EligibilityUndergraduate industrial summer research awards are

available to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who,at the time of application, are registered in an undergraduateprogram in natural sciences and engineering leading to anhonours bachelor's degree or equivalent in 1981, 1982 or1983. Students must not have started a graduate program atthe time of tenure. Students must have maintained a mini­mum of second class (B) standing in their previous year(s) ofstudy. Students must be exposed to R&D and/ or innovationrelated activities during the course of the work period.

Value of A wardsThese awards are valued at $600 per month plus a travel

allowance when applicable. Supplements to the monthlyvalue and fringe benefits, if applicable, will be the respon­sibility of the company. For the duration of an award astudent will be an employee of the company at which theaward is held. The student's activities will be governed by theterms and conditions of employment of other employeesengaged in similar work, and by such other conditions asmay be imposed by the company.

Term of AwardAwards are tenable during the summer and normally for

four months. NSERC will not make an award for a periodless than three months. Tenure may commence at a datemutually agreeable to the student and the host company.Awards can be held at other times during the year if thestudent is studying under a cooperative program. No pay­ment will be approved for holidays taken during the periodof tenure of the award.

Location of TenureIndustrial summer awards are tenable in approved Ca­

nadian industrial organizations. Such organizations musthave agreed to participate in this program and must have metNSERC's eligibility criteria. Information on the proceduresto be followed for companies to become eligible to partici­pate in this program can be obtained by contacting theScholarships Officer at NSERC. A list of some of theparticipating industrial organizations is available from theheads ofdepartments of science and engineering in Canadianuniversities and from NSERC. Students may apply for theseawards at one or more of the approved companies of theirchoice. Students wishing to apply to a company that is not onthe list of participating industrial organizations shouldcontact NSERC before submitting an application to ensurethat the company is eligible.

Pacific Fisheries to be Examined

One of Canada's leading resource economists has beenappointed to head a Commission of Enquiry to examine thePacific Coast fishing industry. Dr. Peter Pearse, professor ofEconomics and Forestry at the University of British Colum­bia, has been asked to submit preliminary recommendationsto the Minister of Fisheries by August I, 1981, and a finalreport by December 31,1981.

He has been asked to examine:- the condition of fish stocks, and current and optimum

levels of use;- provisions, conservation, management, protection, de­

velopment and enhancement of the stocks and protectionof habitat;

- the structure and size of the commercial fleet and itscapacity vis a vis optimum rates of harvesting;

- policies for licensing, and for regulating the size and struc­ture of the fleet; and

- sports fishing for salmonids, its impact on the stocks andon the commercial fishery and policies for its regulation.

258/ Affaires de l'lnstitut

The study is in response to a serious situation in thePacific fishery which emerged in 1980. The apparent goodhealth of the industry took a dive when weakness in moststocks combined with market decline to reveal flaws in thefederal government's stock management and over-capital­ization in the fleet. These problems had been masked byexceptionally good earnings from the salmon and herring roefisheries over several years.

Dr. Pearse and Fern Doucet, from the office of theMinister of Fisheries, undertook a brief review of thesituation in the fall of 1980 and issued a report which, amongother things, called for this longer term review. At that timethey stated that "the fisheries of the west coast, especially thesalmon and herring fisheries, are facing fundamental prob­lems ofdevelopment and management," and recommended a"high stature" fundamental policy review.

The short term study report included recommendationsfor immediate change, most of which are being implemented:I. A new pledge to salmon enhancement.2. Stronger regulation and enforcement.3. Renewal of vessel buy-back operations.4. Removal of non-required subsidies.5. Licences for sports fishermen.6. A landing charge for commercial salmon.7. Cha nges in vessel licence fees and restrictions.

The official inquiry is generally welcomed by industry. Itis expected to result in firm government policy against whichindustry can plan for sound economic performance over areasonable term.Editorial Note: Reprinted from the Fisheries Council ofCanada Bulletin. January 1981.

F.R.V.

Canada's Mushroom Indostry

In the past ten years, there has been considerable growthin both the production and consumption of mushrooms inCanada. In 1970, Canadian producers grew 11.7 million kgof mushrooms. By 1979, this figure had reached more than 25million kg, an increase of more than lOO%.

The farm gate value of this crop has also skyrocketed.While in 1970 mushrooms were worth $12 million in farmcash receipts, by 1979 this had grown to nearly $55 million.Mushrooms now are Canada's third largest cash cropvegetable behind potatoes and tomatoes. More fresh mush­rooms in stores and a wider range offoods using mushroomsaccount for much of the growth along with Canadiansdemonstrating a growing taste for mushrooms. The averageCanadian has become one of the world's greatest mushroomeaters with per capita consumption increasing from 1.5 Ibs.annually in 1969 to 5.5 lbs. a decade later.

There is still room for growth in the industry becausedespite the recent increase in mushroom production, Canadais still a net importer of mushrooms. Nearly 80% of Canada'scanned mushrooms are imported from Asia with totalimports in 1979 being worth more than $4.6 million. Amuch larger portion of the canned mushroom market can befilled by domestically grown mushrooms. The mushroomindustry is currently centred around Toronto and Van­couver, the two traditional major markets. If producersexpand production in the Atlantic Provinces and on theprairies, there also appears to be an excellent opportunity forincreased fresh market sales. Currently there are only twomushroom producers in the Atlantic Provinces, two largeproducers in Quebec and four on the prairies. As a result,consumption in these areas is below national average andthere is potential for market expansion.

However, the largest growth potential is for importreplacement of canned mushroom products. The amount of

1. Inst. Can. Sci. Tl>chllul. AIiJlU'nl. Vol. 14. No. 4. Octobre 1981