Washington state shipped $940 million worth of seafood to international markets in a single year, making it the second largest seafood exporting state in the country behind only Alaska. The haul spans some of the world’s most prized species, including salmon, halibut, Pacific cod, pollock, sablefish, crab, shrimp, clams, oysters, and mussels, moving to buyers across North America, Asia, and beyond.
At the centre of it all is Seattle’s Fishermen’s Terminal, which serves as the homeport of the North Pacific fishing fleet, the largest commercial fishing operation in the United States. The terminal is the logistical backbone of an industry that touches thousands of jobs across the state and generates economic activity far beyond the docks.
Canada is Washington’s largest seafood buyer, purchasing $320 million worth of product, a figure driven by strong trade ties and the speed of cross-border logistics. China follows at $138 million, with Hong Kong adding another $74 million, meaning greater China accounts for more than $210 million in Washington seafood purchases combined. Japan, historically one of the state’s most valuable partners in this sector, imported $51 million, a sharp decline of more than 55% from the prior year that has raised serious concerns among exporters about the durability of that relationship.
The $940 million figure puts Washington within striking distance of a $1 billion milestone, but 2025 has introduced significant headwinds. Retaliatory tariffs have pushed exports to China down 36% compared to the same period last year. Shipping capacity is tightening simultaneously, with fewer cargo vessels arriving at Washington ports and exporters left scrambling to move goods already sitting at the docks waiting for transport.
The underlying industry remains strong, built on decades of sustainable fishing practices, deep international relationships, and a geographic advantage that places Washington closer to key Asian markets than virtually any other American state. But the combination of trade tensions, shifting demand from Japan, and logistical constraints is testing that strength in ways the sector has rarely faced at once.
For Washington’s fishing communities, the stakes extend well beyond export statistics. The seafood industry supports livelihoods in coastal towns, tribal fishing operations, and processing facilities across the state. A sustained drop in export revenue ripples outward quickly, affecting crews, processors, cold storage operators, and the broader maritime economy that Fishermen’s Terminal represents.
The industry is strong. The moment is fragile.
