Last year marked a significant milestone for U.S. fisheries, with the number of fish listed on the government’s overfishing list reaching an all-time low, signaling the health of American fisheries, according to federal officials.
In its annual “Status of the Stocks” report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an analysis of American fisheries revealed that 94% of fish stocks are not subject to overfishing, a slight improvement from the previous year. The report highlighted the successful removal of several key fish stocks from the overfishing list, including the Gulf of Maine and Cape Hatteras stock of Atlantic mackerel and the Gulf of Mexico stock of cubera snapper.
This positive development comes amidst global efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices. Across the world, governments and non-governmental organizations are working to address unsustainable fishing practices, with initiatives such as those led by the European Commission in Europe.
NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad emphasized the progress made by the U.S., stating that by ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, the nation is enhancing the value of its fisheries to the economy, communities, and marine ecosystems.
Over the years, the U.S. has seen a steady decline in the number of fish species on the overfishing list, reflecting efforts to curb unsustainable harvest rates. NOAA also tracks overfished stocks, which are species with populations deemed too low. The agency reported a slight decrease in the number of overfished stocks last year, with over 80% of fish stocks deemed not overfished.
Among the achievements noted by NOAA, Atlantic coast bluefish and a Washington coast stock of coho salmon were removed from the overfished list. However, the agency also added a few species, such as Mid-Atlantic summer flounder, to the lists.
Commercial fishermen contributed significantly to the industry, harvesting over 8 billion pounds of seafood valued at nearly $6 billion in 2022, according to NOAA’s report.
