10 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
be set on the take, the Commission suggested that the Bureau make 
an economic study of the factors involved in the production and mar- 
keting of Pacific coast halibut. Believing that such a study would be 
timely and worth-while, the Bureau undertook the investigation, detail- 
ing peers Roger Chute, assistant fishery economist to conduct the 
work. 
The investigation is now in progress. One of its important phases 
is an analysis of the distribution of halibut during 1935. This is reveal- 
ing the places of concentrated market and the areas of minimum con- 
sumption. Another phase is covering the competitive standing of hal- 
ibut with other species of fish selling at a lower price, and the effect 
this has had in curtailing the markets for Pacific coast halibut in cer- 
tain areas, formerly using large quantities of this fish. 
The investigation also is covering a study of halibut vessel opera- 
tion, transportation, warehousing, merchandizing practices, consumer 
attitude toward halibut, and a ~ chronology of the fishery from its 
inception on the North Pacific. Parts of the latter material are vivid 
and novel, and will be admirable for use in connection with a radio 
campaign to acquaint the public with halibut and halibut fishing. 
COOPERATIVE MARKETING 
During the past year the work of the cooperative marketing unit, 
in charge of L. C. Salter, fishery economist, charged with the admin- 
istration of Public, No. 464 of the Seventy-third Congress, second 
session, an act authorizing associations of producers of aquatic prod- 
ucts, has consisted of (1) conducting research in the field of coopera- 
tive activity among fishermen and assembling data and other infor- 
mation relative to the cooperative marketing of fish and fishery prod- 
ucts, to learn whether existing fishery cooperatives were operating 
under the terms of the act; (2) making studies and analyses of the 
organic structure and operations of fishery associations with the view 
to furnishing advice and counsel to associations and groups of fisher- 
men contemplating the organization and operation of associations; 
and (3) assembling literature on cooperative enterprises, and prepar- 
ing articles and other publications pertaining to this general subject. 
During the year there have been no complaints, nor other occasions 
or reasons to warrant any legal action being taken under the provisions 
of the act. 
The above types of work have been of considerable value to exist- 
ing fishery groups in effectuating the most efficient operation of coop- 
erative associations as well as to groups of fishermen contemplating 
the organization and operation of cooperative associations. One 
important fact revealed by this work is that no legislation has been 
enacted by any of the States specifically providing for the organiza- 
tion and operation of fishery cooperative marketing associations, and 
in no instance was it found that State departments were engaged i in 
encourn sine or assisting fishermen to organize and operate marketing 
associations. 
During the year the fishery associations known to be in existence 
in 1936 were circularized by questionnaire with the intent of gaining 
information as to their official location, cooperative status, and nature 
of their operations. In all, the questionnaire was mailed to about 100 
fishery organizations located throughout the commercial fish-produc- 
ing States. Answers were received from 38 associations. They indi- 
cated that 14 were engaged in the cooperative marketing of fishery 
