Radcliffe. — Fishery Products Laboratories 15 



for of what value is an exhaustive scientific investigation or 

 principle if hidden away in a musty book out of reach of those 

 who might put the principle to work for the betterment of them- 

 selves and mankind? 



Marketing. — It is important that experiments and demonstra- 

 tions illustrating the food value of fishes, particularly the little 

 known forms, should be accompanied by aid in the development 

 of larger markets for fish. This function has not been neglected. 

 For example, the producers of groupers have been receiving aid 

 in extending the markets for these fishes. On the fishing banks 

 in the Gulf of Mexico, groupers are more abundant than the 

 highly prized snappers. The demand for the latter is in excess of 

 the supply, while that for groupers is usually not sufficient to 

 care for more than half of what the fishermen could bring in, 

 with the result that quantities of these wholesome, white-meated 

 fishes are wasted and the fishermen lose valuable time in search 

 of the choicer snappers. The trade has been furnished an illus- 

 trated placard recommending the use of these fishes and a cook- 

 book for distribution to consumers. In addition, agents skilled 

 in the marketing of fish have actively assisted in increasing the 

 consumption of these fishes, giving special attention to the 

 restaurants and cafe trade. 



The black drum, a species particularly destructive to oysters, 

 is in little demand. Experiments in canning this fish indicate 

 that it is most excellent when preserved in this form. Information 

 has been gathered as to its habits, places of abundance and methods 

 of capture. This information is being made available to the trade 

 to further the development of the fishery. 



The whale fishery has also received attention and in 1918, 

 30,000 cases of the meat were canned and 195 tons frozen for 

 market, the latter being wholly insufficient to supply the demand. 

 Provision has been made for a pack of 50,000 cases and for freezing 

 1,000 tons of this inexpensive, wholesome food this year. The 

 production and use of various other products have been stimulated. 



Waste products. — In an effort to furnish a new source of supply 

 of leathers, at a time when such materials were becoming scarce 

 and high in price, the development of a fish leather industry, 

 including the use of the hides of other unutilized aquatic animals 

 was undertaken. Nets suitable for the capture of sharks in 



