Global Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics plays a pivotal role in global food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. It provides statistics on farmed fish and wild fish. With 2022 marking a record-high production of 223.2 million tonnes in the sector, the insights from The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 underscore the transformative potential of aquatic food systems.
This article unpacks the key statistics, their implications, and the path toward a sustainable “Blue Transformation.“
1. Record-Breaking Production in 2022: What the Numbers Say
The global production of aquatic animals and algae reached unprecedented levels, totaling 223.2 million tonnes in 2022. Of this, 185.4 million tonnes were aquatic animals, with aquaculture contributing 94.4 million tonnes—surpassing capture fisheries for the first time. Source
Key Insights
Aquaculture’s Growing Dominance:
Aquaculture now accounts for 51% of total aquatic animal production, driven by innovations and increasing demand. These are the global fisheries and aquaculture statistics
This is what supplements the wild or captured fish otherwise most fish species would have come to extinction by now.
Consumption Trends:
89% of the total production of aquatic animals was used for human consumption, equating to an average of 20.7 kg per capita, a significant rise from 9.1 kg in 1961.
This is a piece of good news that, despite the constant increase in the number of fish farmers, there is a corresponding increase in demand for fish. Otherwise, supply would increase more than demand which could hurt the profitability of fish farmers.
Geographic Concentration:
Asia produced 70% of the global output, reflecting the region’s advanced aquaculture capabilities.
To be specific in terms of country in Asia, China is leading the production of fish worldwide.
Interpretation
These figures highlight the shift toward sustainable and scalable aquaculture practices, essential for meeting the rising demand for nutritious aquatic foods while alleviating pressure on capture fisheries.
2. Employment and Gender Dynamics in Aquatic Systems
According to the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report, an estimated 61.8 million people were employed in the primary fisheries and aquaculture sector in 2022.
As part of the global fisheries and aquaculture statistics, women constituted 24% of this workforce but dominated the post-harvest sector with a 62% share.
Key Insights
Employment in aquaculture (36%) is growing faster than in capture fisheries.
Gender disparities persist, particularly in wages and access to resources.
At least women are less in the production stage and only more in the processing stage. To ensure gender equality, more women should be encouraged to participate in the production stage. As a fish farmer myself, the industry is very friendly and both males and females can be engaged without difficulties. I therefore entreat women to participate more in this sector.
Interpretation
Despite the encouragement of women to participate, they should also be empowered by their gender counterparts, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and government agencies to participate.
They should ensure that empowering women and small-scale operators through equitable policies and capacity building can unlock untapped potential in the sector, fostering inclusive growth.
3. Trade in Aquatic Products: A Billion-Dollar Industry
The international trade of aquatic products hit a record value of USD 195 billion in 2022.
Developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, accounted for a net trade surplus of USD 45 billion, outperforming all other agricultural products combined. According to the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report
Key Insights
Major Exporters:
China led with 12% of global export value, followed by Norway and Vietnam.
Product Types:
Finfish contributed 65% of the export value, with salmonids and shrimps being top commodities.
Import Trends:
The United States and China were the largest importers, reflecting high consumption rates in developed markets.
Interpretation
Strategic investments in traceability and sustainable practices can further enhance market access and profitability for developing nations.
4. Sustainability Challenges in Capture Fisheries
While capture fisheries produced 92.3 million tonnes in 2022, concerns about overfishing and declining marine stock sustainability persist.
By 2021, only 62.3% of global marine fish stocks were within biologically sustainable levels.
Key Insights
Inland fisheries, though smaller in scale, face unique environmental pressures that impact productivity.
Effective management policies have been shown to restore depleted stocks, as seen in tuna fisheries where 87% of stocks are now sustainable.
Interpretation
Accelerating the adoption of evidence-based fisheries management practices is crucial to reversing sustainability trends and ensuring long-term resource availability.
5. Blue Transformation: A Roadmap for the Future
The FAO’s Blue Transformation initiative outlines a comprehensive strategy to enhance aquaculture growth, improve fisheries management, and upgrade aquatic food value chains.
The aim is to ensure that 90% of aquatic animal production by 2032 is destined for human consumption at a projected rate of 21.3 kg per capita.
Targets and Actions
Aquaculture Expansion:
Focus on innovation, biosecurity, and equitable resource distribution.
Sustainability Goals: Combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing to achieve SDG 14 targets.
To paraphrase the Sustainable Development Goal 14, state that “Life Below Water” to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
Value Chain Efficiency:
Minimize food loss and waste, which remains a significant challenge in aquatic systems.
Interpretation
Achieving these objectives will require global cooperation, targeted investments, and the integration of traditional and modern knowledge systems.
6. Aquatic Foods and Climate Action
Aquatic food systems are increasingly recognized as integral to climate resilience. By supporting vulnerable coastal communities and adopting adaptive aquaculture practices, the sector can mitigate climate-related risks.
Adopting modern technological advancements in fish farming such as the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), Aeration System, Automatic Feeders, and many more can help mitigate climate-related issues in the aquaculture industry.
Key Insights
Aquatic Foods in Diets:
Aquatic animal foods provide 15% of global animal protein and essential micronutrients, contributing to global nutrition.
Climate Finance:
Addressing the gap in access to climate funding for small-scale producers is imperative.
Interpretation
Scaling climate-smart aquaculture solutions and integrating aquatic foods into national climate policies can amplify their role in global sustainability efforts.
Conclusion
The statistics from The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 emphasize the transformative potential of aquatic food systems.
By interpreting these numbers and aligning actions with the Blue Transformation Roadmap, we can build a future where fisheries and aquaculture thrive sustainably, addressing food security, economic growth, and environmental conservation simultaneously.
References
FAO. 2024. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024. Rome.
Available at: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report
