The US fishing and seafood sector has generated more than USD 200 billion (~EUR 165 billion) in yearly sales and supported 1.7 million jobs in recent years. 2020, however, resulted in broad declines due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, according to a new NOAA Fisheries analysis. The protective measures introduced in March across the United States and around the world had an almost immediate impact on seafood sector sales. 2020 started strong with a three percent increase in commercial fish landings revenue in January and February. Revenues, however, declined monthly from a 19% decrease in March to a 45% decrease by July, resulting in a 29% decrease for the first seven months compared to 5-year averages and adjusted for inflation.
Restaurant closures, social distancing protocols, and other safety measures contributed to losses in other seafood economy sectors and by the end June, 78 percent of aquaculture, aquaponics, and other related businesses reported being affected with 74 percent experiencing lost sales. Outdoor seating at restaurants in the warm months and a shift to direct delivery by some supermarkets provided an outlet for some aquaculture sales. NOAA Fisheries estimates that in the southeast, charter revenues relative to the preceding 3-year period fell 72 percent in March through April due to local and state COVID-related closures and protocols. In May-June, revenue was down 4.5 percent as businesses began to re-open. In contrast, charter operations in Alaska and Hawaii, which rely heavily on out-of-state tourism, continue to experience severely depressed sales due to the sharp decrease in tourism. Hawaii is estimated to have lost 99 percent of charter trips between April and July. In addition, many fishing tournaments have been postponed or cancelled.
On the trade front, international markets were negatively affected by disruptions in harvesting, processing and shipping. US seafood exports declined 18 percent in value in the January to June period, when compared to the past five years. Fresh product exports experienced steeper declines than frozen product exports. The value of seafood imports into the United States declined 4 percent in value in this period. These declines were offset by US consumer demand for tuna imports (canned and in pouches), which increased 25% in this 6-month period, peaking to 49% in June.
The report notes that some US industry losses may be offset by the infusion of emergency federal relief funding. In May, NOAA allocated $300 million in fisheries aid to states, territories, and tribes as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. They, with the help of interstate commissions, are distributing these much-needed funds to eligible fishery participants. Furthermore, in September, the Secretary of Agriculture made $530 million available through the Seafood Trade Relief Program to support fishermen and industries impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. More information is available at www.fisheries.noaa.gov.
