Catfish comprise a large percentage of the total catch in the 

 Albemarle Sound and may become more important as packaging and 

 marketing practices improve. Presently, many of these fish, as 

 well as a large proportion of the remainder of the food fish catch 

 of the Albemarle Sound, are marketed in Eastern North Carolina. 

 The rest of the food fish catch is shipped to northern markets. 



At the present time, there is not enough statistical data to 

 accurately analyze the fishing industry and to adequately determine 

 feasible solutions to their problems. Thus, it is recommended 

 that detailed study be undertaken. This study would consist of a 

 through analysis of the resource, the catch, and where it goes 

 from the time it is caught to the time it is consumed. It would 

 also investigate merchandising practices and possible new methods 

 of attracting the consumer. 



The Pamlico Sound contains 65 percent of the region's total 

 fishing activity and is considerably more diversified than the 

 Albemarle Sound. The Pamlico Sound is predominantly a shell 

 fishing area with its catch consisting of crabs, shrimp, and 

 oysters in decendlng order of importance. Hyde County is pre- 

 dominantly the oyster and shrimp county, and Dare County is pre- 

 dominantly a crab county. Oysters seem to be increasing, but 

 shrimp are decreasing. Crabs, however, are definitely increasing 

 in volume. There are several crab processing plants, but these 

 are finding it difficult to stay in business because of the 

 fluctuating price of crab meat and because of increasing labor 

 costs. Mer chaniza tion seems to be the main answer to the crab 

 industry, but perhaps new methods of marketing the meat may prove 

 profitable. At present, crab meat is sold in large containers 

 of a pound or more. Generally, this quantity and its accompanying 

 price is too much meat and too high priced for the housewife. 

 Here again is the need for a thorough study of marketing and 

 packaging methods. 



1 9 North Carolina StaJa Library 



RalpinK 



