74 American Fishezies Society 



PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION. 



Much interest has been exhibited in the per capita consump- 

 tion of fish in the United States. We are heavy importers and 

 exporters of fishery products. During the fiscal year ended June 

 30, 1917, we imported 320,876,663 pounds, valued at $22,635,983, 

 while during the same period we exported 183,355,571 pounds of 

 domestic products, valued at $19,875,614, and 6,529,627 pounds 

 of foreign products, valued at $655,034, a total of 189,885,198 

 pounds exported, valued at $20,530,648, leaving the net quantity 

 of imports over exports at 130,991,465 pounds and $2,105,335. 

 The total production of edible products in our commercial fisheries 

 amount to 2,426,784,857 pounds, to which should be added 

 130,991,465 pounds, representing the net imports, making a total 

 of 2,557,776,322 pounds consumed in this country. Estimating 

 the population of the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) 

 at 100,000,000, this would show a consumption of 25.57 pounds 

 each year by every man, woman and child. 



