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REVIEW OF CERTAIN MAJOR FISHERIES 



U.S. OYSTER FISHERY, 1975 



The U.S. oyster fishery produced 53.2 million pounds of meats worth $45.0 million, an increase 

 of 2.7 million pounds and $3.7 million compared with 1974. 



The Chesapeake States led in production with 22.6 million pounds (43 percent of the total), 

 followed by the Gulf States with 19.3 million (36 percent); the Pacific Coast States, 5.8 million (U percent); 

 and the Middle Atlantic States, 3.3 million pounds (6 percent). The New England and South Atlantic States 

 accounted for the rest. 



.Dredges took 30.0 million pounds (56 percent) of the oyster landings, and tongs 21.1 million 

 pounds (40 percent). The rest were taken by rakes, or gathered by hand. 



In Section 13 of this Digest is a table which gives the volume of the bushel measures used for 

 oysters in the various Atlantic and Gulf States and the average yield per bushel. Supplementary shellfish 

 tables appear after the summary table for each Atlantic and Gulf regional section. 



OYSTER DREDGE 



(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE) 



