XXVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES 



of nets, canning of sardines, and utilization of by-products. Progress 

 only will be reported upon here, as these investigations were dis- 

 cussed at length in the last report. 



CANNING OF SARDINES 



Efforts toward bringing about commercial development of the new 

 process of preparing sardines developed by the bureau are meeting 

 with success. Two small plants in Maine and one in Canada erected 

 equipment and used the new process. The product prepared by these 

 plants is receiving much favor. Another season undoubtedly will 

 bring additional developments. 



PRESERVATION OF NETS 



Large-scale practical tests of copper oleate and copper oleate- 

 copper paint mixtures were conducted in cooperation with fishermen 

 at several points on the Atlantic coast. These tests, which are still 

 under way, are being made to show the real saving that can be ob- 

 tained from the proper application of copper compounds upon dif- 

 ferent kinds of gear. To offset the higher cost of the copper-oleate 

 treatment the bureau now is experimenting with other copper com- 

 pounds in an endeavor materially to lower the cost of treatment. 



UTILIZATION OF BY-PRODUCTS 



Research was carried on throughout the year upon decreasing 

 losses in protein and oil wasted in press liquors now discarded in 

 manufacturing fish meal and oil. This work must be continued fur- 

 ther before a report can be made upon it. 



As a sanitary measure the State of Texas plans to require all 

 shrimp canners to utilize their waste products. When informed of 

 this, the bureau, cooperating with the State, studied the situation and 

 advised the kind of process and equipment best suited for this pur- 

 pose. It was possible also to show that a reasonable profit could be 

 made from such operations. Similar attention was given to the 

 utilization of market waste and in particular the waste from haddock 

 filleting operations. This work is being continued. 



TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN THE INDUSTRIES 



In the fresh-fish field there has been a large increase both in the 

 total amount of fish filleted and in the number of concerns through- 

 out the country that have adopted this practice. This improved 

 method of marketing is doing much to popularize fish and increase 

 its consumption. It also tends to eliminate waste by concentrating 

 large enough amounts of offal in one place to make its manufacture 

 into fish meal profitable. The bureau has shown the industry how to 

 utilize this material. 



The quality of canned salmon was better, and the improvement in 

 Maine sardines was particularly marked. In California machines 

 for cutting sardines are now coming into use. This will help to 

 lower costs and tend to free the canners from labor difficulties. In 

 California, too, the canners voluntarily asked the State board of 



