28 FISHES AND FISHERY METHODS 



off Canada, source of 15 per cent of the region's 1959 production. Also, 

 dense populations of national origins and religious faiths inclined to the 

 consumption of fish provide a strong local demand. 



The region is the most important producing area for lobsters, flounders, 

 sea scallops, haddock, cod, ocean perch, sea herring, whiting, pollock, 

 and butterfish (Table 3.4), but their relative importance has changed 

 markedly (Table 3.3). Haddock and then ocean perch which supplied 

 the growing demand for hllets offset declines in cod and mackerel. Since 

 1948 increased whiting and non-food fish catches have offset declines in 

 haddock, ocean perch, and flounders. Unclassified non-food fish for animal 

 feeds has increased from under one million pounds in 1948 to probably 

 over 200 million in 1959 and accounts for the recent slight rise in the 

 New England catch. 



Sea scallop production, the second most valuable in the region in 1959, 

 accounted for 15 per cent of the total value, rising from 8th position 20 

 years ago when it represented only 5 per cent of the total value. Landings 

 of the valuable lobster have tripled during the past 40 years and are 

 being well maintained under present management practices. 



Middle Atlantic States. This region, including New Jersey, Delaware, 

 and New York, as well as inland Pennsylvania, is very important as a 

 fishery manufacturing and consumption center for fish from all parts of 

 the country. Important ports are Lewes, Delaware; Port Monmouth, New 

 Jersey; and New York City. 



The offshore shelf is smaller and also less productive than off new 

 England but produces a very large and increasing yield of the pelagic 

 menhaden representing 86 per cent of the region's 1959 landings. New 

 Jersey and Delaware receive most of the catch. 



Clam production has increased steadily, New Jersey being the nation's 

 major clam-producing state (Table 3.4). Predators and other destructive 

 organisms have caused cataclysmic declines in oyster yields from Dela- 

 ware Bay and other grounds. Some cod, flounders, whiting, and over 

 half of the Atlantic scup is produced by a limited demersal fishery. 



Chesapeake Bay Region. Chesapeake Bay, bordered by Virginia and 

 Maryland, is the largest coastal bay in the United States and its produc- 

 tive waters are the scene of very important but contrasting fisheries. 

 Centers of operation are Reedville, Virginia; Norfolk, Virginia; and Cris- 

 field, Maryland. 



Most of th(^ nation's oysters and blue crabs originate here. These high 

 unit-value products contrast with the low unit-value (but large produc- 

 tion) of menhaden which is used almost exclusively for oil and meal. 

 Since 1958 most of the menhaden were taken within the Bay rather than 

 offshore. 



