Hawai'i Fisheries Initiative - The Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs

National and
Statewide
Economic Impact
of Fisheries
“The significance of our marine fishery
resources is clear,” said U.S. Department
of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez in
March 2007. “It’s a $65 billion industry and
a mainstay for countless communities along
the nation’s 12,000 miles of coastline. As
the industry grows it’s expected to create
some 25,000 new jobs and support another
75,000 in other industries.” 25
More than $1 trillion – one-tenth of the
nation’s annual gross domestic product –
is generated near the nation’s coastline, and
that number becomes more than half of the
GDP when taking into account all coastal
watershed counties, according to the
Joint Oceans Commission’s 2006 report to
Congress. In 2003, ocean-related economic
activities contributed more than $119 billion
to the American economy and supported
more than 2.2 million jobs, with roughly
three-quarters of those totals produced by
ocean-related tourism and recreation. 26
Primary Issues
Facing U.S.
Fisheries (2007)
Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez
identified the following as key national issues
related to wild and aquaculture fisheries,
import/exports, and seafood demand 27 :
n The United Nations projects a 40 million ton
global seafood shortage by 2030.
n Even with the best-managed fisheries, the U.S.
will not be able to satisfy consumer demand.
Aquaculture is the means of narrowing the
trade gap and meeting consumer demand.
n Aquaculture can be used to decrease U.S.
seafood trade deficit ($8 billion in 2005) and
increase market share.
n The U.S. accounts for 1.5 percent of global
aquaculture (China generates 70 percent; the
remainder of Asia, 20 percent).
n Hawai‘i has 100 aquaculture farms; it is
considered a leader in the industry, but
$40 million (2006) is a fraction of what Hawai‘i
is capable of producing.
n There is a labor shortage in harvesting
and processing of seafood; foreign labor is
necessary. The Hawai‘i Longline Association
formed a Foreign Crew Task Force in early
2007 to work with the U.S. Border Protection
Agency regarding foreign crew visa, bonding,
and dock-side and dry-dock policies. 28
n The reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act
requires an end to overfishing by 2011.
n Rebuild fish stocks through effective,
market-based management.
n Aggressively enforce annual catch limits.
n Promote sustainable use of ocean resources.
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