AHRENHOLZ ET AL.: ATLANTIC MENHADEN POPULATION AND FISHERY 



1955 



1981 



Figure 2.— Geographic fishing areas for the Atlantic menhaden purse seine fishery, and landing ports for 1955 and 1981 seasons. 



The number of plants operating at each port is given in parentheses. 



area, fishing usually began about middle to late 

 May and continued into late October. Fishing in 

 the north Atlantic area usually commenced in 

 late May to mid June and continued until mid- 

 September or early October. Current state regu- 



lation opens the fishing season in Virginia waters 

 of Chesapeake Bay on the third Monday in May 

 and closes the season on the third Friday in 

 November. All territorial waters of Maryland are 

 closed to purse seine fishing the entire year. 



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