APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
obtain a soluble product high in protein content, vitamins, 
and minerals. 
The domestic production of menhaden products for 
selected years are shown below. 
Year Dried scrap and meal Solubles Oil 
Pounds Pounds Pounds 
(000 omitted) 
LIGOr “4236, 846 is19 7202 sae wOOrs2 999 183,403 Sil sse 
1965, 351,918. 625,869 146,360 4,666 175), 204 areas 
1970 377,100 34,658 WAS) sip se! SG, 263 ons 
197i “442 008 S45 :9169 IA) GUE, Sn 7/7) 242,071 19,268 
Markets--Atlantic and gulf 
Menhaden account for most of the U.S. domestic fish- 
meal production. Other domestic fish used for fishmeal are 
anchovy, tuna, and mackerel. Menhaden provides less than 
half of the total domestic fishmeal demand and the United 
States has had to import large quantities principally from 
Peru and Canada. 
U.S. imports declined in 1973 and 1974 because Peru 
decreased its exports to the United States. U.S. exports 
of fishmeal increased dramatically during this period be- 
cause prices in Europe were higher than in the United States. 
However, 1975 reversed the trend of 1973 and 1974. 
The United States exports a major part of the domestic- 
ally produced menhaden oil. The Netherlands is a major buyer, 
as are Sweden, the United Kingdom, and West Germany. Even 
though the level of 1975 oil export decreased, it was at about 
the same level as the 1970-74 average. FDA bans the use of 
menhaden fish oil for human consumption in the United States. 
Fishing fleet 
The number of vessels active in the Atlantic fishery 
peaked in the mid- to late 1950s when active vessels numbered 
over 100. The number of active vessels has declined since 
that, tame. 
The number of vessels active in the Gulf of Mexico 
fishery during this same period has been comparatively steady. 
The most dramatic change has been in the rapid rate at which 
vessels have increased in average size as shown by their 
registered net tonnage. 
182 
