Seafood Consumption in the United States, 2013–2016

"Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• In 2013–2016, 20.1% of adults consumed seafood at least two times per week.
• More than 40% of non-Hispanic Asian adults (41.2%) consumed seafood at least two times per week, more than non-Hispanic white (18.7%), non-Hispanic black (22.6%), and Hispanic (14.5%) adults.
• Approximately 6% (5.6%) of youth aged 2–19 years consumed seafood at least two times per week.
• Twenty percent of non-Hispanic Asian youth consumed seafood at least two times per week, more than non-Hispanic white (4.1%), non-Hispanic black (7.5%), and Hispanic (4.8%) youth.
• The percentage of adults and youth who consumed seafood at least two times per week decreased from 2005–2006 through 2015–2016.

The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (1) recommend consuming two servings of seafood, including fish and shellfish, per week. Consuming approximately 8 ounces of a variety of seafood weekly is associated with reduced cardiac deaths (2). This report describes the percentage of U.S. adults and youth who reported consuming seafood at least two times per week by sex, age, and race and Hispanic origin during 2013–2016. Trends in the percentage of adults and youth who consumed seafood at least twice weekly, from 2005–2006 through 2015–2016, are also presented..."
Seafood

Federal agencies announce proposal creating U.S. seafood traceability program

 "Today, the National Ocean Council Committee to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud announced its proposal for creating a U.S. seafood traceability program — the next step the U.S. government is taking to ensure that global seafood resources are sustainably managed and not fraudulently marketed.  

The proposal, a major step forward in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aims to trace the origins of imported seafood by establishing reporting and filing procedures for imported fish and fish products entering U.S. commerce.

“Traceability is a key tool for combating illicit activities that threaten valuable natural resources, increase global food security risk and disadvantage law-abiding fishermen and seafood producers,” said Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., under secretary of  commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “We are asking the seafood industry, trade and consumer sectors, our international partners and the conservation community to help guide us in creating an effective, efficient program..."
Seafood tracking

Presidential Task Force Issues Recommendations to Level Playing Field for U.S. Fishermen

"Earlier today, the U.S. government took additional steps to level the playing field for legitimate U.S. fishermen, and ensure the vitality of marine fish stocks. The Presidential Task Force on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud, co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce, released 15 recommendations to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud and increase consumer confidence in the sustainability of seafood sold in the U.S...:
Fishermen & fish industry

U.S. Seafood facts

"Today, 91 percent of seafood consumed in the United States is imported, and about half of this is wild-caught. Because of our interests both as a seafood-consuming nation and a fishing nation, it is critical that NOAA take an active role in shaping the conservation and management of international fisheries. For U.S. consumers of imported seafood, our goal is to make sure that seafood is safe, and that it comes from legal and sustainable fisheries..."
Seafood facts

Landmark U.S. Geological Survey Study Demonstrates How Methylmercury, Known to Contaminate Seafood, Originates in the Ocean
"A new landmark study published today documents for the first time the process in which increased mercury emissions from human sources across the globe, and in particular from Asia, make their way into the North Pacific Ocean and as a result contaminate tuna and other seafood. Because much of the mercury that enters the North Pacific comes from the atmosphere, scientists have predicted an additional 50 percent increase in mercury in the Pacific by 2050 if mercury emission rates continue as projected..."