PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES 



Alaska fishermen, king crab vessels were tied up until September 15, 1975. Fishermen and processors reached 

 a price settlement of 42 cents per pound at Kodiak and 38 cents at Bering Sea ports. 



Crabs, snow (tanner). U.S. landings were 46.9 million pounds valued at $7.0 million in 1975, down 27 percent 

 in quantity and 46 percent in value compared with 1974. Depressed market conditions in 1974 left large 

 inventories at the beginning of the 1975 season. In January, February, and March, the United States and 

 Japanese market demand was poor. As a consequence, fewer Alaska fishermen and vessels entered the 

 fishery than in 1974. The number of pots used in this fishery dropped from about 48,000 in 1974 to 37,000 in 

 1975. 



The foreign catch of snow crabs in U.S. waters off Alaska was 22.5 million pounds in 1975, down 

 sharply from the 34 million pounds taken in 1974. In both years Japan was the only taking nation. 



Oysters . The yield of oyster meats in the Pacific Coast States in 1975 was 5.8 million pounds valued at $7.5 

 million, up 15 percent in quantity and 23 percent in value over 1974. The increase in quantity was 

 attributable to greater production in Washington, the principal producing State. 



Shrimp . Landings of Pacific Coast shrimp (excluding brine shrimp and sand shrimp) were 138.3 million pounds 

 valued at $13.6 million in 1975, down 2 percent in quantity and 26 percent in value compared with 1974. The 

 quantity was the third highest on record. Sharply lower exvessel prices in Alaska were responsible for the 

 decline in value. Landings in Washington, Oregon, and California increased in 1975, but not enough to offset 

 the decrease in Alaska, the leading producing State. Alaska landings in 1975 were 99.0 million pounds, down 9 

 percent; Washington landings were 10.0 million pounds, up 8 percent; Oregon landings were 23.9 million 

 pounds, up 18 percent; and California landings were 5.3 million pounds, up 97 percent. 



Pacific Coast production of brine shrimp was 1.8 million pounds valued at $330,000 in 1975, up 

 11 percent in quantity and 41 percent in value compared with 1974. California was the only producing State. 

 Pacific Coast landings of sand shrimp, fished commercially only in Oregon, were 20,000 pounds valued at 

 $30,000. 



Acknowledgments . The following organizations collected data or supplied narrative material for this section: 

 Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fisheries, Oregon Fish Commission, 

 California Department of Fish and Game, and the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission. 



