(FAO) Significant growth in aquaculture has driven global fisheries and aquaculture production to a record high as aquatic foods make an increasingly critical contribution to food security and nutrition in the 21st century, according to a report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) released on Wednesday.

The 2022 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) says the growth of aquaculture, particularly in Asia, lifted total production of fisheries and aquaculture to an all-time high of 214 million tonnes in 2020, comprising 178 million tonnes of aquatic animals and 36 million tonnes of algae.

Production of aquatic animals in 2020 was 30 per cent higher than the average in the 2000s and more than 60 per cent above the average in the 1990s. Record aquaculture output of 87.5 million tonnes of aquatic animals largely drove these outcomes.

As the sector continues to expand, FAO says more targeted transformative changes are needed to achieve a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable fisheries and aquaculture sector. A ‘Blue Transformation’ in how we produce, manage, trade and consume aquatic foods, is crucial if we are to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

‘’The growth of fisheries and aquaculture is vital in our efforts to end global hunger and malnutrition but further transformation is needed in the sector to address the challenges,’’ says FAO Director General, QU Dongyu.

He added: ‘’We must transform agri-food systems to ensure aquatic foods are sustainably harvested, livelihoods are safeguarded and aquatic habitats and biodiversity are protected.’’

Aquatic foods are contributing more than ever before to food security and nutrition. Global consumption of aquatic foods (excluding algae) has increased at an average annual rate of three per cent since 1961, almost twice that of annual world population growth – reaching 20.2 kg per capita, more than double the consumption in the 1960s.

Over 157 million tonnes – or 89 per cent of aquatic animal production, were used for direct human consumption in 2020, a slightly higher volume than in 2018, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aquatic foods contribute about 17 per cent of the animal proteins consumed in 2019, reaching 23 per cent in lower-middle-income countries and more than 50 per cent in parts of Asia and Africa.

Asian countries were the source of 70 per cent of the world’s fisheries and aquaculture production of aquatic animals in 2020, followed by countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania. China remained the top fisheries producer, followed by Indonesia, Peru, the Russian Federation, the United States, India and Viet Nam.

AQUACULTURE SHAPES THE FUTURE OF AQUATIC FOODS
Aquaculture has grown faster than capture fisheries in the last two years and is expected to expand further over the next decade. In 2020, animal aquaculture production reached 87.5 million tonnes, 6 per cent higher than in 2018. On the other hand, capture fisheries production dropped to 90.3 million tonnes, a fall of 4.0 per cent compared with the average over the previous three years.

The reduction in capture fisheries production was mainly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted fishing activities, market access and sales, as well as a reduction in China’s catches and a fall in the naturally-fluctuating anchoveta catches.

Growing demand for fish and other aquatic foods is rapidly changing the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Consumption is expected to increase by 15 per cent to supply on average 21.4 kg per capita in 2030, driven mostly by rising incomes and urbanisation, changes in post-harvest practices and distribution, as well as in dietary trends focusing on better health and nutrition.

Total production of aquatic animals is expected to reach 202 million tonnes in 2030, mainly due to the continuing growth of aquaculture, projected to reach 100 million tonnes for the first time in 2027 and 106 million tonnes in 2030.

THE NEED FOR A BLUE TRANSFORMATION
FAO says more needs to be done to feed the world’s growing population while enhancing the sustainability of stocks and fragile ecosystems and protecting lives and livelihoods in the long-term.

According to SOFIA 2022, the sustainability of marine fishery resources remains of significant concern, with the per centage of sustainably fished stocks falling to 64.6 per cent in 2019, a 1.2 per cent decline from 2017.

However, there are encouraging signs as sustainably fished stocks provided 82.5 per cent of the total volume of 2019 landings a 3.8 per cent increase since 2017. This seems to indicate that larger stocks are being managed more effectively.

FAO promotes Blue Transformation, a visionary strategy to meet the twin challenges of food security and environmental sustainability while ensuring equitable outcomes and gender equality.
Climate and environment-friendly policy and practices, as well as technological innovation, are also vital for change.

‘’Blue Transformation is an objective-driven process through which FAO Members and partners can maximise the contribution of aquatic food systems to enhance food security, nutrition and affordable healthy diets, while remaining within ecological boundaries,’’ says Manuel Barange, Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.

Fisheries and aquaculture contribute to employment, trade and economic development.  The total first sale value of fisheries and aquaculture production of aquatic animals in 2020 was estimated at $406 billion, of which $265 billion came from aquaculture production.

According to the latest data, an estimated 58.5 million people were employed in the sector and of these approximately 21 per cent were women. Around 600 million people are estimated to depend on fisheries and aquaculture in some way for their lives and livelihoods. Building resilience is critical for equitable and sustainable development.

Key numbers from The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022

Production
– Total global production of aquatic animals and algae: 214 million tonnes – First-sale value of aquatic animal production: $406 billion
– Marine capture fisheries:  78.8 million tonnes
– Freshwater capture fisheries: 11.5 million tonnes
– Animal aquaculture production: 87.5 million tonnes, a new high

Consumption and Trade
– Total amount for human consumption (excluding algae): 157 million tonnes
– Value of international trade of fisheries and aquaculture products: $151 billion

Employment and Fleets
– Total employed in primary sector of fisheries and aquaculture: 58.5 million, 21 per cent women
– Region with the most fishers and fish farmers: Asia (84 per cent) – Number of fishing vessels on planet: 4.1 million
– Largest fleet by region: Asia (2.68 million vessels, about two thirds of the global fleet)

Fish Stocks
– Sustainably fished stocks: 64.6 per cent (2019), 1.2 per cent lower than 2017
– Sustainably fished stocks from total landings:  82.5 per cent (2019), up 3.8 since 2017