THE COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY 



In 1954 the Ontario commercial fishermen harvested the largest catch 

 of fish In the history of the Industry, over forty seven and one-half million ' 

 pounds. Although 1954 was the third consecutive year showing an Increased 

 catch. It was also the fourth consecutive year In which the average price per 

 pound for all fish marketed decreased significantly. In 1951 the average price 

 per pound was 22.7 cents; In 1952, 19*5 cents; In 1953, 15.7 cents; and In 

 1954, 14,7 cents. The actual return for 1954 was just over seven million 

 dollars, only a few thousand dollars greater than the total for 1953> although 

 there was a 6.3 percent Increase In the 1954 catch. 



Changes In composition of the catch, as well as lower prices 

 contributed to the lowering of the average price. The decrease of three and 

 one -third million pounds In the whlteflsh catch and of two million pounds In t\ 

 blue pickerel catch was offset by an Increase of three and one-half million 

 pounds of perch and over four million pounds of white bass. Prices paid for 

 white bass and perch were much below whlteflsh and blue pickerel prices. 



The fishery continued to maintain a healthy attitude of Increasing 

 efficiency both in fishing techniques jind in processing and marketing. The 

 results of scientific research were carefully followed by the fishermein. 

 A high degree of interest was evidenced in sesirching for new techniques and in 

 a very definite effort to improve the quality of the product. Better icing, 

 packing and handling methods were adopted generally by many fishermen. There 

 was 6.n increase in facilities for quick freezing of consumer-sized packages 

 of fillets and dressed fish. An increase of high quality quick-frozen fish 

 was noted in the Ontario markets, which has not only increased demand for the 

 product but has provided new home markets for these fish in Cauiadian retail 

 stores. Increased co-operative effort in the fishery was marked by a 

 continuation of the trend from the fisherman marketing his own catch to large 

 scale collective marketing. 



Nylon continued to be the most popular textile fibre for gill nets 

 and is being used in increasing amounts for other types of gear. The use or 

 newer or less expensive netting materials for the making of nets received the 



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