RESEARCH IN FISHERY TECHNOLOGY 



ANNUAL REPORT-EAST BOSTON LABORATORY 



June 30, 1959 



BACKGROUND 



The East Boston Technological Lab- 

 oratory was established in July 1945. 

 During its 14 years of existence con- 

 siderable expansion of the stciff and 

 diversification of activities has oc- 

 curred. The staff now comprises some 

 14 professional people trained in 

 chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, 

 fishery technology, and related fields. 

 As of June 1959, the laboratory was 

 still housed in old buildings at East 

 Boston. Late in 1959, a modern lab- 

 oratory building in Gloucester will 

 be ready for occupancy. This new 

 building will enable the Bureau of 

 Commercial Fisheries to increase its 

 emphasis on technological research in 

 the New England area. 



Following is a brief description of 

 the activities at this laboratory during 

 the period July 1958 through June 1959. 

 This report does not thoroughly explore 

 any one work area but instead is de- 

 signed to familiarize the reader with 

 the general laboratory research and 

 inspection programs and the objectives 

 of the programs. 



STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS 



Four chemists and one fishery aid at 

 this laboratory are directly concerned 

 with the development of U.S. standards 

 for grades and Federal specifications 

 for fishery products. This teann surveys 

 current industry production practices, 

 statistically samples and evaluates in- 



dustry products, classifies and develops 

 quality characteristics and testing 

 methods, and holds meetings with mem- 

 bers of industry to discus s and evaluate 

 proposed quality requirennents. Then 

 standards are developed which serve 

 as a quality gauge to facilitate whole- 

 sale buying and selling. In a sinnilar 

 fashion. Federal specifications are de- 

 veloped for industry and military and 

 civil agencies. They are used to stand- 

 ardize Governnnent purchases, thereby 

 allowing industry to compete for con- 

 tracts on an even and fair basis and 

 assuring the buyers of good quality fish 

 at regular nnarket prices. 



Figure l.--The I 



Laboratory 



1 



