UNIT 2 



NORTHEAST PELAGIC FISHERIES 



27 



INTRODUCTION 



Commercial landings of pelagic or mid- 

 water fishes off the U.S. northeast coast 

 have averaged about 1 80,000 1 since 1 988, 

 while recreational landings (primarily 

 bluefish and mackerel) have been about 

 23,000 1. In 1 990, the commercial landings 

 produced about $36 million in commercial 



dockside revenue, of which the long-finned 

 squid accounted for the greatest portion 

 ($14 million). Bluefish and mackerel 

 angling is important to the region, and an 

 estimated $345 million is spent annually 

 by bluefish anglers. 



SPECIES AND STATUS 



The U.S. northeast midwater fisheries are 

 dominated by six species: Atlantic mack- 

 erel, Atlantic herring, butterfish, bluefish, 

 and the long-finned and short-finned 

 squids. Four are considered underutilized: 

 Mackerel, butterfish, and the two squids. 



The long-term population trends for her- 

 ring and mackerel, the principal pelagic 

 species, have fluctuated considerably dur- 

 ing the last 25 years (Fig. 2-1). The abun- 

 dance index reached minimal levels in the 

 mid-1 970's, reflecting pronounced de- 

 clines for both species (as well as the col- 

 lapse of the Georges Bank herring). Both 

 species have been increasing in recent 

 years. Atlantic mackerel recovered during 

 the 1980's, and stock assessments indi- 

 cate a total stock of about 2.5 million t. 

 Mackerel landings in 1990 were very low- 

 only 60,600 t. Clearly, large quantities of 

 mackerel are unused (Table 2-1), though 

 some uncertainty in assessments remain. 



Growth, maturity rates, and productivity 

 declined as the stock has grown. 



The Gulf of Maine herring stock is con- 

 sidered fully utilized, and total 1990 land- 

 ings were 51,300 t, representing a 125% 

 increase over the 1983 level. The Georges 

 Bank herring was virtually wiped out, after 

 landings of over 370,000 t in 1967 and 

 subsequent excessive catches. There are 

 indications now of a recovery of the 

 Georges Bank herrings, based on U.S. and 

 Canadian studies. 



Of the two squids, the long-finned squid 

 is the more important, owing to strong 

 international export markets (primarily 

 Italy and Spain). Nevertheless, both spe- 

 cies are considered underfished. Surveys 

 indicate their numbers are above average 

 and landings are well below top historical 

 levels. Seasonal changes affect the avail- 

 ability of both species to fishermen, espe- 

 cially the short-finned squid. 



Figure 2-1.— U.S. commercial 

 landings and abundance indices 

 for Atlantic herring and Atlantic 

 mackerel off the northeastern 

 U.S. coast, 1960-90. Abundance 

 indices are mean weight (kg) per 

 tow taken in NEFSC spring 

 bottom trawl surveys. Landings 

 data are for the Georges Bank 

 and Gulf of Maine herring stocks 

 and for the coastwide Atlantic 

 mackerel stock throughout its 

 range. 



800 



600 



o 

 o 

 o. 



— 400 



200 



0K- 

 1960 



1965 



1970 



1975 



1980 



1985 



1990 



