184 MARINE FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



CONCHS 



The most common of the several species of conchs in North Carolina is 

 Busycon caricum. A limited market exists in North Carolina, but the ma- 

 jority of the conchs are gathered in the northern states, the New York 

 market bringing the highest prices. The meat is reported to be of an unusual 

 flavor and possibly a better market might be developed for it. Conchs were 

 selling locally in the Beaufort area at a dollar a dozen dressed, in December, 

 1948, but the demand was not great. Production in 1945 along the Atlantic 

 coast was as follows: 



Total 63,200 $13,497 



* Edible portions, exclusive of shells. 



SQUID 



The market for squid (Loligo, Illex, spp.) as a food is limited to the foreign 

 populations of large cities and to the export trade. The chief use of squid 

 is for fishing bait. They are taken commercially from South Carolina north- 

 ward, small quantities being harvested on the North Carolina coast, often 

 of insignificant amounts. The total yield for the Atlantic coast is often as 

 high as 4 to 6 million pounds. Production in 1945 was as follows: 



Total 3,048,100 $207,400 



The possibilities of developing squid commercially should be considered. 

 The sporadic occurrence of squid in the New England and Middle Atlantic 

 regions often causes considerable concern among the fishermen, who de- 



