[Reprinted from the Annual Report of the Secretary of Commerce, 193^1*^ 



BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



Available statistics indicate greater activity in the fisheries and 

 fishery industries during the calendar year 1935 than in any of the 

 several immediately preceding years. This was not only true in the 

 case of processed fishery products but also was evident in the markets 

 for fresh and frozen (including packaged) fish. Average prices for 

 the year advanced for some commodities ; such advances were usually 

 sinall and frequently prices were lower than in the preceding year 

 However, the industry appeared to be adjusting itself to existing 

 price levels and to be in a generally healthier condition than for 

 several years. 



The domestic commercial fisheries are conducted on the high seas 

 as well as in coastal waters and interior lakes and streams. '^ Based 

 upon available statistics for the calendar year 1934, when the most 

 recent detailed catch surveys were made, there was a large increase 

 m the catch as compared with the preceding calendar year. Statistics 

 ol- the catch were collected for both 1933 and 1934 in the Chesapeake. 

 Pacific, and Lake States, and in Alaska. When considerino- the 

 combined catch in these sections alone, an increase of 50 perceiit in 

 the volume and 33 percent in the value of the catch was indicated. 

 While these increases were reflected in each of the four geographical* 

 sections and in many species, they were especially important in in- 

 creased catches of pilchard, mackerel, and tuna and tunalike fishes in 

 California. 



Based on the most recent surveys, our commercial fisheries gave 

 employment to about 123,000 fishermen, whose catch amounted to 

 3,950,779,000 pounds, valued at $74,163,000. The output of canned 

 fishery products in 1934 amounted to 700,157,000 pounds, valued at 

 $80,021,000, representing an increase of 31 percent in volume and 

 34 percent in value as compared with 1933 ; the output of byproducts 

 was valued at $22,608,000, representing an increase of 29 percent ; and 

 the production of frozen fishery products, excluding packao-ed prod- 

 ucts, amounted to 97,290,000 pounds, estimated to be valued at 

 $8,500,000. 



Based upon the most recent surveys, the production of fresh and 

 frozen packaged fish and shellfish amounted to 150,593,000 pounds 

 valued at $20,678,000; and cured fish, 98,141,000 pounds, valued at 

 $13,047,000. It is estimated that about 650,000,000 pounds of fresh 

 fishery products (excluding packaged fish and shellfish), valued at 

 about $52,000,000, were marketed during 1934. Thus, the total 

 marketed value of all fishery products to domestic primary handlers 

 in 1934 reached nearly $200"000,000. 



Imports of fishery products for consumption during the calendar 

 year 1934 were valued at $30,790,000, which is 1 percent more than 

 in 1933, while exports were valued at $13,822,000, or 66 percent more 

 than in the previous year. 



115561—37 1 81 



