Seafood, Commercial Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Total pounds of seafood landed by commercial Rhode Island fishermen decreased by 51.5% from 2000 (≈147 million pounds) to 2024 (≈71 million pounds), although seafood landings have been relatively consistent over the past 14 years. Together, longfin and shortfin squid and sea scallop accounted for 45.4% of pounds landed in 2024.

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.

The total value of commercial seafood landings decreased 52.9% from 2000 to 2024. 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 been relatively consistent from 2007 to 2021 at over $100 million. Post-COVID sales have dipped below $100 million. Longfin squid (25.1%), sea scallop (13.0%), and American lobster (11.0%) accounted for 49.1% of landings value in 2024.

The number of fishermen contributing to the harvest of Rhode Island’s top 15 species (by weight) has decreased from 2019 to 2024. Quahogs (442), Black sea bass (484), summer flounder (384), and scup (384) have the most fishermen that harvest them. Sea scallop (-42.9%), goosefish (-29.7%) and winter skate (-27.4%) 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 a 630% growth in its aquaculture acreage over the past 20 years, from 54 acres in 2002, to 393 acres in 2024. Aquaculture sales were about $594,000 in 2002 and about $8.4 million in 2024. 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 2024.

Dr. Thomas Sproul (University of Rhode Island) estimated nearly $600 million in sales from Rhode Island’s seafood and fisheries sector in 2016. Wholesalers (e.g., importers and exporters, brokers) generated 45.7% ($274 million) in sales, followed by commercial fishing (16.4%, $98.5 million) and service and supply businesses (e.g., nets, commercial tackle and gear, boat and equipment maintenance).

Dr. Thomas Sproul (University of Rhode Island) estimated a little more than 3,100 jobs in Rhode Island’s seafood and fisheries sector in 2016. Commercial fishing accounted for more than half of seafood and fisheries employment (1,711 jobs), followed by wholesalers (20%, 617 jobs), and processors (7%, 215 jobs).

Rhode Island’s seafood and commercial fishing industry is made up of more than 400 businesses that employ over 3,000 people and generate over half a billion dollars in gross sales annually for the state. This combined impact shapes the character of this region we so fondly call the Ocean State.