385 
The only comparison for which enough information was available 
was made by computing the ratio of total yearly catches to the gross 
tonnage of the fleet. These data show that the Soviet fishing fleet 
is the least productive when compared to the fishing fleets of Japan, 
Spain, Norway, or the United States, the five largest fish-catching 
countries in the world. 
One reason for this low productivity is the fact that more than 
half of the gross tonnage of the Soviet fishery fleet consists of non- 
productive support vessels needed for long trips and distant fishing 
grounds. By comparison, only 14 percent of the Japanese fleet consists 
of support vessels. Unlike the Soviets, the Japanese are not reluctant 
to pay with hard currency for services to their fishing fleet in foreign 
ports, thus cutting down the need for their own support vessels. Japan 
also utilizes thousands of small vessels for coastal fishing. Furthermore, 
its economic system is based on incentives and free enterprise which 
do not tolerate inefficiency to the same degree possible in the Soviet 
state-owned socialist system. 
Closest to the U.S.S.R. in terms of productivity (as related to gross 
register tonnage) is Spain, but even its fishermen are twice as produc- 
tive as the Soviets. 
EDUCATION 
The rapid expansion of the Soviet fisheries fleet and the introduction 
of modern processing technology demands a highly skilled labor force 
and high grade technical specialists. To tap the tight Soviet labor 
markets, the Ministry of Fisheries transformed what used to be un- 
skilled trade into a government recognized profession with a well- 
developed system of secondary schools and universities. 
There is no lack of candidates for Soviet fishery schools, in contrast 
to many Western countries where it is difficult for fishing companies 
to lure young people into fishery schools (provided they exist). Several 
factors explain the enthusiasm of young Soviets toward the fisherman’s 
profession. For example, the salaries paid to Soviet fishermen are 
twice and sometimes three times as high as those paid to ordinary 
Soviet workers. Education in the fisheries schools, as in all Soviet 
schools, is free. Life aboard modern Soviet fishing vessels is relatively 
comfortable, vacations are long and well-paid, and fishermen, unlike 
most Soviet citizens, are able to travel and visit foreign ports. 
There are four different types of fishery schools in the U.S.S.R. 
The first is available after graduation from the eighth grade and 
produces skilled workers without a secondary school diploma who 
remain low paid employees. The next level includes the fishing indus- 
try’s specialized secondary fishery schools, which train high seas cap- 
tains, navigators, and other officers. The 10 secondary coastal fishery 
schools train students for the same positions, but only for coastal 
and inland fishing fleets. Six higher technical and engineering in- 
stitutes, the equivalent of U.S. colleges, are the third type of Soviet 
fisheries educational institution. Admission standards are rigorous and 
graduates become top-level economists, gear designers, planners, and 
managers of the fishing industry. Schools for improving the qualifica- 
tions of fisheries personnel update the skills of medium and high 
level personnel. 
