NOAA Fisheries

Highly migratory species—like Atlantic yellowfin tuna, Pacific albacore, and Atlantic swordfish—travel thousands of miles across state, national, and international waters throughout their lives.

Dive into our latest management story to see how we partner to expand species research, rebuild stocks like North Atlantic swordfish, and advance international conservation through regional fishery management organizations.

fisheries.noaa.govHighly Migratory Species Management: Managing Shared Resources at Home and Around the WorldThrough leadership in domestic and international organizations, NOAA Fisheries helps advance science-based highly migratory species fishery management to bolster healthy international fish stocks and ...

Together, we continue to steward these ocean wanderers through science, partnership, and leadership—both at home and across the globe. 🌎🎣 www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor... #MSA50 #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

Highly migratory species—like Atlantic yellowfin tuna, Pacific albacore, and Atlantic swordfish—travel thousands of miles across state, national, and international waters throughout their lives.

These vital commercial and recreational fisheries sustain seafood businesses and coastal economies nationwide. Because these species don’t recognize jurisdictional borders, managing them sustainably demands broad, cross-boundary collaboration.

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Mark Darcy once said, “If you ask me, there isn't enough blue food.” If you're also a fan, try lingcod! Some lingcod have bright blue meat—but don’t worry, it doesn’t affect the flavor, and the meat turns white when you cook it. And it’s delicious! https://bit.ly/4zcVMtp

Just in: @noaa.gov and the Department of Commerce are supporting the Administration’s “America First Seafood Strategy,” a coordinated federal plan released today to strengthen U.S. fisheries, processing capacity, and coastal economies See our news release: bit.ly/4hYq252

The America First Seafood Strategy is designed to: - Expand sustainable domestic seafood production - Modernize critical infrastructure - Improve market opportunities for American harvesters and processors, and - Ensure fair competition in U.S. and global markets

fisheries.noaa.govAmerica First Seafood Strategy: Strengthening U.S. Fisheries, Coastal Economies, and Food SecurityKey actions will strengthen U.S. fisheries, processing capacity, and coastal economies.

The ultimate goal? To put more American seafood on American plates—and provide greater support to America’s economy and fishing communities. → Dive deeper into the Strategy’s specific actions and main pillars at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...

Seafood industry members across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are developing innovative ways to support sustainable seafood and the communities that depend on it. This week, we’re highlighting just a few of their stories.

We’re also celebrating fishing industry members who are collaborating on cooperative research in the region. Their work is vital to science-based fisheries management and a sustainable future for our nation’s fishermen.

Visit the our #FacesOfSustainableSeafood page to read about the stories behind these efforts—and others, too! www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/face... #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

In celebration of #OysterWeek, we’re spotlighting two growers bringing tasty treats to our tables. Meet Massachusetts oyster growers cultivating shellfish in an iconic salt marsh, and a Maryland oyster farming family embracing solar power.

Shellfish such as oysters and clams feed on microscopic algae in the water—a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water every day! At our lab in Milford, Connecticut, we wanted to see just how well this natural filtration method worked. Check it out below! https://bit.ly/3Eh888K #OysterWeek

We forgot to post about #WorldMenopauseDay (brain fog, what can we say!). Fun fact: Aside from humans, toothed whales are the only animals that go through menopause. Scientists aren’t sure why. One theory is they help with child rearing—their presence can increase survival of their offspring.

If you’ve never tried oysters, #OysterWeek is the perfect time! Explore delicious recipes and impress your friends with your new knowledge of these briny bivalves: https://bit.ly/4yU2Uun #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

Creating oyster reefs is hard work—we’re building 70+ acres of them, one dump-truck-sized load at a time. This project is building a 12-inch base of stone for oyster larvae to settle on, creating a reef for Bay species. #OysterWeek #HabitatRestoration https://bit.ly/4hYLh6I

We’re celebrating the mighty oyster all week! 🦪🎉Oysters are a tasty seafood, but they also grow in reefs that provide habitat and help filter the water. Join us as we highlight NOAA’s oyster work during #OysterWeek! https://bit.ly/3S8CxhR

Behind every seafood meal are the people who harvest it, the science that helps sustain it, and the habitats that make it all possible. #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

This week we’re spotlighting some of the people in the Southeast region who are making an impact: a fifth-generation commercial fisherman developing innovative ways to restore habitat in Florida, charter captains partnering on bluefin tuna research in the Atlantic...

...and a coastal ecologist monitoring marsh recovery in Louisiana as key seafood species like shrimp and crab return. Visit our #FacesOfSustainableSeafood page to learn the stories behind these efforts—and others, too! www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/face...

During the 2025–2026 North Atlantic right whale Seasonal Management Area season, 85% of regulated vessel traffic complied with the mandatory speed restriction of 10 knots. This high level of compliance is consistent with last year’s rate, even with traffic increased https://bit.ly/3Fnc1cP

This story—and that face—get our “seal” of approval! 💖🦭 Meet “Pearl”, a resilient young gray seal who is starting fresh after a spinal deformity left her unable to survive on her own in the wild.

She is settling into her new permanent home, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk in Connecticut, thanks to NOAA Fisheries, rescue and rehabilitation experts, and aquarium staff.

fisheries.noaa.govSeal of Approval: Injured Gray Seal Finds a Permanent Home in ConnecticutGray seal “Pearl” faced a series of health challenges, including a spinal deformity. Since she is unlikely to survive on her own in the wild, NOAA Fisheries helped find her a forever home at the Marit...

But Pearl’s path to this second chance was anything but linear—with two strandings, months of rehabilitation, and a missing satellite tag. See how experts solved the puzzle of Pearl’s past and find out how she’s adapting to her new home: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...

What does El Niño mean for U.S. fisheries and marine life? What can fishermen and coastal communities expect? This phenomenon can have intense atmospheric and oceanographic effects, such as increased precipitation, flooding, and warmer ocean temperatures. bit.ly/4yMydar

The impacts vary by region, and NOAA experts anticipate the West Coast and the Pacific Islands will feel the effects most directly. This could include elevated sea levels, unusually warm ocean temperatures, and shifting species distributions.

NOAA Fisheries scientists are analyzing historic observations and data collected throughout previous El Niño events to suggest likely impacts. See how El Niño could affect your local fisheries, marine animals, and communities. www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...

Seafood Month is a great time to try a crowd favorite in the kitchen! Salmon is our nation’s second-most consumed seafood. Salmon fisheries and aquaculture support thousands of jobs, and careful management helps support sustainable seafood for the future.

Whether you’re cooking with wild Pacific salmon or farm-raised Atlantic salmon, you can try out this Cajun salmon recipe from Discover West Coast seafood. discoverwcseafood.msi.ucsb.edu/recipes/caju...

Sea Grant’s Discover West Coast Seafood website features information about the species caught and farmed on the West Coast. You can find harvester profiles, recipes, and where to find local seafood: discoverwcseafood.msi.ucsb.edu

Have you ever wanted to try fileting your own fish at home, but were too intimidated to try it on your own? With the right technique—and a few tips from the best of the best—it’s easier than you might think!

Follow along as he breaks down each step and shares tips for getting the most out of every part of the fish. www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor... #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

How to filet a fish: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor... #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

Celebrate Seafood Month by joining Chef Matthew Ona from the Culinary Institute of America as he takes us through the art of breaking down a whole salmon—a process that works for trout, branzino, and other soft-boned fish.

American fishermen, seafood farmers, and other seafood industry members play an essential role in feeding our nation, strengthening local economies, and sustaining our working waterfronts.

NOAA Fisheries assistant administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler reminds us our American seafood industry is a vital economic engine and much more. It also reflects our national heritage, community strength, and food security. Our seafood choices help support the people and communities behind it.

This month, celebrate the #FacesOfSustainableSeafood and thank everyone across our seafood supply chain for their hard work, dedication, and partnership. Read the full leadership message from Mr. Piñeiro Soler: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/leadership-m... #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

Whether it’s Atlantic or Pacific swordfish, celebrate sustainable seafood with a delicious meal! Give this grilled swordfish recipe from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services a try. www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/swor... #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

In the Atlantic, coordinated management through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas helped rebuild the North Atlantic swordfish in 2009, and it remains above its target population level today. www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/nort...

In the Pacific, swordfish fisheries are managed through a combination of domestic and international partnerships with approaches tailored to different regions, fishing practices, and gear. www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/nort...

Seafood Month is also a great time to learn a little more about how the seafood we love gets from the ocean to our plates. Swordfish are a highly migratory species, traveling thousands of miles across domestic and international boundaries. That means sustainable management takes collaboration.

Every month is Seafood Month when you live in the ocean! Marine mammals, fish, and seabirds all rely on seafood as part of a healthy diet. USDA recommends humans—from about 6 months and up—enjoy three or more servings of seafood per week. #SeafoodMonth #ChooseUSSeafood

It’s October—the best month of the year! October is our favorite because it’s #SeafoodMonth, and we have lots to celebrate. Buying U.S. seafood—wild-caught or farmed—is a healthy, sustainable, and delicious way to support our fishermen and ocean farmers. https://bit.ly/4emI8td #ChooseUSSeafood

We released a new report on large whale entanglements confirmed in the United States in 2025. There were 76 confirmed large whale entanglement cases that year—similar to the historical average and a decrease from 2024. https://bit.ly/3VbIWMW

📷 1. Credit: Isaiah Foulks, Discovery Whale Watch; taken under NOAA Permit #24359 2. Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #24359. Aerial survey funded by NOAA Fisheries and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

What do trees, corals, shells, and fish ear stones have in common? They are nature’s time capsules! 🌳🪸🐚🐟⏰ Each of these organisms has growth rings—a universal biological marker of seasonal or periodic growth.

For more than 40 years, research surveys in Alaska have collected an astonishing 2.5 million otolith pairs dating back to the 1960s. 😲 Today, this massive archive lives at the University of Washington’s Fish Collection—a joint facility between @burkemuseum.bsky.social & @uwsafs.bsky.social.

fisheries.noaa.gov2.5 Million Perfect Little Time Capsules of Ocean ChemistryA massive archive of otoliths—fish ear stones—reveals ocean history and fuels modern research.

Discover how millions of tiny fish ear stones are unlocking decades of ocean history and shaping future marine science🔬: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...

Just like we count the rings of a tree to see how old it is, scientists count the rings of otoliths (tiny calcium carbonate ear stones inside fish) to estimate fish age.