APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
Ocean perch and black cod appears to have declined while 
pollock has increased. The decrease in Pacific Ocean perch 
and black cod stocks coincides with the development of for- 
eign fisheries. Reasons for the increase in pollock are un- 
known. 
During 1975 NMFS conducted a survey of bottom fish and 
commercially important invertebrates inhabiting the Conti- 
nental Shelf and upper slope of the northeastern Gulf of 
Alaska. 
The biomass in the survey area, as estimated from the 
otter trawl catches, was 665.8 million pounds. Of this ton- 
nage, 40 percent were flatfish, 26 percent were roundfish, 
and 4 percent were rockfish. Invertebrates, sharks, and 
skates comprised the remaining 30 percent. Three species-- 
pollock, turbot (arrowtooth flounder), and snow crab--made 
up nearly half (48.5 percent) of the biomass estimate for the 
survey area. 
Harvesting capability 
Adequate harvesting capability--in terms of many 
experienced fishermen and suitable vessels--is necessary for 
successful fisheries development. Although a sufficient 
number of fishermen is available, there may not be enough 
vessels to develop a viable groundfish industry. Many large 
and recently built vessels in the Alaska shellfish fleet are 
based out of Seattle. Many of these are large enough and 
suitable for conversion to trawl for groundfish in the Bering 
Sea or Gulf of Alaska and are seeking alternate fisheries 
employment during the off seasons for crab and shrimp. 
The manager of a Seattle fishermen's marketing associa- 
tion told us that there is vessel capacity that is not being 
used for the groundfish fishery because groundfish prices 
have been low and up until now it has not been economical to 
convert crab boats for bottomfishing. He said, depending on 
the boat, conversion costs could be around $100,000. 
The manager of a fishing vessel owners' association told 
us that crab boats can be utilized a maximum of 7 months if 
they fish for three species of crab. Average utilization now 
is about 5 months. He stated that the capacity to fish for 
groundfish is available, but that markets for the fish are 
not. The association is therefore working with the U.S. 
Government and foreign governments to develop agreements for 
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