National Seafood Month
October 1 - October 31
About National Seafood Month
National Seafood Month takes place every October across the United States, celebrating the fish and shellfish that reach our plates and the people who harvest, farm, and prepare them. The month encourages shoppers, restaurants, and home cooks to eat more seafood, learn where it comes from, and choose sustainable options. NOAA Fisheries uses the occasion to highlight the value of American wild-caught and farmed seafood and the standards behind it.
How to Celebrate National Seafood Month
October is the perfect excuse to broaden your seafood horizons, whether you are an experienced cook or someone who usually sticks to the same fish fillet. Here are plenty of ways to take part.
- Try a species you have never cooked before – Swap your usual salmon or cod for something less familiar such as mackerel, mussels, sardines, or rockfish. Underused species are often cheaper, abundant, and just as delicious.
- Shop for sustainable seafood – Look for clear labelling and ask your fishmonger where the catch came from. Seafood caught or farmed in the United States is held to robust environmental standards, so it is a reliable sustainable choice.
- Cook a seafood feast at home – Host a seafood night with friends or family. A big pot of chowder, a paella, or a simple grilled fish supper turns a midweek meal into an occasion.
- Visit a local seafood restaurant or market – Support independent fishmongers, dockside markets, and seafood restaurants in your area. Many run special menus and tastings throughout October.
- Learn to fillet and prepare fish – Pick up a knife skill that lasts a lifetime. Plenty of online tutorials and local cookery classes cover filleting, shucking oysters, and cleaning prawns.
- Pair seafood with health goals – Seafood is rich in lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Use the month to add a couple of fish meals to your weekly routine.
- Get the kids involved – Take children to an aquarium, a fish counter, or the harbour to connect them with where seafood comes from and how it is caught.
- Share your seafood adventures online – Post your dishes, recipes, and market finds to spread enthusiasm and introduce others to new flavours.
What is National Seafood Month?
National Seafood Month is an annual observance held throughout October in the United States. It celebrates the country’s commercial and recreational fisheries, aquaculture, and the wider seafood community, from fishermen and fish farmers to processors, chefs, and retailers. The month is championed by NOAA Fisheries alongside seafood industry groups, who use it to promote the nutritional, economic, and cultural value of seafood while encouraging consumers to make informed, sustainable choices. It is for anyone who eats seafood or is curious to start.
When is National Seafood Month?
National Seafood Month runs for the whole of October each year. In 2026 it takes place from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31 October. The observance is fixed to October every year, so the dates never change, and it overlaps with a busy autumn calendar of food and harvest celebrations.
The History of National Seafood Month
Seafood has been central to American life for centuries, from the cod fisheries of New England and the oyster beds of the Chesapeake Bay to the salmon runs of the Pacific Northwest and the shrimp grounds of the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal communities have long built their economies and identities around the catch, and the idea of a dedicated month grew out of efforts to recognise that heritage and the modern industry it supports.
October was chosen to celebrate seafood and to draw attention to the work behind every catch, giving the public a chance to learn more about how fish and shellfish are harvested, farmed, processed, and delivered. NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency responsible for managing the nation’s marine resources, adopted National Seafood Month as a yearly platform to share these stories and to underline the United States’ position as a global leader in sustainable seafood management.
Over the years the month has grown into a coordinated effort involving government agencies, fishing communities, aquaculture producers, retailers, and restaurants. Each October brings fresh campaigns, recipes, and educational features designed to connect people with the source of their food and to encourage them to choose responsibly managed seafood.
Fun Facts About National Seafood Month
- The United States harvests and farms roughly 8 billion pounds of seafood for consumption each year.
- The U.S. commercial seafood industry supports around 1.1 million jobs and generates an estimated $155 billion in sales across the wider economy.
- Americans ate an average of about 20.5 pounds of seafood per person in 2021, counting both finfish and shellfish.
- As of 2021, more than 40 percent of Americans said they consider sustainability when buying seafood.
- The United States is recognised as a global leader in sustainable seafood for both wild-caught and farmed species, operating under some of the most transparent environmental standards in the world.
- Seafood is one of the best natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health.
Why National Seafood Month Matters
National Seafood Month is about more than good eating. It supports coastal economies and the livelihoods of fishermen and fish farmers, encourages healthier diets rich in lean protein and omega-3s, and promotes sustainable fishing and aquaculture that keep ocean populations healthy for future generations. By understanding where seafood comes from, consumers can make choices that protect both their wellbeing and the marine environment. If you care about responsible food sourcing, you might also appreciate Sustainable Gastronomy Day, which champions food that is good for people and the planet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Seafood Month?
National Seafood Month is an annual October observance in the United States that celebrates fish and shellfish, the people who produce them, and the importance of choosing sustainable seafood. It is promoted by NOAA Fisheries and the wider seafood industry.
When is National Seafood Month in 2026?
It runs throughout October 2026, from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31 October. The observance falls in October every year.
Who organises National Seafood Month?
NOAA Fisheries leads much of the national promotion, working alongside seafood industry organisations, retailers, and fishing communities to highlight sustainable American seafood throughout October. You can follow along with seasonal seafood celebrations such as National Salmon Day, which also falls in October.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best seafood dishes, market finds, and recipes on social media with #NationalSeafoodMonth and #SeafoodMonth2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to cook a new species this October!
Related Awareness Days
- National Salmon Day – A single-day October celebration of one of the world’s most popular and nutritious fish.
- National Catfish Month – A month dedicated to farm-raised catfish, a staple of American aquaculture.
- Sustainable Gastronomy Day – A day that promotes food production and consumption in harmony with the natural world.
Links
- Celebrate National Seafood Month with NOAA Fisheries
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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