SECTION 1 - GENERAL REVIEW 



In 1975, commercial fishery landings at U.S. ports were 4.9 billion pounds worth a record $976.6 

 million. The volume landed was 2 percent less than in 1974, but the value was 5 percent greater than in 1974 

 and 4 percent greater than in 1973, the former record year. Landings declined for several major species such 

 as menhaden, albacore and yeUowfin tuna, shrimp, chum and silver salmon, yellowtail flounder, clams, 

 alewives, and Atlantic ocean perch. However, landings of bluefin tuna, anchovies, whiting, and jack mackerel 

 increased significantly. 



U.S.-flag vessels also landed 184.1 million pounds valued at $52.5 at ports outside the United 

 States in 1975. These landings consisted principally of tuna at ports in Puerto Rico and shrimp at ports in the 

 Caribbean area. 



Fishermen took 931.5 million pounds of shellfish worth $492.2 million, an average of 53 cents 

 per pound— 10 cents per pound more than in 1974. Shellfish accounted for 50 percent of the value, but only 19 

 percent of the volume of landings of fish and shellfish in the United States. The value of shellfish landings 

 exceeded the value of finfish landings in the Atlantic, Gulf,and the Pacific. Data on shellfish landings do not 

 include the weight of the shells of clams, oysters, and other mollusks. (See Section 1.— General Review, "U.S. 

 landings, live weight basis.") 



Per capita consumption. The per capita consumption of commercially caught fish and shellfish was 12.1 

 pounds of fish (edible weight) in 1975, down slightly from the 12.2 pounds in 1974. For the fourth consecutive 

 year, fish consumption remained above 12 pounds per person. 



U.S. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF COMMERCIAL FISH AND SHELLFISH 



Civi 1 ian Per capita consinption ~ 



Year resident Fresh 



population and Canned Cured Total 



July 1 frozen (1) 



Mi 1 1 i on 



persons --_____ Pounds, edible meat ------- 



1970 201.7 6.9 4.5 0.4 11.8 



1971 204.3 6.7 4.3 .5 11.5 



1972 206.5 7.2 4.9 .4 12.5 



1973 208.1 7.4 5.1 .4 12.9 



1974 209.7 7.0 4.8 .4 12.2 



1975 211.4 7_;_4 4^_3 A 12.1 



y Beginning in 1973, data included consumption of artificially cultivated catfish. 

 Note:— Per capita consumption represents the pounds consumed of edible U.S. production 

 from both domestically caught and imported fish and shellfish adjusted for the beginning 

 and ending inventories, imports, exports, and military purchases, divided by the civilian 

 resident population of the United States on July 1 of each year. These consumption 

 figures refer only to consumption of fish and shellfish entering commercial channels, and 

 do not include amounts harvested and consumed by recreational fishermen. 



Principal States . Louisiana again led the nation in volume of landings with 1.1 billion pounds— 23 percent of 

 all U.S. landings. California was second with 875.0 million pounds, followed by Virginia with 444.8 million 

 pounds; Alaska, 444.1 million pounds; Mississippi, 309.6 million pounds; and Massachusetts, 273.8 million 

 pounds. 



California led aU States in exvessel value of landings with $134.7 million— 14 percent of the 

 totaL Alaska was next with $129.7 million; followed by Texas with $93.6 million; Louisiana, $89.0 million; 

 and Massachusetts, $82.9 million. 



Principal ports . San Pedro, Calif., led all ports in volume of landings with 606.8 million pounds. Cameron, 

 La., was second with 395.0 million pounds, followed by Pascagoula-Moss Point, Miss., 242.6 million pounds; 

 Dulac-Chauvin, La., 204.2 million pounds; Empire, La., 176.9 million pounds; Morgan City, La., 140.2 million 

 pounds; and Gloucester, Mass., 126.4 million pounds. 



