Ever wonder how much seafood is landed in the United States? Today NOAA released its 2010 Fisheries of the United States Report which provides an annual snapshot of domestic landings and values. Among other things, the report indicated U.S. commercial fishermen landed 8.2 billion pounds of seafood in 2010, valued at $4.5 billion, an increase of 200 million pounds and more than $600 million in value over 2009.The report also highlights the top U.S. ports including the leader for the 22nd consecutive year, the Alaska port of Dutch Harbor-Unalaska. For the 11th consecutive year, New Bedford, Mass., had the highest valued catch, due in large part to the sea scallop fishery.
According to Eric Schwaab, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA's fisheries Service, "These increases in fish landings and value are good news for our nation’s fishermen and for fishing communities, where jobs depend on healthy fish stocks. We know fishermen are making sacrifices now to rebuild fish populations, and these efforts, combined with good science and management, support sustainable jobs for Americans."
Another aspect of the report highlights seafood consumption patterns in the country. In 2010, the average American ate 15.8 pounds of fish and shellfish, a slight decline from the 2009 figure of 16 pounds. Nationwide, Americans consumed 4.878 billion pounds of seafood, slightly less than the 4.907 billion pounds in 2009.On a global scale, the U.S. continues to be third-ranked for consuming fish and shellfish, behind China and Japan. Imported seafood continues to increase to help fill consumer demand - about 86 percent of the seafood consumed in the U.S. was imported from overseas. The U.S., however, also exports 63 percent of its domestically produced seafood, which represents an increase of four percent over 2009.
To read the entire report visit: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/fus/fus10/index.html
