October marks National Seafood Month, a time when the industry gets to show the myriad ways that seafood benefits Americans. As NOAA Fisheries says, “seafood is good for you, good for the economy and good for the planet!”

Autumn is a time when the seafood industry gets to share its successes, celebrating the historic and new fisheries and aquafarms around the country, from Alaska to Maine to the Mid-Atlantic, South and West Coast. If you live in a coastal state, you may already realize the seafood industry’s economic contribution: In 2022, the US produced 7.8 million tons of fish and shellfish, valued at $9.0655 billion.

NOAA Fisheries celebrates National Seafood Month by featuring the “Faces of Sustainable Seafood,” highlighting seafood harvesters, farmers, processors and distributors, culinary professionals, researchers and NOAA seafood programs. These people are doing great things in and for the seafood industry!

October is ALSO National Pescatarian Month to celebrate the 5 percent of Americans who follow a diet of seafood plus veggies, fruit, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds and, for some, dairy and/or eggs (basically a vegetarian diet plus seafood). Inaugurated in 2020, the initiative is sponsored by the National Fisheries Institute’s Dish on Fish. Both NFI and the Seafood Nutrition Partnership have a variety of resources including recipes to help consumers fulfill the goal of eating seafood 2-3 times per week.

No matter how you choose to celebrate National Seafood and Pescatarian Month, SeaShare’s work of helping those struggling with food insecurity to access seafood continues year-round. The number of Americans facing food insecurity in 2023 increased to 47 million, including nearly 14 million children. We want everyone to be able to celebrate National Seafood month. Reach out to see how you can get involved!