DISTRIBUTION AND DESCRIPTION OF FISHERIES 29 



Oyster yields from private beds have been well maintained despite 

 predators and pollution. However, since 1959 there has been a very sharp 

 decline, particularly in Virginia. Crab production appears to have become 

 stabiHzed at a moderately high level (Table 3.3). 



^^outh Atlantic States. This 1000-mile coast includes North and South 

 C arolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. 



Except for heavy landings of menhaden, chiefly at Beaufort-Moore- 

 head City, North Carolina, the region is not an important fish-producing 

 area. There are substantial yields of blue crab and lesser ones of shrimp 

 and oysters, the latter being greatly eclipsed by their respective yields 

 in the Gulf area and in Chesapeake Bay (Table 3.4). 



There is a modest production of catfish and bullheads from Florida's 

 lakes and of mullet and sea trout from salt water areas. Over 81 per cent 

 of the Florida production by value is taken off the Gulf Coast. 



Giilf of Mexico Region. This region includes the 1500-mile coastline of 

 Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the west coast of Florida. 

 Louisiana ranks first in volume and fifth in value by states in this region. 

 Alabama ranks very low. Tampa, Florida; Empire, Morgan City, and 

 Cameron, Louisiana; Pascagoula and Biloxi, Mississippi; and Port Arthur, 

 Texas are important centers. 



The very large shelf, whose productivity is lower than that off New 

 England, sustains extensive shrimp and menhaden fisheries of high value 

 and high volume respectively. 



The Gulf in 1959 produced about 80 per cent of the nation's shrimp, 

 the country's most valuable fishery. During the past 30 years the fishery 

 has grown markedly and spread throughout the area. However, the pres- 

 ent trend and composition of the catch and the widening area exploited 

 suggests a decline with higher production costs and increasing competi- 

 tion with imports. 



Menhaden production, though now very heavy, has varied due to 

 demand. There are substantial oyster, mullet, and crab fisheries and a 

 small but steady yield of red snappers. 



California. The shelf off the 700-mile California coast is narrow with a 

 bottom habitat of medium productivity but with a richer surface environ- 

 ment possessing a variable abundance of pelagic species. Large urban 

 populations consume a variety of market fishes. Major ports are Terminal 

 Island, San Diego, and San Francisco. 



The fishery economy was formerly built upon sardines (the California 

 pilchard), all taken in contiguous waters. Production rose from 150 

 million pounds in the early 1920's to 1.5 billion pounds in the mid-thirties 

 with a disastrous fall to only 9 million pounds in 1953 due to causes yet 

 unknown. Production of sardines since then has remained relatively low. 



