U.S. Seafood Catch Reaches a 17-Year High in 2011

The U.S. seafood catch hit a 17-year high with the catch of 10.1 billion pounds of seafood last year, according to a report released this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  All fishing regions of the country posted an increase, which appears to show not only an increase in the catch volume, but the harvest value as well.

Dutch Harbor, Alaska brought in the highest catch volume (5.4 billion pounds), while New Bedford, Massachusetts was the highest valued port, and has $369 million worth of seafood arrive at it's docks.  Alaska led all states in catch volume, followed by Louisiana, California, Virginia and Washington.  

Even with these rising numbers, Americans still consume approximately 91 percent of their seafood from imported sources.  This is up from 86 percent in 2010.  Americans are also eating a bit less seafood, an average of 15 pounds per year in 2011, down from 15.8 pounds in 2010.