Table 13. — Ex-vessel, wholesale, and retail prices and markups for American 

 lobsters, 1959-71. 



Source: Economic Research Division, NMFS. 



Maine) for the year 1967. This represents approxi- 

 mately 2.7 percent of the universe of 6,778 boats. Data 

 were collected on such items as gross stock; variable 

 expenses; fixed expenses; physical characteristics of 

 boats; utilization of boats; and socioeconomic charac- 

 teristics of the fishermen. 



(2) Determinants of Production Among Lobster 

 Boats. — Using our sample of 186 boats for 1967, we 

 attempted to explain the variation in annual landings of 

 lobsters among the boats. It was hypothesized that a 

 number of factors might be responsible for variations 

 in annual production of lobsters by boat: 



(a) Boat Size: Larger boats may be capable of 

 greater range and storage capacity; 



(b) Boat Age: If not adequately maintained, older 

 vessels might be less productive; 



(c) Boat Horsepower: Horsepower increases range 

 and ability to fish in rough weather as well as speed in 

 hauling traps; 



(d) Number of Traps Fished: The more traps used 

 the larger the lobster catch; 



(e) Number of Trips: Probably the most important 

 variable in influencing the total lobster landings of any 

 boat is the time utilized for fishing during the year; 



OF TOTAL US. CONSUMPTION 



D 



OF TOTAL U.S. POPULATION 



< 



2 



< 



< 



< 

 q: 



UJ 



o 



< 





30 — % 



10 



D 



OF TOTAL U.S. 

 CONSUMPTION 



OF TOTAL U.S. 

 POPULATION 



=fl 



Figure 10. — Regional distribution of lobster consumption (at home) 

 and population, 1969. 



Figure 11. — Regional distribution of lobster tail consumption (at 

 home) and population, 1969. 



20 



