ASTORIA, Ore. — Newport is now the dominant West Coast port for commercial fishing, with the highest quantity of fish on the coast.
Newport landed 124 million pounds of commercial fish, the 11th highest quantity in the country. Newport edged out Astoria for the top West Coast spot, with the 12th highest city netting 122 million pounds, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Astoria had been the top West Coast port by quantity — and the 10th highest in the nation — since it overtook Los Angeles in 2012, The Daily Astorian reported.
“I think it touches every corner of Clatsop County,” said Jim Knight, the executive director of the Port of Astoria. “Every part of our community is tremendously impacted because of the fishing industry.”
Westport landed 100 million pounds, making it the third highest producer on the coast and 13th in the country.
The nation’s top commercial fishing port by quantity for the past several years has been Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
In terms of value, New Bedford, Massachusetts is the best commercial port in the country, bringing in $329 million last year.
In the Pacific Northwest, Astoria and Newport both saw drops in value, with Astoria landing $43 million, compared to $50 million in 2013. In Newport the commercial catch was worth $53 million, down from $55 million in 2013. Astoria and Newport rank 21st and 23rd in the nation for value, respectively.
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