New National Reference Guide Focuses on Saltwater Fishing’s Contributions to the Economy

Rosemary Kosaka and Rita Curtis
NOAA Fisheries Service, Office of Science & Technology

March 23, 2009 — A new economic report released by the NOAA Fisheries Service determined that U.S. commercial and recreational saltwater fishing activities supported more than two million jobs and generated sales of more than $185 billion in 2006.

“The report documents clearly that managing fisheries sustainably is good for the environment and the economy,” said Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “Fishing helps create a substantial number of jobs around the nation.”

The purpose of Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2006 is to provide the public with relevant and accessible economic information about commercial and recreational fishing activities in the U.S. It is intended as a quick reference guide for information on the number of jobs supported and the volume of sales generated by saltwater fishing activities, as well as information on which fisheries are the most important, regionally.

 

The study reported that nationwide there are 47 fishery management plans that provide a framework for managing 230 major fish stocks or stock complexes that constitute 90 percent of the commercial harvest. Of these fish stocks and stock complexes currently man­aged under a FMP, 47 are currently categorized as over­fished and 42 are categorized as subject to overfishing. In addition, 33 marine and anadromous fish species and subspecies are protected under the Endangered Species Act. These species include five types of salmon, three varieties of sturgeon, smalltooth sawfish, and steelhead trout.

Further, in 2006, landings by fishermen in the U.S. (9.5 billion pounds) had an ex-vessel value of $4.1 billion. Top revenue-makers were shrimp ($456 million), walleye pollock ($429 million), American lobster ($395 million), sea scallops ($385 million), and Pacific salmon ($312 million). These five species and species groups generated $2.0 billion in 2006, accounting for almost half of total landings revenue.

Fishing industry groups and academic researchers have commented on how helpful it is to have a one-stop reference guide to assess quickly the state of a particular commercial or recreational fishery in their state and region.

Though only information from 1997 through 2006 is available so far, 2007 data is expected to be published this spring and 2008 data should be available by the end of this year. Despite recent changes in the overall economy, the 1997-2006 time series is still important to consider to understand how saltwater fisheries have changed or remained stable over the years.

The report also provides snapshots of fishery management plans, limited access privilege fishing programs (a type of catch share program), buyback programs, and ecolabelling programs, as well as information about the status of fish stocks and an inventory of protected marine resources.

Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2006 is available online.