As we welcome autumn, we also celebrate National Seafood Month! Join us all month long to celebrate sustainable seafood with new feature stories, videos, podcasts, and more. There's a lot to celebrate because—aside from being scrumptious—seafood is good for you, good for the economy, and good for the planet!
The United States is recognized as a global leader in sustainable seafood for both wild-caught and farmed species. U.S. fishermen and fish farmers operate under some of the most robust and transparent environmental standards in the world. NOAA Fisheries works to advance and export sustainable management practices internationally. We establish and maintain a level playing field for our fishermen and fish farmers, and maintain confidence in U.S. seafood products and access to the global marketplace.
Aquaculture plays a key role in sustainable seafood as well. Developing a domestic aquaculture industry is critical for the economic and environmental resiliency of our coastal communities and supply of sustainable seafood.
Sustainable seafood relies on strong science, responsive management, and enforced compliance. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement enforces best stewardship practices over our ocean fisheries. They work with domestic and international partners to ensure a level playing field for those playing by the rules, combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and expanding compliance with ocean stewardship laws.
Dig into our seafood features below.
New Seafood Features
Celebrating Oysters During Oyster Week
We celebrated Oyster Week 2024 by honoring one of our favorite shellfish with special features.
Looking to the Future, Living in the Present: Supporting a Thriving and Resilient Seafood Industry
Fall is a good time to pause and reflect—not just on the past, but also on what lies ahead. Assistant Administrator, Janet Coit, shares her thoughts on how NOAA Fisheries is working to ensure a bright future for the seafood community.
Read Janet Coit's leadership message for Seafood Month 2024
Podcast: Squid—More than Just Calamari
Learn about a team of food scientists who are working to reduce food waste—starting with squid wings.
Listen to the podcast on reducing seafood waste
Economic Snapshot Shows Alaska Seafood Industry Suffered $1.8 Billion Loss 2022–2023
NOAA Fisheries released a new economic snapshot focused on the Alaska seafood industry. Economists estimate that the Alaska seafood industry suffered an $1.8 billion loss and the Alaska fishing industry saw a 50 percent decline in profitability from 2021 to 2023.
Read the economic snapshot for the Alaska seafood industry
Faces of Sustainable Seafood
Have you ever wondered how your seafood gets to your plate? With more than 1 million jobs supported by the U.S. seafood industry, the roles are as diverse as the people who fill them. Meet some of the people that are at the forefront of ensuring food security, providing jobs, and supporting the well-being of both the ocean they work in and the communities they feed.
Meet members of the seafood industry
Podcast: Seafood Fraud—How the Codfather Case Helps Combat Mislabeling
The story of "The Codfather" is an example of the harm—both to communities and to fisheries—that can occur when bad actors mislabel their catch, abuse quota systems, and break fishing regulations.
Listen to "The Codfather" episode of Dive In with NOAA Fisheries podcast
NOAA Fisheries Releases National Seafood Strategy Implementation Plan
Our National Seafood Strategy, released in 2023, outlines our direction for supporting the U.S. seafood economy and enhancing the resilience of the seafood sector, including wild-capture and aquaculture, in the face of many challenges. The National Seafood Strategy Implementation Plan outlines actions we are currently implementing as well as those we can take to support the strategy.
Read the NOAA Fisheries National Seafood Strategy Implementation Plan
Celebrating Aquaculture: Farming from Tide to Table
Aquaculture (or seafood farming) is one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to produce food and protein if done responsibly—as it is in the United States. Marine aquaculture and the communities support our nation’s seafood production and year-round jobs, enhancing coastal resilience, and more.
More Seafood Stories
Seafood Chefs Around the Country Share Favorite Recipes
During Culinary Arts Month, we asked a few seafood chefs around the country to share a favorite recipe and why sustainable seafood matters to them.
Podcast: Why You Should Try Monkfish
Monkfish is a great-tasting, sustainable seafood choice that’s often compared to lobster. Despite being caught from Maine to North Carolina, U.S. demand for monkfish is surprisingly low. In our podcast episode, we'll hear about efforts to increase domestic demand and consumption of the humble monkfish.
7 Ways to Celebrate National Seafood Month
Temperatures are cooling, leaves are changing colors, and the smell of pumpkin spice fills the air—all signs of fall in the United States! This time of year is meaningful for many reasons. At NOAA Fisheries, it’s a time to celebrate seafood because October is National Seafood Month. Check out ways you and your family can savor the flavors—and health benefits—of seafood.
See 7 ways to celebrate National Seafood Month
How NOAA Fisheries Helps Get American Seafood into American Diets
As part of our efforts to improve the resiliency of the U.S. seafood industry, we foster access to domestic markets for U.S. seafood. We know that a thriving, sustainable seafood sector is good for the economy and the environment, and for people who eat seafood. Thanks to a long-standing federal program, the bounty of American fisheries can be shared around the country.
Learn about our work with partners to get American seafood into American diets
Cheer for Seafood at Your Next Tailgate Party
As the weather cools and football season continues, get ready for the big game with these seafood tailgate ideas.
Get fun fall seafood tailgating recipe ideas
Fishing for Sport and Seafood
All seafood is local when you catch it yourself. Celebrate National Seafood Month by grabbing your gear and hitting the water.
Try favorite dishes from anglers around the country
