Fish Cycles: A Harmonic Analysis

The landings and prices of many species of fish exhibit rather regular cyclical movements. The paper uses traditional methods of harmonic analysis to measure the lengths and amplitudes of landings and price cycles for cod, haddock, and blackback flounder landed at specific New England ports. Also discussed, briefly, is the periodicity of the total U. S. catch of all food fish. Findings demonstrate the occurrence of pronounced seasonal (12‐month) cycles, as well as cycles of several years' duration. The authors stress the value of cyclical analysis as a forecasting device and as an aid to understanding the nature of demand for fishery products.