Seafood Hub Development on the U.S. West Coast

This report presents an overview of seafood hub development on the U.S. West Coast, detailing the current challenges faced by the seafood trade sector. It highlights the $20.3 billion seafood trade deficit in 2023, emphasizing the competitive pressures on U.S. fishermen from low-cost imports. The document defines seafood hubs as a concept aimed at improving local seafood supply chains by addressing storage, processing, and distribution gaps. It draws comparisons to agricultural food hubs, providing definitions and characteristics that distinguish seafood hubs from traditional supply chain models. The report also includes a literature review aimed at defining seafood hubs through peer-reviewed academic sources, which notes the absence of a standardized definition in the sector. The findings emphasize the importance of local food systems for enhancing economic opportunities for fishermen and the community, as well as for promoting sustainability within the seafood industry.