# Fish Waste Report: 156 Million Pounds Wasted

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/05/fish-waste-report-156-million-pounds-wasted/
- Published: 2013-05-17T22:35:36-04:00
- Author: greenguruguides

## Government Report Reveals 156 Million Pounds of Fish Wasted in Northeast in 2012

### A Startling Loss of Seafood

A new federal report revealed that 156 million pounds of fish were wasted in the
Northeast United States in 2012. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(
NOAA) released this data to spotlight a troubling pattern in the region’s commercial
fishing industry: massive amounts of discarded, unused fish.

This waste doesn’t just harm the environment—it threatens the economic stability
of the fishing communities and the sustainability of marine life populations.

### Why Are So Many Fish Discarded?

Most of the discarded fish were caught unintentionally. Known as bycatch, these 
are fish that weren’t the target species and had to be thrown overboard. Sometimes
it’s due to size restrictions. Other times, it’s because quotas were already met.

The process results in millions of pounds of fish dying unnecessarily. NOAA’s report
also shows that while some fish survive the throwback, many do not.

![A digital infographic displays a government report headline about 156 million 
pounds of fish wasted in the northeast featuring a fish illustration a red downward
arrow a pile of discarded fish and stylized ocean waves](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/B5FE7456-3C47-44BF-A9C7-8C6C57643FBB.png?resize=780%
2C780&quality=50&ssl=1 "Fish - The Green Living Guy")

Ai image

### Cod Takes the Biggest Hit

The report highlighted that Atlantic cod, once a symbol of New England’s fishing
economy, suffered the most waste. Despite being a protected and closely monitored
species, cod were still discarded in large numbers due to outdated management practices
and restrictive quota systems.

Fishermen say they’re often forced to throw back cod—dead or alive—because of complex
regulations that limit landings while not accounting for unavoidable bycatch.

### Calls for Smarter Management

Environmental groups and sustainable fisheries advocates are pushing for change.
They say the current system promotes waste instead of conservation. Organizations
like the Environmental Defense Fund argue for smarter quota sharing and more flexible,
ecosystem-based approaches.

Technology can also help. Better gear and catch monitoring systems could reduce 
bycatch. At the same time, transparent data reporting could improve how fisheries
are managed.

## Wasted Fish, Wasted Opportunity

This waste isn’t just about fish. It’s about lost protein, lost income, and lost
progress in building sustainable ocean economies. Advocates say reforms could not
only reduce waste but also increase the value of the industry and help replenish
declining stocks.

As policymakers and fishing fleets weigh their next steps, one message is clear:
business as usual isn’t working. The 2012 data is a wake-up call for smarter, more
sustainable fisheries management.

Sources: [NOAA Fisheries Report on Northeast Discards ](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/)
and [Environmental Defense Fund – Sustainable Fisheries](https://www.edf.org/oceans)
and [oceana.org](https://oceana.org/press-center/press-releases/oceana-reacts-new-government-report-finds-156-million-pounds-fish-wasted)

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 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman, is recognized as a green living guru and electric
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