VII WARTIME CONDITIONS OF THE INDUSTRY 
The war has brought significant changes to all aspects of the 
fisheries industry. Since 1940 there have been increasing indications 
of reduced supply; the fishing companies have been reorganized to assure 
closer government control; and the distribution and consumption of fish 
have come under government regulation. 
Decline in Supply 
The supply of marine products during the war period is known to 
have decreased considerably, particularly during 1943, 1944 and 1945, 
Quantitative figures, however, can only be guesses made on the basis 
of meager information concerning, on the one hand, the reduction of 
fishing boats, personnel, equipment and gasoline and, on the other hand, 
reports of consumer shortages. On such a basis it is estimated that in 
1943-44 the production was about 2,360,000 metric tons of fish ell of 
which was available for consumption by the population of Japan proper 
and in 1944-45 1,650,000 metric tons. 16 / In more recent weeks when 
the Allied fleet was close to the shores of Japan proper and mines were 
laid in some of the bays, production undoubtedly dropped well below the 
levels indicated in the figures above. 
The decline in production has been due primarily to the developing 
shortages of boats, manpower, fuel and equipment, but has also been 
16/ Civil Affairs Guide — Japan, Section 7 : Agriculture . April 1944. 
A report "The Food Position of Japan, w April 1945 prepared by Office 
of Strategic Services, gives 2,240,000 tons for the year 1943-44 and 
1,750,000 tons for 1944-45. These estimates are based on Japanese 
statements regarding catch and the assumption that almost all fish is 
used for food. 
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16-031 P224 bu 
