Commercial Fisheries

Media Contacts

Commercial marine fisheries are found throughout our nation's waters. Visit our media contact page to reach our regional Public Affairs Officers.

Regional Fishery Management Council contacts.

NOAA Fisheries, directed by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, works to sustain commercial fishing in federal waters of the U.S. by studying fisheries and providing guidance and support to Regional Fishery Management Councils. NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Science and Technology studies the scientific side of fisheries, including biology, ecology, and economics, while NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Sustainable Fisheries helps manage fisheries effectively. NOAA Fisheries’ Aquaculture Program is working to expand the role of sustainable marine aquaculture in the country’s commercial fishing industry.

Photos & Video

NOAA Fisheries Photo Gallery

NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery

News Releases: Commercial Fisheries

04/04/2013: NOAA’s Fisheries Service seeks comments on proposal to list scalloped hammerhead sharks under Endangered Species Act
03/07/2013: NOAA report finds commercial and recreational saltwater fishing generated $199 billion in 2011
01/11/2013: NOAA to work with 10 nations to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and stem the bycatch of protected species
11/20/2012: New federal fisheries observer program for Alaska fisheries to go into effect January 1
09/19/2012: U.S. seafood landings reach 14-year high in 2011
09/13/2012: Secretary of Commerce declares disaster in Northeast Groundfish Fishery

More news releases about commercial fisheries

Learn more:

Query our database for the latest available figures: Annual Commercial Landings

Helping consumers with seafood choices: FishWatch

Reducing bycatch of non-target species

Sharks, swordfish, and other highly migratory commercial fisheries

Catch shares

NOAA Fisheries' Seafood Inspection Program

NOAA Fisheries' International Affairs Program

Fisheries of the U.S. 2011

Fisheries Economics of the U.S. 2011