Aquaculture Surpasses Wild Fisheries for First Time: UN Report

Aquaculture has taken the lead in global aquatic animal production, surpassing wild fisheries for the first time, according to a new UN report. This milestone highlights the growing role of aquaculture in meeting the world’s food needs, as experts gathered in Costa Rica for ocean conservation talks.

The report, released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), indicates that in 2022, aquaculture produced 94.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals, constituting 51% of the total production and 57% of the portion destined for human consumption.

Vital Role in Food Security

The FAO emphasizes that aquatic systems are essential for food and nutrition security. With the global demand for aquatic foods projected to rise, increasing sustainable production is crucial for maintaining healthy diets.

Sustainability and Growth

Aquaculture has seen a 6.6% growth since 2020, in contrast to the stagnation in wild fisheries production. The report calls for urgent action to conserve and rebuild wild fishery stocks due to ongoing sustainability concerns.

Future Prospects

As the world’s population is expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, significant investments are needed to ensure food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. Aquaculture is poised to play a major role, especially in Africa, where its potential remains largely untapped.

Aquatic products continue to be one of the most traded food commodities, with a record $195 billion generated in 2022 — a 19% increase from pre-pandemic levels. However, the sector faces challenges from climate change, water scarcity, pollution, and biodiversity loss.