The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2024—Blue Transformation in Action report was released by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in June 2024. This report has featured the Blue Transformation in action, illustrated by activities and initiatives. It has been led by FAO in collaboration with members, partners, and key stakeholders for integrating aquatic foods into global food security and sustainability, enhancing policy advocacy, scientific research, disseminate sustainable practices, and technological innovations.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasises the importance of combating hunger, malnutrition, and poverty for achieving its goals and targets. Aquatic systems have been offering numerous benefits including improved food security, nutrition, poverty alleviation, socioeconomic development, especially in coastal and riparian communities, while minimising environmental impact.
Some Highlights of the Report
Total fisheries and aquaculture production In 2022, it reached an all-time high record of 223.2 million tonnes or 185.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals and 37.8 million tonnes of algae (US$ 472 billion). About 70 per cent of the aquatic animals were produced in Asian countries. China continued to be the largest producer at 36 per cent, with India at 8 per cent, Indonesia at 7 per cent, Vietnam at 5 per cent, and Peru at 3 per cent. Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean produced 9 per cent each. Africa, Northern America, and Oceania produced 7 per cent, 3 per cent, and 1 per cent each, respectively.
World aquaculture production In 2022, it was 130.9 million tonnes valued at around US$ 313 billion. It was made up of 36.5 million tonnes of algae and 94.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals. Of the overall total, Asia contributed 91.4 per cent with the remaining 8.6 per cent jointly coming from Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Northern America, and Oceania. The top 10 producing nations included China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Norway, Egypt, and Chile, which accounted for 89.8 per cent of the total.
Around 89 per cent of the total production of aquatic animals was consumed by humans in 2022, which was approximately 20.7 kg per person. The remainder was used largely for fishmeal and fish oil and non-food purposes.
Marine capture fisheries Although the production of capture fisheries globally has been steady, there has been a reason for concern over the sustainability of fishery resources. The fishery stock conservation and rebuilding have to be accelerated. The sector generated 92.3 million tonnes in 2022, valued at almost US$ 159 billion. This included 1.3 million tonnes of algae and 91 million tonnes of aquatic creatures of which, 79.7 million tonnes were caught in maritime areas and 11.3 million tonnes in inland waters. Marine capture fisheries continue to be the primary source of aquatic animal production worldwide, accounting for 43 per cent of total production. In 2021, 62.3 per cent of marine stocks were fished within biologically sustainable levels, a decline of 2.3 per cent from 2019. An estimated 76.9 per cent of the landings in 2021, weighted by their production level, were from biologically sustainable stocks. Stock recovery would result in good fisheries management. Swift action is required to replicate successful policies and reverse declining sustainability trends.
Global consumption and trade It is being anticipated that the demand for aquatic foods would rise much more globally. In order to guarantee healthy diets from healthy lakes, rivers and oceans, sustainable production must be expanded. A projected 165 million tonnes of aquatic animal meals were consumed globally in 2022, growing at a rate almost twice as fast as the global population has consumed since 1961. Omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and other essential elements are found in aquatic animal diets. Their high-quality proteins make up 15 per cent of animal proteins and 6 per cent of all proteins worldwide. Major international forums like the UN Food Systems Summit and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have acknowledged the potential of aquatic foods for improving nutrition, food security, and poverty reduction. Aquatic foods from healthy lakes, rivers, and oceans must be promoted for balanced diets.
Projections (2022–32) By 2032, the production of aquatic animals has been predicted to rise by 10 per cent. The goal of Blue Transformation Roadmap would guarantee sustainable growth in aquaculture and fisheries while advancing fair benefits and environmental preservation. About 205 million tonnes would come from aquaculture and fisheries, accounting for 111 million and 94 million tonnes, respectively. Up to 90 per cent of it, or about 21.3 kg per capita, would be used for human consumption. All continents would see an increase in per-capita consumption. However, Sub-Saharan Africa, where a large portion of the population depends on aquatic foods for nutrition, would probably witness a decline. Exports of aquatic animal products would grow, involving 34 per cent of the total production in 2032, down from 38 per cent in 2022. By encouraging equitable benefits and reversing environmental degradation, the FAO Blue Transformation Roadmap would pave the way for sustainable growth.
Scope of aquaculture and fisheries For the first time, the production of animal species from catch fisheries was surpassed by aquaculture (51 per cent in 2022), with inland aquaculture accounting for 62.6 per cent of all aquatic animals produced. The overall increase was about 7.6 per cent from 2020, and 87.9 per cent of the increase was from Asia. The increase was mostly seen in the aquaculture of finfish (58.1 per cent), with crustaceans and molluscs coming in the second and third places, at 24.6 and 15.6 per cent respectively.
The primary production sector had employed an estimated 61.8 million people, the majority of whom worked in small-scale businesses. According to sex-disaggregated data, women made up 24 per cent of fish growers and fishers, compared to 62 per cent of those working in the post-harvest industry.
International trade in aquatic products encompassed over 230 countries and territories, and reached a record value of US$ 195 billion in 2022. This has been a 19 per cent increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The overall net trade of aquatic animal products in low- and middle-income countries was US$ 45 billion. This was more than the total value of all other agricultural products combined.
Millions of people rely on small-scale fisheries for their livelihood and nutrition. To assist and empower these communities, there has to be greater global recognition and action. An estimated 40 per cent of the world’s catch has been from small-scale fisheries, which employs 90 per cent of the workforce in capture fisheries. Women make up 40 per cent of people working in the aquatic value chain. About 500 million people make their living from small-scale fishing. Out of this, 53 million are engaged in subsistence fishing, with 45 per cent of these individuals being women.
FAO has invested significant resources for bolstering capacity and enhancing data collection, analytical tools and techniques for efficiently managing fisheries and aquaculture in collaboration with members and partners. More accurate insights are being provided and ‘Blue Transformation in action’ has been supported by enhanced fishery stock assessments, updated socioeconomic and technical data, and digital technologies. Better data and analysis support FAO’s efforts for efficient national, regional, and international fisheries and aquaculture management as well as global policy discussions. It also supports the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and actively participates in consultations for international instruments in plastic pollution.
Blue Transformation in Action
Blue Transformation Roadmap (2022–23) launched in 2021 by FAO, outlines a vision to expand aquatic food systems and increase their contribution to nutritious and affordable healthy diets for the most vulnerable, while fostering equitable growth, especially for those communities that depend on fisheries and aquaculture.
Three Major Areas to Achieve Blue Transformation
- Encouraging the sustainable growth and intensification of aquaculture in order to meet the increasing demand for aquatic foods on a worldwide scale
- (This would result in sustainable aquaculture production growth by at least 35 per cent by 2030, especially in food-deficit regions.)
- Ensuring that all fisheries are managed sustainably in order to maintain healthy stocks, rebuild ecosystems, and provide equitable livelihoods for all
- (This would lead to 100 per cent of marine and inland fisheries under effective management and eradicate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.)
- Encouraging the modernisation of aquatic value chains to improve the social, economic, and environmental outcomes of aquatic food systems
(This would help in reducing the food loss and waste by half by 2030. It would also lead to more transparency and traceability of value chains and would ensure to improve access to markets and more inclusive and gender-equitable returns.)
Some Related Concerns
Accelerating efforts is necessary for meeting the aims of the SDG pertaining to aquaculture and fisheries. The international community has been urged by the FAO to take more effort and facilitate the implementation of Blue Transformation Roadmap. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is still being implemented slowly and unevenly. There has been a growing adoption of international norms and regulations for small-scale fisheries support and the fight against illicit, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The percentage of fishery stocks that are within biologically sustainable levels has been falling short of the target, while the statistics are showing in the economic advantages from sustainable marine fisheries. In order to catalyse change in aquatic food systems and promotion of sustainable aquaculture growth, efficient fisheries management and updated value chains, FAO has been encouraging nations to execute the Blue Transformation Roadmap.
Even though the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries were approved a decade ago, not enough attention has been paid to the crucial role that small-scale fisheries play. It is essential to advance co-management strategies for small-scale fisheries for ensuring sustainable exploitation, fair socioeconomic development, and equal opportunities for all.
Gender disparities are evident in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, with women accounting for 24 per cent of fishers and fish farmers and 62 per cent of processing workers, yet they face inequalities in wages, recognition, and exposure to gender-based violence.
Way forward
The growing demand for aquatic foods around the globe could be satisfied through aquaculture. Future growth must prioritise sustainability and help the areas and communities that need it the most. Marine and coastal aquaculture accounted for 37.4 per cent of farmed aquatic animals, while inland aquaculture contributed 62.6 per cent. With 94.4 million tonnes or 51 per cent of the global total and a record 57 per cent of the production meant for human consumption, aquaculture has surpassed capture fisheries in the production of aquatic animals. Only a few nations have been dominating aquaculture; however, many low-income nations in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa are unable to realise their full potential. Of the approximately 730 farmed species, 17 staple species account for about 60 per cent of the world’s aquaculture production. The remaining species are important at local level. To promote sustainable aquaculture in Africa, targeted policies, technology transfer, capacity building, and responsible investment are essential. In order to strengthen the resilience of aquatic food systems and consolidating their role in combating poverty, hunger and malnutrition, more transformative and adaptive measures are needed.
The importance of aquatic foods for global food security, nutrition, and livelihoods should be reinforced through scaling up successful initiatives. It is also imperative to intensify efforts that are aimed at enhancing data collection and analysis. The efficient management of fisheries and aquaculture as well as evidence-based policymaking depend on them.
By utilising science-based solutions and starting a policy dialogue on aquatic systems, FAO has been in a prime position to lead the Blue Transformation. Blue Transformation would create a world where the responsible and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources would contribute to food security, human well-being, and the reduction of poverty.
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