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. In 1941, "Manila," abaca fiber, became a Japanese prisoner. Sisal immediately came into prominence as a substitute for Manila, but competition for shipping space and risks involved in crossing the Caribbean and South Atlantic made it necessary to look for more accessible sources of this and other hard fibers. Hemp grown in Italy and Hungary, where abundant supplies have been obtained, is now serving the Axis. The extended fighting in Russia has greatly lessened the production of the fine hemp grown there. Jute from India has been partially cut off by action in the Orient, but recent victories in that area have resulted in a steadier supply. Flax from France and Belgium, abundant export centers still is imprisoned. Shipping space and geography have thus had a great effect on our fiber supplies. Because of their importance to the military and to essential production, these fibers were early and wisely placed under the control of the War Production Board.: More "Manila hemp," which does not grow near Manila and is not hemp, has been used for marine cordage during the past 100 years than all other fibers combined. When the Philippines were invaded, the loss of this material was indeed serious, but the serviceability of the substitutes and blends over the last two years and th progress being made in new developments inspire confidence for the future. Marine cordage, which is the classification used by fisheries, must meet the most exacting requirements. It must be not only tough, durable, and reliable, but must also be able to withstand the effects of constant salt-water immersion. It is the purpose of this article to explain briefly the origin and known characteristics of some of the fibers which now are commercially used or which give promise of successful application in the fisheries.: In general, there are two types of natural long fibers from which cordage is produced. 1. Hard or leaf fibers: These are hard and stiff and grow lengthwise through the pulpy tissues of the long leaves and the outer bark of the stems of plants found almost exclusively in the tropics. This group is used principally for cordage and coarse twine and is typified by abaca (Manila), sisal, and henequen. 2. Soft or bast fibers: These are soft and flexible, extending through the inner bark of the stems and main stalks of plants, and are used in finer twine, thread, and yarn. Commercial production of soft fibers is confined to the Temperate Zone; hemp and flax grow in the cooler regions, jute and ramie in the warmer areas. Cotton is also included in this group although these short fibers are really seed hairs. Hemp and flax were the earliest known fibers to be utilized, originating about 3000 B.C., Technologist, stationed at Boston, Mass. 1/General Preference Order M-84, as amended October 27, 1943, War Production Board. Much of the information used here is from Fiber Production in the Western Hemisphere, by Lyster H. Dewey, Miscellaneous Publication No. 518, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., 1943. October landings at three New England ports 15 percent below year earlier New York receipts in November 19 percent above a year earlier Chicago receipts of fishery products during November show heavy increase Gulf shrimp production for October below one year earlier Large gain in Gulf production of salt-water fish in November Seattle receipts in October decline from those of last year Domestic fish freezing in October comparatively low U. S. frozen fish stocks on November 1 down 1 percent from month previous November fish freezings in Canadian plants drop one third from October total. 16 34 million pounds of frozen fish in Canadian plants on December 1 1943 tuna and mackerel pack above 1942 in first eleven months California sardine pack continues decline in November Chile produces 71,017,000 pounds of fish and shellfish in 1942 Fish catch in Chilean waters in 1942 below 1941 the furnishing of electricity, gas, light, heat, power or water otherwise than by a public utility. Revised Maximum Price Regulation No. 165 (Services) becomes effective August 1, 1944, except for Alaska where it goes into effect September 1, 1944. WFA NET WEIGHTS AND CONVERSION FACTORS FOR FISHERY PRODUCTS SUMMARIZED The fishery commodities listed in Sections A and B of the War Food Administration's booklets on Conversion Factors and Weights and Measures for Agricultural Commodities and Their Products are included in the following tabulations. Section A, Conversion Factors, is composed primarily of factors used to convert food supplies and requirements into the units used in making allocations. These were developed by the Statistics Division of Requirements and Allocations Control from various sources throughout the WFA, particularly the commodity branches of FDA. Section B, Net Content Weights of Section B, Net Content Weights of Specified Containers, was developed by the Transportation and Warehousing Branch and represents the packaging and net weights of commodities as approved by the commodity branch responsible for their procurement. Factors are for specified groups and are not applicable to individual species. Production and imports as reported to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Dept. of the Interior and the U. S. Tariff Commission. d/ Rough approximations. 1 pound of dry-salted cod, haddock, hake, pollock, or cusk is equivalent to the following: 1.75 pounds green-salted 1.33 pounds pickled, filleted 1.50 pounds semi-dried .85 pounds "boneless" and "absolutely boneless" Table 4--Factors for Obtaining Retail Weights/from Weights at wb h Allocations are Made Factor for obtaining edible weight from dressed weight is .50. Factor for obtaining dressed weight from round weight is .70. Net Content Weights of Specified Containers--Special Commodities Branch (Cont.) Commodity Net Content Weights of Specified Containers--Special Commodities Branch 24/2's 6/10's or 603x407 24/1's or 300x407 48/1's or 300x407 24/1's or 300 12/10-oz. 96/'s buffet or oblong 48/-1b. flat or oval 96-1b. flat or oval 48/-1b. flat or oval 48/1-1b. flat 104 45 42 48 22.5 25.5 48/-1b, flat or oval 23.25 24 48/1's tall or oval 48/1's tall or flat Continental U. S. Sardines, Canned 48/1's flat 46.5 100's 20.3125 100/'s 21.875 |