'2» On questions of fishery maapower matters affecting 

 states not mentioned above, the Defense Fisheries Administra- 

 tion^ U„ So Department of the Interior, Washington 25, D. C. 

 may be contacted.. 



(signed) Lewis Bo Hershey 

 DIRECTOR" 



With the issuance of this bulletin more detailed consideration in 

 the selection of commercial fishermen by the Selective Service System 

 will result o This is a realization of the importance of the commercial 

 fishing industry as a food source in the defense effort. Although not 

 specifically mentioned, the tuna fishing industry is part of this over- 

 all group o 



As far as the economic aspects of the National interest, with re- 

 spect to the tuna fleet are concerned, there are many factors to be 

 considered. First, there is the fact that the tuna resource is one 

 that is available for the most part free to all nations of the worlds 

 The United States, by prosecuting a tuna fishery, stands to benefit 

 to sonB extent from that free resource. Second, the employment of 

 labor on boats and in allied industries must be considered. Beyond 

 that the opportunity for businessmen to engage in businesses which 

 are afforded b^ the tuna fishing industry must not be overlooked. All 

 these and more favorably affect the ^fational interest. 



At the present time with the economy of the Wation functioning 

 in high gear as a result of the Defense Program the existence or loss 

 of the tuna fishing industry would not have a pronounced effect on 

 the economy of the Nation, Howfever, the problem should also be ap- 

 proached from the long-range point of view. Under normal conditions, 

 in the absence of war or National emergency, the United States econ- 

 omy can not be expected to function in the same way as it does at 

 present under the Defense Program. There is hardly a question but 

 that at such time the Nation would appreciate having a tuna fishing 

 industry to provide employment for labor and to afford the Nation 

 some benefit from a great world food resource which is free for the 

 taking. 



In its record production year, 1950, the tuna fleet produced 

 fish valued at $61^419, 000. It was the vital base for the process- 

 ing industry which turned out products valued at over $190,000,000 

 in that year. Production of that magnitude mth attendant thousands 



359 



