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bring in 7.5 tons of fish per each gross ton of vessels they privately 
own. With only 3 percent of the world’s gross tonnage, they harvest 
almost 5 percent of the catch caught by the world’s high-seas fleets 
(table 4). Even more productive are the Norwegian fishermen, who 
operate in circumstances similar to those of U.S. fishermen, but who 
have more modern and more efficient vessels and gear. 
Hopefully, more complete data will be published by fishery nations 
in the future so that more definitive productivity analyses can be 
made. 
EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF SOVIET FISHERMEN 
The rapid expansion of the Soviet fisheries fleet and the introduction 
of modern processing technology demand 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 an 
unskilled trade into a Government recognized profession with a well- 
developed system of secondary schools and universities. Young sons 
of fishermen (only males are allowed to enter Soviet secondary fishing 
schools) can now plan an attractive career leading to the highest 
positions in the Soviet establishment. 
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. 
The enthusiasm of young Soviets to enter the fishermen’s profession 
has several explanations: 
1. Salaries paid to Soviet fishermen are often twice—and sometimes 
three times—as high as those paid to ordinary Soviet workers. The 
deckhands on a productive Soviet factory freezer trawler earn as 
much as U.S. $600 a month and captains make over $1,000. The 
average Soviet worker’s salary is below $200. 
2. A well-organized system of publicity about developments in Soviet 
fisheries begins as early as primary school where teachers often or- 
ganize special field trips or education programs with an emphasis 
on the fishing industry or fisheries biology. 
3. Education in Soviet fisheries schools, as in all Soviet schools 
is free. Tuition is paid by the Government. In addition, most students 
are given not only books and other school necessities, but also clothing 
(uniforms) and a small monthly allowance. 
4. The sense of adventure experienced by a Soviet fisherman when 
he visits a foreign port, which otherwise he would never see, should 
not be underestimated. The ordinary Soviet citizen does not easily 
get a passport for travel to foreign countries. Thus, the demand for 
fishery jobs, in the Soviet Union, especially those jobs which include 
fishing off foreign shores, has consistently exceeded the available posi- 
tions. 
5. Modern Soviet fishery vessels are not only seaworthy, but are 
also comfortable, especially when compared with small medium 
trawlers aboard which Soviet fishermen ventured onto the high-seas 
thousands of miles from their native shores during the 1950’s and 
early 1960’s. Large stern factory trawlers now have separate fisher- 
men’s cabins which are comfortable, well-lit, and livable. Vessels fish- 
ing in tropical waters are often air-conditioned. The officers’ quarters, 
