JUSTIFICATION The sum of $1 million is requested for expenditure during the next 3 years for the programs described herein, all of which are related to Bureau functions carried out in this country under the "Management and investigations of resources" appropriation. The Department of State has approved informally the programs proposed pursuant to Executive Order 10560, as amended. It is estimated that the expenditures under 2- and 3-year contracts to be awarded in 1962 will be $300,000 in 1962, $400,000 in 1963 and $300,000 in 1964. A tabulation of the programs to be conducted with the foreign currencies, by country, follows. Amounts are shown in their U.S. dollar equivalants. The sum of $350,000 is requested to carry out the following programs under this subactivity in Israel, India, and Poland. (1) Israel, $75,000-Protein studies.-These funds are requested for the establishment of a research program by the Weizman Institute of Science, Rehovath, Israel, to determine the nature and causes of the denaturation of protein in frozen fish during storage. Information provided from this program would permit improved utilization of U.S. fishery products through stabilization and preservation of desirable fish textures and succulence now lost during storage. Marketing of many of the domestic species, now neglected by the fisherman, could be attained through inhibition of the very rapid protein deterioration which now prevents the landing of firm, good quality fish of those species by domestic vessels. Such diversification of utilized species would benefit the U.S. fishing industry by a lessening of the fishing pressure on the stocks of fish now utilized. Protein is the most important single constituent of fish flesh. Though fish are used for the preparation of a multitude of products and contribute a substantial portion of the world's protein needs, very little is known about the changes that take place in the fish flesh protein during processing, storage, and distribution. Process-induced changes in fish protein cause adverse changes in the final product, from tenderness to toughness of texture, from the flavorful to the flavorless and from a desirable product succulence to a fibrous dryness that lacks consumer acceptance. Such highly undesirable product changes could be minimized and desirable changes facilitated if we knew more about the basic chemistry of fish proteins. The following examples are typical of information that will be obtained in this proposed program and which will assist our scientists in their efforts to improve the quality and consumer acceptance of domestic edible fish products: (1) An understanding is needed of the relationships between water and protein in isolated protein systems. Such understanding would permit changes in processing techniques whereby protein and other nutrients in edible fish products would not be lost via the "drip" water during thawing. (2) A study should be made of time and temperature effects on fish protein. Understanding of these effects would permit the development of processing conditions that would prevent undesirable dehydration and other adverse texture changes during storage. (3) A fundamental study is needed to clarify the causes of undesirable chemical changes, such as destruction of the protein molecule itself, or of intermolecular and intramolecular rearrangements of the constituent amino acids of the proteins. (4) A study is needed to determine effects of biochemical changes in protein model systems as caused by enzymic and bacterial activity. Such information would permit improvement in handling of fresh fish on the vessel and in the processing plant. (2) India, $125,000-Nutritional studies.-These funds are requested for the establishment of programs at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India, as well as the Fisheries Technological Laboratory, Bombay, India; to study and to measure the nutritional contributions of fishery products to the well-being of humans and animals. The U.S. fishing industry has repeatedly urged that such investigations be initiated in order that the resultant findings may be utilized in marketing programs. Most agricultural foods today are marketed on the strength of their respective nutrient contents such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Detailed statements as to the types and quantities of these vital nutritional components present in a particular agricultural food product can usually be found conspicuously posted on the product label or included as the theme of market promotional releases. The domestic fisheries have not been able to utilize this powerful marketing tool since the necessary technical information has not been available to them. The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries has not previously been in a position to undertake systematic studies on the nutrient contents of the great number of fish and shellfish species now marketed. The proposed program on the nutritional contribution of fishery products would also provide for studies on the usefulness of fishery products in specialized diets now prescribed for the very young or very old, for the diabetic, the obese, the anemic, the ulcerated or cardiac patients, etc. Such work has been urgently recommended by members of the domestic fishery industry. The widespread acceptance of the usefulness of fishery products in such diets could well result in a dramatic increase in the consumption of many different species of fish, some of which are not now being fully utilized, if only because of the desirability of variety in what are otherwise dull and uninteresting meals. The great variety of flavors and flesh textures afforded by the many species of marketed, edible fish would be very attractive to such patients. Little or no work has been done in this potentially very valuable field for domestic fishery products. The sequences of studies necessary to establish the suitability of fishery products for special diets include: (1) demonstrate the greater availability and digestibility of fish proteins; (2) demonstrate the presence and content of all nutritionally essential food componets such as vitamins and minerals; (3) demonstrate the "biologically complete" nature of fish protein; (4) determine the caloric content of fishery products, both as a function of oil content and of carbohydrate content; (5) demonstrate the absence of stress-inducing components such as thiaminase, the thiamin-destroying enzyme; and (6) demonstrate the usefulness of a dried, defated, and powdered fish protein concentrate as a supplement to the predominantly carbohydrate-based diets of the very young and the aged. The investigation would include as many as possible of the marketed edible species, and would provide for determination of variations in these constituents as a function of geographical area and season of capture as well as for processing techniques. (3) Poland, $150,000-Fish preservation studies.-These funds are requested for the establishment of programs at the Polytechnic University, Gdansk, Poland, to develop techniques and engineering designs for at-sea processing and/or freezing of ocean perch aboard factory trawlers in the North Atlantic. The ocean perch is one of the most valuable domestic species of fish. Gradual depletion of local stocks, however, have necessitated longer and longer voyages by fishermen to obtain profitable catches. These longer trips have caused a marked deterioration in the average quality, when landed, of ocean perch captured during the first several days of the voyage. Successful development of techniques to process and/or to freeze the fish, captured early in the voyage, would permit longer trips without loss in quality of the fish. The fish preservation investiga tion will include studies to determine the optimum design of processing machinery as adapted to on-vessel use, and of the refrigeration techniques and machin ery to be used. Cost analysis data will be routinely obtained to permit continuing evaluation of the economic feasibility of each procedure as developed. The investigation will also include studies of all phases of harvesting, handling, processing, storage, and distribution to permit evaluation of the effects of the several recommended procedures on consumer acceptance of the final products Research, $650,000—Coastal and offshore research The sum of $650,000 is requested to carry out the following programs in India, Pakistan, and Israel. (1) India, $150,000-Radioisotope studies.-Laboratory investigations will be conducted on the effects of radioactive substances on aquatic organisms, their concentration by the lower plants and animals, and the means by which these materials are transmitted through food fish and shell fish to man. In view of the future use of reactor-powered ships and the coastal installation of reactor powerplants, the potential hazards from radioactive contamination are great and are a worldwide problem. The results of these investigations will supplement those being obtained in our own laboratories and provide valuable information on the biological effects of radioisotopes on a variety of organisms in different environments. It is desirable that those studies be conducted over a 3-year period. The following are potential contracting agencies: Central Marine Fisheries Research Station, Mandapam, Madras. Krusadai Marine Biological Station, Madras. (2) India, $50,000—Biometrics research.-The biometric technique, known as discriminate function analysis, has been extremely useful to the United States. in both domestic and international fishery research. It has enabled analysis of the races of shad along the Atlantic coast and has permitted the separation of North American and Asian stocks of salmon caught by Japan on the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean. In the 1960 meeting of the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission, the discriminate function technique provided the most solid support for the U.S. case with respect to red salmon. This technique was originally developed by Dr. C. Radhakrishna Rao of India and there has been a continuing strong development of statistical and biometric research in India. Recently Dr. S. L. Banerji spent several months at the Seattle biological laboratory and provided much stimulation to the biometricians working there. Although the discriminate function and other such techniques have been extensively used by our biologists, there is much room for further development. Because of the international situation with Japan the technique has been subjected to heavy criticism by scientists of that country. It would be extremely valuable to provide a further development of this technique and a strengthening of the confidence of the results from it. Also it is entirely possible that other and even more efficient and reliable techniques could be developed that could be used for the North Pacific salmon and other American fishes in which problems of racial identity have arisen. The most likely contracting agency would be Central Marine Fisheries Research Station, Mandapam, Madras. It is proposed that studies be carried out under contract to that agency for a period of 3 years. (3) Israel, $150,000-Fish behavior and physiology (sardine).--Studies will be made on the general biology, physiology, and behavior of the sardine fishes of the Mediterranean and causes for their fluctuations in abundance. Experimental research plus limited surveys at sea will be required. The results obtained will provide related information and will be useful to U.S. scientists who are working on the causes of decline in our once important sardine fishery. It is proposed that these studies be conducted over a 3-year period. The following are potential contracting agencies: Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Haifa. (4) Pakistan, $150,000-Shrimp physiology and culture methods.-Pakistan is one of the major shrimp-producing countries in the Indo-Pacific region. It is proposed that studies be sponsored on the physiological requirements and tolerances of shrimp and methods for their artificial culture. Selective breeding experiments should also be undertaken. The pond-rearing of shrimp is a subject of great interest to U.S. fishery biologists and members of the shrimp industry, but has been accomplished with very limited success in our country. The results obtained should be applicable to conditions here and encourage developments in this field. 68806 61-62 It is proposed that these studies extend over a 3-year period. The following are potential contracting agencies: Central Fisheries Department, Karachi. Inland fisheries The sum of $150,000 is requested to carry out the following program in Egypt. (1) Egypt, $150,000-Food-chain studies in fresh-water lakes.-The freshwater fisheries of Egypt represent an important resource. In 1959, 118 million pounds of fresh-water fish were harvested from inland lakes and rivers. This represented 60 percent more fish that were taken from marine waters. A research program is proposed on the water quality and factors which influence the nutrient makeup of two lakes. The program would also include quantitative measurements of the phytoplankton, zooplankton, bottom faunta, and predator fish populations in these lakes. The effect that various population levels of fauna have on the food chain would be evaluated. Results of this basic research would have application in this country for determining how lakes and reservoir environments might be altered to obtain maximum production of desirable species of fish. It is proposed that a 3-year contract be issued. The Fouad I Institute of Hydrobiology and Fisheries, or Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, are possible choices as contractors for this research. Chairman HAYDEN. Practically all of the increase in this item is for research work. Please outline the proposed work to be done with the additional funds, indicating the effect on your proposals of the reduction of $96,000 in this estimate made by the House of Representatives, from which reduction you are appealing. Mr. McKERNAN. Mr. Chairman, my name is Donald L. McKernan. I am the Director of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and, Mr. Chairman, I have a statement which I will not read but will briefly highlight. Chairman HAYDEN. Yes, you can highlight it, and it will be inserted in the record in full at this point. (The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT BY DONALD L. MCKERNAN, DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I appreciate this opportunity to appear before this committee to discuss the budget of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries for the fiscal year 1962. Our estimates for the fiscal year 1962, as revised, totaled $21,839,000 exclusive of $1,981,000 requested for administration of the Pribilof Islands to be derived from the Pribilof Islands fund. As passed by the House, a total of $20,793,000 would be appropriated, a reduction of $1,046,000. Amendments have been submitted requesting restoration of the reductions. The estimate for management and investigations of resources totaled $11,796,000. As passed by the House, the bill appropriates $11,700,000, a reduction of $96,000. This appropriation, for the first time, includes funds for the operation and maintenance costs of Columbia River fishery facilities heretofore appropriated for under the Corps of Engineers. Significant increases included $1 million for oceanography, $500,000 for continuation of the emergency research program for Alaska salmon which is being initiated this year with an appropriation of $1 million contained in the Third Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1961; $221,000 for expanding the research program on fish migration over dams; $131,000 for operation of new research facilities being constructed in the current fiscal year; and $23,000 for operation of the new exploratory fishing vessel being constructed in 1961. An appropriation of $1 million was requested to initiate a new research program to be conducted in foreign countries with foreign curriencies. As passed by the House, the bill provides only $300,000 for this program, a reduction of $700,000. Our estimate for construction totaled $7,561,000, all of which was allowed by the House. Of this total, $1,431,000 is for Columbia River fishery facilities, heretofore appropriated for under the Corps of Engineers, and $6,130,000 is for other fishery facilities, all of which will be used in connection with the oceanographic research program. The major items are $1,775,000 for the construction of an oceanographic research vessel for use in the Central Pacific Ocean; $1,250,000 for the construction of an exploratory fishing vessel as a replacement for the M.V. Delaware, which operates in the North Atlantic but is outmoded; and $2,450,000 for the construction of a biological research laboratory at La Jolla, Calif. For construction of fishing vessels, $1 million was requested but only $750,000 allowed by the House, the same amount as for the current fiscal year, a reduction of $250,000. This program, authorized by the act of June 12, 1960 (Public Law 86-516), provides for the payment of a vessel construction differential subsidy to correct inequities between foreign and domestic costs of construction. Our estimate for general administrative expenses in the amount of $482,000 was approved by the House without change. Of the reduction of $96,000 in our appropriation for management and investigation of resources, $80,000 was included in the estimate to provide for increased pay costs on a full-year basis. The disallowance of the $80,000 has the effect of reducing the manpower considered essential to carry on the programs by about 12 man-years. The $16,000 remainder constituted a direct program reduction to round off the appropriation estimate to $11,700,000. Both reductions curtail the programs, and it is urged that the $96,000 be restored. The $700,000 reduction made in the appropriation proposed for the special foreign currency program would limit the program to first-year cost of the 3-year program proposed in the budget. Unless adequate funds are committed for completion of the individual 3-year programs the contractors could not proceed in an effective manner to obtain and utilize the necessary personnel and facilities. Contracts to carry out the entire program would be awarded the first year. Consequently the entire appropriation would be obligated the first year. Payments would be made as the work progressed, and on this basis it was estimated that the expenditures would be $300,000 the first year, $400,000 the second year, and $300,000 the third year. It is urged that the $700,000 be restored. The reduction of $250,000 in the appropriation proposed for construction of fishing vessels would seriously curtail the extent of this program. The act which authorized the payment of subsidies under certain conditions is not yet a year old. Although no funds have yet been obligated for the payment of subsidies, this fiscal year, at the present time we have one application for a construction differential subsidy payment. We have been informed that another is being placed in the mail this week, and that plans are being completed for two more. The latter two are for large steel trawlers which would require subsidy payments of approximately $150,000 each. The current appropriation is available for obligation only until June 30. It appears unlikely that any of the abovementioned applications will be approved in time to obligate current year funds. Payment of these subsidies early in the fiscal year 1962 undoubtedly will stimulate other applications. Our estimate of the need for funds to finance subsidies for nine vessels is conservative. Should the reduction prevail, we would be able to finance subsidies for only seven vessels. The full amount of the appropriation sought will be obligated if appropriated. It is urged that the $250,000 be restored. |