Estuarine Fisheries: Are They Doomed?

Mchugh, J

In the most recent year for which U.S. commercial and recreational catch statistics are available, total fish and shellfish landings were about 6.5 billion pounds, of which about 4.5 billion were estuarine-dependent. On the Atlantic coast estuarine species were more important in catches from north to south, on the Pacific coast from south to north. In the Gulf of Mexico 98% were estuarine. Effects of human activities therefore should be relatively most severe from Chesapeake Bay south, in the Gulf, and in Alaska. But estuarine resources make important contributions in other areas: New England and Middle Atlantic landed commercial value was $70 million in 1970. In California, estuarine resources were only 3% by weight, but $12 million by landed value. No one can question the importance of maintaining estuarine environmental quality if fisheries are to continue. Present concerns about the environment probably have had beneficial effects, although cause and effect is difficult to prove. Doom has been averted, but constant vigilance is needed. Public education will be most important, for the issues are much more complicated than most people realize.

Estuarine Fisheries: Are They Doomed?

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