The U.S. Fishery and Seafood Industry
The United States is one of the largest seafood producers in the world, with fisheries operating from Alaska's cold northern waters to the Gulf of Mexico's warm coasts. The American fishery industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and supplies fresh, frozen, and processed seafood to consumers domestically and abroad. The companies below represent some of the most influential and respected names in U.S. seafood.
1. Trident Seafoods
Trident Seafoods, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is the largest seafood company in the United States. With major operations in Alaska, Trident harvests and processes wild-caught salmon, pollock, cod, crab, and other species sold across the country and exported globally.
2. American Seafoods Company
American Seafoods, also based in Seattle, operates a fleet of catcher-processor vessels in the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean. They are a major supplier of pollock, hake, and other whitefish used in everything from frozen filets to surimi products.
3. Pacific Seafood
Pacific Seafood, headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon, is one of the largest seafood processors in North America. The company harvests and processes a wide variety of species including Dungeness crab, oysters, salmon, and groundfish from the Pacific coast.
4. Bumble Bee Seafoods
Bumble Bee Seafoods, based in San Diego, California, is an iconic American seafood brand. Specializing in canned tuna, salmon, and other shelf-stable seafood, Bumble Bee is a household name found in grocery stores throughout the United States.
5. StarKist Co.
StarKist, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is another leading canned seafood producer. Known for its iconic Charlie the Tuna mascot, StarKist supplies tuna pouches, cans, and ready-to-eat seafood products to American consumers.
6. Chicken of the Sea
Chicken of the Sea, based in El Segundo, California, rounds out the top three of America's canned tuna brands. The company also supplies salmon, sardines, clams, and other shelf-stable seafood to retailers nationwide.
7. High Liner Foods USA
High Liner Foods USA is a major supplier of frozen and value-added seafood to U.S. retailers and foodservice operators. Their catalog includes breaded fish, seasoned filets, and branded products used in restaurants and home kitchens across the country.
8. Red Chamber Co.
Red Chamber Co., based in Vernon, California, is one of the largest privately held seafood companies in the United States. They process and distribute shrimp, lobster, crab, and finfish to retailers and foodservice operators nationwide.
9. Aqua Star
Aqua Star, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is a major importer and processor of seafood serving U.S. retailers, restaurants, and club stores. They are known for their frozen shrimp, salmon, and value-added seafood products.
10. Cooke Inc. (Cooke Aquaculture USA)
Cooke operates major U.S. aquaculture and wild-catch operations, particularly in Maine and the Pacific Northwest. They supply farmed Atlantic salmon, wild-caught fish, and shellfish to retailers and restaurants throughout the country.
Trends in U.S. Seafood and Fisheries
The American fishery industry is increasingly focused on sustainability, traceability, and aquaculture. Wild-caught fisheries operate under strict science-based quotas, while aquaculture is expanding to meet growing demand without straining wild stocks. Consumer interest in healthier proteins and transparent sourcing is driving investment in certifications and supply chain technologies.
How to Source from U.S. Seafood Companies
Restaurants, retailers, and seafood distributors should evaluate suppliers based on species variety, certifications such as MSC or BAP, processing capabilities, and logistics. Large integrated companies like Trident Seafoods and Pacific Seafood offer reliable scale and product diversity, while specialists like Cooke and Aqua Star deliver focused capabilities. Strong supplier partnerships are essential to thriving in the competitive U.S. seafood market.