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U.S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



packaged fish, but a small decrease in the production of frozen fish. 

 The catch of shad in the Hudson River increased appreciably in 1931 

 over 1930. 



Chesapeake Bay States. — In 1931 the catch of fishery products in 

 the Chesapeake Bay States was somewhat less than that in 1930, but 

 exceeded the production in 1929; however, the value of the 1931 

 catch was less than that for any year for which there are records since 

 1897. There was a large increase in the catch of shad and ale wives 

 in the Potomac River as compared with 1930. The value of men- 

 haden products was but little more than one half that of the preceding 

 year. 



South Atlantic and Gulf States. — The catch of fishery products in 

 the South Atlantic and Gulf States in 1931 was less than in any year 

 for which data are available since 1908 and the value is less than any 

 year since 1902. There were decreases in the production of packaged 

 fish, canned oysters, and menhaden products, although there was a 

 small increase in the output of canned shrimp. 



Pacific Coast States. — The catch statistics for the Pacific Coast 

 States in 1931 show the smallest catch since 1926 and a value less 

 than in any year since 1922. There was an increase in the pack of 

 canned salmon, as the biennial heavy run of humpback or pink salmon 

 occurred in 1931. There were large decreases in the packs of canned 

 sardines, canned tuna, packaged fish, and frozen fish. 



Lake States. — The United States fisheries prosecuted in the Great 

 Lakes and the international lakes of northern Minnesota in 1931 

 decreased somewhat under the previous year. Beginning in 1929 a 

 revised statistical procedure was used, including certain products 

 not canvassed in some of the preceding surveys, and there was a 

 change in the methods of collecting statistics in some of the States. 



Mississippi River and tributaries. — The first survey for statistics 

 of the catch of the Mississippi River and tributaries since 1922 was 

 made for the year 1931. A considerable decrease in the catch is noted 

 between these years, which is reflected principally in a smaller catch 

 of fresh-water mussels, which are used primarily in pearl button 

 manufacture. 



Alaska. — The catch of fishery products in Alaska in 1931 was less 

 in both volume and value than that in 1930; however, the pack of 

 canned salmon in 1931 exceeded that of the previous year. There 

 were decreases in the packs of frozen fish, cured fish, and in by- 

 products. 



Fisheries of the United States and Alaska, 1931 



SUMMARY OF CATCH: By sections 

 [Expressed in thousands of pounds and thousands of dollars; that is, 000 omitted] 



Note. — The Roman numerals appearing under the names of the sections are the numbers given these 

 areas by the North American Council on Fishery Investigations. It should be explained that there are 

 included under these areas craft owned under the respective areas but at times fishing elsewhere. 



