The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2011
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Publication Title | The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2011 |
Publication Type | |
Author(s) | FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture Department
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Publication Date | 2010
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ISBN-ISSN-EAN | |
Publication URL | |
Contact | |
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Contents |
Summary
As the world endeavours to recover from the combined impact of a global food price crisis, financial crash and economic recession, many hundreds of millions of people are facing increased uncertainty and real hunger. It is in this context that The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010 aims to provide all concerned with an informed, comprehensive, balanced and worldwide view of fisheries, aquaculture and related issues.
This publication reveals that the per-capita supply of fish as human food
reached a new all-time high in 2008, underscoring the key role of the sector in providing income for subsistence and small-scale fishers and food for billions of consumers who benefit from an excellent source of affordable, high-quality animal protein – protein that is particularly important for mothers-to-be and young children. Although the rate of global aquaculture growth is falling, aquaculture remains the fastest-growing animal-food-producing sector, now accounting for almost half of total food fish supply. While The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010 makes the point that world capture fisheries production has been relatively stable in the past decade, it does voice concern about the state of stocks exploited by marine capture fisheries.
Fisheries and aquaculture are a crucial source of income and livelihood
for hundreds of millions of people around the world, with the increase in
employment in the sector outpacing world population growth and employment
in traditional agriculture. Women play a vital role in fisheries and aquaculture, particularly in post-harvest activities. They represent almost half the people working in small-scale fisheries and this figure jumps to over 50 percent for inland fisheries. Reflecting the sector’s continually increasing importance in the global market, this publication reports that exports of fish and fishery products reached record values in 2008.
Looking at broader issues in fisheries and aquaculture, The State of World
Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010 emphasizes the growing need to focus on the
many facets of policy and governance, especially in relation to employment and poverty alleviation. Among other topics, it examines the impacts on the sector of climate change, biodiversity loss, quality certification and product traceability. It highlights efforts to curb IUU fishing, rent drain and the impact of derelict gear while promoting transparency in the sector, fostering an ecosystem approach to fisheries and enhancing biosecurity in aquaculture. It also points the way forward by encouraging actors at all levels in the sector to make better use of the Internet, GIS, remote sensing and other technological advances to safeguard
biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for the sector.
The Outlook section focuses on inland fisheries, which reported catches
setting a new high for 2008, and their significant role in many small communities where they make a vital contribution to poverty alleviation and food security. It stresses the need for inland fisheries to be better reflected in government policies for rural development and particularly in programmes concerning the use of freshwater.
This document should give readers an accurate and useful view of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, and that it will also provide an idea of the future the sector is likely to face and of the tools available to help people around the world put into practice and manage responsible fisheries and aquaculture.
