[Reprinted from the Annual Report of the Secretary of Commerce, 1937] 
BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
The calendar year 19386 was one of considerable activity among 
commercial fishery interests. Available data show increased produc- 
tion of many important varieties of fresh and processed fishery com- 
modities, and as a rule prices for these commodities were maintained 
during the year or actual increases evidenced. In fact, economic con- 
ditions were such that considerable optimism prevailed among mem- 
bers of the industry. 
Based on available statistics for 1935, there was a large increase in 
the catch of fishery products in the United States and Alaska as com- 
pared with that of 1933. Statistics of the catch were collected for 
both 1933 and 1935 in the important New England, Middle Atlantic, 
Chesapeake, and Pacific sections and in Alaska, and when considering 
the combined catch of these sections alone, an increase of 45 percent 
in the volume and 34 percent in the value of the catch is indicated 
over 1933. Only three sections were surveyed in both 1934 and 1935. 
These were the Chesapeake, Pacific States, and Alaska. The Pa- 
cific States showed increases in both the quantity and value of the 
eatch in the more recent year, while decreases were reflected in the 
catches of the other two sections. 
On the basis of the most recent surveys our fisheries gave employ- 
ment to about 125,000 fishermen, whose catch amounted to 4,152,349,- 
000 pounds, valued at $80,121,000. The output of canned fishery 
products in 1935 amounted to 672,756,000 pounds, valued at $74,999,- 
000, representing a decrease of 4 percent in volume and 6 percent in 
value as compared with 1934; the output of fishery byproducts was 
valued at $29,520,000, representing an increase of 30 percent; and the 
production of frozen fishery products, excluding packaged fishery 
products, amounted to 93,566,000 pounds estimated to be valued at 
$8,600,000. 
The production of fresh and frozen packaged fish and shellfish as 
based on the most recent surveys amounted to 191,273,000 pounds, 
valued at $25,379,000; and cured fish 120,516,000 pounds, valued at 
$15,691,000. It is estimated that about 675,000,000 pounds of fresh 
fishery products (excluding packaged fish and shellfish) valued at 
about $53,000,000 were marketed during 1935. Thus the total mar- 
keted value of all fishery products to domestic primary handlers in 
1935 was about $210,000,000. 
Imports of fishery products for consumption during the calendar 
year 1935 were valued at $36,232,000, which is 18 percent more than 
in 1934, while exports were valued at $14,374,000, or 4 percent more 
than in the previous year. 
FISHERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
The Fishery Advisory Committee was consolidated with the Busi- 
ness Advisory Council on January 18, 1937, in keeping with the policy 
of the Secretary of Commerce of having the various departmental 
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