The Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan is the largest wholesale seafood market in the U.S. Market statistics from the National Marine Fisheries Service indicate that over 78 million pounds of fish and shellfish were received at Fulton in 1993. In May 1999 the New York Times reported that there were 60 different wholesale companies licensed to operate at Fulton Market. According to Arthur Cirillo, President of United Seafood Workers, a labor organization for Fulton Fish Market, over 2,000 people work directly or indirectly at the Fulton Fish Market. The Port of New York and New Jersey is a major center for international trade in seafood products. Firms located in both states are involved in the import or export of seafood products, as well as secondary sales to end-users.
Seafood moves into and out of the region to or from distant markets by both air and ocean carrier.
Fish and fish products ranked 3rd in terms of volume of commodities exported by air in 1994 and 8th in volume of commodities imported by air. Fish and fish products ranked 16th by weight for all ocean born commodities exported, and 18th for ocean born commodities imported. There are currently 7 different types of shellfish processor or shipper permits available in New York. Each permit allows the holder to ship certain specified types of products in either inter or intra state commerce. The following table summarizes shellfish shippers permits sold by the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation in 1998 and 1995.