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NOAA Annual Fisheries of the United States 2013 Report Released

NOAA

US fishermen landed some 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish worth an estimated $5.5 billion in 2013.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced in its 2013 annual report that US fisherman landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish, an increase of 245 million pounds from 2012.  KDLG’sThea Card has this report.

The numbers are in!  NOAA reports an almost $388 million increase in fish brought in nationwide, with 2013 bringing in $5.5 billion. The annual Fisheries of the United States 2013 report states that while national fish and shellfish totals remained about the same, total landings of wild salmon was up 68 percent from 2012. 

Chief NOAA Fisheries scientist Doctor Richard Merrick says although there were a couple of disappointing catches, most everyone improved.

“So all of these landings mean jobs and continued consumption of seafood. The average American consumed 14.5 pounds of seafood in 2013, that’s about the same as last year.”

But let’s get down to brass tax—the numbers.  The report shows that for the 17th year in a row Dutch Harbor is the nation’s top fishing port, landing 753 million pounds. New Bedford, Massachusetts reported the highest value catch at 130 million pounds valued at $379 million, mostly due to the sea scallop fishery.  The Naknek Port was eighth on the list for highest value, with 78 million pounds valued at $89 million, and other Bristol Bay ports accounted for 41 million pounds valued at $64 million.

NOAA states over 1.6 billion pounds of salmon was landing in 2013, that’s up 68 percent from 2012, bringing $75 million. But the fish that was landed the most, coming in with over 3 billion pounds—Alaska Pollock landing a sweet $1.3 million.