NOAA Fisheries released two of the agency’s flagship reports – 2023 Fisheries of the United States and 2023 Fisheries Economics of the United States.
These reports provide a snapshot of fisheries statistics and economic performance of commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, and other marine-related sectors. This information serves as a foundational resource for understanding the state of the seafood industry, identifying trends, and informing business decisions. The entirety of the datasets is available on our Fisheries One Stop Shop database.
Key takeaways from the report include:
- In 2023, U.S. commercial fishing, seafood, and recreational fishing supported 2.1 million full- and part-time jobs, generated $319 billion in sales impacts, and contributed $148 billion to gross domestic product.
- Total landings revenues in 2023 decreased 16 percent to $5.1 billion in inflation-adjusted (real) 2023 dollars, primarily the result of falling prices.
- Recreational fishing generated $145 billion in sales impacts, marking a 2 percent increase from 2022 to 2023. It remains an important part of the U.S. tourism sector and coastal economies.
- Aquaculture is poised as a key driver to increase American seafood competitiveness, with oysters alone accounting for $205 million in 2023.
The 2023 reports showed U.S. commercial fishing, seafood industry, and recreational fishing continue to play an essential role in our coastal economies. The data in these reports serve as a baseline for informed decision-making in support of the Administration’s goal of restoring American seafood competitiveness.