The level of utilization of the raw materials available to the 

 fishing industry in this region is rather high, and, for many species 

 (herring, cod, sea perch, plaice, etc.), the maximum possible level has 

 already been reached, or perhaps even exceeded. Steps are being taken 

 to regulate fishing through various international conventions and 

 agreements on fishing. However, this highly productive region of the 

 World Ocean may slightly increase the volume of its production by the 

 development of fishing of certain underutilized species: poutassou, 

 capelin, saithe, mackerel, squids, etc.). 



Northwest Atlantic. An exceptionally important fishing region with 

 a total area of 4 million km'^, of which 27% is made up of water less 

 than 1,000 m in depth. 



For many centuries, accumulations of cod have been fished off the 

 banks of Newfoundland, and beginning in the mid 1950' s, very intensive 

 fishing off Georges Bank was begun, taking herring, sea perch, haddock, 

 silver and red hake, plaice, halibut, macruri, capelin, squids, etc. 

 (Table 18). 



In recent years, the results of fishing here, in spite of a 

 significant increase in fishing efforts, have not only not increased, 

 but, in terms of certain species (sea perch, silver hake, etc.) have 

 even decreased. The current catch (4.0-4.7 -lO" t) has almost reached 

 the maximum possible level. 



Soviet fishing occupies a significant place in the total catch, 

 utilizing primarily the resources of cod, silver hake, sea perch, 

 herring, macruri, capelin, etc. By 1974, the Soviet catch reached 

 1.16 '10° t (over 30% of the total catch). Soviet fishing studies have 

 revealed accumulations of sauries in the southern portion of this 

 tremendous region, the population of which is high, and fishing for 

 which seems quite promising. 



Also promising is fishing for squid, which form great 

 concentrations along the shores of Newfoundland, on the shelf off Nova 

 Scotia, Georges Bank and in the region of New York. 



Intensification of the catch of sauries, capelin, squid and other 

 little-used fish and invetebrates will allow some increase in the total 

 volume of the catch. The development of recommendations for efficient 

 and effective utilization of the fishing resources is the job of the 

 International Commission on Fishing in the Northwest Atlantic. 



The Central Atlantic. Among the commercial seafood in this area, 

 the inhabitants of the pelagic zone predominate--sardines, horse 

 mackerel, mackerel, tuna, etc. Among the fish leading a benthic mode of 

 life, the Cyprinidae (carp) and Sciaenidae predominate. About 5 million 

 tons of seafood is caught in this area, primarily sardines, mackerel and 

 sea carp. 



In 1974, the Soviet catch was 1.17-10^ t, about 12% of the total 

 catch of the USSR and 15% of the total catch of all countries in this 



385 



