216 MARINE FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



As shown in Table 4, the annual production of soft crabs in North Caro- 

 lina has steadily declined over the past twenty years. The decrease, ex- 

 amined on the basis of yield from 1935 to 1946 (see Table 8), was halted 

 appreciably only in 1941. Quite significantly, the latter year was a period 

 when the production of soft crabs in Chesapeake Bay was extremely low 

 because of a natural scarcity of crabs in the Bay (Pearson, 1948). As the 

 principal producer of soft crabs, the industry in Chesapeake Bay has sought, 

 by buying soft crabs in Carteret County, to supply their trade at least a 

 month earlier in the season than is possible through production in Ches- 

 apeake Bay. When a period of scarcity of soft crabs, as well as hard crabs, 

 occurs in the Bay, a larger production of crabs in North Carolina is required 

 than would otherwise be necessary. 



TABLE 8 



Production of Soft Crabs in Dozens in Carteret County, North Carolina, from 

 1935 to 1946, Based on State Tax Collection Data 



Carteret County — 

 Year of Production in 



catch dozens 



The steady decline in annual yield of soft crabs in North Carolina appears 

 due solely to economic rather than biological factors. If depletion by over- 

 fishing were responsible for this decrease in production, it would probably 

 be reflected in a similar decline in the yield of hard crabs taken in the same 

 general region. This condition did not prevail according to available catch 

 statistics (see Table 4). The exact economic conditions, other than the 

 variable annual demand from Chesapeake Bay packers, which have been 

 responsible for the drop in production of soft crabs are unknown. However, 

 a general decline in consumer popularity of soft crabs, increasing market 

 competition with Chesapeake Bay, and, since 1940, a shortage of adequate 

 labor for catching and shedding peeler crabs are possible reasons for the 

 continued decrease. It is significant in this respect that market limitations 

 have prevented any appreciable growth of the soft-crab industry in Ches- 

 apeake Bay in recent years. 



