OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



113 



We are well aware of the severity of the fisheries problems facing New Eng- 

 land at the present time. Our regular programs are substantial and diversified 

 to meet the most important needs. In recognition of the seriousness of these 

 problems, we have allocated to New England for its most urgent requirements 

 more than 20 percent of the funds available each year under the Saltonstall- 

 Kennedy Act. More than 42 percent of the loans approved under the fisheries 

 loan fund have been made to New England fishing craft. 



The Albatross III is a 33-year-old vessel. It is a converted trawler, far beyond 

 its normal replacement age, exceedingly costly to operate, and subject to major 

 breakdowns beyond routine maintenance. In recent years it has cost well over 

 $1,000 for each day it operated at sea. Increased operating costs and heavy 

 repair bills have contributed to the drain upon our research budget as well as 

 curtailing the number of days at sea. These facts make it imperative that the 

 vessel be deactivated and amply justify the decision not to expend more funds 

 on it or its operation, especially when arrangements have been made for con- 

 ducting the essential parts of its program using other vessels. 



If not deactivated, the operation of the Albatross III would have had to be 

 curtailed this spring because its fund for the fiscal year would have been ex- 

 hausted by then. Attempting to operate on such a part-time basis is unwise 

 financially in our present situation. 



The essential features of the Bureau's biological research "program in New 

 England waters can be continued by a greater use of the vessel Delaware which 

 is also stationed in New England. This ship can be operated for considerably 

 less per day than the Albatross III. She has adequate accommodations for a 

 larger crew and can carry experimental and fishing equipment necessary for the 

 total program. Smaller fishing vessels will also be chartered for special research, 

 so that as nearly as possible a complete sea program for biological purposes will 

 be effected. While some sea time will be lost, the essential features of the 

 New England biological program will be carried out, and without fail the Bu- 

 reau's immediate major responsibilities will be met. 



Use of the Delaware also permits it to operate the full fiscal year, since funds 

 available for its operation would have also been exhausted this spring. 



The possibility of utilizing surplus Navy vessels also has been investigated. 

 The costs and time required for conversion, in addition to the general dissatis- 

 faction with such craft for research and fishing, precludes this means of alle- 

 viating the situation. 



We are sorry that it is necessary to lay off the crew. We are informed, how- 

 ever, that there is a good demand for fishermen in the Boston area at this time. 



While we regret the need for deactivating the Albatross III, we are convinced 

 that the revision of our program is in the best public interest and in the long 

 term will also be in the best interest of the New England fisheries. We will con- 

 tinue to give special attention to this area and hope to increase our effectiveness 

 in helping the New England fisheries maintain their importance to the national 

 economy. 



Sincerely yours, 



Donald L. McKernan, 



Director. 



Summary Budgets for New England Biological Research 

 Woods Hole — Trawlfish research 



' $200,000 contract with Woods Hole Oceanogxaphic Institution for 3 years, 

 s Nonrecurring expenditures: Alabatross ///repairs, $30,000; sea scallops, $50,000. 

 ' $80,000 contract with Woods Hole Oceanograptiic Institution for 2 years. 

 * Estimated. 



