PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES 



The decline in the total value of processed products in the Pacific Coast States was due to a 20 

 percent decline in canned production, mainly tuna. and salmon, which more than offset increases in the value 

 of fresh or frozen edible products and industrial products. 



The Pacific Coast States had 451 processing plemts in 1975 employing 16,891 persons on a 

 regular basis and 23,821 at the season's peak. In the same year, 136 wholesale establishments employed 1,344 

 persons on a regular basis. Compared with 1974, the number of processing plants declined by 26, but the 

 number of wholesale establishments increased by 18. 



Anchovy . In 1975, Pacific Coast landings of anchovy (northern anchovy) were a record 329.4 million pounds 

 valued at $11.9 million— an increase of 86 percent in quantity, but a decrease of 19 percent in value compared 

 with 1974. Virtually aU U.S. landings of anchovy are caught in California waters and are primarily reduced to 

 fish meal and oil; a small amount (5-8 percent) is used for bait. Anchovy fishing for reduction is closely 

 controlled by the State of California. In 1975, the 1974-75 season ended May 15; landings were 13,000 tons 

 short of the extended 130,000-ton quota. 



The 1975-76 season opened August 1, 1975, in the northern area (north of Point Conception) and 

 September 15, 1975, in the southern area (south of Point Conception). The overall quota was set at 115,000 

 tons, equal to the initial quota set the previous season. Prices at the beginning of the season were $35 per 

 ton, but declined to $29.50 by the end of the season. 



Bonito. Record landings of bonito in California totaled 31.9 million pounds valued at $3.9 million, surpassing 

 the 1970-74 average annual landings by 62 percent in quantity and 52 percent in value. The previous high of 

 30.8 million pounds was in 1973. All landings were made at California ports, although 28.5 million pounds 

 were caught in waters south of California. 



Prices dropped for fish over 4 pounds— from $270 per ton in 1974 to $240 per ton in 1975. For 

 fish under 4 pounds, prices went from $185 to $240 per ton in 1974 to $210 per ton in 1975. This price 

 decrease is attributed to increased supply. 



Flounders . Landings of Pacific flounders and turbot were 56.8 million pounds valued at $8.7 million in 1975, 

 up 4 percent in quantity and 6 percent in value compared with 1974. Over 94 percent of the landings 

 consisted of "sole", namely dover sole, english sole, petrale sole, and rex sole. The most important of these is 

 dover sole. California was the principal State, accounting for 62 percent of the total flounder and turbot 

 landings. Oregon was second with 22 percent. Washington had 16 percent, and Alaska, less than 1 percent. 



Halibut . Landings of Pacific halibut were 21.6 million pounds (live weight) valued at $16.3 million in 1975, up 

 20 percent in quantity and 35 percent in value over 1974. This was the first increase In quantity since 1970. 

 Landings in Alaska accounted for 93 percent of the total, and landings in Washington for almost all the 

 remainder. The highlight of the 1975 halibut season was the exvessel price, which averaged almost 90 cents a 

 pound (dressed weight), for the year, and reached a record high of $1.38 for large halibut during the latter 

 part of the season. 



Management of the Pacific halibut fishery of the United States and Canada is coordinated 

 through the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Halibut stocks have been in a depleted 

 condition for a number of years, and IPHC had reduced catch quotas to remedy this. The large incidental 

 catch of foreign vessels using otter trawl nets has been an important cause of this depletion. In 1973, Japan 

 agreed to keep its fishermen out of an important Bering Sea nursery ground for 3 months. This was raised to 

 5-1/2 months in 1975. The U.S.S.R. agreed for the first time in 1975 to limit trawling in the Gulf of Alaska 

 during certain critical months. 



Jack mackerel . Pacific Coast landings of jack mackerel were 36.8 million pounds valued at $1.7 million in 

 1975, up 44 percent in quantity and 13 percent in value over 1974. All Pacific Coast catches of jack mackerel 

 are made at California ports and consist of fish taken near these ports. A large majority of these landings are 

 canned, primarily for human consumption, but a substantial share also is canned for use as pet food. The 

 increase in landings probably was due largely to the rebuilding of a major canning plant in San Pedro that was 

 severely damaged by fire in 1973. 



Lingcod . Pacific Coast landings of lingcod were 9.2 million pounds valued at $1.2 million in 1975, up 3 

 percent in quantity, but down 6 pecent in value compared with 1974. Washington was the leading State with 

 46 percent of the total; California was next with 35 percent; then Oregon, 18 percent; and Alaska, 1 percent. 



