U.S SEAFOOD FACTS

The nation’s database on U.S.
 

managed sustainable seafood
 

Make smart 


seafood choices 


by getting the 


facts about 


what makes 


U.S. seafood 

sustainable—from 

the ocean or farm 


to your plate.
 

Sustainable Fisheries—The U.S. Leads the Way 

U.S. fisheries are big business—providing jobs and recreation and keeping our coastal communities vibrant. In fact, the United States is a global leader in responsibly managed fisheries 

and sustainable seafood. U.S. fisheries are scientifically monitored, regionally managed, and 

legally enforced under 10 national standards of sustainability. Managing sustainable fisheries 

is a dynamic process that requires constant attention to new scientific information that guides 

management actions to adapt to changing ocean conditions. 

Fishery managers use a variety of scientific information—stock assessments and species and 

ecosystem research—to set harvest and operational requirements for each fishery. These requirements support the goals of sustaining fish populations, protecting habitat and other species, and 

keeping fishermen on the job. Even if a species is overfished, this adaptive management system 

allows for restricted harvest levels to rebuild the stock and keep responsible fishermen on the 

water and fishing communities at work. So, you can be assured the U.S. seafood you see at the 

store is being actively managed for today’s consumers and future generations. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Search for up-to-date 

information on the status 

of some of the most 

valuable U.S. harvested 

and farmed seafood. 
FISHWATCH | The nation’s database on U.S. managed sustainable seafood

U.S. Aquaculture – Critical for a

Supply of Sustainable Seafood 

Although the sustainability of our domestic wild-capture 

fisheries continues to improve, we cannot meet increasing 

domestic demand for seafood through wild-caught 

fisheries alone. Over the last 30 years, global wild-capture 

fisheries have plateaued while aquaculture has become 

the fastest growing form of food production worldwide. 

Unfortunately, the United States produces a relatively small 

amount of its own seafood from aquaculture and relies 

heavily on foreign aquaculture imports to meet the growing 

demand for healthy protein. It is critical for the U.S. to 

expand its own aquaculture industry in order to ensure a 

sustainable supply of healthy, eco-friendly seafood in the 

U.S. Not only does marine aquaculture provide a domestic 

source of economically and environmentally sustainable 

seafood, it also creates jobs, supports resilient working 

waterfronts and coastal communities, and provides new 

international trade opportunities. 

Make Smart Seafood Choices with FishWatch 

FishWatch provides up-to-date information on the status 

of some of the nation’s most valuable marine fish harvested 

in U.S. federal waters and U.S. aquaculture farms that help 

meet the growing global demand for healthy, environmentally sound protein—seafood. Don’t worry. No technical, 

government talk here—just information that helps you 

understand the science, laws, and management process 

sustaining our domestic seafood supply. 

The seafood profiles on FishWatch have information 

ranging from a species’ origin and biology to how we study 

and monitor populations. They also cover how these species 

are harvested, managed or farmed and even how they taste! 

FishWatch also includes information about the United 

States’ role in shaping the conservation and management of 

international fisheries to ensure a level playing field for U.S. 

fishermen, consumer confidence in safe and legal seafood, 

and sustainable fisheries management. You’ll also find tips 

on buying and handling seafood along with some great 

recipes you’ll definitely want to try. 

NOAA Fisheries and FishWatch 

NOAA Fisheries, the leading science authority for 

managing U.S. marine fisheries, is responsible for monitoring and enforcing marine fisheries within the U.S. exclusive economic zone—4.4 million square miles and 95,000 

coastland miles. We represent the U.S. around the world, 

pushing for sustainable practices and effective enforcement 

of fisheries management. We also work closely with federal 

and state partners to regulate U.S. marine aquaculture. We 

maintain FishWatch to help consumers get unbiased facts 

on the science and management behind the responsible 

harvest and farming of U.S. seafood. 

FishWatch provides detailed information on some of your favorite seafood 

and includes some great recipes too! 

U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atmospheric Administration | National Marine F National Marine Fisheries Service isheries Service