China Aquatic Products Channel reported,
preface
According to the content of the latest "State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture" released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this paper mainly summarizes and introduces the current situation and future development trend of global fishing and aquaculture in 2018 from 12 aspects, with a view to providing reference for fishing, aquaculture, aquatic product processing and utilization, aquatic product trade and other aspects of China's fishery operators, fishery managers, fishery researchers and fishery-related institutions and groups.
In 2016, global fish production was about 1.71×108 t. Of these, global capture fisheries produced 9 090×104 t, while marine and inland water fisheries accounted for 87.2 per cent and 12.8 per cent of global capture fisheries, respectively, slightly lower than in the previous two years (table 1). The total world marine catch in 2016 was 7 930×104 t, a decrease of nearly 200×104 t from 8 120 ×104 t in 2015.
Aquaculture production accounts for 47 percent of total production, and excluding non-food production (including for the production of fishmeal and fish oil), aquaculture accounts for 53 percent of total production. In terms of output value, in 2016, the total initial sales of fisheries and aquaculture production totaled about US$ 362 billion, of which aquaculture production accounted for US$ 232 billion. In terms of per capita consumption, consumption of edible fish increased from 9.0 kg in 1961 to 20.2 kg in 2015, an average annual increase of about 1.5%. Preliminary assessments show that consumption of edible fish increased further to about 20.3 kg and 20.5 kg in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Increased consumption is driven not only by increased production, but also by other factors such as reduced losses.
In 2016, the world's inland catch fisheries produced 1 160×104 t, accounting for 12.8% of the total marine and inland water catch. In 2016, global inland water catches increased by 2.0% over the previous year and by 10.5% from the 2005-2014 average, with 16 major countries accounting for nearly 80% of inland fisheries catches, mainly in Asia, where inland fisheries catch is the main food source for many local communities. Inland fisheries catches are also an important food source for a number of African countries, which account for 25 per cent of global inland fisheries catches. Although aquaculture no longer continues the high annual growth rates of the 1980s and 1990s (11.3% and 10.0%, excluding aquatic plants, respectively), it is still growing faster than other major food production sectors. In 2000-2016, the average annual growth rate fell to 5.8 per cent, although a few countries, particularly in Africa, still achieved double-digit growth in 2006-2010.
In 2016, about 88% (more than 1.51×108 t) of the total fish production of 171 × 108 t was directly used for human consumption; this proportion has increased significantly in recent decades. The vast majority (about 2 000 ×104 t) of fish for non-food purposes, which account for 12 per cent of total production, are converted to fishmeal and fish oil. Fresh or refrigerated is often the most popular and expensive form of fish, accounting for the largest proportion of fish directly for human consumption (45% in 2016), followed by frozen (31%). Despite the continuous improvement of fish processing and circulation technology, the loss or waste between landing and consumption still accounts for about 27% of the fish that are landed.
Marine capture production
Total world marine catch was 8 12 ×104 t in 2015 and 7 930×104 t in 2016, a decrease of almost 200×104 t. China's total marine catch remained stable in 2016, and its production ranked first in the world. The inclusion of a gradual catch reduction policy in China's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) will lead to a significant reduction in catches in the coming years, with catches expected to be reduced by more than 500×104 t by 2020. As in 2014, the Alaska cod (Theragra chalcogramma) again surpassed the Peruvian anchovy in 2016 to become the most catchy species (Table 2), with the highest catch since 1998. However, preliminary data for 2017 show a significant recovery in Peruvian anchovy catches. The fish catch of Katsuwonus pelami ranked third for seven consecutive years.
Cephalopod catches stabilized in 2015 after five consecutive years of growth in 2010 but declined in 2016. Between 2015 and 2016, the three major squid species, the American giant squid (Dosidicus gigas), the Argentine squid (Illex argentinus) and the Pacific Folded Softfish (Todarodes pacificus), saw a decrease in catches of 26%, 86% and 34%, respectively.
Catch production in other mollusk groups began to decline earlier (oysters began in the early 1980s, clams in the late 1980s, mussels in the early 1990s), and scallop catches peaked in 2011 and declined by one-third since then. The downward trend in fish catches in bivalve populations can be attributed to pollution and degradation of the marine environment and the favouration of farmed products for certain species.
All groups of the most valuable and productive species (lobsters, gastropods, crabs and shrimps, with an average value of each population estimated at US$ 3 800-8 800/t) recorded catches in 2016. The production trend has seen several annual ups and downs, but the upward trajectory has remained largely stable over the years (Figure 1). But it is difficult to say whether the above positive trends are caused by ecological or/and economic (e.g., the fishing industry is more focused on high-value species) and whether the above growth is sustainable in the long term. Among the shrimp species, the Argentine red shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) still stands out in 2016. In The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012 (FAO, 2012d, pp. 21-22), catches with significant fluctuations in abundance for this species recovered and exceeded previous peaks after a significant decline in 2005, thanks in part to management measures implemented by national authorities. After a slight decline in 2012, Argentine red shrimp catches have been increasing at an average annual rate of 22% and in 2016 doubled their 2011 catches.
Catches of small and middle-class fish with lower prices (essential for food security in many developing countries, but mainly processed into fishmeal and fish oil in other countries) are more stable, with an average annual total catch of about 1,500×104 t of the 13 pelagic small and middle fish species listed in table 2. According to a classification widely used in the scientific literature, catches in the Atlantic region previously classified as Scomber japonicus are currently classified as Scomber colias.
Tuna and tuna-like catches were largely stable at around 750×104 t after peaking in 2014. A few species, bonito, thunnus albacares and big-eyed tuna (Thunnus obesus) and sturgeon (Scomberomorus spp.), account for about 75 per cent of the population's catch.
▲Table 2.Marine capture production: main species
Figure 1: Fishing trends in high-value species groups
Main fishing areas
Catches in the tropics show a continuing upward trend (see figure 2). Unlike temperate waters, where fishing is mainly carried out by developed countries, catches of large (mainly tuna) and small pelagic species continue to increase in mostly tropical fishing areas. Capture production in the Western Indian Ocean (Region 51) and Eastern Indian Ocean (Region 57) peaked in 2016. Catches in both regions have increased steadily since the 1980s and were suppressed only in the early and mid-2000s. In contrast, the continued increase in production in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean of Region 71 was mainly due to tuna and tuna-like species, with bonito catches stabilizing at more than 160×104 t since 2012. The production of small-scale pelagic fish in the region has shown a downward trend in recent years.
Distant-water fishing nations have historically fished in two uplift zones on the west coast of Africa (Region 34 Middle East Atlantic and Region 47 South-East Atlantic), but their share of total catches has continued to decline (Region 34 fell from 57.5% in 1977 to 16.9% in 2016; Region 47 fell from 65.3% in 1978 to 6.4% in 2016), which means that the fish population in coastal States and local populations has increased. The overall trend in catches in the two regions is reversed: area 34 catches peaked at 48 ×104 t and region 47 catches gradually decreased from their peak in 1978, although they have recovered over the past three years.
Despite annual differences, total Pacific catches in Region 77 Middle East have stabilized since 2000 between 160×104 -200×104 t. In contrast, total catches in Region 87 (although the analysis did not cover Peruvian anchovies) have declined sharply since their peak in 1991. The decline was mainly caused by a decline in the Chilean mackerel catch (Trachurus murphyi), which in 2016 was 40×104 t, or only 8% of the volume landed in 1995. The decline was partially compensated by a significant increase in the high-value American squid catch since the 21st century.
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is currently the most abundant species in Antarctica, with catches increasing since the mid-1990s. Since 2005, the catch of the Small Scaled Canine Tooth Antarctic Fish (Dissostichus eleginoides) has stabilized at 1.05×104 - 1.24 ×104 t. Previously a major catch for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) vessels, the high-value species was suppressed by its estimated catch, which exceeded 3×104 t in 1997 and less than 1 500 ×104 t in 2014.
Figure 2: Regional trends in three major types of fishing
Harvest production in inland waters
In 2016, total global inland water catch was 1 160×104 t, accounting for 12.8% of total global capture fisheries production. Global catch in 2016 increased by 2.0 per cent over the previous year and by 10.5 per cent from the 2005-2014 average.
Sixteen countries account for nearly 80 per cent of inland fisheries catches, mainly in Asia, where inland fisheries catch is a key food source for many local communities. Asia as a whole consistently accounts for two-thirds of global inland fisheries production. Inland catches are equally critical to ensuring food security in several African countries, which account for 25 per cent of global catches. Europe, the Americas and Oceania account for 9 per cent. Catches have increased in most major producing countries in recent years, with the exception of Egypt, the Philippines, Thailand and Uganda. Brazil, the main producer in South America, has not reported official catch data to FAO since 2014, so its statistics are estimates. For major species groups in inland waters, catches in the "Tilapia and other cichlids" group continued to increase, reaching 160×104t tonnes in 2016, twice as much as in 2005. The catch of the "Carp, Catfish and Other Carps" group exceeded that of "tilapia and other cichlids" in 2005 and stabilized at 70×104-80×104 t per year. Freshwater crustacean and freshwater mollusk catches peaked in the early 2000s and mid-1990s, respectively, but then declined, stabilizing relatively at 45×104 t and 36×104 t in 2010.
Aquaculture production
In 2016, global aquaculture production (including aquatic plants) totalled 1102×108 t, with an estimated initial sales of US$ 243.5 billion. Total production included 8 000×104 t of edible fish (valued at US$ 231.6 billion), 3 010 × 104 t of aquatic plants (valued at US$ 11.7 billion) and 37 900 t of non-edible products (valued at US$ 214.6 million). Farmed food fish production consisted of 5 410×104 t fish (valued at US$ 138.5 billion), 1 710 × 104 t molluscs (valued at US$ 29.2 billion), 790 × 104 t crustaceans (valued at US$ 57.1 billion) and 938 500 t other aquatic animals (valued at US$ 6.8 billion), such as turtles and turtles, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, frogs and edible jellyfish. Farmed aquatic plants include most seaweed and microalgae with much lower yields. Non-edible products include only decorative shells and pearls.
Since 2000, global aquaculture has ceased to grow at the high rate of the 1980s and 1990s (average annual growth rates of 10.8% and 9.5%, respectively). Nevertheless, aquaculture is still growing faster than other major food production sectors. From 2001 to 2016, the average annual growth rate fell to 5.8%, but a few countries maintained double-digit growth, and Africa performed particularly well from 2006 to 2010. The contribution of aquaculture to total global capture and aquaculture production has gradually increased, from 25.7% in 2000 to 46.8% in 2016. Excluding China, the share of aquaculture increased from 12.7 percent in 2000 to 29.6 percent in 2016.
At the regional level, aquaculture as a share of total fish production ranges from 17-18 percent in Africa, the Americas and Europe, and 12.8 percent in Oceania. In Asia (excluding China), aquaculture's share of total fish production increased from 19.3 percent in 2000 to 40.6 percent in 2016. Together, FAO budgeted production for countries that do not submit production reports accounts for 15.1 per cent (1,210×104 t) of global production.
Inland aquaculture
In 2016, inland aquaculture provided 5 140×104 t of food fish, contributing 64.2% to the total global production of farmed fish food, compared with 57.9% in 2000. Fish farming remains a major component of inland aquaculture, accounting for 92.5 percent (4 750×104 t) of total inland aquaculture production, a slight decline from a level of 97.2 percent in 2000; Inland aquaculture production includes some marine shrimp, such as white-footed shrimp, which can be reared in freshwater or inland saline water after adaptation.
Marine and offshore aquaculture
FAO data show that marine and coastal aquaculture production of food fish in 2016 was 287×104 t (worth US$ 67.4 billion). In contrast to the dominance of finfish in inland culture, the production of shelled molluscs (1 690×104 t) accounted for 58.8% of the total marine and coastal aquaculture production. Combined production of fish (660×104 t) and crustaceans (480×104 t) accounted for 39.9 per cent of total production.
Table 3 Major species produced in the world aquaculture industry (top 10 species)
Fish utilization and processing
In 2016, about 88% or more than 1.51 ×108 t of total fish production of 1.71 × 108 t was directly used for human consumption. This proportion has increased significantly in recent decades, from 67% in the 1960s. In 2016, the vast majority (approximately 2 000×104 t) of fish for non-food purposes, which accounted for 12% of total production, was converted to fishmeal and fish oil (74% or 1 500×104 t), while the remainder (500×104 t) was mainly used as direct feeding bait for aquaculture, livestock and fur animal feed, bait for aquaculture (e.g. fingerlings or large-sized species), pharmaceutical materials or ornamental products. Live, fresh or refrigerated is often the most popular and expensive form of fish, accounting for the largest proportion of fish intended for direct human consumption, at 45 per cent in 2016, followed by freezing (31 per cent), preparation and preservative (12 per cent) and processing (dried, pickled, halogenated and fermented smoked) (12 per cent). Refrigeration is the main processing method for fish for human consumption; refrigeration accounts for 56% of the total amount of fish processed for human consumption and 27% of the total fish products in 2016. Significant advances in processing, refrigeration, ice making and transport over the past few decades have created the conditions for increased marketing and circulation of fish in more diverse product forms. A large part of the world's fisheries production (but the proportion is gradually decreasing) is processed into fishmeal and fish oil. If these raw materials are used as feed for aquaculture and animal husbandry, this part of the fish also indirectly contributes to human food production and consumption.
Figure 3. Utilization of world fisheries production, 1962-2016
Fish trade and consumption
In 2016, total exports of fish and fish products amounted to 6 000×104 t (in fresh weight equivalents), an increase of 245 per cent over 1976, of which exports of fish for human consumption increased by more than 514 per cent. During the same period, global trade in fish and fish products also grew rapidly, with exports increasing from US$ 8 billion in 1976 to US$ 143 billion in 2016, with an average annual growth rate of 8% in nominal terms and 4% in real terms. China is a major producer of fish and has been the largest exporter of fish and fish products since 2002, but exports of fish and fish products account for only 1% of China's total merchandise trade. Following the astonishing growth in the 1990s and the beginning of the 21st century, the average annual growth rate of China's fish and fish product exports fell from 14% in 2000-2008 to 9.1% in 2009-2017. In 2017, China's exports of fish and fish products reached US$20.5 billion, up 2% from 2016 and 4% from 2015. Since 2011, China has become the world's third-largest importer of fish and fish products, in part because of the large number of imported fish for processing and re-export, and the fact that rising income levels and changing consumption habits have created a large market space for non-locally produced species. China's imports of fish and fish products have been growing steadily until 2011, slowing down in 2011 and falling slightly in 2015. However, as the economy rose, fish imports grew by 4% in 2016 and rebounded strongly in 2017, up 21% from 2016. Overall, international fish prices remained high in 2017.
Preliminary calculations in 2016 and 2017 show that per capita consumption has further increased, reaching about 20.3kg and 20.5kg respectively. Consumption expansion is driven not only by increased production, but also by many other factors, such as reducing waste, improving utilization, improving distribution channels, and increasing demand driven by population growth, rising income levels, and urbanization.
fishing vessel
The total number of fishing vessels in the world in 2016 was estimated at 460×104, unchanged since 2014. Asia has the largest number of fishing vessels, with a total of 350×104 vessels, accounting for 75% of the total number of fishing vessels in the world. The estimated number of fishing vessels in Africa and North America decreased by 3×104 and nearly 5,000 respectively from 2014. Fishing vessels in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and Oceania all showed growth trends, mainly due to improved estimation procedures.
Status of fishery resources
Sustainability of fishing levels. FAO monitoring of the assessed stocks shows a downward trend in the proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable limits, from 90.0 per cent in 1974 to 66.9 per cent in 2015 (figure 4 below). In contrast, the proportion of fish stocks caught at biologically unsustainable levels increased from 10 percent in 1974 to 33.1 percent in 2015, with the largest increases in the late 1970s and 1980s.
In 2015, fish stocks that were sustainably harvested at maximum production accounted for 59.9% of the total assessed stocks, and underfished stocks accounted for 7.0% of the total assessed stocks (divided by white lines in Figure 4). Underfished fish stocks continued to decline from 1974 to 2015, while sustainable catches at maximum production declined from 1974 to 1989 and then rebounded to 59.9 percent in 2015. In 2015, among the 16 major statistical regions, the Mediterranean and Black Sea (region 37) had the highest proportion of unsustainable populations (62.2%), followed by 61.5% in the South-East Pacific (Region 87) and 58.8% in the South-West Atlantic (Region 41) (Figure 15). In contrast, the Middle East Pacific (Region 77), the North-East Pacific (Region 67), the Northwest Pacific (Region 61), the Central and Western Pacific (Region 71) and the South-West Pacific (Region 81) have the lowest proportions of fish stocks (13-17 per cent) caught at biologically unsustainable levels. In 2015, the proportion ranged from 21 to 43 per cent in other regions.
Figure 4. Global trends in the state of the world's marine fish stocks, 1974-2015
Figure 5. Percentage of stocks caught at biologically sustainable and unsustainable levels by FAO statistical region in 2015
Status and trends of major species
There are also huge differences in productivity and population status between species. The 10 species with the largest number of landings between 1950 and 2015 were: Engraulis ringens, Theragra chalcogramma, Clupea harengus, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Scomber japonicus, Chilean bamboo shooter ( Trachurus murphy ), Of the Japanese spotted sanostictus, katsuwonus pelamis, Far Eastern sardines sardinops sagax, and Mallotus villosus, 77.4 percent of the populations in 2015 were caught within biologically sustainable limits, better than the average of all other stocks, which may reflect greater attention in policy formulation and management implementation for large fisheries. Among the 10 species mentioned above, chilean bamboo shooter, Atlantic cod and woolly fish have a higher average proportion of overfished stocks.
In 2015, 43% of the seven major tuna species were estimated to be harvested at biologically unsustainable levels and 57% were harvested within biologically sustainable limits (sustainably or underfished at maximum yields).
Conditions and trends in fishing areas
Among FAO's fishing areas, the Northwest Pacific Ocean has the highest production, with about 74 per cent of assessed species in the Northwest Pacific ocean currently fished within biologically sustainable limits. The region is most abundant in pelagic and benthic species. Historically, the Japanese spotted sanaew and Alaskan cod are the most prolific species, but their catch has declined significantly over the past 25 years. Since 1990, the landing of squid, cuttlefish, octopus and shrimp has increased significantly.
In 2002-2015, fish catches in the Middle East Pacific fluctuated between 150×104 t-200 ×104 t, and 57 per cent of assessed stocks were harvested within biologically sustainable limits. Catches in the area include California sardines (Sardinops caeruleus), Engraulis mordax, Pacific horse mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus), squid and shrimp important populations. Overfishing currently affects some high-value coastal resources, such as grouper and shrimp. Atlantic catches in the Middle East are generally on the rise, but have fluctuated since the mid-1970s, reaching 430×104 t in 2015. Sardina pilchardus is the single most important species, with annual reported catches of nearly 100×104 t from 2004 to 2015. Recent assessments indicate that sardine stocks are underfished.
In the South-West Atlantic, total catch fluctuated from 180×104 to 260×104 t (up in the period before the mid-1980s) and reached 240×104 t in 2015. In terms of landing volume, the most important species is the Argentine squid (Illex argentinus); the production in 2015 was about 100×104 t, an all-time high; the species is at a sustainable catch level at maximum yield. Merluccius hubbsi is also an important species, with a production of about 33.6 ×104 t in 2015; the species is overfished but showing signs of recovery. Argentine red shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) also achieved record catches, at 14.4×104 t in 2015; the species is caught within biologically sustainable limits. 42 per cent of assessed stocks in the region are harvested within biologically sustainable limits.
Total catches in the North-East Atlantic peaked at 13 ×104 t in 1976. After a decline, the total catch recovered in 1990-2000, fell to 800×104 t in 2012 and modestly recovered to 910×104 t in 2015. Fishing mortality rates in cod, barracuda and haddock populations have declined, and recovery programmes have been implemented for most stocks of related species, with total catches recovering from 200×104 t in 2011 to 350×104 t in 2015. Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and pilaris are still overfished. Data on redfish and deep-water species are limited, but there are concerns about their possible vulnerability to overfishing. Populations of Arctic shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and Norwegian lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) are generally in good condition. In 2015, 73% of assessed stocks in the region were harvested within biologically sustainable limits.
Production in the Northwest Atlantic was 180×104 t in 2015, roughly the same as in 2013, but still below the 420×104 t in the early 1970s. Atlantic cod, Merluccius bilinearis, Urophycis tenuis and Melanogrammus aeglefinus populations have recovered poorly, with landings maintained at 10×104 t since the late 1990s (5% of the historical peak of 220×104 t). Poor recovery may be mainly due to reasons other than fishing pressures, such as the environment, but further management action is still required. In contrast, the number of Homarus americanus disembarkations increased rapidly, reaching 16×104 tt in 2015. In 2015, 72% of assessed stocks in the region were fished at a biosustainable level.
Total catches in the Western and Central Atlantic reached a peak of 250×104 t in 1984 and then gradually declined to 120×104 t in 2014 and rebounded slightly to 140×104 t in 2015. It is estimated that important stocks such as Brevoortia patronus, round sardines, bonito and yellowfin tuna are sustainably harvested at maximum production. Over the past decade, the use of catchment devices in small-scale fisheries has led to an increase in the number of tropical tuna and other pelagic fish in some island States in the Caribbean. Most of the precious invertebrate species such as Panulirus argus and queen phoenix snails are sustainably fished, as are shrimp resources in the Gulf of Mexico. However, despite declining fishing efforts in recent years, certain shrimp stocks on the continental shelf in the Caribbean and Guyana show no signs of recovery.
The number of people ashore in the South-East Atlantic ocean showed a downward trend, with total production falling from 330×104 t in the early 1970s to 160×104 t in 2015 (up slightly from 130×104 t in 2013). The most important species in the region are horse mackerel and barracuda, which account for 25% and 19% of total landings, respectively. As a result of good recuperation since 2006 and strict management measures in place, deep-water and shallow-water pike populations along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia have returned to biosustainable levels. However, the population status of the Sardinops ocellatus in southern Africa has deteriorated significantly, requiring special conservation measures by fisheries management in Namibia and southern Africa. Populations of very important sardines (Sardinella aurita and Sardinella maderensis) along the coast of Angola and parts of Namibia remain within biologically sustainable limits. In 2015, Eturmeuswhiteheadi was underfished, while short-term horse mackerel (Trachurus trecae) remains overfished. The population situation of haliotis midae in South Africa, where illegal fishing is a key focus, continues to deteriorate and remains overfished.
Total production in the Western and Central Pacific continued to increase, reaching a new high of 126 × 104 t in 2015. In 2015, 83% of assessed stocks in the region were harvested at a biologically sustainable level. The main species are tuna and tuna-like species, which account for about 25% of the total landings. Sardines and anchovies are also the main species in the region. The region accounts for about 15% of global marine production. A small number of stocks are underfished, especially in the western region of the South China Sea. Higher reported catches may be sustained by expanding catches into new areas. The tropical and subtropical characteristics of the region and the limited availability of data increase the complexity and uncertainty of population assessments.
Catches in the Eastern Indian Ocean continued to show an upward trend, reaching 640×104 t in 2015. Due to data limitations, monitoring of stock status and trends in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea areas is uncertain. However, an analysis of catch trends suggests that most herring stocks (e.g., seabass, mullet, catfish and striped fish) may be caught at the maximum sustainable yield or below. Small pelagic resources such as sardinella longiceps, anchovies and squid may be somewhere between sustainable and underfished at maximum production. Shrimp stocks off the coast of Western Australia are sustainably harvested at maximum production. In 2015, 73.5% of assessed stocks were harvested within biologically sustainable limits.
Total disembarkation in the Western Indian Ocean continued to increase, reaching 470×104 t in 2015. The main shrimp resources in the Southwest Indian Ocean (mainly exported foreign exchange-earning products) showed obvious signs of overexploitation, prompting the fisheries authorities of relevant countries to implement stricter management measures. Available data and population assessment capacity in the region are limited. The South-West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission continued to update the assessment of the status of major commercial stocks. Overall, it is estimated that 67% of assessed fish stocks in 2015 are at the biosustainable level.
(Compiler: Minsi Xiong)