APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
million fish a year. Fishing from private boats, shorelines, 
piers, and jetties is also quite popular, but statistics 
have not been routinely collected. 
We were told by an NMFS official that not much has been 
done in the past to compile information on bottom fish be- 
cause they have not been important and little funding has 
been available to do studies. The most recent stock assess- 
ment information has been compiled on the State of Washington 
in 1967 and published in 1970. Even less information is 
available for Oregon, California, and Alaska. 
Effect on the regional economy 
The groundfishing industry affects three of the four 
Pacific Coast States. The groundfishing industry in Alaska, 
as mentioned before, is not significant, although future 
Opportunities may be great. While no specific information is 
available on the economic effect of the groundfish fishery, 
the following facts indicate its importance. 
1. Statistics prepared for the International North Pa- 
cific Fisheries Commission show that 175.6 million 
pounds of groundfish were landed by U.S. vessels in 
AIRS 9) 
2. About 280 trawlers directly employing about 1,120 
fishermen take part in the fishery. 
3. 1975 data showed that 49 plants processed groundfish 
into fillets and steaks in the Pacific Coast States. 
The effect on the regional economy of wholesalers, re- 
tailers, and shipbuilding and overhaul facilities must also 
be considered. 
Management controls 
Domestic 
No Federal regulations exist on the taking of bottom 
fish in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. The individual States 
concerned have prime resource management responsibility. 
There appear to be no important State regulations that affect 
groundfish harvesting in Oregon, Washington, or Alaska. Cali- 
fornia, however, prohibits trawling within 3 miles of the 
coast and taxes nearly all landed fish at $.001 per pound; 
California halibut is taxed at $.01 per pound. 
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