|
WASHINGTON, DC, August 30, 2002 (ENS)
Americans ate less seafood last year, but the U.S. is still one of the biggest seafood consumers in the world, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
NOAA's "2001 Fisheries of the United States" report shows that seafood consumption in the U.S. decreased in 2001 by 2.1 percent, with Americans eating 4.2 billion pounds of domestic and imported fish and shellfish. However, the latest data from the international Food and Agriculture Organization show that the U.S. ranks as the third largest consumer of seafood in the world, importing 76 percent of its seafood fare.
Officials from NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) said that per capita, Americans ate about 14.8 pounds of seafood per person last year. Of these, 10.3 pounds were fresh or frozen fish or shellfish (including 1.1 pound of farm raised catfish), 4.2 pounds were canned seafood, and 0.3 pound was cured.
Compared to 2000 figures, that represents a 10 percent decrease in canned products, a one percent increase in fresh/frozen products and a three percent increase in fillets and steaks.
For the first time in recorded history, Americans are eating more shrimp than canned tuna. Shrimp consumption increased by nine percent, for a record 3.4 pounds of shrimp consumed per person in 2001.
NMFS attributes the 17 percent decrease in canned tuna consumption since 2000 to a decline in imports and the closure of two domestic canneries in the United States in 2001.
The report also shows that per capita consumption of fish fillets and steaks rose, from 3.3 pounds per person to 3.4 pounds per person. Consumption of fish portions and fish sticks dropped slightly, while consumption of canned salmon rose slightly.
Every decade, the Census Bureau of the United States revises its estimates of U.S. population trends to reflect the latest population numbers. This action requires NMFS statisticians to update their population related data, including seafood consumption.
Consumption figures for 2000 and 2001 have been completed. The Census Bureau has not finalized the revised monthly population estimates for the 1990s, so revised per capita data for these years cannot be provided at this time.
|
