NOAA PROFESSIONAL PAPER II 



recreational marine fisheries as a result of oxygen deple- 

 tion during summer 1976. The surf clam was by far the 

 hardest hit commercial resource, followed by the ocean 

 quahog, finfish, lobster, and sea scallop. During 1976 ac- 

 tual commercial losses sustained to finfish and lobster fish- 

 eries were an estimated $7.9 million, and potential losses 

 to the entire commercial fishing industry, based upon es- 

 timates of resource losses, were estimated at $62.5 million. 

 For commercial fisheries, total actual and resource losses 

 until recruitment begins to replenish affected stocks are 

 estimated at $569 million. 



Resource losses cannot be directly converted into losses 

 for the fishing industry. Fish prices usually fluctuate in- 

 versely with fish availability, and the fisherman is com- 

 pensated for reduced catches by increased unit prices. 

 Also, most fishermen do not depend upon a single species 

 and are able to take advantage of other species that may 

 be abundant. Despite not being able to determine industry 

 losses directly, the tremendous losses experienced by sev- 

 eral of New Jersey's fishery resources have caused signif- 

 icant financial losses to many fishermen and businesses. 

 In fisheries that had significant mortalities, especially surf 

 clam, the decline in harvest and economic losses is ex- 

 pected to continue in future years until recruitment begins 

 to replenish stocks. In addition, the impact of the disrup- 

 tion of the food chain by the elimination of much of the 

 benthic community may have far-reaching consequences 

 that will hamper commercial fishermen in future years. 



Losses to the recreational fisheries during 1976 were 

 $3.7 million. The party, charter, and dive boat fleets ab- 

 sorbed most of the financial losses. Losses by the reduced 

 number of private-boat ocean fishing trips were minimal 

 and were distributed over a large number of recipients — 

 tackle shops, marinas, restaurants, motels, gas stations. 



REFERENCES 



Azarovitz, R. R., Byrne, C. J., and Silverman, M J.. 1977 Appendix 

 III under Fish and Shellfish, in Oxygen depletion and associated 

 environmental disturbances in the Middle Atlantic Bight in 1976, 

 Northeast Fisheries Center Tech. Ser. Rep. No. 3. National Marine 

 Fisheries Service, Sandy Hook Laboratory, Highlands, N.J., 365-415. 



Freeman, B. L., and Turner, S. C, 1977. Appendix V under Fish and 

 Shellfish, m Oxygen depletion and associated environmental dis- 

 turbances in the Middle Atlantic Bight in 1976, Northeast Fisheries 

 Center Tech. Ser. Rep. No. 3 National Marine Fisheries Service, 

 Sandy Hook Laboratory, Highlands, N.J., pp. 431-45(1. 



Freeman, B. L., Turner, S. C and Christensen, D. L., 1976 A prelim- 

 inary report of the fishery for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) off 

 New Jersey in relation to catches made by charter and party boat 

 anglers during 1975, NMFS Informal Report No. 108, 41 pp. 



Mackenzie, C. L., 1977. Appendix II under Fish and Shellfish, in Oxygen 

 depletion and associated environmental disturbances in the Middle 

 Atlantic Bight in 1976, Northeast Fisheries Center Tech. Ser. Rep. 

 No. 3, National Marine Fisheries Service. Sandy Hook Laboratory. 

 Highlands, N.J., pp. 341-364. 



National Marine Fisheries Service, 1975. Participation in marine recre- 

 ational fishing northeastern United States. 1973-74, its Ciirr. Fish. 

 Stat. 6236, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce, 7 pp 



National Marine Fisheries Service, 1976. Fisheries of the United States, 

 1975, its Curr. Fish. Stat. 6900, NOAA. U.S. Department of Com- 

 merce, 1(X) pp. 



National Marine Fisheries Service, 1977. New Jersey Landings, annual 

 summary 1976, its Curr. Fish. Stat. 713, NOAA, U.S. Department 

 of Commerce, 7 pp. 



Ropes, J. W., and Chang. S., 1977. Appendix I under Fish and Shellfish, 

 in Oxygen depletion and associated environmental disturbances in 

 the Middle Atlantic Bight in 1976. Northeast Fisheries Center Tech. 

 Ser. Rep No. 3, National Marine Fisheries Service, Sandy Hook 

 Laboratory, Highlands, N.J., pp. 263-340. 



Rorholm, D., 1974. Statement before the Senate Committee on Com- 

 merce, Providence, R.I. 



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