Foreign Fishery Developments in the lower priced backs, for which there are good markets in France and the United Kingdom. In addition, the Soviet bloc countries, especially the Soviet Union and Poland, are said to be interested in developing dogfish fisheries. The U.S. Consulate General, German and World Dogfish Bremen, feels that, in light of the wide differential between U. S. ex-vessel and Markets and Catches Reviewed FRG CIF prices for dogfish, U.S. fishermen may want to examine closely the commercial potential of a dogfish fishery for export. It might be possible, for example, to establish a marketing The market for dogfish products in about 4 ounces (0.1 I kg), and the cooperative for the export of dogfish the Federal Republic of Germany average length II inches (0.32 m); the along the lines of the cooperative (FRG) is fairly static at about 2,000 average width is 3 inches (0.09 m). The founded by the North Carolina eel metric tons (t) per year. Approximately flaps are imported deep frozen, poly­ producers. FRG importers have ex­ 80 percent of the 2,000 t consists of wrapped in wax-lined cartons contain­ pressed a willingness to provide belly flaps and the remaining 20 ing 40-45 pounds (18-20 kg). The CI F instruction to U.S. fishermen in percent consists of backs. Since price of the dogfish backs is about half processing and quality control stan­ domestic FRG landings supplies of of the flap price, or US$0.45 per pound dards and to assist them in developing domestic FRG landings of dogfish are ($1.00jkg). The U.S. Consulate Gener­ markets for dogfish backs outside of estimated at only a few hundred tons al in Bremen has noted the significant the FRG. per year, practically all supplies of difference between the above CIF According to the NMFS Office of dogfish products are imported. In prices offered by FRG importers for International Affairs, world dogfish 1977, Norway supplied about 45 dogfish products and the average of catches have declined in recent years on percent of the FRG's dogfish needs, the about US$O.IO per pound ($0.22jkg) all major fishing grounds. The FAO United Kingdom about 28 percent, the paid by U.S. dealers to fishermen for Yearbook of Fishery Statistics indi­ United States about 15 percent, and gutted dogfish. In part this is due to the cates that world dogfish catches Canada almost 8 percent. The remain­ fact that dogfish processing is highly declined from 43,600 tin 1973 to 31,331 ing approximately 4 percent is of labor-intensive and that the fillet yield t in 1976. More important, the dogfish unknown origin. is only about one-third of the round fisheries in the northeast Pacific In the first 4 months of 1978, the weight. About one-fourth of the fillet (conducted by Canada and Poland) above pattern of FRG dogfish imports yield is in Oaps and about three-fourths and the northwest Atlantic (conducted showed significant changes: Purchases from Norway and the Untited King­ dom were nearly halved, while imports Dogfish. Photo by William High, Northwest and Alaska Fisheries from Canada tripled, and Japan and Center. NMFS, NOAA. Seattle. Wash. the Republic of South Africa were significant suppliers for the first time with about 6 percent of the import market each. Dogfish of United States origin held its market share at about 16 percent. Dogfish belly flaps are currently priced at about US$0.90 per pound ($2.00jkg) CIF FRG port of entry. The average weight of the belly flap is

The NMFS Division of Foreign Fisheries Analysis, Office of International Fisheries Affairs, has prepared this report based on data supplied by the U.S. Consulate General in Bremen. Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), on the market for dogfish, Squalus acanthias. and dogfish products.

34 Marine Fisheries Review by Norway, Poland, Romania, and Table 1.-Dogfish catches in the northeast Atlantic, by country and quantity, 1973·76.' Japan's South Pacific Canada) have virtually disappeared, Catch III Skipjack Catch Jumps leaving only the traditional European Country 1973 1974 1975 1976 fishery in the northeast Atlantic as a The skipjack fishery by three Japan­ Belgium 1,900 1,135 1,037 589 ese joint venture firms in the South major source of supply. As a result, Denmark 2.400 2,141 2,705 1,758 about 96 percent of the world's dogfish Faroe lsi 100 0 41 Pacific was reportedly good for 1978. FRG 400 316 218 309 catch was taken in the northeast Iceland 16 10 15 Combined catches by Solomon Taiyo, Atlantic in 1976, compared with only Ireland 17 New Britain Fishing Industry, and Netherlands 600 697 342 214 75 percent in 1973. From 1973to 1976, Norway 19,600 17,739 15.447 16.264 GoBin Kyokuyo for 1978 totaled Poland 48,679 metric tons (t), up 62 percent Norway and the United Kingdom Romania together produced almost 80 percent of Sweden 300 277 236 384 from the 1977 total of 29,986 1. Europe's dogfish products (Table I). UK (Scotland) --9,200 9.484 10,227 11,179 Solomon Taiyo, based in the Solo­ Statistics on trade in dogfish pro­ Total 34,500 31,805 30,266 30,729 mons, led the two other firms with a to­ ducts for other European countries are l$ource: FAG, "Yearbook of Fishery Statistics," 1976. tal catch of 18,221 t during 1978, up 84 not available, but the above catch percent over. 1977. Solomon Taiyo's figures suggest strongly that the United catches between March 1978 and Kingdom and Norway were the major the maximum legal mercury content is January 1979, totaling 19,010 t, suppliers to the principal European one part per million (ppm) I. (Source: marked an all-time high for the firm. dogfish markets other than the FRG. IFR-78j 150.) New Britain Fishing Industry came in In addition, there are no figures on the second with a 1978 total of 16,916 t in total value of international trade in waters off Papua New Guinea, up 117 dogfish products, but using the figures percent form the 7,795 t for 1977, in the above text and Table I, the followed by Gollin Kyokuyo, also Division believes that approximately Chilean Abalone Wins based in Papua New Guinea, which $10 million of dogfish products are Popularity in Japan caught 13,542 t for 1978, up around 10 produced annually. percent from the 1977 total of 12,313 1. In the FRG the flaps are smoked and Chilean abalone reportedly has (Source: FFIR 79-2). sold as "See-Aal" and "Schiller­ established itself as a popular com­ Locken," and all reference to their modity in the Japanese seafood mar­ origin from a shark-like species is ket. Since its first introduction to Japan avoided. In the United Kingdom, several years ago, imports of Chilean dogfish was called "rock salmon" until abalone rose rapidly year after year, NEW ZEALAND AIDS a few years ago when the legal from a mere 119 metric tons (t) worth FISHING INDUSTRY nomenclature became "huss." ¥60 million (US$0.3 million at ¥196= Finally, in recent years there has US$I) in 1975 to 513 t worth ¥290 The Government of New Zealand been some sporadic concern among million ($1.5 million) in 1976 and to as provides substantial incentives to the consumers, especially in the United much as 2,369 t worth ¥1,640 million country's fishing industry. During the Kingdom, over the mercury content of ($8.4 million) in 1977. 1977-78 fiscal year I April 1977 - 31 dogfish but this does not appear to be a Chilean abalone is being used not March 1978) incentives included the major problem at present in any of the only for processing into gourmet food following five items: I) Extension until major European markets. In the FRG, items, but also for serving as "sashimi." 31 March 1979 of the provisions Informed sources attribute the success allowing the importation of foreign of Chilean abalone chiefly to its price fishing vessels; 2) loans of up to 40 which, at around ¥620-650jkg ($1.44­ percent of the approved cost of 1.51 jib), is less than half that of construction ofcertain New Zealand­ Note: Unless otherwise credited, ma­ Australian abalone. built vessels; 3) a fishing vessel terial in this section is from either In contrast to the soaring popularity ownership savings scheme; 4) loans of the Foreign Fishery Information of Chilean abalone, imports of Aus­ up to 80 percent of the value of the releases (FFIR) compiled by Sunee C. Sonu, Foreign Reporting Branch, tralian abalone have declined sharply, vessel, gear, and equipment; and 5) Fishery Development Division, South­ namely to 714 t worth ¥ I,400 million establishment of a fisheries develop­ west Region, National Marine Fisher­ in 1976 and to 515 t worth ¥950 million ies Service, NOAA, Terminal Island, ment grant fund with an initial CA 90731, or the International Fishery in 1977. (Source: FFIR 79-1.) allocation of $205, 17(yJ (Source: IFR­ Releases (IFR) or Language Services 79 j 4.) Daily (LSD) reports produced by the Office of International Fisheries Af­ 'On 25 May 1978 the U.S, Food and Drug fairs. National Marine Fisheries Ser­ Administration (HEW) informed NMFS that vice, NOAA, Washington. DC 20235. they had decided to increase the maximum legal mercury content for certain fishery 'NZ$200,OOO at 30 June 1978 exchange rate of products from 0.5 ppm to 1.0 ppm. US$I,OO=NZ$0.9748.

April 1979 35 Peruvian Fishing Law 33 1/3 percent of the board compared (Pesca Peru), to private ownership. with 50 percent under the old law. While anchovy fishing has been Modified to Attract The new law also dissolves the restricted, the Government has author­ Investment Capital "fishing compensation community." ized the vessel owners to catch sar­ This compensation community, which dines, horse and jack mackerel, and The Peruvian Government modified did not exist in the industrial sector, other species for reduction. At a its general fishing law late in 1978 to was primarily a scheme for distributing meeting held in a suburb of Lima in make private capital investment in the the profits generated by all fishing September 1978, the vessel owners industry more attractive. Decree Law companies to all the workers in the expressed approval of many of the 22329 changes the operation of the fishing industry. A certain percentage major fishery policies of the Govern­ "fishing communities" established by of each firm's profits entered a central ment, especially the reservation of the previous Government which allow­ pool. The accumulated funds were fishery resources to Peruvian fisher­ ed workers to participate in company then distributed to all fishing compan­ men. The Peruvian Government re­ ownership, management, and profits. ies according to the labor force employ­ cently declined to renew the agreement The new law restricts that participa­ ed by each firm, and subsequently with Cuba under which Cuban trawl­ tion. divided equally among all workers in ers were allowed to operate off Peru. As originally established, employees each firm. Although egalitarian in Recommendations by the vessel own­ of Peruvian fishing companies, in principle, the compensation communi­ ers, including possible organizational addition to receiving individually a ty in effect penalized the efficient changes in Pesca Peru and Epchap (the certain percentage of the company's companies. Moreover, critics com­ state-owned fish meal ma,rketing profits, also obtained equity in the firm plained that the fishing compensation company) and modifications of the through company payments of a communities had become sluggish repayment schedules for the anchovy percentage of the profits to the firrri's bureaucracies, paying their own offi­ seiners, are under active consideration "community of employees." The per­ cials undeservedly high salaries and by the Ministry of Fisheries. centage paid by all fishing companies delaying distribution to the workers. The Government has also decided to was 12 percent of the profits. In theory, Initial Peruvian reaction to the new return state-owned fishing companies a firm's "community'" accumulated law has been favorable, although to private ownership. Private investors this collective share of profits each somewhat restrained, since the mea­ have purchasd the Challpesa plant in year until it eventually held 50 percent sure had been expected for some time. Paita for nearly $3 million. Challpesa of equity in the firm. The workers, It is difficult to determine what direct was an unsuccessful joint venture through the community, were entitled effect this law will have in attracting between three Japanese companies and to vote in the firm's stockholders' new investment in the fishing industry. the state-owned food fish company meetings and in each firm's board of Experience with similar modifications Epsep. The Government has also directors in direct proportion to the in other industries almost 2 years ago decided to dismantle Epsep and sell community's equity in the firm. has not demonstrated any dramatic most of the company's plants and After General Morales Bermudez rise in investment. Rather, the reduc­ vessels to private investors. The became the President of Perujn 1975, tion of worker participation is seen as a company reportedly lost nearly $5.0 he adopted a more moderate attitude necessary step to promote investment, million in 1976. The Government is toward the private sector. Serious but may not be sufficient in itself. also selling 80 percent of Pepesca lobbying began to modify the "worker Within the fishing sector there had (Peruana de Pesca, S.A.) which has community" concept in the fishery and been growing private sector investor amassed a debt of over $15 million. other economic sectors. The above interest prior to passage of the new (Source: IFR-79/ 3.) change in the fishing law parallels laws. This is due in part to the profit modifications in the industrial sector reported by companies processing fish which occurred in 1977 and 1978. for human consumption and the fact These changes include: I)Workers that large investments are not required. Tuvalu Sets 200-Mile no longer obtain equity in their While the new law in isolation is not Economic Zone companies; instead they will receive expected to bring about a major shift in preferred stock as part of their share of investment in Peru, it is viewed posi­ Tuvalu, a cluster of nme atolls profits; 2) workers lose their right to tively in Peru as evidence of the Gov­ northeast of Australia (see map) participate in stockholders' meetings; ernment's desire to create a more became independent from the United 3) the stock is no longer collectively favorable climate for private investors. Kingdom on 1 October 1978. The held by the "community"; it is issued to Other Government actions have islands, formerly known as the Ellice each worker individually; 4) workers helped to restore the confidence of Islands, have a population of 9,000. are free to sell their shares; and 5) private investors in the fishing indus­ Their total area is only IO square miles workers, through the community, re­ try. In 1976, the Government returned but the nine atolls are scattered over tain representation on the board of the fleet of anchovy seiners, operated more than 500,000 square miles of the directors, but only up to a maximum of by the state-owned fish meal company southwest Pacific,

36 Marine Fisheries Review As its first legislative act since The cold storage holdings of salmon independence, the Government of roe, reportedly around 2,800 t at the Tuvalu, on 26 October, declared a 200­ end of October, were predicted to drop mile economic zone. The Government to 1,500 t by the end of the year and far declared that, as of 1January 1979, any below 1,000 t by the end of January. foreign-based vessel fishing commer­ > GILBERT Wholesale prices of imported salmon .~-.: ISLANDS cially within the 200-mile zone would '" roe during the yule season of 1978 were ~ '" require a license from the Ministry of .. o 100 :lOll reported to be ¥5,700-5,800/kg (US ~ Commerce and atural Resources. StatuI. MilES $13.22-13.45flb at ¥196=US$I) for The Government is not aware of any Grade No. I chum salmon roe, and nations presently fishing Tuvalu ¥4,500-4,700/kg ($10.44-10.90/lb) waters, but knows that U.S. tuna for Grade o. I pink salmon roe. Es­ companies have shown an interest in timated imports of U.S. and Canadian fishing the waters of the South and salmon roe into Japan during January Central Pacific. through November 1978 on a customs The text of the Government's 200­ clearance basis are given in Table I. mile zone proclamation states that Rotu~ (Source: FFIR 79-1.) fishery limits shall be a "line drawn so (to Fiii} Walli,/s_, Futuna ... that each point thereon is two hundred ,/01, Table 1.-Eslimated imports of U.S. and Canadian nautical miles measured from the low­ .almon roe (,ullko) by Japan, January-November. 1978. water mark of the seaward side of the Species Metric tons Species Metric tons Pink 3,220 Silver 330 reef fronting the coast of any islands in Red 1.520 King ~80 . ~ Tuvalu or bounding any lagoon waters Chum 1,450 Others 50 adjacent to such coast or, when a reef is not present, from the low-water mark of the coast itself." In the event that Tuvalu's line authorized officers and sets fines for intersects a line drawn similarly by any using explosives and other noxious other state or territory, "the fishery substances. The Minister is empowered ROK TUNA VESSELS limits of Tuvalu shall be a median line to authorize exemptions for sports MAY LEAVE ATLANTIC or such other line (as may be agreed fishermen or for scientific investiga­ South Korean tuna vessels fishing between the Government of Tuvalu tion. The Minister is also authorized to for yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic and such state or territory) drawn make regulations for the enforcement Ocean are reportedly planning to move between the limits of the territorial of the law as well as for the conserva­ to the vicinity of Samoa and Fiji later waters of Tuvalu and the territorial tion and commercial development of this year and the next year, where there waters ofsuch a state or territory." The marine resources. (Source: IFR-79/5.) proclamation states that Tuvalu will are already approximately 80 South exercise the same exclusive fisheries Korean tuna vessels. The move report­ rights within this limit as it does in its 3­ edly would involve most of the around mile territorial waters. Tuvalu's eco­ Japanese Imports of U.S. 100 vessels in the Atlantic Ocean which have difficulty in maintaining a nomic zone will intersect those of the and Canadian Salmon Roe Gilberts, Wallis, Futuna, and Fiji. profitable operation due to severe Tuvalu law provides that any May Hit Historical High fluctuations in prices in Italy, a major foreign fishing vessel which fishes, Japanese imports of salmon roe, buyer of their catches. (Source: FFI R 79-2.) loads/unloads fish, or loads/unloads "sujiko" from the United States and fuel and supplies within the 200-mile Canada totaled 6,533 metric tons (t) economic zone without a license shall during the first 10 months of 1978, and South Korea, Argentina be liable on conviction to a fine of were expected to reach an historical Lead Fish Block Exports $100,000 (US$1l9,076). Foreign fish­ high f about 7,200 t by the end of the ing vessels may enter the zone for a year. n spite of the large amount of Japanese exports of frozen fish "purpose recognized by international imPorts, domestic sales kept pace with block suffered a major setback in 1978 law" without a permit, but must return shipmeI)ts and the prices remained due to the steep rise in the value of the outside the limits as soon as that stable. This was attributed to the early yen. Her exports of frozen fish block to purpose has been fulfilled and must arrival 0 shipments by air and the little the United States to November 1978 stow gear or be liable for a $25,000 competition from the domestic fall only amounted to 2,796 metric tons. (US$29,769) fine. Tuvalu law also "sujiko" which was short in produc­ (t), less than half ofthe 6,299 t recorded details the search and seizure powers of tion. for the same period in 1977.

April 1979 37 t "

On the other hand, Japanese exports In 1978. South Korea and Argentina Herring, Tanner Crab of frozen fish fillet to the United States surpassed Japan as leading exporters Prices Rise for Japan to November 1978 totaled 15.828 t. an of frozen fish block to the United Strong buying interest among Japan­ amount comparable to the 15,615 t for States. South Korean exports offrozen ese importers early this year reportedly the same 1977 period, but this report­ fish block to the United States totaled pushed up the prices of roe-bearing edly wa accomplished by means of 12,255 short tons during the first 6 herring caught off San Francisco. Feb­ cut-rate export prices for the purpose months of 1978 and were expected to ruary prices being charged by fishermen of clearing the inventories. Japanese rise to between 25.000 and 30,000 short were reportedly as high as $1,600/short exports of frozen fish block and fillet. tons by the end of the year. Argentine ton, sharply up from the season­ particularly the former were expected exports of frozen whiting block to the opening price of around $1,200/short to worsen In the future unless the United States jumped to 7.600 short ton. With an estimated $450/short ton exchange rate of the yen against the tons during the first.6 months of 1978, to be added by the packers, the import U.S. dollar would improve to around as compared with the. 1,500 short tons price into Japan may top FOB $2,000/ ¥220=US$I, according to informed over the corresponding period in 1977. short ton, according to an informed sources in Japan. (Source: FFIR 79-.1). source in Japan. Wholesale prices for size "L" shrink­ packed tanner crab caught in Bristol Bay rose sharply since the end of last year in the western provinces of Japan Soviet-Japan Fish Pact Sets 1979 Catch Quotas, due to unusually strong speculative buying among the buyers concerned The Soviet and Japanese govern­ cies for its fishing industry, will drop over future supply. February prices ment representatives in Tokyo on 15 from the previous 345,000 t to 300,000 t were reported to be around ¥6,600/6 December 1978 signed a protocol In 1979. Other significant cuts to kg ($2.50/lb at ¥200=US$I), up from extending for another year the bilateral Japan's catch quotas in the Soviet zone ¥5,900/6 kg ($2.23flb) at the end of interim fishing agreements between the occurred for such species as flounder 1978 and ;.'6,200-6,300/6 kg ($2.35­ two nations. Fishery officials of both (cut from 30,300 to 20,900 t). rockfish 2.39flb) early this year. Sizes above governments also exchanged notes on (from 22,000 to 14, 7q.O t), Pacific cod "2L" and below "M" were sold out by 1979 catch quotas in their respective (from 44,700 to 30,1P9 ,t), and sand the end of last year. (Source: FFJ R 200-mile zones. lance (from 65,200 to 43,800 t). The 79-2.) According to the new agreements, Soviet Union made a significant gain in Japan will be allowed to catch a total the catch quota for sardine al)d Pacific 750,000 metric tons (t) in the Soviet mackerel In the Japanese zone for 200-mile zone in 1979. down 100,000 1979, which is now set at 450,000 t as Mexico-Japan Blackcod t from 1978, whereas the Soviet's catch compared with the previous 318.000 quota in Japan's 200-mile zone will t. A breakdown of 1979 catch quotas Fishery Gets Slow Start remain unchanged from 1978 at for the Soviet Union (Table I) and Mexican-Japanese fishery joint 650,000 t. Japan (Table 2) is shown in compari­ venture "Abisal" is reportedly Japan's catch quota for Alaska son with their respective 1978 figures. having a slow start in its blackcod pollock, one ofthe most important spe- (Source: FFI R 79-1.) fishery due to unfavorable ocean­ ographic conditions at the fishing Table 1.-Soviel catch quotas in Japanese lone. 1979 vs. 1978. in metric tons. ground. Abisal's catch target of SpecIes 1979 1978 Specie's 1979 1978 blackcod for 1979 is said to be Sardme and 45.000318,000 Saury 10000 20,000 1,500 t. mackerel Alaska pollock 10,000 80,000 Sand lance 10,000 30,000 A strong demand for blackcod Itohlkldara 90.000 138.000 Others 20,000 64,000 (Remonema) Tolal 650,000 650.000 in Japan has pushed the wholesale price for the fish caught in home Table 2.-Japanese catch quotas in Soviet zone. 1919 V5. 1978. in metric tons. waters to nearly ¥800/kg ($1.82/lb Species 1979 1978 SpecIes 1979 1978 at ¥200=US$I). The price for im­ Alaska pollock 300.000 345.000 SqUid 142.900 146,400 ported blackcod would fall below Flounder 20,900 30,300 OClOpUS 3,600 3.500 PaCIfic cod 30.100 44,700 Tanner crab 2500 2,500 this figure by approximately ¥105/ Wachna cod 15,500 15500 Red Tanner crab 2500 2,300 Saury 68.600 68,600 Korean hair crab 800 800 kg (0.34/lb), according to an in­ A ka mackerel 1300 11000 Spiny crab 800 800 formed source. Annual demand for Sand lance 43,800 65200 Shrimp 500 500 Shark 1,200 1200 SnaIl 3000 2500 blackcod in Japan is believed to be Tuna 6.400 6,400 Others 80900 80,800 between 40,000 and 50,000 t. RockfIsh 14,700 22.000 Total 750,000 850,000

311 ,"vla,.i"p Fi.lhnip,I' Rp"iell'