Note (Table 4) that generally only the most urbanized subregions 

 are deficient as indicated in the needs columno For the next two decades, 

 however, these subregional need may be counterbalanced by surpluses in sub- 

 regions 7, 8, and 9. 



3.3 What are the principal characteristics and species of the fishery? 



Productiono Of prime concern is the major decline in commercial 

 landings of finfish and shellfish in the Sound since l956o The decline in 

 finfish landings is partially due to a decline in commercial harvesting effort, 

 to regulations discriminating against commercial finfishing in favor of recrea- 

 tional finfishing, and, in some cases, to declining fishery stockso This 

 decline is especially evident in the otter trawl fishery- It must be pointed 

 out, however, that the decline in Sound landings does not necessarily mean 

 a decline in catch; the actual catch of some species in the Sound is on the 

 increase e.g^^ menhadeno Commercial shellfishing decline is most probably 

 linked to pollution and resultant closure of shellfish beds, wetlands modifi- 

 cation and destruction, reduced commercial harvesting effort, and careless 

 shellfishing practices including inadequate laws and inadequate enforcement 

 of shellfish regulations. 



Finfish. At the present time there are only four full-time com- 

 mercial otter trawlers in the Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound, In addi- 

 tion to these trawlers, there are a number of commercial fishermen who occa- 

 sionally trawl for finfish in the Soundo The Connecticut otter trawl catch 

 in 1970 amounted to about 650,000 pounds, consisting of two major species, 

 scup and ^^anter flounder and unclassified bait species (ioeo, menhaden, sea 

 robin, skate, herring-like fishes, eel, and small flounder) o There are fifteen 

 seasonal commercial otter trawlers operating in New York waters of Long Island 

 Sound, and their catch in 1969 also amounted to about 650,000 pounds. The 

 three top species were butterfish, summer flounder, and scup- The locations 

 of the otter trawl fishery and other Sound fisheries are shown in Plat6 I 

 (Page 57). 



Despite the decline over the past three decades, several smaller 

 fisheries have remained stable. This includes the pound net fishery on the 

 north shore of Long Island. It consistently contributes 300,000 to 500,000 

 pounds of fish to the commercial catch. The Connecticut River shad fishery 

 contributes 100,000 to 200,000 pounds annually. Several small fisheries have 

 also shown increases during the 1956-1970 period. This is true of the eel 

 fishery which has a local product demand and an export market. 



The recent menhaden fishery began on a large scale in the early 

 1940's. Landings in Long Island Sound fluctuated for several years, but 

 have decreased significantly since the mid-1960' s. Despite the decline in 

 Sound landings, there is little doubt that the actual menhaden catch 



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