Washington, DC May 17, 2018 – In a new report to Congress, The Status of U.S Fisheries for 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admiration (NOAA) finds the number of stocks on the overfishing list remains near an all-time low.

NOAA’s continued success in fisheries management is guided by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). MSA’s reliance on sound science, regional councils, adaptive management, and public participation is the reason U.S. fisheries are among the most sustainable in the world. NOAA reached a new milestone in 2017 – the number of overfished stocks are at the lowest level ever; just 15% of all assessed stocks.

NOAA’s report also highlights the economic impact of seafood production in the U.S. Commercial and recreational saltwater fishing combined generated more than $208 billion in sales and supported 1.6 million jobs in 2015. Through MSA and NOAA’s management, the U.S. is able to provide healthy seafood to Americans while ensuring generations to come have access to these important fisheries.