In 2022, the U.S. commercial fishing industry saw declines in both volume and value, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual report. The total catch dropped 2.6% to 8.4 billion pounds, valued at $5.9 billion—a decrease of 11% from the previous year. Per capita seafood consumption also fell by 3% to 19.8 pounds, following a historically high year in 2021.
Industry experts, like Gavin Gibbons of the National Fisheries Institute, attributed the decline to a natural adjustment after a supply surge in 2021. He noted a positive trend in consumers diversifying their seafood choices, as the top 10 most consumed species now account for 79% of total consumption, down from 90%.
The report highlighted other trends: U.S. seafood imports and exports both rose, though the seafood trade deficit increased by 6% to over $24.2 billion. Dutch Harbor, Alaska, remained the top port by volume for the 25th year, while New Bedford, Massachusetts, retained its title as the port with the highest value catch, primarily due to sea scallops. Key species by value included salmon, lobster, crabs, Alaska pollock, and sea scallops. Shrimp remained the most valuable seafood import.
Despite regional declines in catch volume, except in the Gulf of Mexico, 2022 figures were higher than those in 2020, when the industry faced COVID-19 disruptions, and aligned with pre-pandemic trends.