Smelt and shrimp were the only principal items to show a decline from April 26, while the fillet group, with the exception of pollock and mackerel, increased.

Whiting holdings in New England plants on May 27 showed a slight decrease with 240,000 pounds in storage as compared to 247,000 pounds held on May 29, 1943.

CHICAGO COLD-STORAGE HOLDINGS AT END OF MAY TOTAL 6,954,000 POUNDS

Holdings of frozen fishery products in Chicago cold-storage warehouses on the last Thursday in May totaled 6,954,000 pounds, 14 percent above one month earlier and 198 percent above a comparable date in 1943, according to the Service's Chicago Market News office, Largest stocks reported were those of blue pike (including sauger) and whitefish, both showing important gains over 1943. An analysis of species which showed an increase during the month indicates that careful judgment is being used in taking up available cold-storage space as the majority of these varieties enjoy a good demand in' the frozen for and will probably be moved before heavy arrivals of new stocks.

Holdings of frozen fresh fish in Canadian cold-storage warehouses on June 1, totaled 18,172,000 pounds, according to preliminary data furnished by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics. This was an increase of 3 percent over stocks on hand on May 1, and 12 percent higher than those of June 1, 1943. Pickerel and tullibee holdings were much greater than those of 1943. Salmon and whitefish holdings were also considerably higher.

According to preliminary data furnished by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, 7,257,000 pounds of fresh fish and 1,229,000 pounds of smoked fish were frozen in Canadian freezers during May--an increase in both classifications compared with April. Freezings of fresh fish were 21 percent less than in May 1943, while those of smoked fish showed an increase of 20 percent. Cod fillets and sea herring were the principal items frozen, accounting for 76 percent of the production during the month. Due to the delay in the opening of the halibut fishery, only 33,000 pounds of halibut were frozen. This was less than one percent of the poundage frozen in May 1943.

Treezings of Tishery Products in Canadian Cold-storage Plants

May

May compared wi tiba April Nay Iton 1944 April 194. May 1943 1944

1943 Pounds Percont Percent Pounds Pounds Frozen frosh fish Total freezings

7,257,000 + 52

.2 4,781,000 9,166,000 Important Items: Cod fillots

2,771,000 + 21

+14 2,298,000 2,420,000 Halibut

33,000
. 62
-99

86,000 2,311,000 Sea herring

2,764,000

+532
+26

437,000 2,198,000 Pickerol

362,000 + 62

224,000 Frozen smoked fish Total freezings

1,229,000 + 32

+20 929,000 1,022,000 Important Item: Tillets: cod, haddock, etc.

1,116,000 + 34

+29 833,000 864,000 Less than 500 pounds.

Canned and Cured Fish Trade

MAY CALIFORNIA TUNA PACK SHOWS GAINS OVER APRIL AND PREVIOUS YEAR

The pack of tuna by California canners during May amounted to 367,383 standard cases, an increase of 85 percent over the April pack and 92 percent over that of May 1943, according to information released by the California Division of Fish and Game. This brought the total production for the first five months of 1944 to 876,385 standard cases--81 percent greater than for the comparable period during 1943. Yellowfin tuna and tuna flakes accounted for 72 percent of the May production,

The mackerel pack totaled only 111 cases during May. None was packed during April. The production for the first five months of the current year--84,555 standard cases--was 10 percent less than the same period in 1943.

California Pack of Thina and Mackerel--Standard Cases*
May April May

Five nos, ending with May Item

1944
1944 1943

1944

1943 Cases Cases

Cases

Cases

Cases Tuina: Albacore

207

2,852 Bonito

127

26
1,516

803

5,354 Bluefin 78,363 25,844 33,145

119,467 45,625 Striped 22,860 55,483 24,830

119,709 82,117 Yellowf in 163,414 65,558 84,483

386,015

237,986 Yellowtail

756

60
5,562

1,435

5,734 Flakes 101,323 49,470 39,253

244,550 102,133 Tonno' style

540 2,004

2,708

4.,199

3.294 Total

367,383

191,497

876,385 485,095 Mackerel

111

557

4,555 93,761 *Standard cases of tuna represent cases of 48 7-ounce cans, while those of mackerel represent cases of 48 1-pound cans.

198,442

FEW CASES OF SHRIMP CANNED IN MAY

Only 1,443 standard cases of shrimp were canned in the five weeks ending June 3, according to the Services Market News office in New Orleans, The season's total to June 3 for the canneries operated under the supervision of the Food and Drug Administration was 384,616 cases, 33 percent under the 1942-43 total to June 5 and 49 percent below the 5-year average.

Wet and Dry Pack Shrimp in all Sizes in Tin and Glass--Standard Cases*
Μ Ο Ν Τ
TH

SE A SON
1 9 44
1944 19.4 3

1943-44
1942-43

5-yr, average Apr.30-June 3 Apr.2-29 May 2-June 5 July 1-June 3 July 1-June 5

July 1-June 3 1,443 646 17,569 384,616

576,013

749,424 *All figures on basis of new standard case--48 No. I cans wi tiba 7 oz. per can in the wet pack and 6 oz. per cen in the dry pack,

Canned shrimp quotations at wholesale remained at the following levels on June 1. These figures are per dozen plain No. 1 standard tins, 1.0.b. point of production, and represent the maximum prices set by OPA effective February 2, 1943,

The largest pack of tuna since 1940 was predicted on June 27 by the Office of the Coordinator of Fisheries on the basis of recent reports from California, center of the fishery. It is estimated that the pack will be at least three million cases, compared with slightly less than 2 million last year. Predictions are based on the fact that the early season pack, consisting largely of tuna caught by purse seiners in the Gulf of California, was 20 percent larger than the pack for the same period last year.

Tuna fishing during the last half of the year is carried on chiefly by the large clippers that operate in off shore waters, using live bait and catching the tuna with hook and line, California representatives of the Coordinator's Office feel that with the strong early season lead, the total pack undoubtedly will be substantially larger than in 1943.

Because of heavy military purchases, the larger pack will not necessarily mean more tuna for civilians. Tuna, being delicately flavored and easily digested, is highly regarded for use in military hospitals,

The total pack of tuna during the first five months of the current year was 876,385 cases, compared with 485,095 cases for the same period last year.

GOVERNMENT RESERVES MORE CANNED FISH IN AMDT. 3 TO WFO-44

More canned fish from the 1944 pack than was previously estimated has been reserved by the Government because of substantial increases in military and other war requirements, the war Food Administration announced on June 29.

A new provision in an action by the WFA reserves 40 percent of the chum salmon packed during the period March 1, 1944, to February 28, 1945, inclusive. Packers must continue to reserve 60 percent of all other species of salmon except steelhead, packed during the same period.

The quantity to be reserved of pilchards, Atlantic sea herring, Atlantic and Pacific mackerel packed during the period June 25, 1944, to February 28, 1945, has been increased from 45 percent to 55 percent. For fish of the above species packed during the period March 1, to June 24, 1944, the quota for delivery to the Government remains at 45 percent.

This action, effective June 25, is contained in Amdt. 3 to WF0-44 which regulates the pack of canned fish (Fishery Market News, 1944, Mr pg. 30). According to current estimates of the 1944 pack, the new reserve provisions are expected to obtain an additional quantity of approximately 42 million pounds of all types of canned fish for Government needs.

The amendment also includes a provision for relieving shipping difficulties by allowing canners, whose 1944 pack is less than 4,800 pounds of a particular species, to use such quantity as a substitute for like quantity of another species when delivering the ; ortion of their pack reserved for Governmental use.

Excerpts from the revised order follow:

such canner had obtained, with respect to the canned fish included in such written tender, an inspection certificate, issued by an inspection service approved by the government agency to which the tender has been made, indicating that such canned fish meets all the specifications set forth in such canner's aforesaid written contract for such canned fish.

(5) For each 45 pounds of canned fish of any class numbered 6 to 9, inclusive (designated in (b) (1) hereof for the period March 1, 1944, to June 24, 1944, both dates inclusive), which a canner has sold or delivered to any government agency or with respect to which he has submitted to a government agency & written tender of delivery of such canned fish in compliance with a written contract between such canner and such goyernment agency, such canner may sell or deliver 55 pounds of canned fish of the same class to persons other than a government agency: Provided, That, prior to the time of each such written tender, such canner had obtained, with respect to the canned fish included in such written tender, an inspection certificate, issued by an inspection service approved by the government agency to which the tender has been made, indicating that such canned fish meets all the specifications set forth in such canner's aforesaid written contract for such canned fish.

(6) For each 65 pounds of canned fish of any class numbered 6 to 9, inclusive (designated in (b) (1) hereof for the period June 25, 1944,. to February 28, 1945, both dates inclusive), which a can

her has sold or delivered to any govern- (d) Contracts. The restrictions of this ment agency or with respect to which order shall be observed without regard he has submitted to any government to contracts heretofore or hereafter enagency & written tender of delivery of tered into, or any rights accrued or paysuch canned fish in compliance with a ments made thereunder. This order written contract between such canner shall not, however, be construed as reand such government agency, such can- ducing the amount of canned fish of the ner may sell or deliver 45 pounds of 1944 pack which any person is required canned fish of the same class to persons to offer or deliver pursuant to contracts other than a government agency: Pro- heretofore or hereafter entered into with vided, That, prior to the time of each

any government agency. such written tender, such canner had obtained, with respect to the canned fish (1) Delegation of authority. The adincluded in such written tender, an in- ministration of this order and the powspection certificate, issued by an inspec- ers vested in the War Food Administration service approved by the government tor, insofar as such powers relate to the agency to which the tender has been administration of this order, are hereby made, indicating that such canned fish delegated to the Director. The Director meets all the specifications set forth in is authorized to redelegate to any emsuch canner's aforesaid written contract ployee of the United States Department for such canned fish.

of Agriculture any or all of the authority (7) If any canner's 1944 pack of vested in him by this order; and one canned fish of any class (designated in such employee shall be designated by the (b) (1) hereof) is less than 4,800 pounds, Director to serve as Order Administrator. such canner may consider such canned fish as a part of his 1944 pack of canned fish of any other class (designated in (b) (1) hereof).

(1) Effective date. The provisions of (8) The Director may issue specifica

this order shall become effective at 12:01 tions at any time relative to the packing

a. m., e. w. t., June 25, 1944. With reof the canned fish, the containers, con

spect to violations, rights accrued, liabil. tainer treatment, can marking, labeling,

ities incurred, or appeals taken under boxing, and strapping in connection

War Food Order No. 44, as amended, therewith, or he may authorize any gov

prior to the effective time of the proviernment agency to issue such specifica

sions hereof, the provisions of said War tions. Each person subject to the pro

Food Order No. 44, as amended, in effect visions of this order shall comply with

prior to the effective time hereof shall be such specifications, issued by the Di

deemed to continue in full force and efrector or the government agency au

fect for the purpose of sustaining any thorized by the Director to issue such

proper suit, action, or other proceeding specifications, applicable to the canned

with respect to any such violation, right, fish processed by such person.

liability, or appeal.

DISTRIBUTION OF CANNED FISH PLACED UNDER NEW REGULATION

A new price regulation designed to reduce retail prices of canned fish and seafood by tightening up pricing methods for primary and other distributors, except wholesalers and retailers, was issued June 19 by the Office of Price Administration. It will be effective July 17, 1944.

One effect of the regulation will be to clarify the pricing position of many intermediate sellers, some of whom have been able to establish legal ceiling prices out of proportion to the services they render, OPA said. The regulation gives recognition to the historic practices of the relatively few legitimate primary distributors, while it definitely limits the prices that may be charged by intermediate sellers who have entered the field in recent months, In eliminating such of these distributors as are unnecessary and preventing the addition of unnecessary margins, the price of canned fish to the consumer will be lowered and the normal channels of distribution will be restored, OPA said,

The regulation covers distributor sales of canned Maine and California sardines, domestic crabmeat, salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, shrimp, Eastern and Gulf oysters, Atlantic sea herring and alewives, clams, fish flakes, and the domestic fish or seafood now priced at levels under the General Maximum Price Regulation, which establishes each seller's ceiling at the highest price he charged for the item during March 1942.

At present, all primary distributors and other pre-wholesale handlers of canned fish and seafood are required to price under the CPR. Under its provisions, they may sell new brands at the price which a competitor charges for a "comparable commodity." In borrowing a competitor's price, many distributors have been able to establish ceiling prices much higher than are needed to cover expenses of the distribution services they actually perfor. In addition, there have been numerous evasions connected with constant introduction of new brands, which have tended to inflate retail prices, OPA said.

The specific pricing methods, which OPA believes will put an end to these practices, were established after consultation with industry representatives. They establish a pattern