FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1933 233 



Shad and alcinje fifiheriefi. — Owino; to the importance of the Hudson 

 and Potomac Kivcrs in the production of shad, survej^s for statistics 

 of the catch, vahic of the catch, and operating units are made annually. 

 On the Potomac River similar statistics also are obtained for the 

 alewife fishery. The survej^s are conducted by agents in a manner 

 similar to that employed in the collection of general fishery statistics, 

 except that probably more fishermen are interviewed, as great care 

 is exercised to make these convasses as accurate as possible. 



The State of New York obtains statistics for the fisheries of the 

 Hudson River that closely parallel those desired by the Bureau for 

 this fishery, which alleviates the work on this river. 



Statistics of the shad and alewife fisheries are not published sep- 

 arately in bulletin form, but a summary of the year's activities is 

 published in the annual report of this Division. 



Sponge market, Tarjyon Springs. — A large proportion of the total 

 output of sponges in Florida is handled through the sponge exchange 

 at Tarpon Springs. In view of this, the Bureau has obtained from a 

 representative of the exchange annual statistics of the quantity and 

 value of the sponges, by variety classification, handled through it 

 annually. Statistics of the quantity of sponges handled through the 

 exchange arc not published in bulletin form, but a summary of the 

 year's activities is published in the annual reports of this division. 



Pacific halihvt fishery. — Statistics of the Pacific halibut fisherj^ are 

 obtained by the Bureau's agent in Seattle, aided by Bureau repre- 

 sentatives in Alaska, and the International Fisheries Commission. 

 The fleet classification has been arbitrarily applied by including in 

 the "Washington fleet" all United States and Alaska vessels that 

 land more than half of their catch in that State. All other United 

 States and Alaska vessels of the halibut fleet are included in the 

 "Alaska fleet." JNIonthly and annual statistical bulletins are avail- 

 able on this fishery, being published along with the statistics of the 

 landings of fishery products at Seattle, Wash. 



Canned fishery products and by-products. — Beginning in 1921, the 

 Bureau has made annual surve3^s for statistics of the canned fishery 

 products and by-products industries. These are begun the first week 

 in January of each year for statistics of the production in the preced- 

 ing year. The surveys usually occupy 6 to 9 weeks' time. During 

 this period agents visit each plant in the United States where there is 

 a production of canned fishery products or by-products. The}^ obtain 

 statistics of the production and value of the production for each com- 

 modity. In some instances, where plants are not easily reached by 

 regular transportation facilities, returns are obtained by mail. 



The value shown for canned products constitutes the gross amount 

 received by the packer at the production point, no deductions being 

 made for commission or expenses. 



Statistics of the canned fishery products and by-products produced 

 in Alaska are received on the same sworn statements that include 

 statistics of the general fisheries. An annual statistical bulletin is 

 issued on this trade. 



Manufactured fishery products. — Statistics were obtained for 1930 

 for the first time on the total production of the many fishery products 

 manufactured in the marine and lakes sections of the United States. 

 In 1931 these statistics were expanded to include the Mississippi 

 River and tributaries, but because of curtailed appropriations none of 



