Takeaways from the FAO's Latest Report on the State of the World's Fisheries and Aquaculture
The world is eating more seafood than ever before, producing more than 220 million tonnes of seafood in 2022. So, where is all this seafood coming from? How is it being produced? What does the future hold for seafood lovers?
The latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the State of the World's Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA 2024) offers a comprehensive look at these trends. Here are the key takeaways and highlights.
Record-Breaking Production
Seafood production is at an all-time high. From the 1980s to 2022, aquaculture for aquatic animals and algae has grown elevenfold. Between 1961 and 2021, the consumption of aquatic animal foods surged by 483%, translating into an impressive average annual growth rate of 3.0%, nearly double the average world population growth rate of 1.6%.
The main species leading production include whiteleg shrimp and oysters from aquaculture, while wild fisheries are dominated by Peruvian anchovies and Alaska pollock.
This growth is evident in the increase in per capita consumption of seafood, which rose from 9.1 kg/year in 1961 to 20.6 kg/year in 2021, with preliminary estimates suggesting it reached 20.7 kg in 2022.
Where and How is Seafood Produced?
While most of the world’s seafood still comes from Asia, there has been significant growth in seafood production in Africa and Oceania. Notably, aquaculture has officially surpassed wild capture production, reaching a total of 130.9 million tonnes, valued at USD 312.8 billion. China remains the top aquaculture producer.
However, despite growth in aquaculture, it has been concentrated in a limited number of countries. Many low-income countries in Africa and Asia are not fully leveraging their aquaculture potential.
The Way Forward
Fishery resources are being depleted, but effective management is key. In 2021, 76.9% of landings from stocks monitored by the FAO were from biologically sustainable stocks. This highlights the critical role that effective fisheries management can play in facilitating stock recovery and increasing catches, emphasizing the need to replicate successful policies to reverse the current declining trend.
For the ten marine species with the largest landings, 78.9% of the harvest came from stocks fished sustainably, suggesting that effective management can make a significant difference.
Future Projections
Aquatic animal production is expected to increase by 10% by 2032, reaching 205 million tonnes. This rise will be driven by aquaculture expansion and the recovery of capture fisheries. The SOFIA report projects that apparent consumption will increase by 12%, supplying an average of 21.3 kg per capita by 2032. Rising incomes, urbanization, improvements in post-harvest practices, distribution, and dietary trends are expected to drive most of this increase.
Other Interesting Notes
The global fishing fleet is decreasing. In 2022, there were an estimated 4.9 million vessels, down from 5.3 million in 2019.
Seafood continues to be a vital part of economic livelihoods. Sixty-two million people work in seafood, primarily in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture.
Most seafood (57%) is destined for human consumption, and this number is increasing year over year, indicating greater efficiency in aquaculture and a reduced reliance on seafood in the food chain.
For those interested in a deeper dive, you can read the full report here.
Seafood is not just a food source; it’s a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry that holds significant promise for the future. Whether it’s through sustainable practices, innovative aquaculture, or improved management policies, the future of seafood looks bright and promising.
