For many Americans, seafood is an important part of a well-balanced diet. Seafood is high in protein, low in saturated fat, and is a key source of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, maternal consumption of seafood is important for fetal brain and retinal development and may increase children’s mental and behavioral performance. While there can be potential health risks associated with consuming seafood (as with any type of food) scientific consensus suggests that the benefits associated with eating seafood far outweigh the risks.

Increased popularity and recognition of seafood’s health benefits have prompted many Americans to eat more seafood in recent years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Americans consumed 16 pounds of seafood per capita in 2008. Of the 16 pounds consumed, finfish accounted for 39 percent of the total, shellfish accounted for 35 percent and canned and cured products accounted for 26 percent. Although this amount is slightly less than the previous two years (16.5 pounds in 2006 and 16.3 pounds in 2007), it reflects an overall increasing trend in seafood consumption. For instance, in 1980 Americans only consumed 12.5 pounds of seafood per capita. In 1990 the amount was 15 pounds.

Seafood consumption also equates to big business in the United States. In 2008, U.S. consumers spent close to $70 billion for fishery products. Approximately 67 percent of this was spent at restaurants, carry-outs and caterers. Almost 33 percent was spent for home consumption, and less than 1 percent went towards industrial fish products. Also in 2008, the U.S. exported 2.7 billion pounds of seafood, valued at $4.3 billion. The major fresh and frozen exports were salmon, surimi and lobster, with salmon being the primary canned item exported.

Despite the United States being one of the top five seafood exporters in the world, it recently surpassed Japan as the world’s largest seafood importer. In 2008, it imported a little over five billion pounds, valued at $14.2 billion. Only 17 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States in 2008 was caught or grown domestically. As global markets continue to expand and year-round demand for seafood increases, so have imports from around the world. For instance, imports only accounted for 63 percent of the U.S. seafood supply just 10 years ago, compared to the 83 percent imported in 2008.

By far, the most significant seafood item imported to the U.S. is shrimp. Only 10 percent of the shrimp consumed in the United States is caught or raised domestically. In 2008, 1.2 billion pounds of shrimp, valued at over $4 billion, were imported into the country. The other top imports by volume included freshwater fish filets and steaks, canned tuna, whole tuna, and salmon fillets and steaks.

The United States imports seafood from around the world, although approximately 60 percent of imports in 2008 came from Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Thailand, for example accounts for more than 30 percent of the shrimp and 50 percent of the canned tuna imported to the U.S.

Globally, aquaculture is playing an increasing role in imported seafood. In the 1970s, aquaculture only accounted for 6 percent of total world fish production; in 2007, it produced nearly 45 percent. Approximately 50 percent of the seafood the United States imports is raised through aquaculture. Two of the most sought after seafood commodities, shrimp and salmon, for example, are commonly produced through aquaculture.

In the United States, the aquaculture industry is still relatively small compared to world aquaculture production, but domestic production has experienced tremendous growth in the past several decades. During the 1980s and 1990s, the value of U.S. aquaculture production rose by about 400 percent, to almost $1 billion. In comparison, the 2007 value of world aquaculture production was around $70 billion. Catfish is by far the largest sector of U.S. aquaculture. It represents two-thirds of total production volume and one-third of total value. Only 20 percent of the United State’s aquaculture production is of marine species.

Shellfish culture (oysters, clams, and mussels) accounts for the majority (65 percent) of this production, followed by salmon and shrimp. To learn more about the production and sustainability of the United States seafood supply, visit NOAA’s Fishwatch Program at: nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/.

Bryan Fluech is the Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent for Collier County and can be reached at (239) 417-6310, ext. 204