APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
is available for other groundfish species caught in the 
South Atlantic, such as croaker, a NMFS official stated that 
groundfish abundance will allow large increases in catches. 
In 1975 croaker landings in the South Atlantic were about 
10.3 million pounds. 
NMFS scientists believe that effective resource manage- 
ment could allow depleted groundfish stocks to recover to 
levels approximating their long term MSY. The time needed 
for stock recovery will vary by species and is subject to 
several variables, including the stringency of conservation 
Measures and environmental changes. Also, under the Fishery 
Management and Conservation Act of 1976, actual fishing levels 
will be set at the optimum yield of the fishery and will be 
determined by considering biological, economic and social 
factors, and is expected to be less than the MSY. 
Table 7 
MSY's (note a) and Quotas for the Commercial 
Groundfish ‘industry orf the vArlanete "Coast H(noce rb) 
From Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina 
Pounds 
Species Estimated MSY 1977 quota 
(000,000 omitted) 
Cod 95 te 55 
Haddock 110 ike} 
Ocean perch 38 20 
Silver hake 236 236 
Red hake al32 a 7) 
Pollock ae 22. 
Yellowtail flounder 86 SIL 
Other flounders 5 44 
Total 774 518 
@MSYs are based on commercial catch statistics and represent 
current estimates of maximum sustainable commercial catches 
given current recreational catch levels. 
Includes some area on Georges Bank which is within 200 miles 
of Canada. 
By catch only, no directed fishery. 
Atlantic pollock MSY is 66 million pounds off the United 
States and Canadian coasts and the 1977 quota was also 66 
million pounds for those waters. The amount shown for the 
United States was estimated by NMFS. 
88 
