August 1966 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 5 



THIRD TECHNICAL MEETING ON FISHING BOATS 



By Edward A. Schaefers* and Thomas Pross** 



The Third Technical Meeting on Fishing Boats, arranged by the Food and Agriculture Or- 

 ganization of the United Nations (FAO), convened in Goteborg, Sweden, October 23-29, 1965. 

 Six years had elapsed since the second such meeting, also arranged by FAO, convened in 

 Rome, Italy. Some 350 persons from 44 countries registered for the Third Meeting and 32 

 technical papers were presented and discussed during the five days of technical sessions (Oc- 

 tober 25-29). 



The meeting was concerned with the improvement of the design and efficiency of small 

 fishing vessels (about 100 gross tons and less). The 1959 meeting had already dealt to a great 

 extent with large fishing vessels. The 32 papers presented at the meeting along with written 

 discussions were divided into the following main subjects: Techno-socio-economic boat prob- 

 lems, seakindliness and workability, engineering of inboards and outboards, new materials for 

 vessels, design of boats under 20 gross tons, design of boats from 20 to 100 gross tons, and 

 recent developments of fishing vessels. Various topics were included in the presentations and 

 discussions were carried out under each major subject. 



TECHNO-SOCIO-ECONOMIC BOAT PROBLEMS 



It was brought out at the onset of the meeting by the Director of the FAO Fisheries Divi- 

 sion that although much attention has been given to improvement of the design of small fishing 

 vessels throughout the years, much remains to be done. Since 80 percent of the world's fish 

 catch is taken on or near the Continental Shelves, the grounds are fished readily and econom- 

 ically by small vessels based on adjacent shores. The importance of small fishing vessels, 

 therefore, cannot be overemphasized. Their design must be the subject of continuous study 

 and improvement in order that those living from the sea may prosper as steadily as those 

 living on the land. 



We are all becoming aware that in many countries fishermen are in short supply. It was 

 quite a surprise to those in attendance, however, to learn that Japan is experiencing consider- 

 able difficulty in this regard. During the past 10 years, the rate of increase in the Japanese 

 economy has been about 10 percent each year. Consequently, considerable numbers of fish- 

 ermen have been attracted to other industries. The decrease in the number of Japanese fish- 

 ermen, most notable in the high-seas fleet, jumped from about 2 percent per year during 1956- 

 61 to 5 percent during 1961-64. This has caused Japan to shift its emphasis from trying to 

 produce more fish, to trying to maintain present production levels with smaller crews. At- 

 tention now is centered on accomplishing this through increased mechanization, such as re- 

 mote-control systems of engines and propellers, as well as greater use of synthetic fiber nets 

 to increase efficiency, and plastic hulls to reduce costs. 



Various other techno-socio-economic factors influencing the design of fishing vessels 

 were discussed, such as laws concerning equipment restrictions, vessel size, construction 

 regulations, and licensing requirements for operating personnel. 



SEAKINDLINESS AND WORKABILITY 



During recent years, considerable attention has been devoted to developing devices and 

 designing fishing vessels to provide a steady platform for better and safer deck-working con- 

 ditions as well as more comfortable living conditions at sea. It was brought out that most ol 

 the world's boatyards today build fishing boats from m emory, experience, and rule of thumb. 



♦Chief, Branch of Exploratory Fishing, U.S. Department ot the Interior, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Washington, D. C. 

 ♦ ♦Project Manager, Fish Boat Program, U.S. Maritime Administration, Washington, D. C. 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

 Fish and Wildlife Service 

 Sep. No. 768 



