US consumers ate record volumes of domestically caught Alaska pollock in 2024, signs that the US pollock industry claims shows Americans are responding to its marketing of wild Alaska pollock in favor of imported whitefish alternatives.
That's as overall volumes fell when factoring in imported pollock from other countries as well as the ban on Russian seafood in the US.
The Seattle, Washington-based Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) released figures Sunday (Feb. 23) that showed the combined amount of Alaska-caught pollock in US waters and fish from Russia and East Asia on the US market fell about 7% from 124,337 metric tons in 2023 to 115,260 mt in 2024.
Per capita consumption of all pollock -- both domestic and imported -- would have fallen commensurately with that decline, GAPP said.
But GAPP points to data that shows that Alaska pollock harvested in US waters increased by about 13% from 99,815 mt in 2023 to 115,065 mt in 2024.
That's the most US-caught Alaska pollock available for domestic consumption on record and presents a roughly 27% increase in just two years.
"We are extremely pleased that Americans are eating more products made from wild Alaska pollock," GAPP CEO Craig Morris said in a statement.
GAPP's marketing efforts have centered around encouraging brands to not only buy US-caught Alaska pollock in filets, surimi and breaded fish sticks. But also to highlight the product as "Wild Alaska Pollock" on packaging and in menus.
"By purchasing US-harvested wild Alaska pollock, Americans are supporting not only the intrepid men and women that fish the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and the Eastern Bering Sea, but also the businesses from whom they purchase goods and services," Morris added.
As Undercurrent News has reported, Alaska pollock enjoys strong consumer demand as a relatively inexpensive alternative to cod. US producers are reporting a robust A season in the Bering Sea. But there are concerns the strong harvest could mean the quotas a reached early, potentially tightening supplies early.
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