GENERAL REVIEW 



56.1 million pounds valued at $13.2 million, down 4 percent in volume but up 17 percent in value compared 

 with 1974. Atlantic ocean perch landings of 32.1 million pounds declined 23 percent compared with 1974 and 

 was the lowest since 1935. 



Landings of Pacific groundfish (cod, Pacific hake. Pacific ocean perch and other rockfishes, 

 pollock, lingcod, and sable^ish) were 83.0 million pounds valued at $10.1 million, an increase of 1.5 million 

 pounds in volume and $275,000 in value. Landings of cod, lingcod, and sablefish increased in 1975, but 

 landings of all other species declined. 



Imports of groundfish fillets (including blocks) were 513.8 million pounds worth $278.4 million, 

 up 82.4 million pounds in volume and $27.9 million in value compared with 1974. The available supply (U.S. 

 production plus imports) of groundfish fillets and blocks was 556.0 million pounds, an increase of 71.7 million 

 pounds compared with 1974. 



Halibut . Landings on the Pacific Coast accounted for all but 171,000 pounds landed in New England. (See 

 Section 7.— Pacific Coast Fisheries.) 



Jack mackerel . See Section 7.— Pacific Coast Fisheries. 



Lobsters, American . Landings were 30.2 million pounds valued at a record $51.4 million, an increase of 6 

 percent in volume and 19 percent in value over 1974. Fishermen received an average exvessel price of $1.70 

 in 1975 compared with $1.52 in 1974. Landings increased in the New England States, but declined in the 

 Middle Atlantic and Chesapeake States. In Maine, the principal producing State, landings of 17.0 million 

 pounds were 550,000 pounds more than in 1974. The available supply (U.S. domestic landings of American 

 lobsters plus imports from Canada) were 48.5 million pounds in 1975 compared with 46.1 million pounds in 

 1974. 



Lobsters, spiny. The spiny lobster harvest declined to 7.6 million pounds worth $10.3 million, down 31 

 percent in volume and 25 percent in value from 1974. Florida accounted for 97 percent of the total spiny 

 lobster production. Landings in Florida were 7.4 million pounds in 1975, down 32 percent from 1974. This 

 decrease from 1974 was the result of smaller catch being taken from the Florida Keys and the permanent 

 closing of Bahama waters. The closure of the Bahama waters is expected to curtail the Florida fishing 

 industry for years to come. The California commercial harvest of 201,000 pounds was 5 percent more than in 

 1974. 



Menhaden . Landings were 1.8 billion pounds worth $49.4 million, a decrease of 10 percent in volume and 26 

 percent in value compared with 1974. The sharp drop in value reflects a decline in prices for fish meal and 

 fish oil from the abnormally high levels in 1974. 



Landings of Gulf menhaden were 1.2 billion pounds in 1975, down 99.0 million pounds compared 

 with 1974, but the fourth largest on record. Fishing effort in the Gulf in terms of thousands of vessel ton 

 weeks was the highest on record, but poor fishing weather during the season may have been one factor that 

 held down landings. 



Landings of Atlantic menhaden were 606.7 million pounds in 1975, down 14 percent from 1974. 

 Fishing effort was down slightly, and there was a poor showing of fish in New England, Middle Atlantic, and 

 Chesapeake fishing grounds. 



About 98 percent of the Atlantic and Gulf landings were used for reduction to fish meal, oil, and 

 solubles in 1975. Most of the rest was used for bait except for a small quantity canned for animal food. 

 Production of menhaden meal (191,400 tons) was down 6 percent, menhaden oil (213,300 pounds) was down 2 

 percent, and menhaden solubles (84,000 tons) was down 18 percent. 



Oysters . Landings yielded 53.2 million pounds of meats worth $45.0 million, an increase of 6 percent in 

 volume and 10 percent in value over 1974. Production increased in the Middle Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific 

 Coast States, but declined in the New England, Chesapeake, and South Atlantic States. The Chesapeake 

 States led in production with 22.6 million pounds of meats, followed by the Gulf States with 19.3 million. The 

 Chesapeake and Gulf States accounted for 79 percent of the landings. In the Chesapeake fishery, Maryland 

 was first in production with 16.4 million pounds, down 10 percent compared with 1974. Recruitment in the 

 Maryland fishery has been poor in recent years. In the Gulf States, Louisiana led in production with 13.7 

 million pounds, up 37 percent over 1974. 



