More detailed information on the receipts of fishery products at Seattle during 1943 are included in Table I, "The Volume and Source of Total Receipts by Species;" Table II, "The Value and Average Price of Local Receipts;" Table III, "A Monthly Index of Production Receipts;" and Table IV, "Names, Classifications, and Approximate Standards." 0-0-0 RECORD SUPPLY OF FISH FORECAST BY OCF The largest winter supply of fresh and frozen fish on record, at least in the eastern half of the country, is forecast by the Office of the Coordinator of Fisheries as a result of mounting catches by the New England fishing fleet, a record-breaking quantity of frozen fish in storage, and recent increases in imports from Canada. The prediction is based on a survey undertaken by the Coordinator's Office to assess potential supplies of fresh fish during the coming months as a basis for recommendations to the Office of Price Administration concerning the modification or suspension of price ceilings on fresh fish. Although the number of vessels fishing out of New England--center of the fresh fish industry--was sharply reduced early in the war by the requisitioning of many of the largest and most productive boats for war service, new construction and return of vessels no longer needed by the Navy has now restored its productive capacity to the level of 1941. New boats to be added soon will result in still larger catches, officials of the Coordinator's Office said. Landings at Boston, Gloucester, New Bedford, and Portland had reached a total of 385,098,000 pounds by November 1, an increase of nearly 32,000,000 pounds over the same period last year. It was estimated that during the winter season, the catch will be 90 to 95 million pounds larger than in 1943-44, provided weather conditions are normal and production is not reduced by strikes or other controversies. Available supplies of fish this winter will be further increased by large frozen stocks in all parts of the country, which totaled 131,618,000 pounds on October 1, or about 33,000,000 pounds above the average holdings for this season of the year. In addition to domestic production, increased quantities of fresh and frozen fish are now coming into the United States from Canada, a trend which is expected to continue in the post-war period. PILCHARD CATCH BOOSTS U. S. PRODUCTION Because landings of Pacific sardines took a sharp upward turn during the October dark of the moon, totaling nearly 300,000,000 pounds in three weeks, the prospect that total production of all U. S. fishery products will exceed the 1943 catch is now excellent, the Office of the Coordinator of Fisheries reported November 10. As recently as late October, surveys of production in the major fisheries indicated that the 1944 total would fall below the 3,970,000,000 pounds taken last year by nearly 200,000,000 pounds. Tabulation of the October catch of sardines, however, changed the picture completely, and the present estimate of 1944 production is 4,169,000,000 pounds. Pacific sardines or pilchards are the largest single item in the nation's fish catch, normally amounting to about a billion pounds or one-fourth of the total fishery production of the country. Latest available figures show a total sardine catch of 715,272,000 pounds from January 1 to October 21, which is 89,650,000 pounds in excess of the catch for the same period last year. During the present season, which began August 1 in northern California and October 1 in the southern ports, Monterey and southern California areas have topped last year's catches by heavy margins, but San Francisco Bay was still lagging more than 22,000,000 pounds behind 1943. The current season's catch, by areas, was as follows by October 21: Because sardine fishing is done almost entirely during the dark of the moon, when the fish can be sighted by phosphorescence, fishing was interrupted late in October for the full-moon period, and was resumed a few days later. Because of war-stimulated demands for the products of the sardine fishery, officials of the Coordinator's Office said that even if the recent large catches continue, the quantity of canned sardines, sardine oil, and sardine meal will be far less than military and civilian requirements. INTERIOR DEPARTMENT INSTITUTES CLOSED SEASON FOR SABLEFISH As a result of a sharp decline in the abundance of sablefish in southeastern Alaska, Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes has ordered a closed season on this species during the winter months, effective December 1 and extending until March 15. The new regulation was imposed following a survey of the fishery which the Fish and Wildlife Service made this year at the request of sablefish and halibut fishermen of southeastern Alaska, who told officials of the Service at a meeting in Petersburg last March that the abundance of sablefish had declined to such an extent that the future of the fishery was endangered. Investigations by a biologist of the Fish and Wildlife Service supported the contentions of the fishermen, disclosing that the average catch made by each unit of gear fished has fallen from 140 pounds in 1934 to 57 pounds this year. Another indication that the fishery has been removing an excessive quantity of sablefish is seen in the fact that the average weight of the fish caught has declined from 8 pounds in 1935 to 6 pounds in 1944. In volume of production, as well as in returns to the fishermen, the sablefish fishery ranks fourth in Alaska, being exceeded only by the salmon, herring, and halibut fisheries. Sablefish are taken also along the Pacific Coast of the United States, but only the Alaska fishery is affected by the regulation imposing the closed winter season. Although not a member of the cod family, the sablefish is somewhat codlike in appearance and is widely known as the black cod. It is found on the same grounds as halibut and the two species often are taken together, although the sablefish ranges into even deeper water. A winter closed season on sablefish, officials of the Fish and Wildlife Service pointed out, will not only protect this species during its spawning season and make it immune to capture for approximately one-third of the year, but will also have a beneficial effect on the halibut fishery. Since the legal season for halibut closes November 30, or earlier if the authorized quota has been caught, halibut taken incidentally in the sablefish fishery after the season closes cannot be retained. Because of the great depths from which the hooked fish are brought rapidly to the surface, it is believed that few of those returned to the water survive. Destruction of halibut by this means may have run to several thousands of fish per trip in recent years, it is believed. U. S. HALIBUT VESSELS GRANTED PRIVILEGES IN CANADA The Canadian Government, by means of an Order in Council approved on November 20, 1944, renewed for the year 1945 special privileges heretofore granted to United States halibut vessels authorizing them to visit ports on the British Columbia Coast. United States halibut vessels fishing for sablefish (black cod) are permitted to land at Canadian ports for the following purposes: 1. To purchase bait, ice, nets, lines, coal, oil, provisions and all other supplies and 2. To ship crews. 3. To land their catches without the payment of duties, and (a) Trans-ship them in bond to any port in the United States; (b) Sell them in bond to such local dealer or dealers as may be properly authorized (c) Sell them for use in Canada on payment of duty. The license fee for such privileges during the calendar year 1945 will be, as in the past, one dollar. SURPLUS DIESEL ENGINES AND BOATS LISTED BY MARITIME COMMISSION The U. S. Maritime Commission, Surplus Property Section, has 178 new marine engines for sale to manufacturers, distributors, dealers and other qualified users, the Commission announced November 13. The group of surplus engines includes 60 diesel engines, 114 gasoline engines, and four sets of main propulsion and auxiliary equipment. All of the engines are available for prompt delivery to purchasers; many are crated for either export or domestic shipment. To be sold "as is", F.0.B. point of storage, the engines may be inspected in storage. Prospective purchasers of diesel engines must present an approved WPB Form 1319. Those desiring to purchase gasoline engines must submit supporting papers showing that the engines will be used in proper channels, such as by commercial fishermen, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, or legitimate boat building companies. The Commission has also announced that public sales will be conducted in five cities to dispose of 4,609 surplus assault boats, obsolete for military purposes, and 146 other surplus boats of the same type. Built for use of the Army Service Forces, the boats weigh 165 pounds each and measure 13 feet 6-5/8 inches in length and 5 feet and 4 inches wide amidships. They are being sold on a request basis in accordance with provisions of the Surplus War Disposal Act. PRODUCTION OF NON-COMMERCIAL FISHING TACKLE STILL RESTRICTED Materials conservation orders still in effect, and manpower shortages, will prevent any sizable increase in production of non-commercial fishing tackle, Goverment officials told the Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Industry Advisory Committee recently, the War Production Board reported November 22. A recommendation that manufacturers of fishing tackle be permitted to order, receive and stock materials now, in preparation for the reconversion period ahead, was made by the Committee. Committee members stressed the fact that some provision to narrow the gap between production for war and peacetime production is needed to ward off unemployment. If the required materials and component parts are available when present war contracts are terminated, they said, the delay in shifting to peacetime operations will be considerably lessened. Discussing the effect of the recent revocation of the fishing tackle order, L-92, Government officials explained that manufacturers are still governed by the materials conservation orders that remain in effect. The following reports on availability of materials for fishing tackle production and on use restrictions were made by Government representatives: The copper situation has improved. Requirements for brass mill alloy strip have decreased and the lower rate of deliveries is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Alloy rod is relatively tight, but approved programs are being met. Brass mill copper products are in ample supply and wire mill products are in approximate balance with requirements; foundry products are sufficient to meet current demands. The use of copper in fishing tackle is permitted only for commercial use. A definite shortage of tin still exists, and restrictions on tin usage will continue after "Victory-in-Europe" day. Only when original sources of supply are restored (East Indies and Malay Peninsula, now in the hands of the Japanese) can relaxations be expected. At present, use of tin is restricted to commercial fishing tackle. Supplies of lead are adequate, and use of lead in fishing tackle is permitted. Nickel is still extremely scarce. Nickel may be used for commercial tackle, but not for sports tackle. Use of steel and stainless steel is not restricted, but supplies are limited. Military requirements for netting are larger than ever before. Most of the machinery capable of making netting will be confined to production of camouflage netting for the next three or four months. Netting is now being produced at a rate in each quarter equal to the pre-war yearly rate, but demands have increased even more rapidly. Fish netting may be manufactured for commercial fishing, but production of sports nets is prohibited. Seine twine is in about the same position as net. Nylon is scarcer now than at any other time during the war because of large military requirements for operations in the Pacific area. Present stockpiles of silk are being reserved for the most essential requirements. The possibility of an increased supply of silk is principally dependent upon imports of raw silk from China. Future imports will not go into the stockpile, but will be available for essential uses. Military requirements for cotton duck are in excess of supply. Use of cork in fishing tackle is permitted, and supply is adequate. Phenolic and formaldehyde plastics are critical. substitutes are available. Bakelite also is scarce. However, Committee members agreed that the armed services' recreational program calling for fishing kits, rods and reels, weights, hooks and lines could be met without too much difficulty, WPB reported. Hooks for commercial use were cited as the production item in shortest supply as a result of manpower problems. ODT PENALTY DEMURRAGE CHARGES SUSPENDED Interstate Commerce Commission Service Order No. 242, which became effective October 19 and provided heavy penalty demurrage charges for the holding of railroad box cars for loading and unloading, will be suspended as of 7 a.m., December 1, instead of December 3, it was announced November 30 by Col. J. Monroe Johnson, Director of the Office of Defense Transportation, who is also Commissioner of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The order was originally issued after consultation with representatives of various shipper and transportation groups and was necessitated by threatened severe shortage of box cars needed to move heavy shipments of military freight, while at the same time transporting a bumper grain crop. It was later extended for 15 days. Its intent was to call attention to the extreme need for box cars and to increase demurrage charges to a point where they could not be profitably used for storage. "The box car situation now is less critical" Colonel Johnson said, "and the order combined with greater efforts of the shippers and railroads has contributed to the present somewhat improved situation. It is felt that in line with our consistent policy of prompt discontinuance of any controls which are not required by the existing emergencies it might be safe at this time to suspend the order." Colonel Johnson warned, however, the suspension does not indicate any marked amelioration of the box car situation and it will be necessary to continue the full loading, prompt movement, and quick unloading of box cars in order that there may be no waste of this vitally-needed equipment. Any falling off of efforts to utilize completely the present supply will undoubtedly result in further restrictive measures. Fresh Fish Trade OCTOBER LANDINGS AT THREE PORTS GREATER THAN IN 1943 Fishing vessels delivering their catches to the ports of Boston and Gloucester, Mass., and Portland, Me., during October landed a total of 30,091,000 pounds of fishery products, valued at $1,850,500 to the fishermen, according to the Service's Current Fishery Statistics No. 155. This was an increase of 10 percent in amount landed and 4 percent in value compared with October 1943; however, it was a decrease of 22 percent in volume and 8 percent in value compared with September 1944. Considering the landings by ports, 13,005,000 pounds, valued at $1,002,800, were landed at Boston; 15,595,000 pounds, valued at $769,800, at Gloucester; and 1,490,000 pounds, valued at $77,900, at Portland. During the month, 254 vessels made 1,140 trips to the fishing grounds. with 220 vessels which made 954 trips during October 1943. This compares The over-all weighted average price per pound received by the fishermen for their catch during October was 6.15 cents compared with 5.18 cents during September and 6.55 cents during October 1943. Total landings at the three ports for the first ten months of 1944 amounted to 320,195,000 pounds, valued at $17,997,000. This was an increase of 8 percent in volume but a decrease of 12 percent in value compared with the corresponding period of 1943. The total weighted average value was 5.62 cents per pound compared with 6.87 cents for the same months in 1943. Landings by Fishing Vessels at Boston and Gloucester, Mass., and Portland, Maine By ports: Boston Gloucester 27,253,037 6.55 320,194,588 5.62 297,316,606 6.87 13,005,055 7.71 14,987,764 6.38 11,493,039 8.08 134,942,985 6.87 130,879,690 8.92 15,595,001 4.94 21,903,645 4.45 14,811,142 5.45 170,187,078 4.76 149,584,103 5.32 1,490,486 5.23 1,772,181 4.12 948,856 5.07 15,064,525 4.19 16,852,813 4.69 *Weighted average of prices per pound paid to fishermen. Portland NOTE: Data for 1944 include landings at Atlantic Avenue in Boston. Previously, Boston landings included only those sold through the Boston Fish Exchange. Total landings at Atlantic Avenue during October amounted to 674,915 pounds, valued at $40,484. Landings for the first ten months of 1944 totaled 7,381,453 pounds, valued at $417,627. TEN-MONTH TOTAL OF NEW BEDFORD LANDINGS 23 PERCENT ABOVE 1943 Landings of fishery products at New Bedford, Mass., during October totaled 5,148,000 pounds, valued at $586,100 to the fishermen--a decrease of 6 percent in volume but an increase of 11 percent in value compared with October 1943, according to Current Fishery Statistics No. 154, released by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Landings of haddock, cod, and blackbacks accounted for 74 percent of the total. During the month, 131 craft made 305 trips to the fishing grounds. The over-all weighted average price per pound received by the fishermen for their catches during October was 11.39 cents compared with 8.60 cents during September 1944 and 9.68 cents during October 1943. |