In 1996, commercial landings by U.S. fishermen were 9.6 billion pounds, valued at $3.5 billion, making the U.S. the world's fifth largest seafood harvester.

In 1996, approximately 17 million recreational fishers spent more than $9 billion on fishing and related activities.

U.S. consumers spent an estimated $41 billion for seafood and fish products in 1996.

Many of our important fish species in the United States are overfished and in need of rebuilding, including cod, haddock and red snapper.

If all overfished fish stocks were rebuilt to healthy levels and then harvested at the maximum sustainable yield, the fishing industry would have the potential of contributing another $4 billion to the nation's annual economy.

U.S. residents ate an average of 15 pounds of fish and shellfish last year. Estimates suggest that seafood production from wild fish stocks will not meet growing U.S. and global demand for seafood products into the next century. Demand for seafood will need to be met through a variety of sources, including rebuilding wild fish stocks, imported seafood products, and an increasing reliance on aquaculture, or fish farming.

In 1996, 18 percent of the U.S. population over 16 years of age spent an average of 17.7 days fishing. Recreational fishing opportunities increase and enhance appreciation of our nation's aquatic resources while advancing the benefits of conservation and responsible use.

Congressional action to renew the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1996 was an essential first step in requiring a timely rebuilding of overfished stocks. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is now in the process of implementing those mandates to improve its marine fisheries management and rebuild U.S. fish stocks.

The world's leading fishing nations face many of the same challenges in rebuilding overfished marine resources. As a result, they have adopted a Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing that follows the U.S. example of the precautionary approach in marine conservation and management.

The United States is a world leader in the effort to create sustainable fisheries, so that these resources will be here for generations to come. The National Marine Fisheries Service is busy following a strategic plan to rebuild and maintain marine fisheries.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is part of the Department of Commerce. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service and National Sea Grant College Program manage the conservation of our oceans' fish, turtles, whales, seals, dolphins and other marine mammals, and is responsible for ensuring that the best scientific information is used in these management decisions.

The National Marine Fisheries advocates the sustainable use of living marine resources and works to balance competing needs and interests in the use and enjoyment of ocean resources. These uses include commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, aquaculture, observation and research.

Our nation's living marine resources belong to all U.S. citizens and the Fisheries Service works on behalf of citizens to manage and sustain the nation's marine life and habitats.

Get educated and share your knowledge!

Follow regulation that limit the type, size, and amount of fish you can catch.

Get involved in the fishery management process; attend a regional fishery management council meeting near you.

Understand the important role that sound, high quality science plays in understanding our living marine resources, and support efforts to improve the quality and quantity of research.

Protect and conserve coastal marine habitats, and reduce your use of pollutants that may end up in coastal watersheds.

Year of the Ocean Information Line: 1-888-4YOTO98

Year of the Ocean Website: www.yoto.com

NOAA Fisheries Headquarters
1315 East-West highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226
301-713-2239
Website: kingfish.ssp.nmfs.gov

NOAA National Sea Grant College Program
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Website: www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/

NOAA Fisheries Regional Offices
Alaska Region: 907-586-7221
Northeast Region: 978-281-9300
Northwest Region: 206-526-6150
Southeast Region: 813-570-5301
Southwest Region: 562-980-4000

Fisheries Science Centers
Alaska Fisheries Science Center: 206-526-4000
Northeast Fisheries Science Center: 978-495-2000
Northwest Fisheries Science Center: 206-860-3200
Southeast Fisheries Science Center: 305-361-4284
Southwest Fisheries Science Center: 619-546-7000