Table 3.21. Estimated contribution^ of each Chenier Plain basin to the 

 commercial harvest of fishes and shellfishes (kg x 1000). 



Calculated from inland cstuarine area and production per unit area of table 3.20. 



Mermentau basin has no salinity greater than 5 °/oo. 



Sabine probably no longer contributes significantly to the offshore catch. 



The commercial fishery harvest is largely 

 dependent on the three westernmost basins (table 

 3.22). These basins appear to have near optimal 

 conditions for estuarine-dependent species (part 

 4.0). Large expanses of wetlands connect to inland 

 brackish bays and lakes. The Vermilion Basin appears 



to be less productive, perhaps because of excessive 

 freshwater and silt discharged from the Atchafalaya 

 River. The Chenier Basin is highly productive on a per 

 unit area basis, but it is too small to support a higli 

 total production. 



Table 3.22. Estimated landed value ($ x 1,000) of estuarine-related fishes 

 and shellfishes, by basin. 



Calculated from table 3.21 and the 1973 dockside value (Lindall et al. 1972). 



Mermentau Basin has no salinity greater than 5%o. 



No commercial shrimp production currently exists in Sabine Lake, which suggests that the offshore catch is not dependent on 

 Sabine Lake. 



44 



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