Image of young coho salmon used on the cover of the 2023 Status of the Stocks Report.
Getty Images / NOAA
NOAA Fisheries has released the annual Status of the Stocks report which highlights a record low for the number of fish stocks subject to overfishing. The report analyzes the 506 stocks managed by NOAA in 2023 and provides an overview of US fisheries.
In more detail, the data indicates that 94% of stocks are not subject to overfishing, and 82% are not overfished. These figures have improved compared to the ones of 2022 (93% and 81%, respectively).
In addition, the number of stocks on the overfishing list has decreased by three stocks reaching to all-time low of 21 stocks. Moreover, the number of stocks on the overfished list decreased by one stock, to 47. Finally, since 2000, NOAA Fisheries has rebuilt 50 stocks.
The ultimate purpose of the Status of the Stocks report is to prove the importance US fisheries have to the economy as NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D stated: "Sustainably managed fisheries are important to the nation’s economy, and provide opportunities for commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, while keeping a renewable supply of seafood for consumers."
Furthermore, NOAA Fisheries published the Fisheries Economics of the United States report for 2022 which shows that recreational fishing supported 2.3 million jobs and generated $321 billion in sales across the broader economy.
To keep growing, NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said: "Managing fisheries sustainably is an adaptive process that relies on sound science, innovative management approaches, and effective enforcement. and meaningful partnerships with robust public participation."
For this reason, NOAA Fisheries collaborates with the U.S. Regional Fishery Management Council and Interstate Fisheries Commissions to work on rebuilding stocks and ending overfishing.
