The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2018
This annual report (PDF) by FAO measures the progress of the world fisheries and aquaculture role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizing its role in achieving them. There is great importance of fisheries and aquaculture in providing nutrition. But fish also contributes to food and nutrition security of poor households in developing countries through livelihood diversification, employment and income generation for millions for people, many of whom struggle to maintain reasonable livelihoods. Fish is an important, consistently affordable dietary component worldwide, albeit with large geographic variance. Total fish production reached an all-time high, of which 88 percent was utilized for direct human consumption, thanks to relatively stable capture fisheries production, reduced wastage and aquaculture growth. Since 1961 the annual global growth in fish consumption has been twice as high as population growth, demonstrating that the fisheries sector is crucial in reaching towards a world without hunger and malnutrition. It is desirable to increase the production and consumption of small fish and to find ways of transforming the non-consumed parts into nutritious products. A focus on the nutrient content of farmed aquatic foods is especially important where they have a key role in food-based approaches to food security and nutrition. Greater product assurance in fresh fish value chains is needed to safeguard food safety and ensure that nutrition benefits of fish are accessible to all. Predicted trends towards 2030 are that world fish production, consumption and trade will increase, with a growth rate slowing over time. Prices will increase in nominal terms while declining in real terms, although remaining high. Food fish supply will increase in all regions, while per capita fis consumption is expected to decline in Africa, which raises concerns in terms of food security. The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries is increasingly relevant as the guiding framework for implementing the principles of sustainable development in fisheries and aquaculture.