SECTION 5 

 SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERIES 



Commercial landings of fish and shellfish at ports of the South Atlantic States (North Carolina, South 

 Carolina, Georgia, and the East Coast of Florida, including freshwater areas of Florida) were 333.1 million 

 pounds worth a record $63.6 million. The quantity landed was the largest since 1968 and 22 percent above the 

 average of the previous 5 years. The larger volume was caused principally by heavier landings of menhaden. 

 Landings of croaker, spemish mackerel, spot, and thread herring also increased significantly. The 25-percent 

 increase in value was caused by higher exvessel prices paid for shrimp in aU four States. 



North Carolina led aU States with landings of 238.3 million pounds, 15 percent higher than the previous 

 year and 42 percent higher than the 5-year average for 1970-74. Landings in South Carolina (20.1 million 

 pounds) increased 6 percent, but landings in Georgia (17.7 million pounds) declined 2 percent, and Florida, 

 East Coast (56.9 million pounds) declined 6 percent. Florida, East Coast was the only State that had a decline 

 in value compared with 1974. 



Fishermen and Vessels . There were 10,242 full-time and part-time fishermen operating 1,546 vessels of 5 

 gross tons or over, 5,406 motorboats, and 250 other boats. Compared with 1974, this was an increase of 251 

 fishermen, 23 vessels, 290 motorboats, and 74 other boats. 



Processed products. The value of processed fishery products was $130.3 million, an increase of $14.3 million 

 compared with 1974. Georgia led with products valued at $48.3 million, followed by Florida, East Coast with 

 $46.7 million; North Carolina, $26.9 million; and South Carolina, $8.5 million. The four States had a monthly 

 average of 6,138 persons employed in 520 wholesaling and processing plants. 



Hard blue crabs. Landings of 30.5 million pounds valued at $4.1 million decreased 20 percent in volume and 

 10 percent in value compared with 1974, the record year for value. The volume landed was the smallest since 

 1956 and 19 percent below the average of the previous 5 years. Landings declined in all four States. North 

 Carolina landings of 11.1 million pounds were down 16 percent; South Carolina, 6.4 million, down 15 percent; 

 Georgia, 8.9 million, down 12 percent; and Florida, East Coast, 4.2 million pounds, down 44 percent. The 

 value of landings declined in all States except North Carolina. 



North Carolina landings were the lowest since 1956, but the value was 6 percent above the previous 

 year. Crabs were generally in short supply with good demand. Exvessel prices averaged a record 13 cents per 

 pound in 1975 compared with 10 cents in 1974. Wholesale and retail prices for crabmeat and other products 

 from hard blue crabs also reached record highs in North Carolina during the year. 



Food finfish. Landings of edible finfish were 88.2 million pounds, an increase of 6.3 million pounds compared 

 with 1974. Several major species including alewives, catfish and bullheads, flounders, and black mullet 

 declined in volume. Landings of alewives were the smallest on record. Flounder landings were 11.8 million 

 pounds, 2 percent below the record catch in 1974; black mullet, 5.2 million pounds, declined 9 percent. 

 Species with notable increases in 1975 were croaker (up 67 percent); gray sea trout (up 11 percent); Spanish 

 mackerel (up 115 percent); and spot (up 38 percent). Croaker and spot had record landings, and Spanish 

 mackerel had the third largest landings on record. Alewives, croaker, and Spanish mackerel had lower 

 exvessel prices in 1975. Flounder landings, which had dropped to the lowest exvessel price since 1970, 

 increased 7 cents a pound in 1975. 



Spiny lobsters. Landings were 2.3 million pounds valued at $3.0 million, a decline of 1.8 million pounds and 

 $2.0 million compared with 1974. The quantity landed was the smallest since 1967 and 51 percent below the 

 previous 5-year average. All landings were made at Florida, East Coast ports. 



Menhaden. Landings were 166.9 million pounds, an increase of 33.1 million pounds (25 percent) compared with 

 1974. North Carolina with 92 percent of the total landings had 153.8 million pounds— an increase of 27 

 percent compared with 1974. Biological studies by NMFS indicate that fishing effort for Atlantic menhaden 

 is excessive relative to current stock size. Also, the capture of juvenile menhaden is reducing the 

 contribution these small fish could make towards improved landings in the next few years. Intense effort and 

 the capture of juveniles have reduced current levels of production for the entire Atlantic fishery to about 

 one-half the maximum sustainable yield. 



