Summary of Conference 



The Future of North American Fisheries 



by Donald L. McKcrnan 



Director, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries 



United States Department of the Interior 



Washington, D.C. 



I have been given the honor of summarizing the papers pre- 

 sented at the Conference. I have found the past three days' 

 discussions in the general sessions so stimulating and so thought 

 provoking that the opportunity of having the last word about 

 subjects so close to our hearts has stimulated me thoroughly. 



In discussing the future of North American fisheries re- 

 sources, we have quite properly considered first the North 

 American fishery potential. In this consideration, Dr. Peter 

 Larkin reviews some of the background of world fisheries pro- 

 duction, compares this with current and potential North Ameri- 

 can production, and points up clearly some realistic concepts 

 in achieving and sustaining this potential. 



The next two speakers, Drs. Kask and Chapman, posed 

 both questions and answers relating to the key issues raised by 

 citizens, industry, participants, politicians, and governments. 

 If, as Dr. Larkin states, the potential of food production from 

 the sea is far greater than now realized, Dr. Kask asks how 

 can this potential be reached? How can the countries of 

 North America participate more actively in utilizing the re- 

 sources of the world ocean? What problems face these coun- 

 tries in reaching their goals? And what measures need be 

 taken to improve the possibilities for success ill increasing fish 

 production at a profit? Obviously, such a discussion of the 

 potential resources of the sea and our thoughtful inquiries as 

 to how we can achieve improved production leads next to the 

 problems of harvesting, processing, and marketing. 



Dr. Schaefer has discussed the role of the study of the oceans 

 in the harvest of the resources, and Mr. Basil Parkes has added 

 both constructive and practical suggestions about future im- 

 provements in fish harvesting. He also raises, from a practical 

 point of view, the urgent need for effective conservation regu- 

 lations and enforcement on an international basis. 



But our questions have probed far beyond this point, and 

 so have our inquiries in this meeting. After considering the 

 resources, the role a study of the oceans can play in improving 

 the harvesting of these resources, and ways of improving our 

 present fish-harvesting methods, Mr. E. Robert Kinney dis- 

 cussed the need for and possibilities of keeping the catch in good 

 quality. He also raised the question of processing fish better 

 and in more ways which will make it attractive to the con- 



suming public. But even the processed product must be mar- 

 keted, and Minister Sharp, the Fish and Seafood Promotions 

 Division of the National Fisheries Institute — including speakers 

 from various segments of the industry — and Secretary of the 

 Interior Stewart L. Udall have examined, and in an optimistic 

 vein I might add, the potential markets within our own coun- 

 tries and abroad and the need for opening these markets more 

 widely. 



One can only conclude from the discussions of marketing that 

 opportunities are present and, if one is not careful, we might 

 be lulled into a false sense of security. Dr. Kask, on the other 

 hand, points out in the early questions raised by him that, 

 despite the potential resources available, the consumption of 

 fisheries products in our countries has remained low and has 

 failed to keep pace with the increased consumption of meats 

 and poultry. 



Several speakers mentioned the developing international 

 scene, and Minister Robichaud as well as Mr. Jackson have 

 raised the unique and urgent problems posed by man's race 

 for the resources of the sea. Jackson pointed out the unique 

 role which he believes FAO can play in resolving the conflicts 

 arising among fishermen of various nations harvesting common 

 resources. 



I am impressed by the breadth of our discussions, the pene- 

 trating questions raised by our speakers, and the imaginative, 

 although sometimes embarrassing, questions which have been 

 raised but by no means completely answered as a result of our 

 discussions. 



I should like, in the few minutes allotted me, to discuss more 

 fully the general course of these discussions as I have followed 

 them, and while I presume I should act as a mere reporter, I 

 do not find it possible in my heart to refrain from adding my 

 own views. Thus, I hope I will be forgiven if my reporting 

 and summation of this Conference are shamelessly colored by 

 some of my own prejudices. My only excuse is that perhaps 

 by this means I can bring together what seems to me to be the 

 main streams of thought brought to this Conference by our 

 previous distinguished speakers and perhaps make the various 

 discussions tie together into a recognizable picture. 



One must accept the consensus of our speakers that there 



63 



