San Francisco Area 



In this area, evidence indicates tuna fishing has been de- 

 clining since 1950 o Canneries have not been significantly affect- 

 ed in terms of employment because of importation of tuna from the 

 Central PacifiCj, Australia, Japan, and Peru, although many firms 

 have found operations less profitable » Because of dependence 

 upon foreign tuna purchased on the open market, they have been 

 unable to plan ahead with any accuracy, and employment has been 

 less stable o 



To some extent, technological developments are believed to 

 have affected tuna fishing. Modern equipment — including re- 

 frigeration, automatic steering, depth and direction finding, 

 and two-way radio ■ — has enabledoboats to stay at sea longer and 

 troll greater distances » Owners have found that they can accom- 

 plish the same work with smaller, less experienced crews. Fewer 

 skilled fishermen are needed. Unions claim that the practice of 

 hiring family members or men interested in adventure has been on 

 the rise, with fewer skilled fishermen, meeded, and that owners 

 have justified the change on the basis of the lower prices they 

 receive for tuna and increased operating expenses „ 



To some extent, the decline in tuna fishing in this area 

 has been offset by increased fishing for tuna by boats former- 

 ly engaged in:sardine fishing. Sardine catches, particularly 

 in the Monterey area, have fallen off shapply in recent years. 



Fishermen in this area have been more fortunate than in 

 most others in obtaining other work. They are members of the 

 International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union, and 

 many have been placed in stevedoring and longshoring jobs. 

 These jobs are depepderit^ion war contracts, however, and most 

 fishersjen would be displaced by other union members with longer 

 seniority if these contracts were terminated or sharply reduced. 

 Also, the work is not steady and does not conpensate for losses 

 of wages due to lack of fishing. 



As in other areas, the average age of fishermen is high— - 

 believed to be around 50 years. Younger fishermen, usually sons 

 of fishermen or boat owners, have found work on shore easier 

 and wages better due to reduced earnings in the declining tuna 

 industry. Most younger fishermen are native born. Older 



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