In 1998, Washington's production of food fish reached 419 million lb (190 million kg), valued at $123.2 million. The record catch was 527.8 million lb (239.4 million kg) in 1994. Oyster landings in 1998 amounted to over 6.5 million lb (2.9 million kg), 83% of the Pacific region's total. The shellfish catch in 1998 also included 21.3 million lb (9.7 million kg) of crab and 3.1 million lb (1.4 million kg) of shrimp. Most production of farm-raised oysters occurs in Washington although there are some smaller operations in the other Pacific coastal states. Salmon landings were 13.9 million lb (6.3 million kg), valued at $9.1 million, of which pink salmon accounted for 2%; chum, 51%; silver, 10%; sockeye, 23%; and chinook, 14%. Washington had 1,656 commercial fishing vessels in 1997. The leading fishing ports, by value of landings in 1998, were Seattle, $22.3 million; Bellingham, $16.7 million; and Westport, $12.8 million. In 1997, on average, some 3,927 workers were employed in the state's 96 fish processing plants, and 1,711 were engaged in 198 wholesale plants.
In 1998, 65 fish farms distributed nearly 837 million salmon and 239 million trout in Washington's streams and lakes. In 1998, Washington issued 681,656 fishing licenses.