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NOAA Releases Fisheries of the United States: 2018

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released Fisheries of the United States: 2018. The report provides a snapshot of data, primarily at the national level, on U.S. recreational catch and commercial fisheries landings and value. In addition, data are reported on U.S. aquaculture production, the U.S. seafood processing industry, imports and exports of fishery-related products, and domestic supply and per capita consumption of fishery products. The focus is not on economic analysis, although value of landings, processed products, and foreign trade are included.

Highlights include:

  • Commercial landings (edible and industrial) by U.S. fishermen at ports in the 50 states were 9.4 billion pounds valued at $5.6 billion in 2018—a decrease of 531 million pounds (down by 5.3%) and an increase of $150 million (up 2.8%) compared with 2017. Finfish accounted for 88 percent of the total landings, but only 45 percent of the value. The 2018 average ex-vessel price paid to fishermen was 59 cents per pound compared to 55 cents per pound in 2017.
  • Edible wild-caught fish and shellfish landings in the 50 states were 7.5 billion pounds in 2018—a decrease of 728 million pounds compared with 2017.
  • In 2017, estimated freshwater plus marine U.S. aquaculture production was 625.7 million pounds with a value of $1.47 billion, a decrease of 7.8 million pounds (1.0%) in volume and an increase of $17.9 million (1.0%) in value from 2016. Atlantic salmon was the leading species for marine finfish aquaculture, with 32.4 million pounds produced, a decrease of 3.3 million pounds (9.3%). Atlantic salmon produced was valued at $61.4 million (down 9.3%). Oysters have the highest volume for marine shellfish production (36.5 million pounds, down 0.3%).
  • Imports of edible fishery products (product weight) were 6.1 billion pounds valued at $22.4 billion in 2018. Volume increased 167.3 million pounds (2.8%), while value increased by $919.5 million (4.3%) compared with 2017.
  • United States firms exported 2.9 billion pounds of edible products valued at $5.6 billion—volume and value decreased by 262.7 million pounds (8.2%) and $139.5 million (2.4%) compared with 2017.
  • The U.S. supply of edible fishery products (domestic landings plus imports, round weight equivalent, minus exports) was 12.8 billion pounds in 2018—down 16.4 million pounds compared to 2017. The supply of industrial fishery products was 830.7 million pounds in 2018—an increase of 307.6 million pounds compared with 2017.
  • Estimated U.S. per capita consumption of fish and shellfish was 16.1 pounds (edible meat) in 2018. This total was an increase of 0.1 pounds from the 16.0 pounds consumed in 2017.

The complete report can be read or downloaded by clicking here.

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