FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1936 13 
associations. One of these consisted of a group of oyster planters 
near Bay City, Oreg., that contemplated an association for the mutual 
planting, cultivating, and harvesting of oysters; the cooperative 
purchasing of oyster seed, supplies, and equipment; and the coopera- 
tive processing and marketing of oysters. The second consisted of 
a group of sponge fishermen at Key West, Fla. that has been planning 
the organization of a sponge cooperative covering the functions of 
production and marketing. At this writing neither of these groups 
has perfected its organization set-up. 
From the number and nature of written requests forwarded to the 
Bureau for information on cooperative marketing, and from impres- 
sions gained in personal contact with fishermen and others in the field, 
it appears that there is widespread interest in forming and operating 
fishery cooperative marketing or purchasing associations. Further, 
this interest has been accelerated to such an extent that during the 
past year members of existing fishery cooperative associations made 
definite steps looking forward to the development of fishery coopera- 
tive councils. It is their belief that through these councils they might 
be able to coordinate their efforts, advance the cooperative marketing 
of fishery products, develop a source of information on the subject, 
and in general improve conditions for their mutual welfare. 
The increased activity among fishermen ultimately may result in 
additional requests to the Bureau for information and assistance. 
In order to comply with such requests, it appears that the rendering 
of such aid in the near future will comprise a major activity of the 
cooperative marketing unit. 
FISHERY COMMITTEE FORMED WITHIN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 
MARKETING OFFICIALS 
For a number of years the National Association of Marketing 
Officials has been interested in various aspects of the marketing of 
fishery products. This association is composed of State officials 
engaged in work relating to the marketing and handling of agricul- 
tural products and with this wide experience the association is in a 
position to materially aid in improving marketing conditions in the 
fishery industry. 
From time to time members of the Division’s staff, at the request 
of the Association, have addressed its annual meetings. In Decem- 
ber 1932 the writer addressed the group at a meeting in Washington, 
D. C., placing before it the problems surrounding the marketing of 
fishery products. In December 1933,J. R. Manning, senior tech- 
nologist of the division, addressed the group at a meeting in Wash- 
ington, D. C., on the standardization of fishery products. In October 
1936 L. C. Salter, economist of the division, addressed the group at 
a meeting in Nashville, Tenn., on the cooperative marketing of fishery 
products. 
During the past year the fishery problems placed before the associa- 
tion became of sufficient importance to warrant the creation of a 
special committee to study and report on matters pertaining to the 
marketing, standards, and grades for fishery products. The com- 
mittee was appointed at the Nashville meeting. Its members are: 
J. H. Meek, Director, Division of Markets, Virginia, chairman; 
Charles M. White, Chief, Division of Markets, Maine; and L. M. 
Rhodes, Commissioner of Markets, Florida. Members of the Divi- 
sion’s staff are cooperating in the work of the committee. 
