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U.S. Fisheries By The Numbers

Status of U.S. Fish Stocks

  • In 2020, stock assessments led to known status determinations of seven previously unknown stocks, six of which were found to be not overfished.
  • At the end of 2020, the overfishing list included 26 (8%) stocks and the overfished list included 49 (20%) stocks.
  • Since 2000, 47 U.S. federally managed fish stocks have been declared rebuilt.
  • Read more in the annual Status of U.S. Fisheries report.

Graphic illustrating break down of stock status in the United States.

Fish Landings

  • In 2019, U.S. commercial fishermen landed 9.3 billion pounds of seafood valued at $5.5 billion.

Graphic illustrating 2019 Landings and Values for U.S. Commercial Fisheries and Seafood

  • Of the 2019 U.S. commercial catch, edible products account for 93% of the total value.

Graphic illustrating the value of processed fisheries products for 2019 and top species processed (including Alaska pollock, sockeye salmon, shrimp, tuna, and sea scallops).

  • The United States produced $1.5 billion worth of aquaculture seafood in 2018, and the top U.S. marine aquaculture species were oysters ($219 million), clams ($122 million), and Atlantic salmon ($66 million).

Graphic illustrating highlights of aquaculture production in 2018, including the top species produced (oysters, clams, Atlantic salmon, mussels, and shrimp).

  • The United States is the world’s second largest consumer of seafood in the world, eating 6.3 billion pounds in 2019. The average American ate about 19.2 pounds of fish and shellfish, an increase of 0.2 pounds from 2018.
  • Read more in the annual Fisheries of the United States.

U.S. Fisheries Economics

  • In 2016, U.S. fisheries supported 1.7 million jobs and contributed $212 billion in sales.

Total Sales Generated by U.S. Commercial and Recreational Fishing Industries, 2016: U.S. Total – $212 Billion Sales

Total Jobs Supported by Commercial and Recreational Fishing Industries: U.S. Total – 1.7 Million Jobs

  • In 2016, the commercial fishing and seafood industries supported nearly 1.2 million jobs and generated $144 billion.

U.S. Commercial Fishing & Seafood Industry Economic Impact Trends, 2016: Jobs – 1.19 Million, Income – $39.9 Billion, Sales – $144.3 Billion, Value Added – $60.8 Billion, Revenue – $5.3 Billion