Fishing, Hunting & Trapping
NAICS 114: Commercial fishing, hunting, and trapping. Alaska landings, quota management, MSC certification, and US wild-capture seafood industry.
Industry at a Glance
Sector-wide aggregates across all businesses classified under NAICS 114 (2017 classification frame). For specific sub-industries within this sector, see the individual reports below.
Industry Overview
Fishing, hunting, and trapping (NAICS 114) covers the commercial harvest of wild fish, shellfish, game animals, and fur-bearing species from natural habitats. Alaska alone accounts for roughly half of all US wild-capture seafood landings, with Dutch Harbor consistently ranking as the nation's top port by volume. The Gulf of Mexico and New England regions anchor the remaining commercial fleet, targeting species from shrimp and menhaden to Atlantic cod and lobster.
NOAA Fisheries and eight Regional Fishery Management Councils govern catch quotas, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary federal statute regulating marine fisheries since 1976. The US Fish and Wildlife Service oversees migratory bird harvest and fur-trapping frameworks, while state agencies administer hunting licenses and inland fisheries. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification has become a market prerequisite for retailers like Walmart and Whole Foods, pushing operators to document chain-of-custody sustainability practices.
The subsector is dominated by small independent vessel operators, though vertically integrated companies like Trident Seafoods and American Seafoods Group control significant processing and distribution capacity. Employment is highly seasonal, concentrated in coastal Alaska, the Gulf Coast, and the Pacific Northwest, with the workforce declining as aging captains exit and younger entrants face high capital barriers for vessel acquisition.
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Industry Trends
Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization debates are shaping quota allocations and ecosystem-based management mandates that directly determine annual harvest volumes for groundfish and pelagic species
Warming ocean temperatures are shifting species ranges northward, with Alaskan snow crab fisheries experiencing historic closures in 2022-2023 while mid-Atlantic black sea bass stocks expand beyond traditional boundaries
Electronic monitoring and vessel tracking systems mandated by NOAA are replacing onboard human observers, reducing compliance costs for small operators while improving catch documentation accuracy
Aquaculture imports, particularly farmed salmon from Norway and Chile and shrimp from Ecuador and India, now supply over 60% of US seafood consumption, compressing prices for domestic wild-capture operators
MSC and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch ratings increasingly determine retail shelf access, with uncertified fisheries losing placement at major grocers including Kroger and Costco
Specialty Reports Available on Request
4 specialty industriesavailable on request▾
Industry Groups
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is NAICS 114? ▾
NAICS 114 classifies commercial fishing, shellfish harvesting, hunting, and trapping of wild animals. It excludes recreational fishing charters (NAICS 713) and aquaculture (NAICS 1125). Dutch Harbor, Alaska, has led the nation in commercial landings by volume for over two decades, primarily driven by pollock and crab harvests.
How does the Magnuson-Stevens Act regulate US commercial fishing? ▾
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act establishes the framework for federal fisheries management through eight Regional Fishery Management Councils that set annual catch limits, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions. The law requires rebuilding overfished stocks within specified timelines and mandates science-based quota setting through stock assessments conducted by NOAA Fisheries.
Which US regions dominate commercial fishing employment? ▾
Alaska accounts for the largest share of commercial fishing employment and landings, followed by the Gulf Coast (Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi) for shrimp and finfish, and New England (Massachusetts, Maine) for lobster and groundfish. The Pacific Northwest contributes significant salmon and Dungeness crab harvests. Employment is heavily seasonal, peaking during species-specific harvest windows.
What role does seafood sustainability certification play in market access? ▾
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch ratings function as gatekeepers for retail distribution. Major chains including Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods require certified-sustainable sourcing for many species. Uncertified fisheries face shrinking market access and price discounts, making certification a de facto operating requirement for commercial viability.
How are climate shifts affecting fish stock availability? ▾
Rising ocean temperatures are driving measurable northward migration of commercially important species. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed the Bering Sea snow crab fishery in 2022 after population surveys showed historic declines. Meanwhile, species like black sea bass and summer flounder are expanding into New England waters, creating jurisdictional and quota-allocation disputes among regional management councils.
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