Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

NOAA releases two key reports, status of stocks and fisheries of the United States

by NOAA Fisheries 20 May 2022 14:10 UTC
School of yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean © iStock

Today, NOAA Fisheries released two flagship reports—the 2021 Status of Stocks report and the 2020 Fisheries of the United States report.

"These reports help capture our shared and continued commitment to sustainable fisheries management in the U.S. as we continue to make progress in rebuilding and ending overfishing on stocks and work to increase the economic impact of our fisheries," said Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries and NOAA's Acting Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Janet Coit. "They also reflect the responsibility we have to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on our coastal and marine resources, all while trying to build healthier and more resilient ecosystems."

Status of U.S. Fisheries

Our annual Status of Stocks report highlights our collective efforts to rebuild and recover U.S. fisheries by providing a snapshot of the more than 460 stocks we manage. This year's report shows continued progress in science and management for U.S. fisheries.

A few highlights from the report:

  • In 2021, U.S. fisheries held steady with more than 90 percent of stocks not subject to overfishing, and 80 percent not overfished
  • The number of stocks on the overfishing list also held steady at 26, and the number of overfished stocks slightly increased to 51, up from 49

Fisheries of the United States

Our annual Fisheries of the U.S. report focuses on the economic impacts of fisheries. This year's report presents information using an exciting new digital format which helps engage readers in different ways—from those who favor graphics to those who want raw data.

A few highlights from the report:

  • U.S. commercial fishermen landed 8.4 billion pounds valued at $4.7 billion, while recreational anglers caught an estimated 1 billion fish and released 65 percent of those caught
  • Landings for fish in the U.S. were down 10 percent, likely due to the impacts of the pandemic
  • Top ports for volume and value in 2020 were Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, respectively

"The numbers presented in these reports highlight the work that our agency, the eight regional fishery management councils, and our stakeholders accomplished together to answer the challenge of Covid while ensuring the sustainability and economic stability of our nation's fisheries," said Coit.

Related Articles

Washington state river restoration project
Reviving salmon habitat, supporting local jobs This spring, NOAA partner the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership broke ground on a large-scale salmon habitat restoration project on the lower East Fork Lewis River in Washington State. Posted on 17 May
Scientists estimate krill abundance in Alaska
A commonly used machine-learning algorithm was key Throughout the world, scientists engage in regular vessel surveys to produce estimates of species distribution and abundance. These estimates let scientists track species- and ecosystem-level trends over time to support ecosystem-based fishery management. Posted on 22 Feb
Oregon Coast coho sustain sportfishing seasons
Rebound of wild populations boosts productivity enough for harvest Low salmon returns have closed salmon fishing in California and limited it elsewhere on the West Coast. But Oregon anglers have enjoyed robust sportfishing on a strong wild salmon species. Posted on 23 Dec 2024
Some fish and crab may shift further north
New regional models are being developed for the Bering Sea to better anticipate climate change The eastern Bering Sea is a highly productive marine ecosystem, supporting more than 40 percent of the annual commercial fisheries landings by volume in the United States. Posted on 21 Dec 2024
How the 2024 hurricane season impacted fishing
Learn how business owners, marine ecosystems, and recreational fishing seasons were affected The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30, showcased above-average activity. It had a profound impact on recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, causing recreational fishers to face challenges and interim closures. Posted on 20 Dec 2024
Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries
Climate change is impacting the nation's valuable marine and Great Lakes ecosystems The NOAA Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI) is an effort to provide decision-makers with the information they need to prepare for and adapt to changing oceans and climate. Posted on 7 Dec 2024
Fifteen years of searching for smalltooth sawfish
NOAA Fisheries scientists have been studying smalltooth sawfish in South Florida since 2009 NOAA Fisheries scientists have traveled to South Florida multiple times a year for 15 years to study smalltooth sawfish. Posted on 17 Nov 2024
Harbor Seals consume up to a third of Steelhead
Unchecked predation may undermine recovery actions, study finds Harbor seals consume as many as a third of young steelhead smolts migrating out of the Nisqually River's delta in southern Puget Sound, new research shows. Posted on 21 Sep 2024
The Elwha River restoration
Elwha River restoration project offers valuable insights into the complex ecological processes Elwha River restoration project offers valuable insights into the complex ecological processes involved in dam removal and river recovery. Posted on 16 Sep 2024
Reestablishing connections for fish and tribes
North Santiam River is a high priority for the recovery of Upper Willamette River spring Chinook With $710,000 in funding from NOAA, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde will remove barriers to the passage of threatened salmon and trout species on their land. Posted on 16 Aug 2024
Maritimo M50Palm Beach Motor Yachts