cS5.^p-3:?f?7/siiff. Current Fishery Statistics No. 8700 Fisheries of the United States, 1987 Supplemental April 1988 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service LETTER FROM ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR: The fisheries of the United States represent a vast renewable natural resource providing the people of this nation with food, income, em- ployment, and recreation. These marine fish- eries resources, for which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) holds stewardship, comprise the larg- est, most varied and valuable fisheries re- source in the world. It includes perhaps one- fifth of all the traditionally marketed fish and shellfish in the ocean and about 90 thousand miles of tidal shoreline offering numerous and varied recreational opportunities. The com- mercial and recreational segments of the U.S. fishing industry involve substantial numbers of people, support a large network of busi- nesses, and produce significant income and employment. In 1987, U.S. commercial fishermen landed 6.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish with a dockside value of over $3.1 billion dollars. Marine recreational fisheries annually involve over 17 million anglers who catch an esti- mated 631.7 million pounds of fish and con- tribute over $7.5 billion dollars to the U.S. economy. These commercial and recreational values can be multiplied several times in deter- mining the contribution of fishery landings to the U.S. economy. NOAA encourages and assists both segments of the industry while protecting and enhanc- ing the resources and their environment. NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries The Fisheries Statistics Division of the National Marine Fisher- ies Service maintains a variety of data on U.S. and world fish- eries. This brochure provides a general overview of the size,, scope, and world position of the U.S. fishing industry, and the U.S. supply and consumption of fishery products. U.S. Commercial Landings Volume (Round Weight) Billion Pounds 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 Year Commercial landings by U.S. fishermen in 1987 amounted to 6.9 billion pounds (3.1 million metric tons) of edible and non- edible fishery resources valued at $3.1 billion. A metric ton is equal to 2,204.6 pounds. Over 300 species are taken commer- cially, although many of these species are underutilized by the U.S. industry and offer significant potential for development. The "round" weights referred to in the above graph and else- where in this brochure include the weights of whole fish, but not the shell weights of shellfish. U.S. Commercial Fishermen and Craft 250 200 150 100F 50- U.S. Commercial Fishermen 80 81 82 Year 83 84 85 86 There were an estimated 247,000 men and women engaged in commercial fishing on a full-time basis utilizing approximately 128,200 fishing craft in 1986, the most recent year for which such data are available. The fleet consists primarily of boats under five "gross registered tons" due to the near-water nature of most of the fisheries. The U.S. commercial industry is char- "acterized by the rather specific nature of the various fisheries, most of which are carried out in relative isolation from one another. Lately, however, so as to remain economically viable in today's complex fisheries, there is an increasing trend • towards rigging craft to be more easily adaptable to compete in more than one fishery. Marine Recreational Anglers. iS numbered 17 million ' iX took 75.5 million fishing trips iS caught 384.5 million fish i/* weighing 631.7 million pounds i^ spent $7.5 billion An estimated 17 million marine recreational anglers caught about 631.7 million pounds (286.5 thousand metric tons) of finfish on approximately 75.5 million fishing trips in 1987. Ex- cluding catches of industrial species (such as anchovies and menhaden) and freshwater fish, the marine recreational catch comprised an estimated 20 percent of the total U.S. finfish landings used for food in 1987. For some species, such as blue- fish and spotted sea trout, the recreational catch greatly ex- ceeded the commercial catch. It is estimated that marine recrea- tional anglers add about $7.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy through direct and indirect expenditures associated with fishing (boats, equipment, fuel, tackle, lodging, etc.) Major Marine Recreational Species 1987— Atlantic/Gulf Coasts Croakers and °lher Smelts Drums Sea Basses 31% 5.7% 14.6% Recreational Species The five species most commonly caught by marine recreational anglers in 1987 were bluefish, spotted sea trout, summer floun- der, Atlantic croaker, and spot. The estimated total marine rec- reational finfish catch in number on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts-was 336.9 million fish. The total catch in number on the Pacific coast was estimated to be 47.2 million fish, exclusive of salmon, which historically has been about two percent of the total Pacific marine recreational finfish catch. Major Commercial Species Crabs Flounders 10.3% 4.7% In terms of volume, the five major species of fishery resources caught by commercial fishermen in 1987 were menhaden (an oily fish used primarily for industrial purposes), salmon, "Alaska pollock, crabs, and shrimp. Salmon, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and flounders were the top five species in terms of value. Cameron, Louisiana, with landings of 672.4 million pounds (304.9 thousand metric tons), was the leading port in terms of volume. New Bedford, Massachusetts, with landings valued at $ 143 .7 million, was the leading port in terms of value. Catch in the U.S. EEZ Foreign " Million Metric Tons (Round Weight) In the interest of commercial and recreational fishermen, the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (MFCMA) was enacted by the Congress to provide a national focus and effort deemed necessary to protect our fishery re- sources from overfishing by foreign nations. The MFCMA es- tablished an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending from the seaward boundaries of the territorial sea (3 nautical miles from shore in most cases) to 200 nautical miles from shore. All fishery resources within the EEZ, except highly migratory species of tuna, are subject to management by one or more of the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils created by the MFCMA. The Councils analyze scientific data and hold frequent public meetings in the process of developing Fishery Management Plans (FMP's) for species requiring management. The FMP's are designed to provide for the optimum utilization of the resources, while giving preference to U.S. fishermen over foreign fishermen. As of December 31, 1987, twenty- seven FMP's were fully implemented. A measure of the success of the MFCMA is the declining foreign catch within the EEZ. Joint Ventures The MFCMA led to the development of "joint ventures" in 1979, wherein U.S. commercial fishermen catch and sell to for- eign vessels certain species for which U.S. demand is low rela- tive to the abundance of the species. United States fishermen thus derive income from species which would otherwise be underutilized, and also benefit by fuel savings since the catches are transferred to foreign vessels at sea, eliminating the need to return to port to unload. "Joint venture" catches of species such as cods, flounders, and Alaska pollock have grown dra- matically from 23.3 million pounds (10.6 thousand metric tons) worth $1.3 million in 1979 to 3.5 billion pounds (1,596.9 thou- sand metric tons) worth $213.8 million in 1987. Joint Venture Catch 3600 3400 3200 3000 2800 2600 2400 2200 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Million Pounds (Round Weight) 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 Year U.S. Supply of Fishery Products rJ Total/ 1 Billion Pounds ' (Round Weight) y U.S. Landings / ^ ^ — """'imports i i > i i i i i - 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 Year Despite the generally increasing volume of U.S. commercial landings over the years, the U.S. has remained a major im- porter of fishery products, and 1987 imports accounted for 56. 2 percent of the total U.S. supply of all fishery products in terms of a round weight equivalent volume. Foreign Trade Fishery Trade Deficit 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 Year In terms of value, total fishery imports in 1987 reached a rec- ord $8.8 billion, while U.S. exports of fishery products were valued at $1.7 billion. Historically, the U.S. has run a fishery trade deficit since 1895. Shrimp imports alone were valued at $1.7 billion in 1987. Other major items were fresh and frozen fish fillets, and frozen fish blocks used to produce fish sticks. Major export items included fresh, frozen, and canned salmon, as well as various types of fish roe. Leading Fishing Nations 1 Japan ^______ _ Million Metric Tons 1 (Live Weight) - USA ^_ — - — ^Chile USSR China ^/Peru 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 Year The U.S. ranked sixth among major fishing nations in 1986, the most recent year for which comparable data are available. The "live" weights referred to in the above graph include shell weights, whereas weights used elsewhere in this brochure do not. Disposition of Catch: U.S. and World The U.S. utilizes a greater percentage of catch for industrial (non-food) purpose than most other countries, due largely to the great abundance of menhaden in the Gulf and Atlantic. The large difference in that portion of catch which is cured re- flects the dietetic preferences and lesser availability of refriger- ation among some foreign nations. Disposition of Catch 1985 Other 4.0% WORLD / Cured A^ 15.2% /Cannea\ 13.4% \, \ Fresh 8 Industria 28.6% Frozen Per Capita Consumption 6 4 - 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 Year Per capita consumption of commercially caught fish and shell- fish in 1987 was a record 15.4 pounds. Per capita consumption of fish caught by marine recreational anglers is estimated to be between three and four pounds each year. The current empha- sis on the role of diet in health makes the nutritional qualities of seafood especially appreciated, since most fish and shellfish have a low-fat/high-protein content. Nutritional demands of consumers, as well as improving methods of catching, han- dling, and processing seafoods may reasonably be expected to lead to greater consumption levels in future years. Contact the nearest NMFS Regional Office for more informa- tion about U.S. fisheries, including such NMFS programs as marketing, consumer services, and voluntary fishery product inspection. For more information about Regional Fishery Management Councils, contact the Council nearest you. NMFS Regional Offices Northeast Region Federal Bldg. 14 Elm St. Gloucester, MA 01930 *(617) 281-3600 Southeast Region Duval Bldg. 9450 Koger Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33702 (813)893-3141 Southwest Region 300 South Ferry St. Terminal Island, CA 90731 (213)514-6196 Northwest Region 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E. BIN C15700, Bldg. 1 Seattle, WA 98115 (206) 526-6150 Alaska Region Federal Bldg., Rm. 1668 P.O. Box 1668 709 West Ninth St. Juneau, AK 99802 (907) 586-7221 Regional Fishery Management Councils New England Suntaug Office Park 5 Broadway (Route 1) Saugus, MA 01906 * (617) 231-0422 Mid-Atlantic Federal Bldg. Suite 2115 300 So. New St. Dover, DE 19901 (302)674-2331 South Atlantic Southpark Bldg. Suite 306 1 Southpark Circle Charleston, SC 29407 (803) 571-4366 Gulf of Mexico Lincoln Center Suite 881 540! W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33609 (813)228-2815 'Area code will change to 508 effective July 16, H Caribbean Banco de Ponce Bldg. Suite 1108 Hato Rey, PR 00918 (809) 753-4926 Pacific Metro Center, Suite 420 2000 S.W. First Ave. Portland, OR 97201 (503)221-6352 North Pacific 605 W. 4th Ave., Rm. 306 P.O. Box 103136 Anchorage, AK 99510 (907)271-2809 Western Pacific 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1405 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 523-1368 Additional copies of this publication are available from: Fisheries Statistics Division (F/RE1) National Marine Fisheries Sr ' *'