Gulf of Mexico 



Figure 1 0. Gulf of Mexico Commercial Shellfish Landings for Selected 

 Species, 1985-1989 



expected to increase another 26 

 percent in the next 20 years (NOAA, 

 1990). Associated development will 

 place further stresses on the quality 

 and quantity of shellfish-growing 

 waters in the Gulf. 



Landings 



Despite a 50 percent decline in oyster 

 landings since 1985, the Gulf of 



Mexico has consistently led the Nation 

 in oyster harvesting. By the end of 

 1 990 further declines made the Gulf 

 the Nation's second largest oyster- 

 producing region, following the Pacific. 

 However, during this period clam and 

 mussel harvest has been the lowest 

 among the regions. The exception is 

 Florida where calico scallop landings 

 have increased. Figure 10 shows 

 landings in millions of pounds of 



38 



