Seafood, Commercial Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Total pounds of seafood landed by commercial Rhode Island fishermen decreased by 47.2% from 2000 (146 million pounds) to 2023 (77 million pounds), although seafood landings have been relatively consistent over the past 13 years. Together, longfin and shortfin squid accounted for 40% of pounds landed in 2023.

Except for a spike in 2006 and a valley in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the total value of seafood landed by Rhode Island fishers has been relatively consistent over the past 23 years at over $100 million. Longfin squid (29.2%) and sea scallop (14.4%) accounted for 43.6% of the value.

Across New England fisheries, an observed decline in pounds caught has been primarily driven by a decrease in Atlantic herring catch due to historic overfishing, changing environmental conditions, and new regulations. This trend is also evident for Rhode Island fishermen, although total sales have been steady since 2007.

Except for Quahogs, the number of fishermen contributing to the harvest of Rhode Island’s top 15 species (by weight) has decreased from 2019 to 2023. Quahogs (581), Black sea bass (506), summer flounder (403), and scup (391) have the most fishermen that harvest them. Sea scallop (-42.9%), shortfin squid (-35.7%), and goosefish (-33.5%) experienced the biggest percent decreases.

Eastern oysters, the most valuable seafood species coming out of Rhode Island waters, account for about 98% of all Rhode Island aquaculture production. Rhode Island has experienced steady growth in its aquaculture industry over the past 20 years, from 54 acres in 2002, to 384 acres in 2023. Aquaculture sales were about $315,000 in 2002 and over $8.5 million in 2023. Sales dipped dramatically in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic since most Eastern oysters are served in restaurants. Sales subsequently rebounded to a little more than $8 million from 2021 to 2023.