of the salt water sport fishermen utilize piers and boats, account- 

 ing for only 49 percent of the total expenditure of salt -sport 

 f ishe rmen » 



On the other hand, surf fishing does not require the 

 generally high expense on the part of the fisherman. At the 

 present time, it is assumed that most surf fishermen's expenditures 

 are made outside the Albemarle Area, since there are few places 

 where they can buy supplies, equipment, and bait. The businessmen 

 of Currituck and Dare Counties need to orient themselves towards 

 serving this type of pastime activity and to advertising the best 

 fishing seasons and places. 



Commercial Fishing 



Commercial fishing is a large industry for the Albemarle 

 Area and the eastern part of North Carolina! It has been estimated 

 by the University of North Carolina Institute of Fisheries Research 

 that there are approximately 7,600 commercial boats in Eastern 

 North Carolina, valued at approximately 30 million dollars. The 

 operation of these boats adds approximately 16 million dollars 

 annually to the economy of North Carolina, The processing plants 

 for seafood are valued at approximately 14 million dollars, and 

 they add approximately the same amount annually to the economy 

 of North Carolina through purchases of goods and services needed 

 in their operation. 



The total seafood industry, or commercial fishing industry 

 in North Carolina, accounts for approximately a 50 million dollar 

 capital investment and a 30 million dollar annual operating 

 expenditure. Statistics for the Albemarle Area are not available, 

 however, it is assumed that the fishing industry is centered in 

 Carteret County, since approximately 59 percent of the total 

 "landings" of the state take place in Carteret. (See Table 1) 



Approximately 30 percent of the landings take place beyond 

 Carteret County to che south, and the remaining 11 percent take 

 place in the Albemarle Area^ 



2 



