550 U. S. BUREAU OP FISHERIES 



Annual surveys for statistics of the production of fresh-water 

 mussel shells are made by questionnaire supplemented by personal 

 canvass. A summary of the production appears in this report. 



Pacific halibut fishery. — Statistics of the Pacific halibut fishery are 

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

 sentatives in Alaska, American consuls in British Columbia and the 

 International Halibut Commission. The fleet classification has been 

 arbitrarily applied by including in the "Washington fleet" all vessels 

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

 American vessels of the halibut fleet are included in the Alaska fleet. 

 Monthly and annual statistical bulletins are available on this fishery, 

 being published along with the statistics of the landings of fishery 

 products at Seattle, Wash. 



Canned fishery products and by-products irac^g.— Beginning in 1921, 

 the bureau has made annual surveys 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 preceding year. The surveys occupy usually 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. 

 They obtain statistics of the production and value of the production 

 for each commodity. In rare instances, where plants are not easily 

 reached by regular transportation facilities, returns are obtained by 

 mail. 



Statistics on the production of marine pearl-shell products were 

 included in this survey for the first time in the data for 1930. 



The value shown for canned products constitutes the gross amount 

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

 made for commissions 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. 



Cured fishery products trade. — Statistics of the products of this trade 

 are collected as part of the surveys for general fishery statistics. A 

 bulletin showing this production was issued for the year 1929. 



Packaged-fish trade. — Complete statistics of the annual production 

 and value of fish packaged in the United States are obtained as a 

 part of the survey for statistics of the canned fishery products and by- 

 products industries. These statistics are published in bulletin form 

 annually. 



Cold-storage holdings offish. — An arrangement has been made with 

 the Bureau of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agriculture, 

 whereby statistics of the cold-storage holdings of the various species 

 of fish, by sections of the United States, are furnished to this bureau 

 monthly. Included with statistics of the holdings is a statement of 

 the quantity of the various species of fish frozen and also the holdings 

 of cured fish. Bulletins showing these statistics are issued monthly 

 as well as annually. 



Foreign fishery trade. — Statistics on the foreign fishery trade are 

 obtained from compilations made by the Bureau of Foreigh and Do- 

 mestic Commerce. Statistics of all known fishery products imported 

 or exported are assembled in one table and published annually in the 

 report of this division. 



