US per capita seafood consumption jumps 7.4%

Americans ate 16 pounds of fish and shellfish in 2017, an increase of 7.4 percent from the 14.9 pounds consumed in 2016, according to the National Fisheries Institute.

“More than a pound increase is substantial,” said John Connelly, president of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI).

Seafood consumption hasn't reached the 16-pounds-per -person level in nearly a decade.

“It’s significant to note the Top Ten List as a percentage of total consumption. Last year just those 10 species made up more than 90 percent of all the seafood Americans ate," said Connelly.