SECTION 6 - GULF FISHERIES 



The commercial landings of fish and shellfish at ports of the Gulf States (West Coast of 

 Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) were 1.7 billion pounds worth $166.6 mil- 

 lion — a gain of 83.6 million pounds (5 percent) and $14.3 million (9 percent) compared with 1969. 

 Record landings of menhaden and excellent landings of shrimp were major factors contributing to 

 the greater volume and value. Fishermen received high prices for shrimp during most of the year. 



Louisiana led in volume of landings with a record 1.1 billion pounds (65 percent), followed 

 by Mississippi with 2^7.8 million (17 percent); Texas, 147.0 million (9 percent); Florida, West 

 Coast, 116.5 million (7 percent); and Alabama, 29.6 million pounds (2 percent). Compared with 

 1969, the value of landings increased in all States except Alabama. The value of Louisiana land- 

 ings ($61.1 million) was up 12 percent; Texas ($53.3 million), up 13 percent; Florida, West Coast 

 ($31.2 million), up 6 percent; and Mississippi ($11.1 million), up 5 percent. The value of land- 

 ings in Alabama ($9.9 million) declined 6 percent. 



Fishermen and vessels . Commercial fishermen numbered 24,891 — a decline of 227 compared with 

 1969. A decrease of 420 fishermen in the boat and shore fishery accounted for most of the decline. 

 Vessels (craft of 5 net tons or more) numbered 4 , 320 — the same as in 1969 . 



According to recordsof theU.S. Department of Transportation, 249 vessels with home ports 

 in the Gulf of Mexico received first documents as fishing craft in 1970. Of this number, 235 were 

 newly constructed. About 135 of them joined the Gulf shrimp fleet; and another 51 , built for U.S. 

 citizens in the fishery trade, operated out of countries in South America. The remaining vessels 

 either entered the commercial fishery for oysters, red snapper, menhaden, and other species, or 

 were used as charter craft. 



Processed products . The value of processed seafood items was $325.7 million — an increase of 

 $16.1 million compared with 1969. Louisiana led in production with products valued at $102.4 

 million, followed by Texas with $88.9 million; Florida, West Coast, $80.8 million; Mississippi, 

 $33.0 million; and Alabama, $20.6 million. The five States had 13,427 persons employed in 817 

 wholesaling and processing plants. 



Weather . In August, the shrimp industry at Aransas Pass and Rockport, Tex. , was badly damaged 

 by hurricane Celia. The winds reached a velocity of about 145 m.p.h. and sank 36 large shrimp 

 trawlers, beached 32, and severely damaged the hulls of 38. In addition, about 25 small shrimp 

 trawlers were either destroyed or badly damaged. Many processing plants onshore were also dam- 

 aged extensively. The total loss to fishing craft and shore installations was estimated at a min- 

 imum of $3 million. 



Menhaden . Landings were a record 1.2 billion pounds — 5 percent more than in 1969, the former 

 record year. The menhaden fishery had 76 purse seiners operating in 1970 — the same as in 1969. 

 Most of the fish were taken in the coastal waters of Louisiana. Record landings of 959.8 million 

 pounds in Louisiana accounted for 79 percent of the production. 



Compared with 1969, prices of menhaden meal and oil increased despite greater production 

 in the Gulf States . The improved prices resulted mainly from a decline in total available supplies 

 in the United States. In 1970, imports of fish meal (251,500 tons) were 30 percent less than in 

 1969, and the smallest quantity imported since 1961. 



Shrimp . For the fourth consecutive year, landings exceeded 200 million pounds. Landings of 230.5 

 million pounds (heads-on) were 15 percent greater than in 1969, and second only to the record 237 . 2 

 million pounds taken in 19 54. Compared with 1969, landings increased in all States. Louisiana 

 led for the second consecutive year with 90.9 million pounds (up 10 percent) , Texas was next with 

 88.3 million (up 25 percent); Florida, West Coast, 26.6 million (up 15 percent); Alabama, 15.0 

 million (up nearly 1 percent); and Mississippi, 9.6 million (up 8 percent). 



526-460 O - 73 - H 



