FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1935 79 



as our information has revealed. Inadequate finances and limited 

 leadership are evidently prevalent. There are, however, some 12 or 

 15 associations that are conducting cooperative marketing" activities 

 of a commercial nature and in which the products of their fishermen 

 members are received and sold, and in which certain processing 

 functions may be conducted prior to selling. A few of the associa- 

 tions make financial arrangements for the extension of credit to 

 members in supplying of foodstuff's, marine and fishery supplies 

 and equipment. 



Research regarding State laws pertaining to fishermen's associa- 

 tions indicates that limited legislation of this nature has been en- 

 acted. In no case has it been found that State legislation has been 

 enacted which specifically authorizes associations of producers of 

 aquatic products. By contrast, 47 States have specific State statutes 

 authorizing associations of producers of agricultural products. In the 

 38 States in which commercial fishing is conducted, 13 States have 

 laws that are of a general cooperative nature, under which fishermen 

 may organize cooperative associations. A number of instances were 

 found where the general corporation laws of States provide for non- 

 profit associations, and in all probability nonprofit associations may 

 be organized by fishermen under the general corporation laws of most 

 States. There are certain privileges or benefits that are usually con- 

 veyed by specific cooperative acts which are not usually enjoyed by 

 associations set up under general corporation laws. However, the 

 lack of specific cooperative statutes should not be a deterring factor 

 in the organization of fishermen's cooperatives provided that other 

 conditions are favorable. 



Other work pertaining to fishermen's cooperative associations has 

 been to learn something of the nature and extent of their functions. 

 Questionnaires and circular letters seeking information along this line 

 have been sent to associations, State departments of conservation, 

 fishery commissions, and other State officials. This work is being 

 continued, and it is expected that a complete report will be made in 

 the near future regarding the nature and extent of the functions of 

 fishermen's cooperative marketing associations. 



When the cooperative unit was established by the Bureau informa- 

 tion was furnished State departments and the fishery industry in 

 general, acquainting them of the Bureau's proposed activities in the 

 field of fishery cooperative marketing work. Many comments were 

 received from over the country, expressing the need for, and antici- 

 pating the desirable effects of, this work. Numerous requests have 

 been received from several commercial fishing areas that the Bureau 

 spend some time in the cooperative work among fishermen. As 

 fishermen themselves have become acquainted with the nature of this 

 work, they have written the Bureau, depicting the depressed conditions 

 existing in their markets and expressmg the desire that the Bureau 

 assist them in solving their marketing problems. Requests were 

 received, also, for information pertaining to the organization and 

 operation of fishermen's associations. As a result of these numerous 

 inquiries and requests, the Bureau issued Special Memorandum No. 

 2600, entitled "Organizing and Incorporating Fishery Cooperative 

 Marketing Associations", by L. C. Salter. This publication contains 

 information regarding: (1) The aims and principles of fishery coopera- 

 ative associations; (2) procedure for organizing associations; (3) opera- 



