In 2018, U.S. fishermen landed 9.4 billion pounds of fish valued at $5.6 billion at ports around the nation—consistently high figures on par with recent years, which bring economic benefits up and down the seafood supply chain, according to an annual report released today by NOAA Fisheries.
In 2018, U.S. commercial fishermen caught 9.4 billion pounds of seafood valued at $5.6 billion. Highest value species groups included lobster, crabs, salmon, scallops, and shrimp. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
According to the Fisheries of the United States report, which is compiled by NOAA using data and analysis not immediately available at the same end of a fishing year, U.S. highest value species groups in 2018 included lobster ($684 million), crabs ($645 million), salmon ($598 million), scallops ($541 million), and shrimp ($496 million). Dutch Harbor in Alaska, and New Bedford in Massachusetts, continue to dominate the list of top ports driven by landings of pollock for Alaska (the nation’s largest commercial fishery) and top-valued sea scallops in Massachusetts.
“America’s fishermen and seafood industries underpin our strong blue economy. Our fisheries are among the world’s most sustainable and support thousands of jobs, provide billions of dollars in revenue, and provide protein-rich options to dinner tables,” said U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. “Consumers can be confident that U.S. seafood represents the global gold standard in sustainability.”
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