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New England's fishing industry is comprised of hundreds of seafood dealers and thousands of vessels, which provide over 15,000 jobs throughout the region. In 2006, the value of New England's harvest was over $950 million. Each $1 of harvested fish translates to nearly $3 in regional economic activity in areas including seafood processing, transportation, and financial services. Most fishing vessels are owner-operated. The largest vessels in New England's groundfishery are approximately 100 feet long; there are no "factory trawlers" in the fleet. In fact, most vessels are under 50 feet long. New England processors provide seafood to restaurants, food distributors, and supermarkets nationwide. Lobster, scallops, and groundfish are exported to the European Union and the Far East daily. Seafood processors and wholesalers employ 65,000 people nationwide. Per-capita seafood consumption has steadily risen as the health benefits of seafood have become increasingly apparent. Today, Americans annually consume 16½ pounds of seafood per capita, worth over $60 billion. More information:
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