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U.S. Fisheries By The Numbers

Status of U.S. Fish Stocks

  • As a result of the U.S. science-based management process, the status of our nation’s federally managed marine fish stocks continues to improve. In 2017, the number of stocks on the overfished list reached a new all-time low, and three stocks were rebuilt.
  • By the end of 2017, the number of stocks on the overfishing list remained at 30, while the number of stocks on the overfished list dropped to 35, the lowest number ever.
  • Since 2000, 44 U.S. federally managed fish stocks have been declared rebuilt.
  • Read more in the annual Status of U.S. Fisheries report.

Fish Landings

  • In 2017, U.S. commercial fishermen landed 9.9 billion pounds of seafood valued at $5.4 billion.

2017 U.S. Commercial Fisheries and Seafood Industry, Highlights

  • Of the 2017 U.S. commercial catch, the majority was used for food for humans—78.7 percent for fresh/frozen food, 2.9 percent canned, and 1.4 percent cured.

2017 U.S. Commercial Fisheries and Seafood Industry, How Our Catch is Used

  • The United States produced $1.5 billion worth of aquaculture seafood in 2016, and the top U.S. marine aquaculture species were oysters ($192 million), clams ($138 million), and Atlantic salmon ($68 million).

2016 U.S. Aquaculture Production, Highlights

  • The United States is the world’s second largest consumer of seafood in the world, eating 5.2 billion pounds in 2017. That works out to about 16.0 pounds per person, an increase of 1.1 pounds from 2016.
  • Read more in the annual Fisheries of the United States, 2017.

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