CHAPTER I — HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TUNA INDUSTRY 



ABSTRACT 



The tunas are one of the world's leaoinq fishery resources. Five species are 

 taken generally by united states fishermen, these are albacore, bluefin, little, 



skipjack, Ate YELLOWIN TUNA, iN ADDITION, BONITO AND YELLOWTAIL ARE PACKED TUNA- 

 style and known as "tunalike fishes", however, they cai^jot be labeled "tuna". 



The United States catch, which has averaged about 350 million pounds annually 

 IN RECE^^• years, is one of the most valuable fishery products taken by United States 

 fishermen. Tuna cannins began in the United States in 1903 when the camming of al- 

 bacore was undertaken in southern California, For a number of years albacore was 

 the only species canned. However, as the demand increased and the supply of albacore 



WAS FOUND to BE LIMITED, THE PACKING OF OTHER SPECIES WAS UNDERTAKEN, AS THE MARKET 

 FOR CANNED TUNA CONTINUED TO EXPAND, THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF THE FISHING CRAFT IN- 

 CREASED, AND IT BECAME NECESSARY TO FISH IN WATERS OFF CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA 

 WHERE LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF SKIPJACK AND YELLOWFIN WERE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE 

 YEAR, By 1927, THE PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF FISH FOR CALIFORNIA CANNERIES WAS THE WATERS 

 SOUTH OF THE MEXICAN BORDER. 



In 1937, CONSIDERABLE QUANTITIES OF ALBACORE WERE FOUND OFF OREGON A^D WASHING- 

 ton, and tuna canneries were established in those states. locally-caught albacore, 

 as well as receipts of these fish from california and imports of various species of 

 tuna from latin america and japan, are now canned in oregon al« washington. 



The canning of tuna on the east coast of the United States was likewise begun 



IN 1937, and the fish ARE now PACKED IN SEVERAL ATLANTIC COAST STATES. LOCALLY- 

 CAUQHT BLUEFIN AND LITTLE TUNA, FISH FROM THE PACIFIC COAST AND IMPORTS FROM CANADA, 



Japan and Peru provide the raw materials for the east coast canneries. Within a 

 few years after tuna were first canned in California, canneries were constructed in 

 the Hawaiian Islands. The two canneries now operated in the Islatcs pack both loc- 

 ally-caught and imported tuna, 



as the market for canned tuna increased, a number of countries began exporting 

 fresh, frozen. Arc canned tuna to the United States, Imports of fresh and frozen 



TUNA (principally FROZEN) WHICH ARE RECEIVED FREE OF DUTY REACHED A PRE-WORLD WAR It 

 HIGH OF ll,046,0CO POUNDS IN 1937, AND THEN INCREASED SPECTACULARLY FOLLOWING THE 

 WAR TO 69,003,000 POUNDS IN 1952, 



Japan began exporting canned tuna to The United States in 193*., By 1933, im- 

 ports OF tuna CAltCD IN OiL, NEARLY ALL FROM JAPAN, WERE EQUAL TO 40.5 PERCENT OF 

 THE DOMESTIC PACK, SINCE THESE JAPANESE IMPORTS WERE FOU^C) TO BE PRODUCED AT LOWER 

 COST THAN SIMILAR UNITED STATES PRODUCTS, THE DUTY WAS INCREASED FROM 30 PERCENT TO 

 45 PERCENT AD VALOREM. THIS EFFECTIVELY REDUCED THE IMPORTS. IN 1943, AS A RESULT 

 OF A TRADE AGREEMENT WITH MEXICO, THE DUTY ON TUNA CANNED IN OIL WAS REDUCED TO 22^ 

 PERCENT AD VALOREM. FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II, IMPORTS INCREASED SHARPLY, AND, IN 1950, 

 A TOTAL OF 36,409,547 POUNDS OF TUNA CANNED IN OIL WERE RECEIVED, PRINCIPALLY FROM 



JAPAN AND Peru, 



The Mexican Trade Agreement with the United States was abrogated as of January 



I, 1951, which resulted in the duty returning to 45 PERCENT AD VALOREM. THE RESULT 

 OF THIS ACTION WAS TO REDUCE IMPORTS OF TUNA CANNED IN OIL TO ONLY 3,618,565 POUNDS 

 IN 1951, AND 4,288,447 POUNDS IN 1952. 



