FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 19 3 7 159 



about 6,400,000 pounds more than on the same date in 1936 and 7,500,- 

 000 pounds more than the 5-year average as of that date. 



In 1937, the landings of fish at the principal New England ports 

 (Boston and Gloucester, Alass., and Portland, Maine) where the bulk 

 of the catch of fish by New England vessels is landed, amounted to 

 388,000,000 pounds or about 26,300,000 pounds less than the landings 

 at these ports in 1936. Decreases were recorded mainly in the land- 

 ings of mackerel, whiting, pollock, and rosefish. Several of these 

 species are the same as those which had large cold-storage holdings 

 on March 15, 1937. Several other species recorded minor decreases. 

 Increases were recorded mainly by cod, hake, cusk, and flounders. 

 Among these species which had excess holdings as of March 15, 1938, 

 over the 5-year average as of this date, there were cod, hake, and 

 cusk. 



In 1937 there were 168,200,000 pounds of fishery products frozen 

 in the United States compared with freezings of 179,300,000 pounds 

 in 1936 and a 5-year average of 130,000,000 pounds. In 1937, it is 

 estimated that 183,000,000 pounds of frozen fish were withdrawn from 

 cold storage as compared with 159,000,000 pounds in 1936 and a 5-year 

 average of 125,700,000 pounds. 



Canned fish. — Figures on the estimated holdings of canned fish were 

 obtained by telegram and letter from various fishery associations. It 

 is assumed the following figures thus obtained refer to stocks held by 

 packers. 



The holdings of canned tuna, in standard cases of 48 one-half poinid 

 cans to the case, as of March 15, 1938, were reported as 649,000 cases 

 (15,600,000 pounds) compared with 247,000 cases (5,900,000 pounds) 

 on the same date a year ago. No data are available as to the com- 

 parison of the holdings with a 5-year average. 



The holdings of canned shrimp, in standard cases of 48 No. 1 cans 

 to the case, as of March 15, 1938, amounted to 290,000 cases (4,400,000 

 pounds) compared with 60,000 cases (900,000 pounds) on the same 

 date a year ago, and 118,000 cases (1,800,000 pounds) on March 15, 

 1936. There is no figure available as to the 5-year average as of March 

 15. 



The holdings of canned oysters, in standard cases of 48 No. 1 cans 

 to the case, were 122,000 cases (1,830,000 pounds) as of March 26, 

 1938, and 123,000 cases (1,850,000 pounds) as of April 1, 1937. No 

 data are available as to the 5-year average. 



It is understood the carry-over of caimed alewife roe in the Chesa- 

 peake Bay area is considerably greater as of March 15 this year than 

 the holdings as of March 15 a year ago. 



There was no surplus stock of canned California sardines, in 1 -pound 

 oval cans, as of March 26, 1938, and the same condition obtained in 

 March 1937. Most of the pack of California sardines is put up in 

 1-pound oval cans. 



The holdings of canned Maine sardines in cases contaming an 

 average of about 35 pounds of fish to the case, were 350,000 cases 

 (12,250,000 pounds) as of March 15, 1938, and about 215,000 cases 

 (7,500,000 pounds) as of the same date a year ago. Information was 

 not available as to the amount of the 5-year average as of March 15. 



No data are available on the situation with respect to canned 

 mackerel in California. It is doubtful, however, whether there is any 



