240 MARINE PRODUCTS OF COMMERCE 



Vessels, Boats and Men in Commercial Fisheries Operations 



Fishing boats are divided into two groups: Those over 5 net tons, which must 

 be registered and are documented by the proper United States Government 

 authorities, are classified as vessels. Boats under 5 net tons need only be registered 

 in the state in which they operate. Such registration is principally a safety measure, 

 thereby enabling Federal and State officials to maintain records of all marine 

 activities. Boats without power, under one net ton, and less than the length 

 specified by the state (usually 20 feet) are not required to register. The fore- 

 going classifications and registrations must be complied with, irrespective of the 

 motive power (i.e., gas, Diesel, steam, or sail). 



The number of vessels and boats which were operated in the commercial 

 fisheries during 1945, as well as the new commercial fishing vessels over 5 net tons 

 which received their first documents from January 1946 through December 1949, 

 are shown in Table 62. These 4,554 additional vessels represent 65 per cent of 

 the entire fleet of this class in 1945. 



The majority of fishing craft in the registered vessel group are powered with 

 Diesel motors. This type of motor has proven to be the most efficient and eco- 

 nomical to operate, in addition to being subject to fewer mechanical breakdowns. 

 It figures prominently in the over-all development of United States fisheries and is 

 gaining world favor. Gasoline motors are popular in the low tonnage group. 



Steam power is practically nonexistent today because it requires full time 

 attendance by one or more men and space for fuel and water which can be more 

 effectively utilized as cargo space. Although a total of 34 steam vessels are shown 

 in Table 62, most of them are in the Great Lakes fishery, where any new vessels 

 built since 1940 have been powered by gasoline or Diesel motor. 



While unregistered and under-tonnage boats constitute 90 per cent of the 

 entire fleet, it is interesting to note that approximately 80 per cent of the catch is 

 taken by the registered vessel group alone. This is attributed not only to the size 

 and range of these vessels, but also to the heavy gear employed. Modern naviga- 

 tional aids have also been a contributing factor, for they reduce the time which 

 might otherwise be lost on account of bad weather conditions. 



A total of more than 140 thousand active fishermen on boats, vessels, and shore 

 make their living from the commercial fisheries. Operating about 625,000 pieces 

 of gear along the shores of the oceans, lakes, and rivers of the United States and 

 Alaska, as well as manning the boats and vessels on the open sea, they account 

 for more than 4/2 billion pounds of fish a year. 



Fibers Used in the Commercial Fisheries 



The fibers employed in the manufacture of the twine, lines, nets, and cordage 

 used throughout our commercial fisheries must meet the most exacting require- 

 ments. They must not only be tough, durable, and reliable, but must also with- 

 stand the effects of alternate water immersion and atmospheric exposures, in addi- 

 tion to abrasion. 



Since the fibers in use during the past several centuries are almost identical 

 with those which are in use today, it appears that they are well-chosen. There 

 are tliree general classifications: hard or leaf fibers, such as Manila, obtained from 



