326 



SECTION 1 1 

 PUERTO RICO FISHERIES 



Landings in Puerto Rico are not included in the United States landings table in the General 

 Review or Review of Certain Major Fisheries sections. 



Puerto Rico landings were a record 181.1 million pounds worth $46.8 million— an increase of 

 12.6 million pounds (7 percent) but a decline of $986,000 (2 percent) compared with 1974. The increase in 

 volume resulted principally from record landings of tuna, the most important species landed in Puerto Rico. 

 The value of tuna landings ($44.4 million) declined 3 percent compared with the record value in 1974. 



Tuna landings of 177.1 million pounds were 12.1 million (7 percent) more than in 1974. 

 YeUowfin tuna predominated with landings of 99.6 million pounds— compared with 88.6 million in 1974. 

 Landings of yellowfin tuna were 56 percent of the total tuna production. Landings of sl<ipjack tuna were 76.7 

 million pounds— a gain of 616,000 pounds compared with 1974. Bluefin tuna landings of 760,000 pounds 

 increased 442,000 pounds compared with 1974. 



Landings made by local fishermen, consisting largely of marine fish and shellfish, were 4.0 

 million pounds worth $2.3 million— an increase of 14 percent in volume and 29 percent in value compared with 

 1974. Fish were 86 percent of the total local landings. At least 1,230 fishermen operated 865 boats, an 

 increase of 48 fishermen and 30 boats compared with the previous year. The fishing gear consisted principally 

 of fish pots (57 percent), and hand and troU lines (29 percent). The pot fishery was concentrated mainly in the 

 western region. Cabo Rojo, the fishing center with the most fish pots, was also the area showing the greatest 

 production. 



Data on local Puerto Rico fisheries are from statistics published by the Commonwealth of 

 Puerto Rico, Department of Agriculture. 



PUERTO RiCO - SUMMARY OF OPERATING UNITS, 1975 



NOTE:— INCLUDES ONLY LOCAL CRAFT. DOES NOT INCLUDE VESSELS IN TUNA FLEET. 



