Chondros crispus Stackhouse

The Northwest Atlantic Chondrus fishery is the basis of a phycocolloid industry. Harvesting is centered in the Gulfs of Maine and St. Lawrence where the species is an ecological dominant. The extensive ecological-physiological data base is reviewed as is the biosystematics. Annual catch peaked in 1974 (approx. 50,000 t) and troughed in 1983 (approx. 18,000 t). Catch decline was due/in part, to a decrease in crop demand caused by international marketplace competition from other carra-geenophytes. Harvesting and handling techniques are described. Resource management structure is outlined, as are stock assessment and assessment science programs. The international aspect of resource utilization is discussed