1/ Includes all arrivals as reported by express and rail terminals, and truck receipts as reported by wholesale dealers including smokers. 2/ Data for individual cities are as of the last Thursday of the month, except those for Boston which are for the last Wednesday of the month. Data on United States holdings by various species and by geographical areas are as of the first of the month. Note:--Data for the latest month are subject to revision. A SURPLUS WAR PROPERTY Defense Plant Corporation, a subsidiary of Reconstruction Finance Cor- This will enable industry, both large and small, to make operating plans as far as possible in advance of occupancy For further information concerning this program and additional surplus war property such as plant machinery, tools and equipment, aircraft, communication equipment, raw products, (chemicals, leather, fibers) and other capital or producers' goods, address nearest Reconstruction Finance Corporation Regional Office, Surplus War Property Division: CHARLOTTE REGION-109 West Third Street, Char- CHICAGO REGION-208 S. La Salle Street, Chicago 4, CLEVELAND REGION-Federal Reserve Bank Bldg., DALLAS REGION-Cotton Exchange Building, Dallas 1, DENVER REGION-Boston Building, Denver 2, Colo., HOUSTON REGION-723 Main Street, Houston, 2, Tex., LOS ANGELES REGION-Pacific Mutual Building, Los MINNEAPOLIS REGION-McKnight Bldg., Minneapo- NEW ORLEANS REGION-837 Gravier Street, New NEW YORK REGION-33 Liberty Street, New York 5, OMAHA REGION-Woodmen of the World Bldg., Omaha PHILADELPHIA REGION-1528 Walnut Street, Phila- PORTLAND REGION-Pittock Block, Portland 5, Oreg.. RICHMOND REGION-Richmond Trust Bldg., 7th and ST. LOUIS REGION-320 N. Fourth Street, St. Louis 2, SAN ANTONIO REGION-Alamo National Bldg., San SAN FRANCISCO REGION-200 Bush Street, San Fran- SALT LAKE CITY REGION-Dooly Building, Salt Lake LANDINGS OF FISHERY PRODUCTS AT BOSTON, MASS., 1943, by B. E. Lindgren THE DISTRIBUTION OF FISH BY FROZEN FOOD LOCKER PLANTS, by Leo Young Fish and Wildlife Service sets up Market Development Section U. S. pilchard fishery faces heavy demand for products 1944 swordfish landings larger than expected Maryland catch record system improved WFA reports on fish supplies for 1944 WFA announces policies for selling Government-owned food stocks Netting limitation order revised by WPB on August 29 WPB restrictions relaxed in cutback of fiber production WPB restricts sales of seine twine OPA Fish Advisory Committee named Public Health Service states policy on shellfish imports 24 24 29 30 Shrimp pack small in July OPA allows retailers margin for processing of smoked and frozen fish Seven-month California tuna pack 45 percent above 1943 WFA announces 1944-45 canned fish allocation New York cold-storage holdings increased 32 percent in July Contents continued on page 48 ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WASHINGTON Natural Very Survey Applications for FISHERY MARKET NEWS, which is mailed free to members of the fishery industry and allied interests, should be addressed to the Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior, Washington 25, D. C. During 1943, a total of 143,450,000 pounds of fish and scallops was landed at Boston by inshore and offshore fishing craft, and sold through the New England Fish Exchange. This was a decrease of over 52,000,000 pounds as compared with 1942, and over 160,000,000 pounds less than the landings in 1941. In the past, as much as 300,000,000 pounds have been handled in a year. Offshore vessels (measuring, in general, 50 gross tons or more) accounted for 87 percent of the landings, and the inshore craft (less than 50 gross tons) landed the balance--13 percent. This is a change of only 1 percent from 1942, when the offshore and inshore landings were 86 percent and 14 percent, respectively. The offshore landings were the smallest since the 123,982,000 pounds delivered in 1923 when otter trawling was in its infancy. The sharp decrease in volume was somewhat offset by the increased value. Fishermen were paid $12,656,200, which was $24,000 greater than in 1942 and $974,000 more than in 1941. In the latter year, a record production of 303,560,000 pounds was reached. The catch by inshore craft also showed a decline, dropping 30 percent compared to 1942, and 50 percent compared to 1941. Landings were the smallest of any year for which inshore records are available. The total value of the inshore catch was 21 percent smaller than in 1942, but was 8 percent greater than 1941. The decreased landings brought about by the war, merit a brief discussion of the underlying causes: Acquisition of Fishing Craft by the Military Services--When this Nation entered the. War, there was an immediate need for all types of floating craft, especially by the Navy. A large part of the fishing fleet that landed fares at Boston was commandeered for service as patrol vessels and for freighting. Mostly larger fishing vessels were taken. Very few replacements of this type were made, resulting in a substantial reduction in the landings of the offshore fleet. Only 1,407 trips were made in 1943 compared to 2,084 trips in 1942. The reduction in the size of the inshore fleet by Naval requisition was not as great. The decrease in landings by the smaller craft was caused mainly by other factors mentioned below, and was also reflected by fewer trips being landed at the Pier. There were 1,615 trips during 1943 or 293 less than in 1942, when 1,908 trips were recorded. Scarcity of Critical Materials--This factor seriously affected production. Marine engines were difficult to purchase. Manila rope and twine were virtually unobtainable due to exhausted supplies. Sisal and other substitutes became scarce and hard to secure. Cutting *Fishery Marketing Specialist, Boston, Mass. |