156 DESCRIPTION OF IMPORTANT FISHERIES AND THEIR PRODUCTS 



truck, while the refined oil is transported by tank car, tank truck, or in 

 drums. Crude oil destined for European markets usually is transported 

 by barge to seaports for ocean shipment. 



Yield of Menhaden Products. The yield of scrap per unit of raw mate- 

 rial is fairly constant throughout the industry and averages approximately 

 1 ton for every 5 tons of raw fish. The composition of the scrap, however, 

 varies in relation to the size and fat content of the fish, period of storage 

 of the raw material, thoroughness of cooking, drying temperatures, and 

 other processing factors. The processors attempt to reduce this variation 

 by careful control of each stage of processing. The protein, moisture, and 

 fat content of the scrap sometimes are considered in judging the quality 

 of the finished product. 



Table 11.2. Production of Menhaden Products, 1950-61 



Scrap and meal Oil Condensed solubles Total 



Value, Value, Value, Value, 



Year Tons dollars Gallons dollars Tons dollars dollars 



1950 103,365 12,864,751 10,209,958 5,866,554 (1) (1) 18,731,305 



1951 115,464 13,879,523 12,537,115 9,771,154 (1) (1) 23,650,677 



1952 144,025 17,847,361 12,888,646 5,785,395 (1) (1) 23,632,756 



1953 174,752 21,767,205 17,824,477 8,806,317 39,038 3,592,551 34,166,073 



1954 183,091 23,783,364 18,641,433 9,755,320 56,274 5,564,717 39,103,401 



1955 190,628 25,457,512 21,232,141 12,195,454 61,938 4,396,642 42,049,608 



1956 210,582 27,439,634 22,428,082 14,092,275 72,852 5,339,834 46,871,743 



1957 172,388 21,725,888 15,797,919 9,466,198 69,398 5,615,490 36,807,576 



1958 158,074 20,698,929 17,064,818 9,434,108 72,471 6,252,986 36,386,023 



1959 223,893 26,391,987 20,628,278 10,743,781 108,079 5,582,514 42,988,282 



1960 218,423 19,201,716 24,453,736 11,582,027 65,850 2,299,209 33,082,952 



1961 247,551 25,852,498 31,355,570 12,913,447 73,305 3,142,397 41,908,342 



(1) Data unavailable. 



Source: Data for 1950 to 1959 are from U.S. Dept. Interior, Statistical Digest; for 1960 and 1961 from 

 U.S. Dept. Interior, Current Fishery Statistics, Nos. 2541 and 2863. 



The yield of condensed solubles varies from plant to plant but averages 

 approximately 1 ton for every 13 tons of raw material. Processors strive 

 to maintain a minimum solids content of 50 per cent, but careful control 

 of each processing step is essential to ensure a uniform product without 

 loss of valuable proteins, minerals, and vitamins. 



The oil yield of fish caught in different localities varies greatly both 

 within and between years. Fish of medium size often contain more oil 

 per unit of body weight than do larger fish, and small fish usually contain 

 little oil. Furthermore, Gulf menhaden average more oil per unit of body 

 weight than do Atlantic menhaden. The average annual yield of oil 

 generally varies between 24 and 33 gallons per ton of fish, but in individual 

 localities may range from almost nil to over 50 gallons per ton. The 

 unique properties of menhaden oil, including the unusually long chain 



