J*4 



SECTION 7 - PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES 



The commercial fisheries of the Pacific Coast States (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and 

 California) yielded landings of 1.5 billion pounds worth $235 .0 million — a gain of 283.8 million 

 pounds (24 percent) and $57.6 million (32 percent) compared with 1969. Landings of anchovies, 

 salmon, tuna, Dungeness crabs, and shrimp Increased sharply, and landings of halibut and snow 

 crabs had smaller gains. Landings of bonlto, sea herring, jack and Pacific mackerel, king crabs, 

 and sea scallops declined compared with 1969. Prices were generally higher than in 1969. 



The Pacific Coast States had 30 percent of the volume and 38 percent of the value of U .S. 

 landings, and exceeded all other areas in value. California with landings of 702.7 million pounds 

 had 47 percent of the quantity of the Pacific Coast production, followed by Alaska with 545.3 mil- 

 lion pounds (37 percent). Alaska with $96.1 million had 41 percent of the value of the Pacific 

 Coast landings, followed by California ($86 .4 million) with 37 percent . Washington and Oregon 

 supplied the remaining 231.7 million pounds worth $52.5 million. 



Fishermen and vessels . The Pacific Coast States had 42,142 fishermen using 5,445 vessels (5 

 net tons or more) and 15,969 motor boats — a gain of 2,115 fishermen and 302 vessels, but a de- 

 cline of 1,455 motor boats compared with 1969. 



Processed products . The value of processed seafood items was $579.7 million — an increase of 

 $134.1 million compared with 1969. California led with products valued at $299,8 million, fol- 

 lowed by Alaska with $185.9 million; Oregon, $47.8 million; and Washington, $46.2 million. 

 There were 15,606 persons employed in 510 wholesaling and processing plants in the four States. 



Salmon . Landings of 410.1 million pounds worth a record $98.7 million were 142.3 million pounds 

 (53 percent) and $35.8 million (57 percent) more than in 1969. The harvest was the largest since 

 1949. A sharp increase in red salmon landings in Alaska and near-record silver salmon landings 

 in Washington and Oregon were the principal reasons for the greater production. 



Alaska landings were 346.5 million pounds worth $68.0 million — a gain of 127.3million 

 pounds and $25. 5 million compared with 1969. Alaska accounted for 84 percent of the total salmon 

 landings and 69 percent of the total value. Biologists had predicted a run of 50 to 60 million Bris- 

 tol Bay red (sockeye) salmon, and the actual run was about 47 million fish. The pink salmon run 

 also fell somewhat short of expectations. Despite the smaller than anticipated runs, red salmon 

 landings in Alaska were 150.8 million pounds — 79.1 million more than in 1969, and the best pro- 

 duction since 1938. Bristol Bay fishermen caught more red salmon than the processing plants 

 could handle at the Bay. As a result, an airlift was devised to fly the extra salmon to processing 

 plants in Anchorage and other Alaska cities . Fishermen took their salmon 20 miles upriver where 

 the fish were iced and packed into plastic-lined containers, and then trucked to aircraft waiting 

 nearby. Airplanes flew about 20,000 air miles carrying an estimated 1.5 million pounds of sock- 

 eye salmon. Landings of all other salmon species in Alaska Increased significantly compared 

 with 1969; pink salmon, 117.7 million pounds (up 11 percent); chum, 54.5 million (up 140 per- 

 cent); silver, 11.9 million (up 48 percent); and chlnook salmon, 11.5 million pounds (up 7 per- 

 cent) . 



Compared with 1969, salmon landings In Washington (37.6 million pounds) increased 18 

 percent, and in Oregon (19 .4 million) , 84 percent. Sharply Increased sliver salmon landings In 

 both States accounted largely for the gain. The sliver salmon production In Washington was 17.4 



