catch, however, dropped to 39.5 million pounds in 1975 (GMFMC, 1979).

The proportion of groupers and red snapper present in recreational reef

fish catches declined significantly over the 1960 to 1970 period. In

1960, approximately 69 percent of the total weight of the recreational

catch was comprised of these primary species. By 1970, this proportion

dropped to only 39 percent of the total. Preliminary data for 1975

indicated that this proportion rose to 64 percent of the 1970-1975

period, however (Appendix B).

 Within the fishery the Florida West Coast is the dominant producer

with respect to both catch levels and industry size. In 1976, Florida's

West Coast accounted for 81 percent of total Gulf of Mexico reef fish

landings. In terms of the primary species, Florida's West Coast

accounted for 57 percent by weight and 67 percent by value of the total

red snapper catch and 96 percent by both weight and value of all grouper

landed in the Gulf of Mexico in that same year. Industry size, as

measured by the number of vessels reported by states, also illustrates

the dominant position of Florida. In 1976, 509 vessels were reported in

the reef fishery. Of these vessels, 449 fished out of Florida Gulf of

Mexico ports. During the 1970 to 1976 period, 82 percent of all GMRFF

vessels originated from Florida West Coast ports.

 The Gulf of Mexico reef fishery is a hook and line fishery. The

 fishing process mainly involves the location of high concentrations of

 reef fish and the capture of these fish using hand or mechanically

 operated fishing reels. Generally, each crewman on a vessel operates

 only one reel. Fishing activity in the Gulf of Mexico occurs over a

 wide geographic area ranging from the West Florida shelf to the Western

 Gulf off Texas and as far south as the Campeche shelf near Mexico