CHAPTER .VI ~ IMPORTANCE OF THE TUNA INDUSTRY 

 TO THE HATIONAL INTEREST 



ABSTRACT 



National security is a major component of national interest. The tuna 



INDUSTRY tS IhPORTANT TO NATIONAL SECURITY. THE SECRETARY OF THE NaV¥ STATES 

 THAT TUNA FISHING BOATS PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT BACKUP TO PATROL CRAFT IN THE RES- 

 ERVE Fleet. He indicated that fishing boats (inclusive of tuna craft) are an 



integral part of navy department planning. the department of the army states 

 that u uses canned tuna in its rations for feeding troops. 



Under date of March 5,iL953, the Selective Service System issued "Operations 

 Bulletin No.9i1»o This Bulletin, which details a "manpower policy for the com- 

 mercial FISHING I^DUSTRY", INDICATES THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT INDUSTRY AS A SOURCE 

 OF FOOD IN THE DEFENSE EFFORT. THE TUNA INDUSTRY IS COVERED BY THIS BULLETIN. 



In NORMAL TIMES THE GREAT TUNA CANNING INDUSTRY, WITH ITS OUTPUT OF PRODUCTS 

 VALUED AT OVER 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN 1950, IS A NOTICEABLE SEG»ENT OF TVIE UNITED 



States EcotwMY. Its products are also becoming more important as a food source 

 IN times of emergencies such as war. This is particularly true since the advent 

 OF declining canned salmon production. 



Many allied industries are "fed" by the tuna industry. Net manufacture, 

 boat manufacture and can manufact'jre are but a few of the many which beivefit from 



THE existence OF THE TUNA INDUSTRY. 



In approaching this subject thei-e should first be a distinction 

 made between National interest and one of its major ccraponents. Nat- 

 ional security. The latter has to do with the very safety and exist- 

 ence of our Nation, The former has to do '/vith those factors and in 

 addition, other factors such as economic advantages, etc. From the 

 point of view of the Federal Government, National security is the 

 phase of this subject which is the more important. Consequently, the 

 Armed Services" Components, which during past periods of National emer- 

 gency have relied bo some extent on the craft and personnel of the 

 tuna fleet and the plants and personnel of the tuna processing indus- 

 try, were queried on this subject as it respects National security. 

 Letters were Br4tt©Qdto;ith"eiSeepegar^ of the Navy, the Chief of Trans- 

 portation in the Department of Army, tnd the Quartermaster General, 

 The following replies were received; 



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