Friday, November 6, 2026
Alaska
Alaska seafood harvesting jobs are up for the first time since 2019
KUCB by Katie Reuther - November 5, 2026
Last year, Alaska saw the biggest increase in seafood harvesting jobs in more than a decade, according to a recent report from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Sockeye drives Alaska salmon fishery value higher amid lower overall catch
According to ADF&G, lower-than-expected sockeye and pink salmon harvests were the primary drivers behind the shortfall.
Intrafish by Rachel Sapin - November 5, 2026
Alaska's commercial salmon fishery harvested 99 million fish in 2026, down 49 percent from the 195 million salmon landed in 2025, according to preliminary figures released by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).
*Requires Subscription
Fun facts about giant red sea cucumbers
Kodiak Daily Mirror by Terry Haines - November 3, 2026
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has issued an Advisory Announcement opening Fishing Period No. 1 for the giant red sea cucumber fishery in the Kodiak District, running from 5 p.m. Oct. 31 through noon Nov. 13.
*Requires Subscription
National
US Seafood Production Volume and Value Dropped in 2024 But Ex-Vessel Price Rose
SeafoodNews by Peggy Parker - November 5, 2026
US fishermen landed 7.7 billion pounds (3.5 million metric tons) of edible and industrial species at ports in the 50 states in 2024, valued at $4.9 billion. That was a decrease of 775.3 million pounds, or 9.2%, and $177.8 million, or 3.6%, compared with 2023, according to the recently released Fisheries of the United States 2024 report from NOAA.
The report's introduction says the average ex-vessel price paid to fishermen in 2024 was 64 cents per pound, 4 cents more than in 2023.
The report also highlights rivalries between ports, but its larger message is that well-managed fisheries keep the US among the world's top producers, even though it is not among the top consumers. US per capita seafood consumption has risen over the past three decades but remains well below that of Japan and China.
For the 27th consecutive year, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, led the nation in volume landed, at 784 million pounds valued at $200.8 million. Alaska pollock made up 92% of the total weight and 56% of the total value of fish landed there in 2024.
Snow and king crab have historically accounted for a large share of the value landed in Dutch Harbor. In 2024, red and golden king crab made up 33% of the value and less than 1% of the volume. The snow crab fishery was closed in 2024 due to stock collapse.
New Bedford, Massachusetts, was the port with the highest landed value for the 24th consecutive year.
Nationally, imports by weight rose by 222.6 million pounds, from 13.3 billion pounds in 2023 to 13.53 billion pounds in 2024. Exports fell from 7.31 billion pounds to 6.84 billion pounds.
Finfish accounted for 88% of total landings and 45% of total value. Alaska pollock was the nation's largest commercial fishery, with landings of 3.1 billion pounds valued at $432.5 million.
The two top-producing ports for volume and value owe their rankings to more than two decades of pollock landings in Alaska and the value of sea scallops in Massachusetts.
Nationally, the species or species groups with the highest landings value were lobsters ($776.4 million), crabs ($694.4 million), Alaska pollock ($432.5 million), salmon ($394.1 million), and sea scallops ($332.0 million).
By volume, the leaders were Alaska pollock (3.1 billion pounds), menhaden (1.2 billion pounds), salmon (421.2 million pounds), Pacific cod (373.9 million pounds), and Pacific hake or whiting (316.5 million pounds).
Alaska has six of the 20 most productive ports by landings and five of the 20 most lucrative.
Landings increased in the West Pacific, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic regions, while all other regions declined. From 2023 to 2024:
-- New England: landings fell 4%, while landings revenue rose 3%
-- South Atlantic: landings rose 9% and landings revenue rose 20%
-- Gulf of America: landings fell 15% and landings revenue fell 7%
-- West Pacific: landings rose 8%, while landings revenue fell 7%
-- Pacific: landings fell 12%, while landings revenue rose 4%.
Alaska produced 62.3% of all landings, followed by the Gulf at 14.1%, the Mid-Atlantic at 6.7% and New England at 5.2%.
Aquaculture produced 561 million pounds of farmed seafood in 2024, valued at $1.3 billion. Aquaculture accounts for 8% of total domestic seafood production, but its focus on high-value products means it generates 26% of the value.
Freshwater aquaculture was estimated at 479 million pounds and $738 million. Catfish accounted for 299 million pounds and $331 million, crawfish for 128 million pounds and $259 million, and trout for 31 million pounds and $79 million.
Marine shellfish aquaculture, mainly oysters, clams and mussels, produced 43 million pounds (meat weight) valued at $397 million. Atlantic coast states produce the most oysters, clams and mussels, accounting for 45% of value and 40% of volume.
Marine finfish aquaculture consists mainly of salmon and other high-value species such as steelhead trout, red drum, striped bass and almaco jack. Atlantic salmon, raised in net pens and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), accounted for an estimated 34 million pounds and $107 million.
Seaweed (macroalgae) aquaculture is an emerging sector. It produced 1.7 million pounds in volume and $1.6 million in value in 2024. Production fell from 1.9 million pounds wet weight in 2023 but has grown rapidly from 69,000 pounds wet weight in 2017. Seaweed is grown for human consumption, most often sold fresh, dried, pickled or frozen, and for industrial and personal health uses.
Environment/Science
Seafood Nutrition Partnership Calls for Brain Health to Be Recognized as National Infrastructure
Perishable News by Seafood Nutrition Partnership - November 5, 2026
Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) has released Brain Health Is National Infrastructure: A Call to Action for Philanthropy, Public Policy, and Investment Community, a white paper outlining a path to advance brain health through nutrition, public policy, and strategic investment.
Federal Register
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendment 128 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and Amendment 116 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska; Small Sablefish Release
A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 11/06/2026
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 128 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and amendment 116 to the FMP for Groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Cook Inlet EEZ Commercial Salmon Fishery
A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 11/05/2026
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden.
FYI’s
Former Coastal Villages CEO joins Pacific Seafood
Pacific Seafood has hired a longtime Alaska seafood industry leader for a senior operations role.
Intrafish by Rachel Sapin - November 5, 2026
Deakin joins Pacific Seafood after nearly two decades at Coastal Villages Region Fund, where he most recently served as executive director and CEO before retiring earlier this year.
*Requires Subscription
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
4039 21st Ave. W, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98199
Phone: 206.281.1667
E-mail: admin@pspafish.net; Website: www.pspafish.net
Our office days/hours are Monday-Friday
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. *Inclusion of a news article, report, or other document in this email does not imply PSPA support or endorsement of the information or opinion expressed in the document.
Comments