US Seafood Consumption in 2003 Increased

On September 27 the U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that Americans consumed a per capita record of 16.3 pounds fish and shellfish per person in 2003.  This represents a gain of .7 pound increase (4%) over 2002 figures.  Additionally the 2003 figure exceeds the previous record of 16.2 lbs. per capita in 1987.

The USDC/NOAA news release along with 1998, 2002 and 2003 summaries of consumption for edible meat (fresh/frozen, canned, cured); canned fishery products (salmon, sardines, tuna, shellfish, other) and certain fishery items (Fillets/steaks, sticks/portions, shrimp) are on the web
at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/ (acrobat reader required).

The National Fisheries Institute's list of Top Ten seafoods 2001-2003(compiled by H.M. John & Associates) is on the web at:
http://www.nfi.org/?a=news&b=News%20Releases&year=&x=3679