The U.S. commercial and recreational saltwater fishing industry generated more than USD 199 billion in sales and supported 1.7 million jobs in the nation’s economy in 2011, according to a new economic report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service.The “Fisheries Economics of the United States 2011,” report shows that both landings and value climbed in 2011, compared to previous years.
The seafood industry — harvesters, processors and dealers, wholesalers and retailers — generated USD 129 billion in sales impacts, USD 37 billion in income impacts and supported 1.2 million jobs in 2011.
Commercial fishermen in the U.S. harvested 9.9 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish valued at USD 5.3 billion. Pacific salmon (USD 618 million), sea scallops (USD 585 million) and American lobster (USD 423 million) contributed the most to total revenue in the U.S.
In terms of volume, walleye Pollock (2.8 billion pounds), menhaden (1.9 billion pounds) and Pacific salmon (780 million pounds) comprised more than half the total volume landed in 2011.
The highest sales impacts were generated by the seafood industry in California with USD 20 billion, followed by Florida with USD 14 million, Washington with USD 8 billion and Massachusetts with 7.8 billion.
