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Each year NOAA Fisheries compiles key fisheries statistics from the previous year into an annual snapshot documenting fishing’s importance to the nation. We provide data on both recreational and commercial fisheries, the trade of fishery products in and out of the United States, the production of fishery processors nationwide , and track important indicators such as annual seafood consumption.
The value of U.S. commercial fisheries landings, including aquaculture production, remains strong and has a broad positive impact on the U.S. economy. Our Fisheries of the United States reports reflect the importance of healthy and sustainable fisheries that support societal, economic, and ecological resilience. Our nation’s fisheries and the aquaculture industry are central to NOAA’s resilience priority, crucial as they are to both global food security and ocean sustainability.
Saltwater recreational fishing is an American pastime, conservation contributor, and important economic driver nationwide. Millions of Americans access the great outdoors through recreational fishing each year, strengthening families, friendships, and communities.
We live in a global marketplace with a robust and interconnected supply chain. To meet consumer demand, the United States continues to be a major importer of seafood.
Seafood is part of a healthy diet and the U.S. annually ranks as one of the top seafood-consuming nations globally.
The NOAA Fisheries Annual Survey of US Seafood Processors is the only comprehensive, national survey that focuses on the domestic seafood processing industry. The information we obtain from it helps to highlight the importance of the seafood processing industry to our domestic food supply and the coastal communities in which they operate.