FISHERY IjSTDUSTRIES OF THE UNIXED STATES. 19 



of canning the usual species which will yield standard packs and to 

 the solution of the practical problems of the canners. For example, it 

 is making a careful investigation of the possibilities of recovering the 

 fry bathoil and of keeping it free from the objectionable substances 

 acquired by continued use. This problem is much more complex 

 than was anticipated when the work was undertaken and, if it can be 

 solved, it will be of marked value to the industry. 



PRESERVATION' OF FISH NETS. 



Most of the investigations in the preservation of nets have been 

 made in Norway, very little investigation or experimentation being 

 noted in the fishery or scientific journals in other countries. This 

 important means of economizing in the expense of nets appears to 

 have been largely neglected in the United States, the principal 

 preservative used being tar, which can be used only for the coarser 

 Kinds of nets. As the fishing gear employed by our fishermen repre- 

 sents an investment in excess of 15 million, dollars, a laro;e part of 

 which is in twine, and in view of the increased cost of such netting, 

 the importance of lengthening the life of such ^ear will be appreciated. 

 To contribute to this end, a paper on the subject has been prepared,* 

 reviewing the literature of tne subject, presenting the fundamental 

 principk's so far as they are known, and giving for use those recipes 

 which, from a chemical standpoint, seem best calcuhited to serve 

 their purpose. In addition provision is being made for the conduct 

 of additional tests for the purpose of affording still further aid to oir 

 fishermen. 



INCREASING THE USE OF BY-PRODUCTS OF FISHERIES. 



Although the Bureau's activities in this field during the year were 

 practically confined to suggestions through correspondence or by 

 personal visits, the results achieved have been exceedingly gratifying 

 and important progress is to be noted in the saving of fish waste, 

 the manufacture of fish meal, the production of fish leather, and the 

 utilization of fish scales. The decline in value of fish oil and scrap to 

 prewar levels will undoubtedly aftect operations in 1921. 



FISH OILS. 



By convertino; the figures published by the Bureau of the Census 

 in Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils for calendar years 1919 and 

 1920, on the basis of 7^ pounds to the gallon, the production of fish 

 oils in gallons in 1920 was as follows: Menhaden oil, 3,076,453; 

 whale oil, 3,073,574; sperm oil, 416,737; herring oil, 380,379; cod 

 and cod-liver oil, 196,108; and all other, including marine animals, 

 1,060,322; a total of 8,803,574. On the basis of reports from the 

 Pacific Coast States and Alaska, the production of fisn oils in 1920 

 approximated 3,066,000 gallons. 



Imports of fish oils entered for consumption for the calendar year 

 1919 amounted to 2,599,072 gallons, valued at S2,928,993. This 



* Taylor. Harden F.: Preservation of Fish Nets. Appendix IV, Report, U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries 

 for 1921), Ar, p., I fig., B. F. Doc. 89S. Washington, 1921. 



