302 "D. S. BUREAU OF EISIIEUIES 



which aid them to merchandise their catch. In San Francisco tlie catch 

 is marketed mainly through the San Francisco Crab Fishermen's 

 Association. In addition to marketing crabs this association also 

 markets rockfish, salmon, and bait fish taken by its members. 

 In marketing the catch to wholesalers that of the various members is 

 pooled each day and prorated to the wholesale houses in San Francisco. 

 No dispute arises over this distribution, as the percentage allowed 

 each wholesaler is agreed upon at a meeting of the w^holesalers and 

 association each year. The association also controls the amount of 

 the catch. It is familiar ^nth the wholesalers' needs in San Francisco 

 and makes an effort to supply them, but is careful not to have a 

 surplus. 



Salmon is marketed on a seasonal contract basis, wliile the prices for 

 other species vary from day to day. Practically all the fishermen 

 operating out of San Francisco belong to this association. 



Market fish landed at San Diego are sold to the local wholesale 

 establishments through the San Diego Fishermen's Association and 

 the American Fishermen's Protective Association. Upon arrival at 

 port with a fare the captain of the vessel notifies the officers of his 

 respective association of its amount. The price to be paid the fisher- 

 man by the wholesalers is then determined by the officers of the 

 association, after due consideration is given to the landings at this 

 port and the prices current at San Peclro. After the price is deter- 

 mined the fare is unloaded at the wholesale establishment purchasing 

 it. No regulations are effective regarding the catch each member is 

 allowed to take each day, and at times the market may be glutted. 

 During the course of a day an unusual number of fares may be landed, 

 and, in order to move them, the later arrivals are sold at a lower price 

 than that oft'ered for a fare arriving earlier in the day, in which case 

 the last price governs the selling price of fares sold earlier in the day. 

 When fish are scarce the fishermen's organizations prorate the land- 

 ings among the wholesalers according to the percentage they usually 

 purchase. When prices drop below 3 cents a pound on any one variety 

 of fish, a portion of this variety, if suitable, is diverted to the salt-fish 

 trade, in order to hold up the price for the fresh stock. 



There are no fishermen's selling organizations in San Pedro, each 

 captain disposing of his fare to the local distributor who will pay the 

 highest price. To market a large fare it is sometimes necessary to 

 divide it among several wholesalers. While cannery fish and market 

 fish are disposed of by fishermen through two channels, the fisherman 

 with his stock of gear is able to fish for practically every species. His 

 decision as to which species to fish is governed by the price he can get. 

 Some fishermen will fish for cannery fish when they are running good 

 and the price is high. In the meantime if market fish are more valu- 

 able they will fish for those species. However, as a general rule, 

 fishing is done for cannery fish when they are in season and for market 

 fish at other times of the year, although some engage in the market 

 fishery the year round. 



After purchase by the wholesalers the fish are w^ashed, ])acked, and 

 iced. Shipping containers are usually boxes — some new, while others 

 have been used for the shipment of other merchandise. As a rule 

 these containers are of no standard dimensions. 



The principal markets for fresh and frozen fish of California origin 

 are in San Francisco and Los Angeles, although distribution is quite 



