Seafood deliveries totaling 763 million pounds led the Port of Dutch Harbor to a 23rd consecutive title as the nation’s top port by volume.
Also ranking in the top 10 by volume were Aleutian Islands, 589 million pounds; Kodiak, 397 million pounds, Naknek Alaska, 206 million pounds; Alaska Peninsula, 181 million pounds and Astoria Oregon, 171 million pounds.
Ranked by value, the Port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, took top honors for the 20th year, with deliveries garnering $431 million. The top 10 for value also included Naknek, $289 million; Dutch Harbor, $190 million; Aleutian Islands, $142 million, Bristol Bay, $129 million; Kodiak, $120 million; and Honolulu, $90 million.
The statistical updates are detailed in NOAA Fisheries’ 2019 Fisheries of the United States report, released on May 20. The annual report highlights the broad economic impact of commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture on the nation’s economy.
Nationwide, U.S. commercial fishermen landed 9.3 billion pounds valued at $5.5 billion in 2019, including the nation’s largest commercial catch of 3.4 billion pounds of Pollock, valued at $387.6 million. U.S. Marine aquaculture produced value was estimated at $430 million with the highest values in oysters, clams and salmon.
77.6 % of all domestic landings nationwide were fresh/frozen seafood, 17% meal and oil, 1.9% bait/animal food, 1.8% canned and 1.6% cured, according to the report.
The 2019 U.S. pack of canned salmon was 112.4 million pounds valued at $322 million, an increase in volume and value from 2018 levels of 65.6 million pounds and $185.7 million.
Overall production of uncooked fish fillet and steaks in 2019 was 795.4 million pounds, 43.7 million pounds more than in 2018 due to increase in salmon, Alaska Pollock, hake and ocean perch fillets. Total value was $2.4 billion. Alaska Pollock fillets and blocks continued to lead all species with 475.6 million pounds, up from 441.6 million pounds in 2018, and representing 60% of the total. Production of groundfish fillets and steaks was 604.9 million pounds, up from 37 million pounds in 2018.
The report states that U.S. exports of edible seafood products in 2019 included 2.8 billion pounds valued at $5.2 billion, down by 161.8 million pounds, or 5.5% from 2018, with value decreased by $376.8 million, or 6.7%, the report said. Fresh and frozen exports were 2.5 billion pounds valued at $4.6 billion, down 163.1 million pounds, or 5.6% and down by $324.7 million or 6.6% compared to 2018. Fresh and frozen exports were principally 400.7 million pounds of salmon valued at $883.2 million 402.1 million pounds of surimi valued at $498.5 million and 91.9 million pounds of lobsters valued at $626.6 million.
U.S. imports of edible seafood in 2019 were 6.0 billion pounds valued at $22.2 billion, down by 81.4 million pounds, or 1.3% and $286.1 million, or 1.3% from 2018. The edible imports included five billion pounds of fresh and frozen products valued at $19.3 billion, 776.2 million pounds of canned products valued at $1.1 billion, 88.4 million pounds of cured produced valued at $302.9 million, 8.0 million pounds of caviar and roe products valued at $69.4 million and 89.1 million pounds of other seafood valued at $252.2 million.
Shrimp imports alone were 1.5 billion pounds, up by 6.4 million pounds from 2018.