contribution of public hatcheries to commercial and sport salmon 

 fisheries is estimated to be 40 percent for chinook, 45 percent for 

 coho, and 5 percent for chum. An evaluation of the recoveries and 

 returns for fall chinook salmon released from Columbia River 

 hatcheries in the years 1963 through 1969 showed a return of $4.20 

 for each dollar spent. A similar study on coho salmon releases, 

 for 1967 and 1968 resulted in a benefit-to-cost ratio of 7 to 1. 

 The following represents a best-guess estimate by species of 

 commercial investment in aquaculture and production facilities: 



Baitfish 



In 1978 a Soil Conservation Service survey of the United States 

 mainland found about 1,544 baitfish farms in operation on 17,576 

 hectares (43,940 acres). The average operation involved 17.6 

 hectares (44 acres) and produced 9,900 kilograms (21,780 pounds) of 

 baitfish per year. Total production in 1980 was estimated to be 22 

 million pounds. Preliminary 1983 data indicates production will be 

 33 million pounds valued at $100 million. It is estimated that 

 over $100 million is invested in baitfish enterprises. 



Catfish 



In a 1980 survey, farm-raised food size catfish production totalled 

 34,855 metric tons (76.8 million pounds). Fifteen leading States 

 surveyed in 1981 had 1,069 commercial operations with a total 

 production hectarage of 27,900 ha (68,941 acres). Total 

 investment in the U.S. catfish industry is estimated to be more 

 than $400 million. Preliminary data for 1983 indicates a crop 

 value of $120 million and a total production of 200 million pounds. 



Crawfish 



Current estimates are that crawfish farmers operate on about 

 115,000 acres with an investment of over $100 million. In 

 addition, there are approximately 40 licensed processing plants in 

 the State of Louisiana. Crawfish farming is a rapidly expanding 

 industry in Louisiana and in other nearby States, particularly 

 Mississippi and Texas. In 1980 production was 23.9 million pounds. 

 It is anticipated that production will increase to 55 million 

 pounds in 1982, with a faxTn value of $27 million. 



Freshwater prawns 



A number of firms have locations and investments as follows: 20 in 

 Hawaii average $50,000 to $100,000 each, or a total of about $1.8 



Columbia River Fisheries Development Program. 1981. U.S, 

 Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington, DC. 

 34 pp. 



