Early Research, 1921-53
The first research within the Bureau
of Fisheries on fish oils occurred in
1921. This is not surprising even though
the NMFS dates back to 1871 when it
was known as the U.S. Fish Commissian.
For just a few years in the 1870's
and 1880's some research was carried
out on technological aspects, especially
composition of fish, which were felt
by the agency's first Commissioner,
Spencer F. Baird to be important. Baird
died in 1887, and no more technological
work was undertaken until 1918. At that
time, new personnel believed that the
agency, which had devoted all its attention
to biological and statistical endeavors,
ought also to include technological
aspects. In 1921, chenlical research was
carried out at an agency laboratory, then
located in Washington, D.C., to determine
fat constants of fish oils. Although
this work was never published, the results
were passed on to companies who
might be potential customers for fish oils.
From 1926 to 1930, research was carried
out by Roger Harrison and associates
at a laboratory at Reedville, Va., on
fundamental aspects of the operation of
the menhaden industry. Menhaden is
used not for human food but rather for
manufacture of fish oil, fish meal, and
fish solubles, all industrial products.
This 4-year study resulted in a 113-page
publication (Harrison, 1931) giving voluminous
detail of menhaden oil manufacture.