.v^J^. 



Important Species 



TUNA 



Landings of tuna by U.S. fishermen at ports in United 

 States, American Samoa, other U.S. territories, and 

 foreign ports were 221.0 million pounds valued at 

 1160.0 million — a decrease of 28.5 million pounds (11 

 percent), and $2.4 million (2 percent) compared with 

 2003. The average ex^'essel price per pound ot all species 

 of tuna in 2004 was 72 cents compared with 65 cents in 

 2003. 



Bigeye landings in 2004 were 26.5 million pounds — an 

 increase of 5.7 million pounds (28 percent) compared 

 with 2003. The average ex\'essel price per pound was 

 $1.46 in 2004, compared to $1.72 in 2003. 



Skipjack landings were 108.5 million pounds — a de- 

 crease of 26.0 rmllion pounds (19 percent) compared 

 with 2003. The average exvessel price per pound was 39 

 cents in 2004, compared to 32 cents in 2003. 



Yellowfin landings were 51.0 million pounds — a de- 

 crease of 1.3 million pounds (3 percent) compared with 

 2003. The average ex\-essel price per pound was 83 cents 

 in 2004 compared with 88 cents in 2003. 



Bluefin landings were 1 .3 million pounds — a decrease of 

 847,000 pounds (39 percent) compared with 2004. The 

 average exvessel price per pound in 2004 was $5.52 

 compared with $4.61 in 2003. 



CLAMS 



Landings of aU species yielded 1 18.5 million pounds of 

 meats valued at $1 58.8 million — a decrease of 9.3 million 

 pounds (7 percent), and $3.7 million (2 percent) in value 

 compared with 2003. The average exvessel price per 

 pound in 2004 was $1.34 compared with $1.27 in 2003. 



Surf clams yielded 61.8 million pounds of meats valued 

 at $34.8 iniUion — a decrease of 7.7 million pound.s ( 1 1 

 percent) and $4.6 million (12 percent) compared with 

 2003. New jersey was the leading state with 43.5 million 

 pounds ( down 15 percent), followed by New York, 6.8 

 miUion pounds (down 49 percent); and Massachusetts, 

 6.3 miUion pounds (up 504 percent) compared with 

 2003. The average exvessel price per pound of meats was 

 56 cents in 2004, down 1 cent from 2003. 



The ocean quahog fisher)' produced 40.6 milhon pounds 

 of meats valued at $24.4 iniUion — a decrease of 1.3 

 million pounds (3 percent) and $1.6 million (6 percent) 

 compared with 2003. New Jersey had landings of 

 17.6mniion pounds (down 13 percent) valued at $9.1 

 miUion (down 15 percent) while Massachusetts produc- 

 tion was 14.1 million pounds (down 1 percent) valued at 

 $6.9 million (down 6 percent). Together, New jersey and 

 Massachusetts accounted for 78 percent of total ocean 

 quahog production in 2004. The average exvessel price 

 per pound of meats decreased from 62 cents in 2003 to 

 60 cents in 2004. 



Trend in Commercial Landings, 1995 - 2004 

 Clams 



M illions lbs 



1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 



Pounds -^Deflated Value 



XI 



