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SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERIES 



Oysters. Landings yielded 1.6 million pounds of meats worth $1.0 million, a decline of 14 percent in both 

 volume and value compared with 1974. Landings and value declined in all States, and the total quantity 

 landed was the smallest since 1880. South Carolina, the leading producer, declined 7 percent; North Carolina, 

 24 percent; Florida, East Coast, 19 percent; and Georgia, 32 percent. Georgia landings were the smallest on 

 record, and Florida, East Coast landings were the lowest since 1962. The average price per pound remained 

 about the same in North Carolina and South Carolina, but increased 4 cents a pound in Georgia and 10 cents a 

 pound along the east coast of Florida. 



Calico scaUops. Landings yielded 1.4 million pounds of meats worth $899,000— an increase of 313,000 pounds 

 and $280,000 compared with 1974. Florida, East Coast accounted for the entire production. North Carolina, 

 usually the leading producer, had no calico scallop production in 1974 and 1975. 



Shrimp. Landings of 24.9 million pounds (heads-on) valued at a record $30.3 million were 2.2 million pounds 

 less, but $12.0 million more than in 1974. Excellent consumer demand combined with the moderate catch 

 kept prices high and made 1975 a good year for the shrimp fishery. Fishermen received an average price of a 

 record $1.22 per pound compared with 68 cents in 1974. 



South Carolina led with 8.9 million pounds, an increase of 19 percent compared with 1974. Landings in 

 Georgia (8.1 million pounds) increased 12 percent, but Florida, East Coast (2.8 million pounds) and North 

 Carolina (5.2 million pounds) declined 30 and 39 percent, respectively. The average price per pound for 

 shrimp increased 43 cents in North Carolina; 57 cents in South Carolina; 53 cents in Georgia; and 59 cents in 

 Florida, East Coast. 



A comparison of the species composition in the South Atlantic catch in 1974 and 1975 (heads-off) 

 shows a substantial decrease in landings of brown shrimp, down 2.7 million pounds; pink shrimp, down 58,500 

 pounds; and rock shrimp, down 167,500 pounds. Landings of white shrimp increased 1.6 million pounds and 

 royal red shrimp, 25,900 pounds. Landings of brown shrimp were 26 percent of the total landings compared to 

 40 percent in 1974, and white shrimp were 65 percent compared to 50 percent. Pink, royal red, and rock 

 shrimp remained about the same. 



Other information. Condensed summary data on the operating units and landings, by States, appearing in the 

 following pages have been published previously in Current Fishery Statistics No. 7408. Additional data may 

 be found in the monthly and annual landings bulletins for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida 

 published in the Current Fishery Statistics series by the Data Management and Statistics Division in 

 cooperation with the respective States. 



Acknowledgments. The following organizations helped collect the data appearing in this section: North 

 Carolina Department of Natural and Economic Resources, Division of Commercial and Sports Fisheries; South 

 Carolina Wildlife Resources Department, Division of Marine Resources; Georgia State Game and Fish 

 Commission, Coastal Fisheries Division; and Florida Department of Natural Resources. 



