286 American Fisheries Society 



eggs. The average yield of eggs is 4y 2 ounces per dogfish, 

 of a value of at least 1 cent per fish. Here is some glove 

 leather prepared in Peabody with the dogfish eggs.* The 

 only difficulty is that the leather is not as white as the leather 

 prepared with hen's eggs, but nevertheless the tanners in 

 Massachusetts are anxious to get the dogfish eggs at a rea- 

 sonable price. 



It was also found that the fins and tail of dogfish are used 

 very largely by the Chinese, and we have had inquiries from 

 Hong Kong as to whether or nut we can ship shark fins and 

 tails to Hong Kong and Singapore. They have gone so far 

 as to send us samples which they say are satisfactory, and 

 I judge from the odor that the preparation of dogfish fins 

 and tails would be relatively easy. They are also used in 

 making soups of a gelatinous character. The value of the 

 dried fins and tail, prepared with salt and sugar, is about 20 

 cents per pound retail, or a value of 5 to 20 cents for each 

 adult dogfish. The total value therefore of oil. fertilizer, 

 eggs and fins is not less than 11% cents per fish and may 

 easily double this amount. 



The question of the utilization of dogfish depends on the 

 question of bringing them into port. Fishermen refuse to 

 bring them in at present. We are now endeavoring to make 

 a market by which the fishermen can bring the fish to definite 

 places for utilization. But that is difficult, for no manufac- 

 turer will equip a plant until assured of a definite supply of 

 dogfish. We asked a fisherman to bring in a few dogfish 

 one day, and he brought in 1,800 pounds instead of 50 

 pounds ; and then for several days we could not get any. So 

 the manufacturers are unwilling, until they can find a defi- 

 nite and regular source of dogfish supply to equip their fac- 

 tories for the purpose. We have suggested that a power 

 vessel might be profitably employed to collect the dogfish 

 from the vessels on the fishing ground, c. g., South Channel, 

 or Georges, and bring them to the factory, or even have 



*The speaker exhibited a fine specimen of tanned and prepared 

 sheepskin, though of a slightly yellow tinge. 



