Global marine capture fishery production was stable at about 80 million
tonnes in 2012, the new report indicates.
Currently, under 30 percent of the wild fish stocks regularly monitored by
FAO are overfished – a reversal in trend observed during the past few
years, a positive sign in the right direction.
Just over 70 percent are being fished within biologically sustainable
levels. Of these, fully fished stocks – meaning those at or very close to
their maximum sustainable production – account for over 60 percent and
underfished stocks about 10 percent.
Global aquaculture production marked a record high of more than 90
million tonnes in 2012, including almost 24 million tonnes of aquatic
plants. China accounted for over 60 percent of the total share.
Aquaculture’s expansion helps improve the diets of many people,
especially in poor rural areas where the presence of essential nutrients in
food is often scarce.
However, the report warns that to continue to grow sustainably,
aquaculture needs to become less dependent on wild fish for feeds and
introduce greater diversity in farmed culture species and practices.
For example, small-sized species can be an excellent source of essential
minerals when consumed whole. However, consumer preferences and
other factors have seen a switch towards larger farmed species whose
bones and heads are often discarded.
The role of fish is set to feature prominently at the Second International
Conference on Nutrition jointly organized by FAO and the World Health
Organization (WHO) for 19–21 November 2014 in Rome.
FAO
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