U.N. Food Agency Reports Aquafarming as Primary Global Fish Source

Aquaculture Surpasses Traditional Fisheries in Global Seafood Production

In a groundbreaking development, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced that for the first time, farmed aquatic production has exceeded the catch from traditional captured fisheries. This milestone underscores the potential of aquaculture to meet the growing global demand for seafood.

The latest biennial report from the FAO revealed that global fisheries and aquaculture production in 2022 reached a record 223.2 million tonnes. Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, accounted for an unprecedented 130.9 million tonnes, with 94.4 million tonnes coming from aquatic animals, representing 51% of the total aquatic animal production.

FAO Assistant Director General Manuel Barange expressed optimism about the role of aquaculture in feeding the world’s population, highlighting its status as the fastest-growing food production system globally over the past five decades. However, he emphasized the need to expand the industry beyond the top 10 producing countries to regions like Africa, which currently relies on fish imports.

While critics raise concerns about the environmental impact and spread of disease associated with aquafarming, FAO maintains that proper regulation and monitoring can mitigate these risks. The report also highlighted the increasing per capita consumption of aquatic animal foods, indicating a rising demand for seafood worldwide.

Despite the success of aquaculture, the FAO raised alarms about the sustainability of marine fisheries, with 37.7% of fish stocks classified as overfished in 2021. Barange stressed the importance of sustainable management practices to ensure the long-term viability of global fisheries.