduced into Japan have been re- vised so as to make them easy for Japanese to use. --BY MITSUO NAGAI, DIRECTOR, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE FISHERIES EXPERIMENT STATION, TUNA FISHING, NO. 42, 1957, PP. 27-32. TRANSLATED FROM JAPANESE BY W. G. VAN CAMPEN. ‘ia Mexico PACIFIC COAST SHRIMP FISHERIES TRENDS, THIRD QUARTER 1957: After a closed season of two months (May and June), it took some time for the shrimp fishing industry on the Mexican west coast to get back into normal production. For the states of Sonora (includes the important port of Guay- mas) and Sinaloa (includes the ports of Topolobampo and Ma- zatlan), July, August, and September shrimp fishing was only fair as compared with past seasons, when the average trip was about 4,400 pounds as against 900-1,500 pounds a trip during this quarter. There was an increase in ex-vessel prices during the quarter. The industry is reported to have defeated an attempt to impose a longer closed season in the spring. In 1958 the closed seasons will move from spring to summer. A new all-Mexican distributing group has been established in San Diego. It includes Guaymas and Topolobampo repre- sentation and is expected to effect great savings by direct marketing. The improved railway service now available will soon be used instead of trucks for shipments out of Mazatlan with a reduction in shipping costs. A new ice plant has been completed in Mazatlan and a new freezer is being constructed. The industry is reported eager to establish an institute on the west coast of Mexico for the scientific study of shrimp migrations and plans to ask the assistance of a private and independent United States organization to conduct the re- search. A survey predicts good but not heavy shrimp fishing for the coming season in the bays of Southern Sonora and off Sinaloa. Fishing prospects offshore have not proved good. (United States consular dispatch from Nogales, September 13, 1957.) Morocco AGAR-AGAR PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS: The only man- ufacturer of agar-agar in Morocco produces about 150 metric tons of flakes and powder. For the first five months of 1957, the United States was the leading importer of agar-agar from this manufac - turer with about 53,900 pounds out of total exports of 131,000 pounds. The value of the exports to the United States was about US$72,000 and the value of all exports by this manufacturer was a- bout US$170,000. In addition to the exports of refined (flakes and powder) agar-agar, about 282,400 pounds (value US$14,710) of semi-processed algae were exported by this firm during January- May 1957--the United States received 48,395 pounds out of this total Exports of agar-agar by this manufacturer to other countries for the first five months of 1957follow: Great Britain, 17,600 pounds; Argentina, 14,740 pounds; Netherlands, 9,240 pounds; Italy, 8,450 pounds; France, 5,940 pounds; Denmark, 1,100 pounds; Switzer- land, 660 pounds; Belgium, 240 pounds; and Austria, 50 pounds. Exports of semi-processed algae to countries other than the U- nited States by this manufacturer during Januaty-May 1957 were: Italy, 40,610 pounds; Spain, 39,158 pounds; and West Germany, 200 pounds. Stocks of finished agar-agar as reported by this manufac - turer as of August 5, 1957, totaled 34.68 metric tons. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 67 The amount of algae or gelidium to be found on Moroccan beaches is subject to variation due to changing winds and tides, but it is estimated that an annual supply of 5,000-10,000 tons is a conservative estimate. Very fine o Medium fine 3 1.70 1.70 NGA noi on 1.00 3.70 4.70 Lieke : a otal @warewelle 9.30 [_ 25.38 34.6 TNCLUDES ONLY THE STOCKS REPORTEO BY THE MANUFACTURER LOCATED IN MOROCCO. In addition to the one manufacturer in Morocco, there is also a firm of textile merchants which has an arrangement with a large manufacturer of agar-agar in Madrid whereby they supply the Madrid firm with Moroccan gelidium and re- ceive as payment in kind a portion of the finished agar-agar produced from the raw material. The Moroccan firm of tex- tile merchants disposes of the agar-agar locally or re-exports it. In May this Moroccan firm is reported to have sent 750 metric tons of gelidium to the Madrid manufacturer and re- ceived 70 tons of agar-agar in payment. KR KKK SARDINE FISHERMEN DUMP UNSALEABLE CATCHES: Hundreds of tons of sardines were thrown back into the sea in Morocco when fishermen could not find buyers. The by- products factories which buy the fish not taken by the can- ners offered too low a price, and the fishermen preferred to throw the fish back. The factories were overloaded with fish and were not very interested in buying more fish, points out World Fishing of July 1957. AD Netherlands FISHERY EXPORTS IN 1956: Although production of cured herring was less in 1956 (773,957 barrels as compared with 951,069 barrels in 1955), Dutch total fish exports reached 148,000 metric tons as compared with 146,800 tons the previ- ous year. Total exports of fresh herring amounted to 17,250 tons (12,398 tons in 1955). This was in keeping with increased landings of fresh herring which rose by 2,000 tons to a total of 41,000 tons in 1956. An increasing proportion of herring is ex- ported in filleted form. Exports of fresh sea fish in 1956 rose to 14,500 tons as com- pared with 12,812 tons in 1955, reflecting a rise in landings (46,579 tons in 1956, 43,742 tons in 1955). Exports of shrimp rose sharply from 2,844 tons in 1955 to 3,100 tons in 1956. Main-buyers for peeled shrimp were Bel- gium, France and England. Principal markets for unpeeled shrimp were France and Belgium. The total catch of shrimp (5,930 tons in 1956), however, was 440 tons less in 1956 than in 1955. A total of 20 million oysters were exported in 1956 (a- gainst 19.7 million in 1955). Exports to West Germany were increased when that country's previous 30 percent ad valorem import duty was abolished. (Fisheries Newsletter, August 1957, of the Australian Commonwealth Director of Fisheries.) Ok OK KOK REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES, 1956: The total quantity of fish marketed in the Netherlands in 1956 was 582.4 million pounds with a landed value of 102.4 million guilders (US$26.8 million). Of this 532,000 pounds was fish caught by foreign vessels. Sea fisheries accounted for about 62 percent of the total, and coastal fisheries for 32.5 percent. The herring drift-net fisheries delivered 162.8 million pounds, or 45 percent of the total quantity of fish caught by sea-going vessels. Ijmuiden landings of all types of fish totaled 197.3 million pounds, and Scheveningen, 127.6 million pounds with a landed value of 23.4 million guilders (US$6.1 million). 68 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 Small trawlers operating in the North Sea marketed 6.6 million pounds more fish than in 1955. The annual report of the Netherlands Association of Herring Traders remark- ed that the quantity of fish marketed during the 1956/57 season was the second low- est of the postwar period. NOTE: VALUES CONVERTED AT THE RATE OF 1 GUILDER EQUALS US$0.2612. wit. Norway as against 163,046 tons last year and 128,190 tons in 1955 during the same period, points out the June 27 issue of Fiskets Gang, a Norwegian fishery periodical. Of the amount landed, 60,917 tons were soldfordrying, 37,292 tons for curing, and 12,235 tons as fresh fish. Inaddition, 4,493 tons of cod-liver oil were produced, 2,547 tons of cod roe were salted, and 1,075 tons of cod roe were sold for canning or the fresh trade. The Finmark young cod fishing ended as of June 22 and cod landings amounted to 52,437 tons as compared with 53,562 tons last year and 46,767 tons in 1955. Sa oh ee oh oe * * OK * FISHERIES ECONOMY STUDY TO BE INITIATED: The manent solution for establishing the industry on a profitable Norwegian Government early in September named a 4~mem- basis, ber committee to study possibilities for establishing a prof- itable fishing industry on a permanent basis and to suggest A fisheries conference in Oslo August 28-September 2 measures that might be indicated to achieve such a goal. Ap- was called at the urgent request of the fishermen’s coopera- pointment of the study group came in the wake of extended tive sales organization, the trade association, and represen- conferences between the Government and representatives of tatives of the provincial fishermen's associations, At a the major organizations of fishermen. meeting last summer, these groups also made a strong bid to have the Government guarantee prices and sales of their The committee will investigate whether the fisheries now catch, being exploited are the most profitable for the national econ- omy, and whether the present compostion of the fishing fleet At the end of the talks in Oslo this year, the Government is suitable for that purpose. In this connection, the commit- pledged prompt action to explore ways and means of estab- tee is to give its views on corrective measures that might lishing the fishing industry on a permanently profitable basis. be carried out, as well as evaluate whether investments in Moreover, if extraordinary measures are needed to relieve the fishing industry should be increased. the most pressing difficulties within the industry, the Gov- ernment promised to propose such measures when the new The committee has been requested to evaluate whether Parliament convenes in January 1958. Meanwhile, the extra- sales, processing, and export of cod and cod products are ordinary 5 ¢re per kilo (6.4 U. S. cents a hundredweight) handled in a rational and efficient manner, and whether pre- Government subsidy paid to fishermen, scheduled to expire vailing controls are suitable. In its instructions to the com- October 1, was to be extended to December 31, 1957. And mittee, the Government notes that export arrangements starting January 1958, the price of fuel-oil types used by fish- should assure efficient and active sales promotion, and that ermen will be reduced. the objective of any price system should be to develop an ad- ts vantageous policy for the export of fish and fish products. According to a joint communique, the Government agrees The committee has also been charged with evaluating pre- that Norway's cod fisheries are not yielding adequate profits vailing arrangements for State guarantees and subsidies to at present export prices. At the same time, it is not con- fishermen. Moreover, it will be expected to take a stand on vinced that the remedies urged by the fishermen’s organiza- the necessity of temporary State support to Norway's fishing tions offer either the best or the only solution to the problem, industry. The over-all goal, however, is to work out a per- reports a September 12 news release from the Norwegian Information Service, Peru FISH CANNING TRENDS, JULY 1956-JUNE 1957: Peruvian fish canners report that the past fishing year (July 1956-June 1957) was satisfactory. It began exception- ally well but was cut short by a shift in ocean currents. Canners disposed of their packs at satisfactory, thoughdeclining, prices, states an August 15 dispatch from the United States Embassyin Lima. They are concerned over the likelihood of severe com- petition from Japanese canned tuna in European markets during the coming season and, toa lesser degree, over the possible return of salmon to European markets, and over the increasing competition of South African fisheries, particularly under the European com- mon market plan, ‘December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 69 Portugal ‘ CANNED FISH EXPORTS, JANUARY-MAY 1957: For the US$420,000), while exports to the Philippines totaled 235 tons first five months of 1957, canned fish exports amounted to (US$148,000). 17,143 tons (1,371,400 cases), valued at US$10.9 million. - Sardines in olive oil exported during the first five months [Table 1-Portuguese Canned Fish Exports, January-May 1957 of 1957 amounted to 11,193 tons (895,500 cases), valued at US$7.1 million (Conservas de Peixe, July 1957), Product January-May 1957 _During January-May 1957 the leading buyers of canned sar- wena dines in olive oil were: Germany, 1,927 tons (valued at Sardines in olive oil } US$1,222,000), Great Britain'1,492 tons (US$906,000), France, Sardinelike fish in olive oil 1,441 tons (US$900,000), Italy 913 tons (US$555,000), British Sardines & sardinelike fish : West Africa 896 tons (US$555,000), and Belgium-Luxembourg in brine 770 tons (US$472,000). These countries purchased 66 percent Tuna & tunalike in olive oil of the quantity and 65 percent of the value of all Portuguese Tuna & tunalike in brine : exports of canned sardines in olive oil. Mackerel in olive oil Exports of sardines in olive oil for the first five months of 1957 to the United States amounted to 524 tons (valued at CANNED FISH EXPORTS, JANUARY-JULY 1957: For the first seven months of 1957, canned fish exports amounted to SSS == SS 23,971 tons, valued at US$15.0 million, Sardines in olive oil January-July 1957 exported during the first seven months of 1957 amounted to 15,600 tons, valued at US$9.6 million (Conservas de Peixe, Metric September 1957). ° Tons n s : : During January-July 1957 the leading buyers of canned fish pardinentintoliveoil2.5 sei fel-n-c 15,600 wereniitan: §:390\tonel (valuedlat US$2,21 4,000), Germany, pending lke fisheinobiverci ira 3,045 3,461 tons (US$2,122,000); France, 2,237 tons (US$1,404,000); Sardines & sardinelike fish Great Britain, 2,234 tons (US$1,376,000); and the United pngbrines: oe : 2 1,114 States, 2,136 tons (US$1,872,452). These countries purchased unalestunalike}injolivelomly 77 1,134 57.0 percent of the quantity and 60.0 percent of the value of una & tunalike in brine . . : 245 all Portuguese exports of canned fish. Exports of sardines ! ackerel in olive oil 9 2,167 in olive oil for the first seven months of 1957 to the United Othergtish 666 States amounted to 785 tons (valued at US$661,000), and 1,046 tons of anchovies (valued at US$1,043,826). 23,971 Ok kk FISHERIES TRENDS, JULY 1957: Sardine Fishing: During July 1957, the Por- tuguese fishing fleet landed 7,556 metric tons of sardines (valued at US$1,184,382 ex-vessel, or $157 a ton). In July 1956, a total of 5,651 tons of sardines were land- ed with an ex-vessel value of US$906,000. Sardines purchased by the canneries during July amounted to 4,504 (59.6 per- cent) tons (valued at US$753,913 ex-vessel or $167 a ton). Only 49 tons were salted, and the balance of 3,003 tons, or 40 percent of the total, was purchased for the fresh fish market. Other Fishing: The July 1957 landings of fish other than sardines consisted of 2,768 tons (value US$464,139) of anchovy and 4,953 tons (value US$238,991) of chin- chard. (Conservas de Peixe, September 1957.) Thailand REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES, 1947-57: Substantial progress has been made by the Thai fisheries industry during the past decade. Mechanized boats increased from 121 in 1947 to 1,082 in 1956; the quantity of gear in use in the Gulf of Thailand increased from 4,148 in 1947 to 11,439 in 1956; the annual catch increased from 154,000 metric tons in 1947 to almost 213,000 tons in 1956; exports of salted fish soared from 2,882 tons to almost 20,000 tons in the same period; while the value of 70 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 the annual catch has risen from 556 million baht (US$26.7 million) in 1950 to 976 million baht (US$46.8 million) in 1955. The Government's program of stocking in- land waters has likewise progressed remarkably--the number of fish being dis- tributed to ponds and lakes increased from 112,000 in 1947 to about 6 million in 1956. Although the Gulf of Thailand has yet to be thoroughly surveyed for its potential commercial value, experts believe that on the basis of present catch from periph- eral areas the entire Gulf holds great promise. The Japanese are already at work in the Indian Ocean off the West Coast of Thailand and have sent in vessels, equip- ment, and experts to develop the continental shelf which is about 60 miles off the coast. The Department of Fisheries has plans for the continued development and im- provement of the entire fisheries program. This includes marine fishing, training, and equipment aid to fishermen, building of cold-storage plants, processing plants, wharfs, jetties, etc., and an educational indoctrination program to increase fish con- sumption. It is hoped that per capita consumption, which is now about 20 pounds per annum, can be raised to about 35 pounds per annum. The chief obstacle in the way of these plans is financial; the Budget has not yet provided for some 60 million baht (US$2.9 million) needed for initial development or even a yearly subsidy of 10 million baht (US$480,000) asked for by the Fisheries Department. It is unlikely, therefore, that the Fisheries Department plans will be wholly realized. The cold-storage plant at Bangkok has not been as successful as anticipated. A combination of high storage fees and the difficulty of changing fish marketing customs seems to be responsible for the disappointing result. (United States Em- bassy dispatch dated August 21, 1957, from Bangkok.) NOTE: VALUES CONVERTED AT THE RATE OF 1 BAHT EQUALS US$0,.048, a eo Turkey FRESH AND FROZEN BONITO EXPORTS: Turkey exports considerable amounts Sarda sarda). Year after year there appears to be wider demand for bonito. [_ Turkey's Exports of Fresh and Frozen Bonito, 1955, 1956, and First Quarter 1957, by Country of Destination 2 First Quarter 1957 1956 | DSOTEN Noe Quantit Value Quantity’ 1,000 TL | Us$| 1,000 \ Lbs. 1,000 1,000 Lbs. Mast Germanyien. cvenenel creer 15.4 EBL ites} - ederaliGermanyierc shee eyes - | = = 13.2 PAU EDIA ota) oa ct eitene tet rane tue 52.8 9.5 3.4 184.1 Czechoslovakia, ©... 0). =): 202.4 48.1 17.2 445.1 EPANC Ey co) esis Siichere a rorege | 330.0 | 79.6 28.4 149.6 Bul garialsyvahce ccm cero | Al6e1) 1310 46.8] 3,087.9 NEN INer ota eed wane, G. Bi cet eb. Goro | 4,464.2 | 787.7 81.3] 14,523.0 LUND IVa oiteten totaal sepieaten = = | a = = OLA atte nae au tsi cianies oe = | = | 15.4 | IptbereteVeWleLs Oy gipeo acho One c | 1,138.3 260.3 92.9} 2,990.5 Narposlavial vs. steve careless | 2,002.0) 484.6 USL | Aare Wiles Kareecen, ei y-tortee ts caer | 3,951.7] 1,238.0 442.2] 17,037.3 ISHACTS Kien et oRsr cust wy Shes ecsetee | = | = 220.0 Syniater is cra eis cel cree = = - | 4.3 | IED ATION era: atrecehs, ce cn mere ck = = > 6.1 Morocco, Algiers, Tunisia. . = = = 149.6 otal weewseese. cae eee [12,872.9| 3,042.5 | 1,006.6| 43,537.3 | NOTE: VALUES CONVERTED AT RATE OF 2,80 TURKISH LIRAS EQUAL US$1. During 1955 the exports of pelamid and bonito amounted to 23.5 million pounds while during 1956 they rose to 43.5 million pounds. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 71 Turkey exports also in considerable quantities salted, dried, and smoked pela- mid and bonito. In addition there are also possibilities for export of canned bonito. (An October 1 letter from Et ve Balik Kurumu Umum Mudurlugu.) 2K OOK OK OK OK CLARIFICATION OF FISH NAMES IN ARTICLE ON "FISHERIES OF BLACK AND MARMARA SEAS:" Additional information has clarified the names of some of the fish mentioned in the article ''Fisheries of Black and Marmara Seas" which ap- peared in the June 1957 issue of Commercial Fisheries Review (pp. 56-62). Fish Mentioned in Article Turkish Name Bonito Bonito Pelamut baligi Sarda sarda Bluefin tuna Bluefin tuna i Thunnus thynnus Caranx trachurus Pomatomus salt- atri Istavrid Lufer Jacks Bluefish Spanish mackerel "Tufer" Scomber scomber Katsuwonus pela- mis Anchovies Anchovies Blue mackerel Mackerel Iskumru "Torik" Skipjack or striped] Torik tuna "Palamut" Bonito Pelamut baligi |Sarda sarda Green mackerel Thimble-eyed Kolyos or kolyoz |Scomber colias mackerel Sardines Pilchard Sardelya Clupea pilchardus Sturgeon Sturgeon Mersin baligi Acipenser sturio Barbunia or barbanya Red surmullet Mullus surmuletu U. 5S. 5S. R. ANOTHER LARGE TRAWLER LAUNCHED IN GREAT BRITAIN: The 16th of 20 Arctic trawlers being constructed by a British shipyard for Russia was launched on July 31, 1957. This trawler was launched 30 days after the 15th had been launched, points out the August 9 issue of The Fishing News, a British fishery periodical. Red mullet These trawlers, almost 190 feet in over-all length, have a loaded displacement of about 1,300 tons, and are specially constructed for Russia to meet Arctic condi- tions. Ok Ok kk EXPANSION OF NORTH SEA FISHING OPERATIONS PLANNED: Russian plans Research Institute of Oceanography. A North Sea study group was formed last year and charged with preparing rec- ommendations for the development of commercial herring fisheries in the North Sea. Attention is also being paid to the possibility of off season herring fishing. Soviet biologists are planning research at different seasons in the northern and central areas of the North Sea, including the Norwegian shelf, the Orkneys, and the Hebrides--and closer cooperation with Norway is envisaged. Up to now, Russia's main source of herring catches has been the North Atlantic, but for many reasons--the concentration of vessels among them--the North Atlantic has been producing uneven results. 72 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol.19, No. 12 Over a year, Atlantic catches are higher, but there are certain times, such as last April, when the North Sea is more rewarding. Soviet summer catches near the British coasts have been practically equal to those of the North Atlantic, yet North Sea fishing methods have yet to be improved. Maps showing the 1957 concentrations of herring are being prepared. Migra- tions covering the North Sea and the English Channel are being studied. Different depths of shoals during the whole year will be recorded, together with the sources of food. And water and weather influences on distribution and behavior of herring will be noted. Much of this work--meteorological and biological--has been done in the cur- rent season in the main North Sea fishing areas, Early spring concentrations of herring were confirmed along the Norwegian shelf, where the fish arrive from the Northwest. This offers good prospects of catches at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. During June and July, exploratory trips established that, north of the 59th par- allel, herring concentrations justifying commercial operations were found only at the sea bottom. A special Soviet delegation representing Baltic, Latvian, and Polar branches, recently visited Gdynia to exchange information on research in Baltic, North Sea, and Atlantic fisheries with the Polish Fisheries Institute. Exchange visits of experts and research vessels have been suggested between Russia and Norway. As their fishermen operate for the same categories of fish in the same areas, it is felt that reciprocal research would be of advantage to both nations in increasing catches of herring and cod. Soviet expansion in Far East fishing is also outlined in a recent report given by the North Korean Deputy Premier duringa meeting of the Korean Communist Party's central committee. It is expected that this year's herring catches will be double those of last year. International cooperation is centered in the Commission for Research in Fish- eries in the Western Pacific. The commission ended its second session in Moscow on August 22. It includes representatives of Russia, China, North Korea, and Viet- nam. Member states have pooled experience in breeding various kinds of commer- cial fish. A plan has been prepared for marine research in the areas of the Japan- ese, the Yellow and the East Chinese Seas. (The Fishing News, September 6, 1957.) OK OK OK OK ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT FOR UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY: Russian scien- tists have developed an ultraviolet searchlight for use with underwater television and film cameras to observe and photograph fish in their natural surroundings. Previously powerful lights were used which, while they attracted some fish, frightened away others from the deeper parts of the ocean where no light penetrates. The Russians are using a bathysphere for photographing underwater life. (Fisher- ies Newsletter, August 1957.) December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 73 United Kingdom FISHERY SUBSIDIES CONTINUED: The British Government announced that they propose to keep the rates of the white fish subsidy unchanged, but to increase the rates of the herring subsidy. This is the effect of two schemes which the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food laid before Parliament recently. The schemes have to be approved by both Houses of Parliament. The white fish subsidy scheme provides for a continuation of the white fish subsidy at the current rates for the 12 months to July 31, 1958. These rates have been in opera- tion since August 1, 1956. For vessels between 70 and 140 feet inlength, and for seine- net vessels which normally make voyages of more than 7 days, the subsidy takes the form of afixed payment, varying according to the size and type of vessel, for each day at sea. For vessels of 70 feet and under, it takes the form of a flat-rate subsidy of 8d. (8.8 U.S. cents) per stone (14 pounds) of fish landed (6d. or 6.6 U. S. cents for ungutted fish). The new scheme removes the limit of 300 days at sea previously set for which a ves- sel could claim subsidy in any one year. The herring subsidy scheme provides for payment of the herring subsidy for the 12 months to August 31, 1958, at increased rates. The landings subsidy paid to vessels under 40 feet in length is increased from 3d. to 33d. (3.3-3.85 U. S. cents) per stone (14 pounds) of fish, and the rates per day at sea paid to larger vessels will vary from E6 10s. (US$18.20) for motor vessels of 40-80 feet, to £10 (US$28) for steam vessels not exceeding 140 feet. Under the White Fish and Herring Industries Acts of 1953 and 1957, the white fish and herring subsidies may be paid up to 1961, with the possibility of extension to 1963. The subsidies are intended to tide the industry over the difficult period of adjustment while the near- and middle-water and inshore white fish industry is placed on an economic footing with the aid of grant and loans for the modernization of the fleet and the replacement of obsolescent coal-burning vessels. The herring sub- sidy was introduced last May to provide herring vessels with broadly comparable assistance to that already given to white fish vessels. In fixing the rates of subsidy for the coming year, Ministers have had regard both to the economic position of the industry and to the fundamental objective of estab- lishing an economic fleet capable of standing on its own when the present arrangements for exchequer assistance are due to end. (World Fishing, August 1957.) NOTE: ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, OCTOBER 1956 P. 64, APRIL 1956 P. 41. * OK OK FISHERY TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH, 1956: Freezing Fish at Sea: The British Food Investigation Board, in their report for 1956 (Food Investigations, 1956), comment on the experiments in the freezing and preservation of fish at sea to the effect that from the ‘‘tests carried out on a commer- cial distant-water trawler it has been shown that by using freezing equipment aboard the trawler the market quality of the fish treated in this way can be greatly improved,’’ It appears, the report adds, that it would be possible to build a trawler of the same size as those now existing that would be more economical in operation. This:could be a- chieved by the incorporation of a freezing plant\and a return to propulsive power considered adequate a year or two ago. The freezing plant could become an essential part of the distant-water trawler’s equipment. Gradual development of the orthodox Arctic trawler is now a possible alternative to large factory vessels. Preserving with Antibiotics: ‘‘Another promising method of improving the preservation of fish during the journey back to port,’’ the report states, ‘‘is the use of very small quanti- ties of antibiotics in the ice in which the fish is stored. Tri- als which have been carried out on the research trawler Sir William Hardy have demonstrated that certain antibiotics in- corporated in the ship’s ice supply can result in the quality of the fish landed being greatly improved. The regulations governing the treatment of foodstuffs in the United Kingdom, however, do not at present allow the use of such substances in the preserving ice. Assessing Freshness: ‘‘Methods of assessing the fresh- ness of fish are also being investigated and it is hoped that a simple test can be developed in which the quality of the fish can be determined by the color changes in a strip of impreg- nated paper laid directly on the fish under examination.’’ The report states that at present the procedure for meas- uring the color produced is to wash out the colored substance from the test paper after the latter has been in contact with the fish surfaces for a specific time and then to estimate the color intensity colorometrically. It has been found that dif- ferences in the color produced occur at different places on the skin and on the gills of fish during spoilage. The test ap- pears to work as well with flat fish, such as lemon sole and plaice, as with cod and haddock, and has also been applied to smoked white fish with promising results. With fillets the color reactions are different in intensity in a given time from those with the surface of whole fish. Specific standards for fillets will therefore need to be determined. For testing a large number of samples, for instance, at the fish market, the procedure would obviously be too compli- cated, and attempts have been made to overcome these dif- ficulties by directly noting the color intensity on the paper. One method has been to use papers containing the tetra- zolium salt in a graded series of concentrations along the length of each paper strip. In this case, degree of freshness is shown by the number of concentration bands affected ina given short time. The other method employs a series of uni- 74 formly impregnated papers with much lower concentration of salt than those used hitherto, Both procedures have given promising results, particularly with spoiling fish at or near the condemnation level. Further work is proceeding. Handling Fish on Trawlers: Ways of improving the tech- niques of stowing fish on trawlers are constantly sought. Box- ing at sea and stowage in chilled sea water, or a combination of the two, are under consideration. Work on stowage in chill- ed sea water is at a very early stage. Investigations of the effect of boxing on the quality of dis- tant-water fish have begun. At the same time a theoretical study has been carried out into the limitations of various de- signs of boxes and supports in relation to organization in the trawler’s hold and to availability of space. If boxing could replace shelfing, more space would be released for a plant to freeze the early part of the catch. On the other hand, if box- ing replaces bulking it seems likely that more space will be used, Fillet Spoilage: A large proportion of the catch is distrib~ uted from the ports as fillets, From experiments completed this year it appears that the spoilage behavior of fillets, par- ticularly those taken from whole gutted fish stored in ice for more than a few days, is different from that of the whole fish themselves. For example, although fillets taken from one- day iced haddock and then stored in ice spoiled at about the same rate as the whole fish, fillets taken from 11- and 16- day iced fish spoiled more slowly than the whole fish, The effect on the spoilage of fillets of such factors as washing in tap water, dipping in solutions of antibiotics (chlortetracycline) or antibacterial agents (1:6 di-4-chloro- phenyl-diguanido-hexane and di-n-decyl-dimethylammonium bromide) and wrapping in polythene bags has been studied, The fillets were stored at temperatures ranging from 0° to 15 C. (32° to 59 F.). It was found that washing (for five minutes) extended the storage life significantly over that of the unwashed controls. Of the ‘‘dip’’ solutions, only that containing chlortetracycline (20 p.p.m. for five minutes) was effective in prolgnging Storage jife-~by as much as two to three days at10 to12 C, (50 to 53.6 F.). Wrapping did not appear to result in quicker spoilage as judged by chemical and bacteriological tests or by the odor and flavor of the cooked fish. In the raw state, however, the wrapped fish appeared to have stronger odors, but these quickly disappeared after opening the package. Prepackaging: A recent field survey conducted jointly with the Printing, Packaging and Allied Trades Research As- sociation and a technical officer of the White Fish Authority attached to the Humber Laboratory, has indicated that apart from kippers and kipper fillets, the commercial development of consumer packs of unfrozen fish has so far been very slight. Earlier work at the Torry Research Laboratory had sug- gested that the keeping quality of prepackaged fillets at 0° C. "FLYING SAUCER" FLOAT: An im- proved trawl plane float known as the "Fly- ing Saucer" (fig. 1) has been developed by a Grimsby, England, gear firm. It is claimed that the new float gives absolute stability at fast towing speeds and maximum upthrust combined with minimum drag, resulting in a performance which at 3 knots equalled the upthrust obtained from its forerunner, name- ly, 38 pounds, with lowered drag reduction of only 11 pounds. Furthermore, when towed at 6 knots, the upthrust increased to 45 pounds and the drag reduction came down to 10 pounds with absolute stability. The new float's at- tachment lug is extended in such a manner as to form a stabilizer. The improved trawl COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 (32° F.) was little different from that of unwrapped fillets, and this has been confirmed, states the report, adding that there seem to be no fundamental technical difficulties as- sociated with the prepackaging of fish and no reason why it cannot be combined with the sale of other commodities. Temperature Conditions at Fish Markets: Temperature conditions on the fish market and at fish merchants’ premises have been studied. About 7,000 fish temperatures have been taken on Hull and Grimsby fish markets and at fish merchants’ premises on the market and outside, The initial quayside temperature of distant-water fish is gener- ally close to 0 C, (32° F.). No significant difference was found between bulk fish and shelf fish. No temperatures were registered below -1.1 C. (30 F.), at which fish Temperature Conditions at Fish Markets: Temperature conditions on the fish market and at fish merchants’ premises have been studied, About 7,000 fish temperatures have been taken on Hull and Grimsby fish markets and at fish merchants’ premises on the market and outside. The initial quayside temperature of distant-water fish is generally close to0° C, (32° F.). No significant difference was found between bulk fish and shelf fish. No temperatures were registered below - 1.1 C. (30° F.), at which fish would be semi-frozen, where- as such readings were common in a similar survey carried out by the Ministry of Food at Grimsby in 1950/51. Fish can stand on the market for up to 6 to 8 hours after unloading before it is sold, and a survey of the rate at which fish was disposed of at Hull indicated that up to 15 percent can still be unfilleted and uniced even 8 hours after sales commence, The fish on the outside of a market container rises in tem- perature faster, so that at any one time there is a consider- able variation in the temperatures registered within a stack or evena single container. With an atmospheric temperature of about 18.3° C. (65° F.) the temperature of a fish can be ex- pected to be within the range 0 to11.1° ©. (32° to 52° F.) six hours after unloading and between 2.2” and 15.6° C, (36° and 60 F.) after 12 hours. At Grimsby, where rectangular containers are stacked four or five, high, there was a maxi- mum average difference of 3 to4 F, in the temperatures of fish in different layers. The average temperature of fish before filleting was 5.9° C. (42.7° F.), at Hull where degp tub-shaped containers (kits) are used, and 4.2° C. (39.5 F.) at Grimsby for bulk fish, although for shelf fish, which is not usually stacked so high, it was (eh PCa 5) After filleting and washing jn water, the temperature of which was around 9.5° C, (50 F.) in-the summer, fish at both Hull and Grimsby immediately prior to packing, in boxes with ice hag an average temperature of between 8,9 and 9.4° C, (48° and 49° F.), the average temperature rige during the process varying from 2.5 to 4.8° Cy (425 to8 sore kes) After icing in a two-stone (28-pound) box in the normal com- mercial manner, fish at the center cools very slowly and even after 10 hours may still not have cooled to below 1.7 C, (35° F.). (Fish Trades Gazette, August 17, 1957.) FIG. 1 - "FLYING SAUCER’ FLOAT. NOTE THE EXTENSION OF THE ATTACHMENT LUG WHICH FORMS A STABILIZER. December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 75 plane, developed after some research by this Grimsby firm, will shortly be a- vailable. Such factors as handling, freedom from fouling, water pressure, and manufacturing simplicity have all been taken into consideration in developing this new float witha high lift-dragratio. The firm claims that the performance of the new float is unaffected by such things as direction of tow ortide. It is of a size which enables it to give a fully-dis- tributed lift to the headline thus enabling the headline to retainits normal arc, and insur- ing unrestricted flow so essential to the meshes of the net. FIG. 2 - ORIGINAL TRAWL PLANE FIG. 3 - HYDRODYNAMIC TESTS OF ORIGINAL TRAWL PLANE FLOAT FLOAT. REVEALED THAT THE DRAG FACTOR WAS EXCESSIVE AND OVER- CAME UPTHRUST AT SPEEDS OF TOW ABOVE 3 KNOTS. SKETCH : 5 a SHOWS VORTEX CREATED BY DRAG IN THE ORIGINAL MODEL OF THE 3 Further experiments in de WEIGHTED PLANE BEING TOWED IN A SWIMMING PGOL. sign embodying the best features of the various floats tested are being continued and developed by the Grimsby firm, and it is hoped that the ''Flying Saucer'' is merely a forerunner of more efficient floats to follow. (The Fishing News, August 30, 1957.) The purpose of the trawl float is to support the headline of the trawl in these three situations: (1) when shooting: to assist the gear in paying away without foul- ing; (2) when towing: to keep open the mouth of the trawl in its proper arc insuring unrestricted flow of the net; (3) when hauling: to assist in getting the gear inboard. Additional lift is always considered desirable, but only if obtained without ex- cessive drag and such lift can be dispersed throughout the entire length of the head- line to insure that the proper arc of the mouth of the trawl is maintained to prevent the flow of the net from being restricted. Distortion of the headline restricts the opening of the mouth of the trawl and re- duces its catching power accordingly, because the actual volume of ocean covered by the mouth of the trawl is correspondingly less. The best results can therefore be expected from a number of regularly-spaced floats fitted with a hydrodynamically-designed planing surface, to give additional upthrust while being towed, and yet retaining sufficient static buoyancy to be of use when shooting and hauling operations are in progress, Practical tests and research on a dozen or more different types of planing floats designed and supplied by the Grimsby firm were recently carried out in hydrody- namic tanks. The rig to which the float is attached in the test tanks during the test is suspended beneath an observation cabin. The cabin has instruments for measuring buoyancy, upthrust, and drag, and accommodates 3 or 4 operators for recording the findings of each test and observing the actual behavior of the submerged float during each run at whatever speed of tow. 76 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No, 12 The behavior of submerged gear has previously been observed by frogmen but only at very slow speeds, which proved in the light of the above tests to be some- what misleading, particularly in the case of the original trawl plane float (fig. 2). Tests with the original trawl plane float (surrounded by the circular foil to pro- vide a planing surface to give extra lift) showed that when towed at 3 knots, an ad- ditional upthrust of 38 pounds was obtained but this was accompanied by a drag re- duction of 30 pounds. When the speed of tow was increased beyond 33 knots, the drag increased causing the trawl plane to stall. This resulted in undesirable os- cillatory behavior, making geometrical correction to the design necessary before further tests could be made. Only when thorough hydrodynamic tests were recently carried out was it establish- ed that the drag factor of the original trawl plane was excessive and, in fact, over- came upthrust at speeds of tow above 33 knots accounting for the vortex illustrated in figure 3. This was previously mistaken for lift but, in fact, is evidence of ex- cessive drag. A variety of modifications were made, and each was submitted to further tests until absolute stability at fast towing speeds, maximum upthrust, combined with minimum drag, was obtained, resulting in a performance which at 3 knots equalled the upthrust obtained from the original trawl plane namely, 38 pounds, with lowered drag reduction of only 11 pounds. This led to the development of the ''Flying Saucer" float. * OK OK OK OK 400 NEW FISHING VESSELS IN FOUR YEARS: The British White Fish Author- ity (WFA) recently reported the progress made in rejuvenating Britain's fleet of near- and middle-water vessels and inshore fishing craft (excludes vessels classi- fied as ''distant-water craft'') through the operation of the Grants and Loans Scheme introduced in 1953. At the inception of the scheme, the Government aim was to build some 500 large craft in 10 years through the allocation of some £20 million (US$56 million) to be ad- ministered by the WFA. Towards that objective 81 near- and middle-water trawlers have been com- pleted, and 40 more are in the process of being built. Construction of 149 has been approved. Of inshore craft, 309 have been completed with 43 under construction. The grant is confined to vessels below 139 feet. Building of distant-water trawlers is not included. (The Fishing News, August 30, 1957. * Ok Kk OK NEW FILM ON TRAWL FISHERY: ''Trawler Boy" is a new half-hour British British White Fish Authority. It was chosen for showing at the Edinburgh Film Festival. The film, already shown on independent television and in a number of theaters at fishing ports, tells of a two weeks' voyage by the Fleetwood Diesel trawler Bos- ton Neptune as seen through the eyes of a 16-year-old learner deckhand. "Trawler Boy'' was made in Eastman color and in 16 mm. and 35 mm. It is being distributed by the two British firms and the White Fish Authority. (The Fish- ing News, August 23.) December 1957 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW UL SCOTTISH PLANT DEHYDRATES FISH FILLETS: A Scottish plant processes raw fish fillets by evaporating their water content under vacuum at a low tempera- ture. The processing unit is capable of drying 675 pounds of white fish to a mois- ture content of 5 percent in about 6 hours. Reconstitution is done simply by im- mersing the fillets in fresh cold water, when they take on the consistency of firm fresh fillets ready to be cooked in the same way as sea-fresh fish. (August 1957 Fisheries Newsletter of the Australian Commonwealth Director of Fisheries.) KOK OK OK OK SUPPORT OF THREE-MILE LIMIT AT GENEVA CONFER- ENCE INDICATED: Great Britain’s policies in regard to territorial waters, fishery limits, and fisheries conservation will be defined more precisely early in 1958 at the World Conference on the Law of the Sea, which is to be held at Ge- neva. With the Faroese demand for a revision of the last agree- ment still being considered by the Foreign Office, there is some speculation as to what line the United Kingdom will now take when its representatives will be making statements of policy at the Geneva conference. It is believed that Britain will continue to support the old three-mile limit for territorial waters as a general policy without, however, contradicting any particular agreements with individual countries made in recent years. Any solutions reached by the conference would be embod- ied in ‘‘rules of the sea’’ for the future. The conference’s conclusions may well affect existing arrangements. Although Britain has in recent years signed agreements which give other countries protected waters beyond the three- mile limit, it is considered that these pacts will not cause any embarrassment at the conference. At the time the agreements with Russia and Iceland were signed, the British reserved her legal rights on the three- mile limit. Britain is likely to hold informal discussions with the Danes on their request for new negotiations on limits around the Faroes. The Faroese would like four miles of protected waters in- stead of three. They also want an agreement on landings of Faroese fish in Britain, but that must be negotiated by the two fishing industries. The Foreign Office is now studying a Danish memorandum on the subject, which has been discussed with the English and Scottish Fisheries Department (Fish Trades Gazette, August 24, 1957). Kok KKK TEN PERCENT OF BRITAIN'S FISH CATCH FROZEN: About 10 percent of Britain's fish catch is now frozen. There was virtually no freezing before 1938. In 1955 more than 68,000 metric tons of fish were frozen, resulting in a pack of 32,000 tons of quick-frozen processed fish. Principal export markets for frozen fish are the United States and Australia, but recently a new trade outlet has been found in Eastern Europe. Retail selling of frozen fish by grocers and food markets, and sales to hotels and shipping lines, are increasing. (August 1957 Fisheries Newsletter of the Aus- tralian Commonwealth Director of Fisheries.) KK KK SECOND DIESEL-ELECTRIC TRAWLER SAILS FOR ARCTIC: Britain’s second commercial Diesel-electric trawler, the 205-foot 800-ton Cape Trafalgar, underwent speed and fishing tests early in September before setting course for the Arctic on her maiden voyage. The shipyard that built the vessel considers her a revolutionary type. The sleek, high-powered extremely maneuverable Diesel- electric trawler, capable of slicing 24 hours or more off an Arctic voyage, is the British fishing industry’s answer to the increasing demand for high-quality fresh fish. The Cape Trafalgar cost over £250,000 (US$700,000) and was built without a government grant or loan. The first supertrawler, the Portia, has been fishing from Hull since October 1956. The keel of a third will be laid later this year. Like two of the owners’ other ships, the Trafalgar has a bulbous bow, which gives increased buoyancy forward and extra speed without needing extra power. With an over-all length of 205 feet and a moulded breadth of 33 feet 6-inches, she has a flush main deck, a balanced flair to the whaleback forecastle with high bulwarks, and is designed for starboard fishing only. There is an extension of the after deckhouse on the port side almost to amidships. This offers better scope for in- ternal access, and extends crew accommodation, Many of the crew will occupy air-conditioned steam-heated single and double cabins, For normal wet fish voyages, the entire crew will be housed above main-deck level. The superstructure is designed to minimize icing in north- ern latitudes, at the same time providing good observation, The midship structure, although in three tiers, is compact and offers the smallest aspect to the weather. Although Portia had three Diesel engines (two small and a big one), there are four of the same size in the Cape Tra- falgar. Her electric propulsion motor, capable of developing 1,500 shaft horsepower at a propeller speed of 175 revolutions a minute, is driven by four 330-kw. 330-volt main generators, coupled direct to the Diesel-marine engines. The trawler can operate with combinations of one to four generators, a feature which almost entirely rules out the possibility of her being completely immobilized at sea--an important safety factor. The winch is operated from any one 78 of the main generators, and the windlass is also electrically driven, There is complete control of the ship from the bridge--an intriguing place with a wealth of apparatus, If the skipper wants to know the temperature in the fish hold, for instance, he has no need to leave the bridge. A special device tells him the answer. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 19, No. 12 Yet amid the welter of equipment one finds a smaller ver- sion of a traditional wheel, for the steering is power-assisted, The fish room has a capacity of 17,200 cubic feet. Diesel oil tanks amidships hold 230 tons--enough fuel to give her a cruising radius of 40 days. The galley, too, is oil-fired. (The Fishing News, September 6, 1957.) Let's go F IT ONLY COSTS £220,000 A SHI ishing... P, AND £6,700 A VOYAGE ay GaN wey) . | Building and fitting out a Distant of that, crew wages, fuel oil, trawli to show a profit. | \( Water trawler today costs at least six times more than it did before the war. In 1939 the price of a Distant Water ship was £30,000. This year, a brand new vessel like the one above — costs £200,000, and with full gear and equipment the cost is around £220,000. On top ng gear and operating expenses come to around £6,700 for every trip. A ship makes an average of 14 trips a year, so that she has to earn £93,800 before she even starts Yet in spite of the spectacular leap in costs, dockside fish prices have risen much less than those of any other basic food — only six per cent since 1951. Trawlers today cost more to build because they are larger. They are larger in capacity, larger in length and breadth. The one shown above is 200 feet overall. They are powered by larger engines which give them greater range. Their crews now have accommodation equal to that on the world’s biggest ships. The modern British tr: ever designed—but she does cost money-at least £220,000. ‘awler is the most efficient fishing machine, and the best sea ship All the money for building, replacing and equipping this efficient Distant Water Fleet comes from the industry itself-no Government subsidy. It’s a gigantic British investment, and one that has never le t the country down. This fleet is founded on the hard work, enter- prise and experience of the trawler companies, skippers, and crews. They take the risks and they bring home the fish-and get the smallest profit-margin of all home produced first-class food. Neither Think of these facts the next time you buy a nice fresh cod fillet. ships nor catch is subsidised. They're on their own and proud of it. SOME IMPORTANT FEATURES OF FISH HOLD : approximate capacity—16,000 cubic feet, The insulated hold is chilled by a refrigerating plant. Fish hold is divided into compartments forming shelves on which the fish is laid out over /ayers of ice. OIL_FUEL BUNKERS: these hold 300 tons of fuel oil. This is sufficient for a voyage of one month with an average range of 280-290 miles a day. Most trips last about 21 days. BOILER AND ENGINE ROOM : triple expansion super-heated steam engine of about 1,350 h.p., auxiliary engines for dynamos, pumps, etc. The furnaces are oil-fired. w/T ROOM: radio and radar equipment is as good as that of the largest liners. Includes radar radiolocator, radiotelephone with Morse transmitter, two radio receivers, two direction finders, and two echo-sounders. “GALLOWS ™: for the trawl! lines which pass over the ship's side through this pulley and block (CREW SPACE: includes double-berth cabins, mess-room, and galley. Each bunk is fitted with a reading lamp. A MODERN BRITISH TRAWLER SKIPPER’S QUARTERS: the Captain's suite is panelled, and includes bedroom, day-room and bath-room. Below are the Mate's and Boatswain's cabins with the officer's mess-room adjoining. RADAR SCANNER: the revolving scanner is connected to a screen in the W/T room. WHEELHOUSE AND CHART ROOM: the wheelhouse is the nerve- centre of the ship. Fish is found by echo-sounders and the skipper directs operations by “Loud Hailer™ and engine- room telegraph. STEAM TRAWL WINCH: the powerful winch, carrying 750 fathoms of 3° wire on each drum, can haul up the heavy trawl from 2,000 feet below the surface. FISHROOM COOLING PLANT: this latest type of refrigeration machinery maintains the correct temperature in the fish hold to keep the fish in perfect condition. Next door is the net store where the trawl is stowed when not fishing. COD LIVER OIL PLANT : Cod Liver Oil is extracted soon after the fish are caught. The livers are cooked in jets of steam which separates the oils. The oil is then stored in tanks from which it is pumped out immediately the vessel docks. (THE BRITISH TRAWLERS' FEDERATION) December 1957 Sa Federal Trade Commission COMPLAINTS ISSUED AGAINST FOUR SALMON PACKERS ON ALLEGED ILLEGAL BROKERAGE PAYMENTS: Attacking selling practices inthe can- ned salmon industry, the Federal Trade Commission onOctober 21, 1957, issued four complaints (6904, 6905, 6906, 6907, Canned Salmon) against four Seattle, Wash., packers alleging illegal brokerage payments were made to some customers. The complaints charge the packers with granting large grocery chains discounts or allowances in lieu of brokerage in violation of Sec. 2(c) of the Clayton Act, as amended by the Robinson-Patman Act. The complaints allege, among other things, that on direct sales which do not in- volve brokers, these packers reduce the market price to these chains by 5 percent-- the amount of the normal brokerage fee. In other transactions where sales are made throughbrokers, the complaints say the packers give these customers lower than market prices. As anexample of this, the complaints cite the practice of givinga 2.5-percent reduction when only one bro- ker is used, either a primary or field bro- ker, and taking the price differential out of the broker's commission. According to the complaints, the packers generally sell their canned salmon through both primary andfieldbrokers. Primary brokers are the selling agents for the Seat- tle area while field brokers are those em- ployed by the primaries to handle transac- tions inothermarketareas. A primary broker is usually paid 5-percent commis- sion, except wherea field broker is employ- ed. Inthe latter instance, the complaints say, each receives a 2.5-percent split. The parties are granted 30 days in which to file answers tothe complaints. Hearings before a Federal Trade Commission hear- ing examiner were scheduled in Seattle in January 1958. —at St a4 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW y FEDE RAL # g ACTIONS 79 U. S. Tariff Commission TUNA INVESTIGATION HEARING: The U.S. Tariff Commission ordereda public hearing in connection withthe sup- plemental investigation instituted Au- gust 26, 1957, under section 332 of the Tar- iff Act of 1930, inaccordance witha reso- lution of the Committee on Finance, United States Senate, relating totunafish. The hearing started on December 11, 1957. The announcement regarding institution of the supplemental investigation appeared in the Federal Register (22 F.R. 7008). The Commission is studying the effects of tuna imports on the domestic tuna industry. NOTE: ALSO SEE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW, OCTOBER 1957, P. 41. —pas <—=_ps