New England fishermen caught 543.7 million pounds...

New England fishermen caught 543.7 million pounds of fish and shellfish last year, 12 million fewer pounds than in 1986, but the value of the catch soared 14% to $512.6 million, according to figures compiled by the Northeast Fisheries Center, a federal agency. Massachusetts led the five states in the region with fishing industries both in total harvest and value, followed by Maine and Rhode Island. The region’s 1987 lobster harvest was virtually identical to the previous year, 19.8 million pounds, compared to 19.7 million pounds in 1986, but the value of that harvest jumped to $54.6 million from $46.2 million.