APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
Fishing fleet 
Oysters are harvested by dredge, tongs, rakes, and 
by hand. Between 1960 and 1972 the number of vessels used 
to harvest oysters on the Atlantic coast (excluding Florida) 
increased from 745 to 1,197 while the number of boats 
declined irom 5,97 2aEOms), S02. 
Oysters are harvested in the Gulf States by dredging 
or hand tonging from boats and vessels ranging from row- 
boats to shrimp vessels. In Louisiana, oyster boats de- 
signed for harvesting are used by most of the fishermen. 
These boats are flat decked and are about 50 to 80 feet in 
length. Most Louisiana and Texas fishermen use dredges, 
whereas almost the entire oyster harvests in Florida and 
Alabama are hand tonged. Both methods are used in Missis- 
sippi. NMFS statistics show that for 1972, 1,374 dredges 
and 1,769 tongs were used to harvest 72 and 27 percent 
o£ the Gulf States" production, respectively. “fhe harvest 
involved 1,887 boats and 526 vessels. 
Vessels in the Pacific coast oyster fishery are used 
primarily as dredge platforms. The operation size deter- 
mines the vessel and equipment used. 
Employment 
The number of fishermen has been declining since 1960 
when about 10,500 fishermen were employed. Iey ALS) 7/7 26 (Gu atsweA 7] 
fishermen were employed in the Atlantic coast oyster fishery, 
excluding Florida. About 5,500 fishermen harvested oysters 
with tongs, rakes, or by hand, relatively inefficient har- 
vesting methods. Employment data for oyster processing is 
not readily available; however, according to State and 
industry officials employment in oyster processing plants 
has also declined. 
NMFS reported that there were 3,990 fishermen involved 
in the Gulf States' oyster fishery in 1972. Figures were 
not available on employment in processing and wholesaling. 
Employment in the oyster fishery ranges from full time to 
part time. Most Louisiana oystermen work oysters on a 
full-time, year-round basis, while in Texas, most of the 
oyster harvesting is done by fishermen who are primarily 
shrimpers. Around Florida's largest oyster producing area, 
Apalachicola Bay, many people are engaged principally in 
oystering. The productivity of Florida oyster fishermen 
is low because those engaged in the industry use inefficient 
harvesting methods. 
On the Pacific coast, the labor force is made up of 
families and small businesses who work together and hire 
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