Today, NOAA Fisheries released two flagship reports—the 2021 Status of Stocks report and the 2020 Fisheries of the United States report.
2021 Status of Stocks Report
The 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 managed by NOAA Fisheries. This year’s report shows continued progress in science and management for U.S. fisheries.
A few highlights:
- In 2021, U.S. fisheries held steady with more than 90% of stocks not subject to overfishing, and 80% 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.
2020 Fisheries of the U.S. Report
Our annual Fisheries of the U.S. report focuses on the economic impacts of fisheries. This year’s FUS 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%, 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.
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. 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.
For more information read the web story.