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EveryFish

🇺🇸 Fish of the United States

183 fish from the United States, best known first.

The United States operates the world's second-largest exclusive economic zone, supporting a massive commercial and recreational fishing industry. Management is split between state nearshore controls and federal oversight of coastal waters, focusing on stock recovery and habitat protection. Major catches include lobster, scallops, salmon, and tuna across diverse marine ecosystems.

  • U.S. exclusive economic zone covers 11.4 million square kilometres
  • New Bedford is the top fishing port by value at $369 million
  • Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area spans 725,000 square km
  • Aquaculture allowed in Gulf of Mexico federal waters since 2016
  • Magnuson-Stevens Act enabled federal fishery management in 1976

Fish of the United States

The United States manages an exclusive economic zone covering 11.4 million square kilometres, the second largest globally. This vast area supports significant wild capture and aquaculture production. Federal law enacted in 1976 established active management to prevent resource depletion. The National Marine Fisheries Service works with regional councils to monitor stocks and reduce bycatch. Inland fisheries remain small compared to marine operations. State authorities handle nearshore zones up to three nautical miles from shore. Federal agencies oversee the broader coastal waters within the exclusive economic zone. The industry relies on data collection from vessels and partnerships with research institutions.

Notable species

Notable species include American lobster and Atlantic sea scallop in the Northeast. Groundfish like haddock and cod have faced overfishing but show signs of recovery. Pacific salmon and halibut are key resources on the West Coast. Highly migratory species such as bluefin tuna and swordfish cross international boundaries. Shrimp varieties dominate Southeast catches. King and Spanish mackerel stocks rebounded after regulatory restrictions. Spiny lobster populations in the Western Pacific declined due to oceanographic shifts. Pacific sardines are recovering after decades of low numbers. Rockfish grow slowly and require careful management.

Seas and rivers

Eight large marine ecosystems define the U.S. exclusive economic zone. These include the Northeast and Southeast continental shelves, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the California Current, the Insular Pacific-Hawaiian region, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Eastern Bering Sea. Nearshore areas consist of estuaries and coastal waters under state control. Coastal fisheries extend to two hundred nautical miles offshore. The Aleutian Islands habitat conservation area protects seafloor communities from bottom trawling. Seamounts within U.S. jurisdiction host commercially important fish stocks. Inland waters feature the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin.

Fishing and farming

Commercial fleets use diesel vessels equipped with advanced navigation and detection technology. Purse seiners, longliners, and otter trawls are common gear types. Factory ships process catch at sea for efficiency. Individual fishing quotas help manage harvest levels. Marine protected areas restrict destructive fishing methods. Aquaculture in federal waters began in 2016 to boost domestic production. Recreational fishing contributes significantly to nearshore economies. Size limits and bag restrictions apply to many game fish. Bycatch reduction measures aim to protect non-target species. Ecosystem-based management guides policy decisions.

Fish in culture

Fishing traditions developed alongside coastal settlement patterns. Port cities like New Bedford serve as major hubs for landings. Lobster and scallop trades support local economies. Indigenous communities participate in tribal fisheries programs. Historical concerns about diminishing fish stocks date back to the nineteenth century. Modern management balances ecological sustainability with economic interests. Fishing festivals celebrate regional maritime heritage. Educational programmes promote responsible angling practices.

Today

Current efforts focus on restoring overfished stocks and protecting essential habitats. Regional councils implement specific plans for each fishery. Data transmission from observers improves monitoring accuracy. International cooperation addresses transboundary species migration. Climate impacts influence stock distribution and abundance. Technology aids in locating schools and optimizing routes. Conservation zones limit access to sensitive areas. Industry stakeholders collaborate on sustainable practices.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Fishing industry in the United States", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Reef or seaRiver or lakeFishing harbourFish marketAquarium or researchCity

Fish places in the United States

Monterey Bay Aquarium 2Bristol Bay 1Georgia Aquarium 1Pike Place Market, SeattleThe Columbia River at Bonneville
GroupSharkRayCarpCatfishSalmonidHerringCodTunaPerch-likeCichlidReef fishEelFlatfishLivebearerAncientOther
WaterRivers and lakesEstuaries and mangrovesCoasts and shelvesCoral reefsOpen oceanDeep seaPolar and cold seasCaves and springsBetween sea and river
UseFood fishFarmedAquarium fishSport fishingCulture and faithVenomous or dangerousInvasiveScience and research
OrderBest knownA to ZOldest firstNewest firstBy size
🇭🇳 Honduras and 3 moreJaguar cichlid Large predatory cichlid from Central American lakesCichlid · Rivers and lakes 🇧🇷 Brazil and 2 morePeacock bass Large predatory cichlids from South American rivers known for sport fishing and invasive impact.Cichlid · Rivers and lakes 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreCelestial Eye goldfish Fancy goldfish with upward-facing telescope eyesOther · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreAtlantic sturgeon A large anadromous fish native to the western Atlantic Ocean and its river systems.Ancient · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesShovelnose sturgeon Smallest North American freshwater sturgeon, known for its shovel-shaped snout and caviar production.Ancient · Rivers and lakes · 1820 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreGreen sunfish A small, aggressive freshwater fish native to North America, known for its blue-green colour and invasive potential in nPerch-like · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreMexican tetra A freshwater characin with surface and blind cave forms, studied for evolutionary biology.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreBluegill A common North American sunfish known for its blue gill covers and popularity with anglers.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1854 🇺🇸 United StatesLeast killifish A tiny North American fish that gives birth to live young and measures just two centimetres long.Livebearer · Rivers and lakes 🇧🇷 Brazil and 1 moreRed-bellied Pacu A large South American freshwater fish related to piranhas, farmed for food and kept in aquariums.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreSailfin molly Small livebearing fish with a large dorsal fin in males.Livebearer · Rivers and lakes · 1821 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreTexas cichlid The only cichlid native to the United StatesCichlid · Rivers and lakes 🇲🇽 Mexico and 4 moreJack Dempsey Aggressive cichlid native to Central AmericaCichlid · Rivers and lakes 🇧🇷 Brazil and 4 moreAmazon sailfin catfish A large freshwater armored catfish from South America, often kept in aquariums and known as an invasive pest elsewhere.Catfish · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreFathead minnow Small North American freshwater fish used as bait and in toxicity studies.Carp · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreAtlantic stingray Small stingray found in Atlantic coastal waters and fresh rivers.Ray · Rivers and lakes · 1824 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreSmalltooth sawfish Critically endangered Atlantic sawfish with a toothed rostrum.Ray · Coasts and shelves 🇮🇩 Indonesia and 4 moreWalking catfish A Southeast Asian air-breathing catfish known for moving across land and surviving out of water.Catfish · Rivers and lakes Flagfish 🇺🇸 United StatesFlagfish Small Florida pupfish with a US flag patternLivebearer · Rivers and lakes · 1879 🇦🇺 Australia and 2 moreCommon carp A widespread freshwater fish native to Europe and Asia, now farmed globally and often invasive.Carp · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreStriped bass Anadromous marine fish native to the Atlantic coast of North America, known for sport fishing and culinary use.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreAlligator gar A large, primitive freshwater fish native to North America known for its armored scales and air-breathing ability.Other · Rivers and lakes · 1803

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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