The numbers show just how significant that connection is.
How much seafood does the average American eat?
According to the latest data available found in the NOAA Fisheries Status of Stocks Report, Americans consumed an average of 19.1 pounds of seafood per person in 2023. That includes fish and shellfish from both domestic and international sources. The United States imported approximately 6.3 billion pounds of edible seafood products in 2023, while exporting about 2.5 billion pounds. NOAA estimates that 80% of the seafood Americans ate came from foreign imports. These numbers highlight the scale and complexity of the seafood supply chain and the importance of reliable fisheries data, resource management, aquaculture, processing, and international trade.
How much seafood do U.S. commercial fisheries harvest?
U.S. commercial fishermen landed approximately 8.4 billion pounds of fishery products in 2023, with a value of about $5.1 billion. The North Pacific accounted for 62.5% of those landings, followed by the Gulf of Mexico at 15% and the Pacific region at 10.2%. Commercial fisheries data has been collected in the United States since 1880, providing researchers and managers with long-term information about what is being harvested, where it is being harvested, and how fisheries change over time.
How much does the seafood industry contribute to the U.S. economy?
In 2023, commercial fishing and the broader U.S. seafood industry generated approximately $173.4 billion in sales impacts, $43.9 billion in income impacts, and $69.2 billion in value-added impacts. The industry supported approximately 1 million full- and part-time jobs nationwide. These impacts extend throughout the supply chain, including fishing, seafood processing, transportation, wholesale and retail operations, restaurants, and other related businesses.
How much economic activity comes from recreational fishing?
Recreational saltwater fishing generated $145.4 billion in sales impacts and supported approximately 694,000 jobs in 2023. Anglers also took more than 204 million saltwater fishing trips that year. When commercial and recreational fishing are considered together with the seafood industry, they generated approximately $319 billion in total sales impacts and supported 1.7 million jobs in 2023.
Why does all this data matter?
The numbers behind seafood reflect an extensive network of ocean observations, fisheries surveys, scientific assessments, data management, technology, and resource management. Long-term datasets help scientists identify trends, evaluate changes in marine environments, improve models, and provide information that can support fisheries and coastal resource management. NOAA Fisheries describes sustainable fisheries management as an adaptive process that relies on sound science, innovative management approaches, effective enforcement, and partnerships.
What role does science play in the future of seafood?
The future of seafood depends in part on our ability to understand the ocean and the resources it supports. Reliable data helps scientists monitor changing conditions, assess marine populations, understand habitats, and provide information for decisions about fisheries and coastal resources.
At IBSS, our work in ocean and coastal science, environmental monitoring, weather, satellite systems, and data-driven solutions contributes to the broader scientific community working to understand these complex systems. This National Seafood Month, we’re recognizing the science behind the seafood and the people, technology, and data that help us better understand the ocean resources that support it.
About IBSS
Since 1992, IBSS, a woman-owned small business, has provided transformational consulting services to the federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. Our services include: environmental science and engineering (including oceans, coasts, weather, and satellite), cybersecurity and enterprise information technology, and professional management services.
IBSS is committed to service excellence – to our clients, employees, partners, and the global community as a whole. We proactively create value through science, technology, innovation, agility, and adaptability.
