Industria l Bottomfish Fishery in the North Central Gulf of Mexico 



Charles M. Roithmayr 



The Fishery Gulf landings of demersal fishes processed for petfood mink- 



food, fish meal, and crab bait fell from about 81.0 million pounds in I960 to 

 76. 9 million pounds in 1961. The lower catch in 1961 was due not to a dintiin- 

 ished resource but to a 40 -percent decrease in the total number of fishing trips 

 and, presumably, a comparable decrease in actual fishing effort. Despite the 

 increased demand for fish meal, two reduction plants that processed fish 

 during part of I960 did not resume operations last year. 



Reflecting changes in dennand as well as changes in fleet composi- 

 tion and distribution, the overall average catch per vessel -trip increased in 

 1961 from 12 to 19 tons. Examination of catch records compiled for 6 percent 

 of the industrial -fish fleet over the period 1960-61 revealed an average in- 

 crease of 27 tons per trip for large vessels (50 or more tons capacity) fishing 

 in 2 to 20 fathoms east of the Mississippi Delta. The aame vessels fishing 

 west of the Delta and in similar depths realized only a 12 -ton increase. Small- 

 er vessels (less than 50 tons capacity) fishing east of the Delta exhibited a 

 7-ton increase, whereas, a 10-ton decrease was indicated for trips made west 

 of the Delta. In 1961, an estimated 30 percent more trips were made east of 

 the Delta by the larger boats, this being primarily responsible for a propor-, 

 tional increase in the catch from that area. Greater activity and consequent 



Typical industrial -fish trawler 

 of the "Florida" design (right), 



Typical industrial -fish trawler 

 of the "Biloxi" design (left). 



39 



