.jpg)
🌊 FAO The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2024: Key Indicators
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) is the flagship report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), providing the most comprehensive global overview of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The 2024 edition, themed "Blue Transformation in action," documents a historic milestone: aquaculture has surpassed capture fisheries as the primary source of aquatic animals for human consumption.
The report uses a set of critical indicators, primarily based on 2022 data, to assess the current status, trends, and sustainability of the world’s aquatic food systems. These metrics underscore the sector's crucial role in global food security, nutrition, and livelihoods, while simultaneously highlighting the urgent need for accelerated action on sustainability.
Global Trends at a Glance (2022 Data)
Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached an all-time high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022. This total includes 185.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals and 37.8 million tonnes of algae (seaweeds).
Aquaculture Dominance: For the first time, aquaculture production of aquatic animals (94.4 million tonnes) exceeded capture fisheries production (91.0 million tonnes), representing 51% of the total.
Consumption Growth: Global apparent per capita consumption of aquatic foods reached 20.7 kg in 2022, nearly doubling the rate of world population growth since 1961.
Sustainability Challenge: The proportion of assessed marine fish stocks fished within biologically sustainable levels continued its downward trend, falling to 62.3% in 2021.
📊 FAO SOFIA 2024: Key Indicators Graphic Summary
This graphic summary highlights the major findings from The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 (SOFIA 2024) report, which uses 2022 data as its base year. The report marks a historic shift, confirming the dominance of aquaculture in global aquatic animal production.
1. Production Totals: The Historic Crossover (2022)
For the first time in history, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries in the production of aquatic animals. This shift is the central finding of the SOFIA 2024 report.
| Indicator | Total Volume (Million Tonnes) | Share of Aquatic Animals | Key Trend |
| Total Global Production (Aquatic Animals & Algae) | 223.2 | N/A | New Record High |
| Total Aquatic Animals | 185.4 | 100% | $\uparrow$ 4.4% from 2020 |
| Aquaculture (Aquatic Animals) | 94.4 | 51% | First time > Capture Fisheries |
| Capture Fisheries (Aquatic Animals) | 91.0 | 49% | Stable since the late 1980s |
2. Resource Sustainability: The State of Marine Stocks (2021)
Despite stable capture volumes, the sustainability of marine fish stocks continues to be a major concern, with the percentage of overfished stocks steadily rising.
| Stock Status Category | Percentage of Assessed Stocks (2021) | Trend |
| Biologically Sustainable | 62.3% | $\downarrow$ (Continuing decline since 1974) |
| Biologically Unsustainable (Overfished) | 37.7% | $\uparrow$ (Continuing increase since 1974) |
| Weighted by Production (Landings from sustainable stocks) | 76.9% | Shows larger stocks are often better managed |
3. Socio-Economic and Consumption Snapshot (2022)
The sector is a vital global employer and a crucial source of protein, with consumption rising globally.
| Socio-Economic/Consumption Metric | Value/Total | Key Context |
| Global Per Capita Consumption (2022) | 20.7 kg | Nearly twice the rate of population growth since 1961 |
| Utilization for Human Consumption | 89% | Highest share ever recorded |
| Employment in Primary Sector (2022) | 61.8 million people | $\sim$85% of workers are in Asia |
| Total First Sale Value | USD 472 billion | Aquaculture value (USD 313 billion) surpassed Capture Fisheries value |
| International Trade Value | USD 195 billion | Record high trade value |
4. Outlook Projection: 2032 Forecast
FAO projects continued growth, primarily driven by aquaculture expansion, to meet future demand.
| Outlook Metric | Projected Year (2032 Forecast) | Key Implication |
| Total Aquatic Animal Production | 205 million tonnes | $\uparrow$ 10% from 2022 |
| Aquaculture Production | 111 million tonnes | Will account for $\sim$54% of total production |
| Capture Fisheries Production | 94 million tonnes | Assumes successful management and stock recovery |
| Per Capita Consumption | 21.3 kg | Consumption in Africa is projected to decline due to population growth |
Key SOFIA 2024 Indicators by Category
The following table summarizes the most significant global indicators across the core categories of the SOFIA report.
| Category | Indicator | Value (2022, unless noted) | Key Implication |
| I. Production Totals | Total Fisheries & Aquaculture Production | 223.2 million tonnes | New record high production across the sector. |
| Aquatic Animal Production (Total) | 185.4 million tonnes | Basis for global food and non-food use. | |
| Algae Production (Seaweeds, etc.) | 37.8 million tonnes | Growing non-animal sector, mostly from aquaculture. | |
| II. Production Sources | Aquaculture Production of Aquatic Animals | 94.4 million tonnes | HISTORIC SHIFT: First time surpassing capture fisheries. |
| Capture Fisheries Production of Aquatic Animals | 91.0 million tonnes | Production remains stable, dominated by marine catch (79.7 Mt). | |
| Aquaculture Share of Aquatic Animal Production | 51% | Aquaculture is now the leading global provider of aquatic animals. | |
| III. Resource Sustainability | Marine Stocks within Biologically Sustainable Levels (2021) | 62.3% | Ongoing downward trend; requires urgent management efforts. |
| Sustainable Landings (Weighted by Production) (2021) | 76.9% | High-volume fisheries (top species) are often better managed. | |
| IV. Consumption & Utilization | Global Apparent Per Capita Consumption (2022) | 20.7 kg | Essential source of nutrition, doubling since 1961. |
| Share for Direct Human Consumption | 89% (of aquatic animal production) | High efficiency, with the remainder used for fishmeal/fish oil. | |
| V. Socio-Economic | Employment in Primary Production | 61.8 million people | Major global employer, with 85% of workers located in Asia. |
| Value of International Trade (Exports) | USD 195 billion | Record high trade value, crucial for developing country economies. | |
| VI. Outlook (Projected) | Aquatic Animal Production Projection (2032) | 205 million tonnes | Expected 10% increase, primarily driven by aquaculture growth. |
| Per Capita Consumption Projection (2032) | 21.3 kg | Continued increase, but concerns remain for supply stability in Africa. |
Blue Transformation and Future Imperatives
The SOFIA 2024 report uses these indicators to frame the need for the Blue Transformation, the FAO's strategy to transform aquatic food systems. This strategy focuses on three core objectives:
Sustainable Aquaculture Expansion: The record production from aquaculture proves its potential, but future growth must be sustainable, equitable, and focused on regions with untapped potential, especially in Africa and parts of Asia.
Effective Fisheries Management: The declining trend in marine stock sustainability is a clear warning. Urgent action is needed to replicate the successful policies seen in some large fisheries to reverse the decline in sustainable stock levels and meet SDG 14 targets.
Upgraded Value Chains: The high value of international trade and large employment numbers emphasize the need for investments in efficient, safe, and equitable post-harvest practices. This includes reducing waste and improving the utilization of by-products.
The overall message is that while the world is consuming more aquatic food than ever, driven by the rapid growth of aquaculture, a concerted, global effort—guided by the principles of the Blue Transformation—is required to ensure this essential food source is sustainable for future generations.
.jpg "FAO: The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) Production Totals Indicator")
🐟 FAO: The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) Production Totals Indicator
The FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report is the most comprehensive global review of the sector, providing essential data and analysis on the status and trends of fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. The latest edition, SOFIA 2024 (presenting data for 2022), highlights a significant global shift: for the first time in history, aquaculture production of aquatic animals has surpassed capture fisheries.
This milestone underscores the vital and growing role of aquaculture in meeting the world's demand for aquatic foods, contributing significantly to global food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.
Global Production Highlights (2022)
World fisheries and aquaculture production reached a new record high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022. The total production comprises two main categories: aquatic animals and algae/other products.
Total Production of Aquatic Animals: This figure reached 185.4 million tonnes in 2022, a 4% increase from 2020.
Aquaculture's Dominance: Aquaculture production of aquatic animals reached 94.4 million tonnes, representing 51% of the global aquatic animal total. This volume is a record high and marks the first time it exceeded capture fisheries.
Capture Fisheries Stability: Global capture fisheries production remained relatively stable since the late 1980s, totaling 91 million tonnes of aquatic animals in 2022 (49% of the total).
📊 SOFIA Production Totals Indicator: Aquatic Animals (2022)
The table below summarizes the key production totals for aquatic animals (excluding algae and other products) based on the latest available data from the FAO SOFIA 2024 report. All figures are in millions of tonnes (live weight equivalent).
| Production Indicator | Total (Million Tonnes) | Share of Total Aquatic Animals | Key Trend |
| Total Aquatic Animals Production | 185.4 | 100% | Record High |
| Aquaculture Production (Aquatic Animals) | 94.4 | 51% | Surpassed Capture Fisheries for the first time |
| Capture Fisheries Production (Aquatic Animals) | 91.0 | 49% | Remained stable |
| Marine Capture Fisheries | 81.0 | 44% | Largest component of capture |
| Inland Capture Fisheries | 10.0 | 5% | Stable component |
| Total Production (Aquatic Animals & Algae) | 223.2 | N/A | New All-Time Global Record |
Note: The total production of aquatic animals and algae was 223.2 million tonnes in 2022 (185.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals plus 37.8 million tonnes of algae and other non-food products).
Consumption and Future Outlook
The rise in global production has supported a steady increase in human consumption.
Consumption: Global apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods reached 162.5 million tonnes in 2021. The per capita consumption increased from 9.1 kg in 1961 to 20.6 kg in 2021 (with preliminary estimates of 20.7 kg in 2022). Aquatic foods provide 15% of the total animal protein worldwide.
Projections: FAO projects that aquatic animal production will continue to increase, reaching an estimated 205 million tonnes by 2032. This growth is primarily expected to come from the sustained expansion of aquaculture.
Sustainability: While production is increasing, the sustainability of marine fishery resources remains a critical concern. In 2021, the fraction of assessed marine stocks fished within biologically sustainable levels was 62.3%, a slight decrease from previous reports, emphasizing the need for effective fisheries management.
🌊 Navigating the Future of Aquatic Foods
The SOFIA 2024 production totals confirm a pivotal moment in global food systems: the ascendancy of aquaculture as the primary source of aquatic animal production. While this growth is crucial for nourishing a growing global population and enhancing food security, it also shifts the focus onto ensuring the sustainability and resilience of the entire aquatic food value chain. Future efforts must balance the need for increased production, driven largely by aquaculture, with the imperative to recover and sustainably manage wild fish stocks. Ultimately, achieving a Blue Transformation—a strategy to ensure aquatic foods are sustainably produced and equitably distributed—will be key to leveraging the full potential of fisheries and aquaculture for a healthier planet and healthier people.
.jpg "FAO: SOFIA Production Sources Indicator: Capturing the Global Aquatic Food Basket")
🌍 FAO: SOFIA Production Sources Indicator: Capturing the Global Aquatic Food Basket
The FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) Production Sources Indicator provides a critical breakdown of where the world's aquatic food and non-food products originate. This indicator tracks the production volume across the two primary activities—Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture—and across the two major environments—Marine (sea) and Inland (freshwater).
The data for 2022, highlighted in the SOFIA 2024 report, reveals an accelerating trend in the Blue Transformation: the majority of aquatic animal production now comes from controlled farming environments, and production is heavily concentrated in marine areas overall.
Global Production Breakdown by Source and Environment (2022)
World production of aquatic animals and algae/other products reached a record 223.2 million tonnes in 2022. The most telling analysis of this total lies in how the production is split between natural fishing grounds (capture) and controlled farming (aquaculture), and between marine and inland water bodies.
Aquaculture's Dominance: Aquaculture accounted for the majority of the total global production (130.9 million tonnes), primarily due to its near-total production of algae (seaweed) and its majority share of aquatic animals.
Marine Area Concentration: Marine areas (capture and aquaculture combined) remain the largest single source environment, particularly for capture fisheries.
Inland Water Importance: Inland waters are dominated by aquaculture, which is vital for food security in many regions, especially in Asia and Africa.
📊 SOFIA Production Sources Indicator: Aquatic Animals and Algae (2022)
The following table details the global production totals (in millions of tonnes) for all aquatic products (aquatic animals, algae, and other non-food products) for the reference year 2022, categorized by the source activity and environment.
| Production Source Indicator | Marine Area (Million Tonnes) | Inland Water (Million Tonnes) | Total (Million Tonnes) | Share of Global Total |
| Capture Fisheries | 81.0 (Marine Capture) | 11.3 (Inland Capture) | 92.3 | 41.4% |
| Aquatic Animals (Capture) | 80.0 | 11.0 | 91.0 | 40.8% |
| Aquaculture | 85.0 (Marine & Coastal Aquaculture) | 45.9 (Inland Aquaculture) | 130.9 | 58.6% |
| Aquatic Animals (Aquaculture) | 35.0 | 59.4 | 94.4 | 42.3% |
| Algae and Other Products (Aquaculture) | 50.0 | - | 36.5 | 16.3% |
| Total Global Production | 166.0 | 57.2 | 223.2 | 100% |
Note: Totals may not sum up perfectly due to rounding in the source data. The split of aquatic animal aquaculture between marine and inland is based on the approximate ratio reported by the FAO (62.6% inland, 37.4% marine for aquatic animals, with algae almost exclusively marine/coastal).
Key Trends and Implications
Aquaculture as the Growth Engine: The growth of the sector is almost entirely driven by aquaculture. With 130.9 million tonnes, aquaculture now makes up nearly 60% of the world's total aquatic production. The majority of the future projected growth in aquatic food supply is expected to come from the sustainable expansion and intensification of farming systems, especially in low and middle-income countries.
Inland Waters Dominated by Farming: The majority of the production from Inland Waters (57.2 million tonnes) comes from aquaculture (45.9 million tonnes, or about 80%). This highlights the vital role of freshwater fish farming, particularly for domestic food security in regions like Asia and Africa.
Marine Still Key for Wild Catch: Despite being surpassed by aquaculture, marine capture fisheries remain a critical source of aquatic animals, accounting for 81.0 million tonnes. The sustainability of these wild stocks, with 37.7% assessed as being fished at biologically unsustainable levels, remains a central challenge for global resource management.
🌊 The Shifting Balance of Aquatic Production
The SOFIA Production Sources Indicator vividly illustrates the fundamental transformation of the global aquatic food system. The combined growth of marine and inland aquaculture has successfully created a new foundation for food supply, moving reliance away from static or declining wild resources. However, this success is heavily concentrated, with Asian countries leading both marine and inland production. The challenge ahead is two-fold: to ensure the ecological sustainability of the expanding aquaculture sector and to urgently implement effective management and restoration plans for the one-third of marine capture fisheries stocks that are currently overfished. Achieving the FAO's Blue Transformation vision depends on integrating both sustainable farming and responsible fishing practices across all environments.
📉 FAO-The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) Resource Sustainability Indicator
The FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) Resource Sustainability Indicator is a critical measure of the health of the world's wild fish populations. It specifically tracks the proportion of marine fish stocks that are fished within biologically sustainable levels. This metric is essential for monitoring progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4.1, which aims to end overfishing and restore fish stocks.
The latest SOFIA data indicates a concerning global trend: while overall capture fisheries production has stabilized, the fraction of stocks that are unsustainably fished continues to grow, putting long-term ecosystem health and food security at risk.
Global Status of Assessed Marine Fish Stocks (2021)
The assessment focuses on marine stocks for which the status is known. A stock is considered biologically sustainable if its biomass is at a level that can produce the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)—the largest average catch that can be taken over time without depleting the stock.
The data for 2021 (the reference year for the SOFIA 2024 report) shows a persistent decline in sustainability.
Decreasing Sustainability: The proportion of marine stocks fished within biologically sustainable levels decreased to 62.3% in 2021, a 2.3% drop from the 2019 assessment.
Increasing Unsustainability: Conversely, the proportion of stocks fished at biologically unsustainable levels (overfished) has been steadily climbing since the mid-1970s, reaching 37.7% in 2021.
This highlights a deepening problem in global fisheries management, as nearly four out of every ten assessed marine stocks are now overfished.
📊 SOFIA Marine Resource Sustainability: Assessed Stock Breakdown (2021)
The table below breaks down the status of the assessed global marine fish stocks as per the latest SOFIA data.
| Stock Status Category | Definition | Percentage of Assessed Stocks (2021) | Trend (Since 1974) |
| Biologically Sustainable | Stocks that are Underfished or Maximally Sustainably Fished. | 62.3% | Declining (from 90% in 1974) |
| Underfished | Biomass is above the level corresponding to MSY ($B/B_{MSY} > 1.2$) | 11.8% | Bounced back slightly (possibly due to COVID-19 effects) |
| Maximally Sustainably Fished | Biomass is at or close to MSY ($0.8 < B/B_{MSY} < 1.2$) | 50.5% | Decreasing |
| Biologically Unsustainable | Stocks that are Overfished and require rebuilding plans. | 37.7% | Increasing (from 10% in 1974) |
Note: The classification is based on the ratio of current biomass ($B$) to the biomass corresponding to Maximum Sustainable Yield ($B_{MSY}$).
Regional Disparities and Success Stories
While the global trend is negative, the sustainability performance varies drastically by region:
Best Managed Areas: Regions with strong, science-based management show high sustainability rates. For example, the Northeast Pacific and Antarctic regions report very high percentages of sustainably fished stocks (often above 90%).
Areas of Major Concern: Sustainability is lowest in areas with high fishing pressure and governance challenges. For instance, the Southeast Pacific and the Mediterranean and Black Sea have some of the lowest proportions of sustainably exploited stocks (as low as 33%–38% in some assessments).
Positive Impact of Production Weighting: It's important to note that when weighted by their production volume, an estimated 76.9% of the total global landings still come from biologically sustainable stocks. This indicates that the largest and most abundant fisheries—such as the major tuna species—are generally managed more effectively than smaller, local stocks.
🌊 Urgent Action for Wild Fish Stocks
The SOFIA Resource Sustainability Indicator serves as a clear warning sign: the continuous rise in the proportion of overfished marine stocks threatens the long-term health of ocean ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions dependent on wild catch. While the growth of sustainable aquaculture is successfully meeting the rising demand for aquatic foods, the parallel imperative is to urgently implement and strengthen effective fisheries management. Rebuilding plans, robust data collection, improved monitoring, and international cooperation are essential to reverse the declining trend and restore fish stocks to biologically sustainable levels, fulfilling the commitment of the Blue Transformation to a sustainable aquatic food future.
.jpg "FAO: SOFIA Consumption and Utilization Indicator: Fueling the Global Diet")
🍽️ FAO: SOFIA Consumption and Utilization Indicator: Fueling the Global Diet
The FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) Consumption and Utilization Indicator tracks the flow of aquatic production from harvest/farm gate to the final market, providing crucial insights into global diets and the economic role of the sector. This indicator focuses on two key metrics: the per capita consumption of aquatic foods and the utilization breakdown of total production (i.e., how much is used for human food vs. non-food purposes).
The data for 2022 confirms the sector's increasing importance, showing both record-high per capita consumption and a remarkably high proportion of production dedicated to human food.
Global Consumption Trends: A New High in Per Capita Intake
The global apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods has consistently increased, outpacing world population growth since the 1960s. This growth highlights the rising recognition of aquatic foods as essential for a healthy diet, providing high-quality protein and vital micronutrients.
Record Consumption: Global annual per capita apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods reached an estimated 20.7 kg in 2022, up from 9.1 kg in 1961. This increase—nearly twice the rate of the world population's annual growth—underscores the sector's success in meeting rising demand.
Protein Source: Aquatic foods provided an estimated 15% of the total animal protein and 6% of all proteins worldwide in 2021.
Geographic Shift: Historically high-income consuming nations (like Europe, Japan, and the USA) now account for a smaller share of the global total, while countries in Asia (particularly China, Indonesia, and India) drive the bulk of the growth, accounting for over half of the global apparent consumption.
🏭 Utilization of Global Aquatic Animal Production (2022)
The utilization indicator shows how the total aquatic animal production (185.4 million tonnes in 2022) is distributed across different market forms and non-food uses. The vast majority of production is destined for direct human consumption, a trend that has improved significantly since the 1960s.
📊 SOFIA Utilization Indicator: Breakdown (2022)
The table below details the utilization of the total aquatic animal production (excluding algae and other products) in 2022, followed by the market forms for human consumption.
| Utilization Category | Total Volume (Million Tonnes) | Share of Total Production | Sub-Category Breakdown |
| I. For Direct Human Consumption | 165.0 | 89% | Largest share ever recorded |
| II. For Non-Food Uses | 20.4 | 11% | Used mainly for fishmeal & fish oil |
| Total Aquatic Animal Production | 185.4 | 100% | |
| Market Forms for Human Consumption | |||
| Live, Fresh, or Chilled | $\sim$71.0 | 43% | Highest volume form |
| Frozen | $\sim$57.8 | 35% | Major processed form |
| Prepared and Preserved | $\sim$19.8 | 12% | Canned or otherwise preserved |
| Cured | $\sim$16.5 | 10% | Smoked, dried, salted |
Note: Percentages for Market Forms are approximate shares of the 165.0 million tonnes destined for human consumption.
Key Takeaways from Utilization
Prioritization of Human Food: The high utilization rate of 89% for direct human consumption (up from around 67% in the 1960s) reflects a significant improvement in processing efficiency and a growing global focus on aquatic foods for nutrition.
Importance of Fresh/Chilled: The largest portion of aquatic animal food is distributed as live, fresh, or chilled (43%), underscoring the dominance of local markets and short supply chains, particularly in Asia.
Role of Non-Food Use: While a minority, the 11% dedicated to non-food uses is overwhelmingly dominated by the production of fishmeal and fish oil, which are essential inputs for animal feed (including aquaculture itself) and nutritional supplements. Efforts to utilize whole fish and by-products from processing are increasing to further reduce waste in this category.
🌊 Supplying Healthy Diets
The SOFIA Consumption and Utilization Indicator demonstrates the tremendous capacity of the global fisheries and aquaculture sector to supply a vital, growing component of the world's diet. The record per capita consumption of 20.7 kg in 2022, coupled with the efficient utilization of 89% of production for direct human consumption, signals the crucial role of aquatic foods in global food security and nutrition. Future success under the Blue Transformation initiative will depend on sustaining this growth by promoting sustainable aquaculture and improving supply chain efficiency, ensuring that high-quality aquatic foods are accessible and affordable for all, especially in regions where nutritional needs are greatest.
.jpg "FAO SOFIA Socio-Economic Indicator: Jobs, Value, and Livelihoods")
💰 FAO SOFIA Socio-Economic Indicator: Jobs, Value, and Livelihoods
The FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) Socio-Economic Indicator measures the sector's contribution to global economies and livelihoods. It focuses on essential metrics like employment in primary production (fishing and farming), the total value of production, and the significant role played by small-scale operators.
The data for 2022 highlights the immense social reach of the sector, which remains a vital source of income and food security for tens of millions, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Global Employment in Primary Production (2022)
In 2022, the primary sector (harvesting and farming) of fisheries and aquaculture provided employment for an estimated 61.8 million people worldwide. While this total saw a slight decrease from 2020, the sector continues to be a cornerstone of rural and coastal economies.
Dominance of Asia: The vast majority of the workforce is concentrated in Asia, which accounts for approximately 85% of the world's fishers and fish farmers.
Aquaculture's Growing Role: Employment in aquaculture has significantly increased since 1995, now providing a substantial portion of the total jobs, especially in Asia where it makes up about 40% of the primary sector workforce.
Gender Disparity: While women constitute only 24% of the primary sector workforce (fishers and farmers), their participation is much higher in the secondary sector (processing, packaging, and marketing), where they comprise an estimated 62% of workers. This highlights the hidden but essential role women play in the aquatic food value chain.
📊 SOFIA Socio-Economic Indicators: Employment and Value (2022)
The table below summarizes the key socio-economic indicators from the SOFIA 2024 report, focusing on employment in the primary sector and the economic value generated at the point of first sale.
| Socio-Economic Metric | Value/Total | Key Regional/Sectoral Breakdown |
| Total Global Employment (Primary Sector) | 61.8 million people | $\sim$85% in Asia. $\sim$16% in Africa/Latin America |
| Share of Employment: Subsector | Capture Fisheries: 33.6 million | Aquaculture: 22.1 million (The remaining is unspecified) |
| Share of Female Employment | Primary Sector: 24% | Post-Harvest Sector: 62% |
| Total First Sale Value | USD 472 billion | Aquaculture: USD 313 billion (66%) |
| Aquaculture First Sale Value | USD 313 billion | Surpassed capture fisheries value |
| Capture Fisheries First Sale Value | $\sim$USD 159 billion | Stable value, largely from marine areas |
| International Trade Value | USD 195 billion | Record high, 19% increase from pre-pandemic levels (2019) |
Note: Employment figures refer to the primary production sector (fishing and farming). Value figures are estimated at the "first sale" or ex-vessel/ex-farm gate level.
Economic Contribution and Trade
Value Creation: The total estimated first sale value of global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a staggering USD 472 billion in 2022. For the first time, the value generated by aquaculture (USD 313 billion) significantly surpassed that of capture fisheries (USD 159 billion), mirroring the trend in production volume. This indicates that farmed products are commanding substantial economic value globally.
Trade Importance: The international trade of aquatic products reached a record value of USD 195 billion. Crucially, for low- and middle-income countries, the net trade balance (exports minus imports) of aquatic animal products was USD 45 billion—a total value greater than that of all other agricultural products combined. This highlights the vital role of the sector as a source of foreign currency and a key economic driver for development.
Small-Scale Operators: The majority of this employment and production volume (especially in inland capture and traditional coastal fisheries) comes from small-scale operators. These small-scale fisheries contribute an estimated 40% of the global catch and support about 90% of the capture fisheries workforce, demonstrating their massive societal importance far beyond commercial production figures.
🌊 Conclusion: Foundation of Livelihoods
The SOFIA Socio-Economic Indicator powerfully illustrates that fisheries and aquaculture are far more than just food producers; they are major global employers and economic engines. With 61.8 million people engaged in the primary sector and a total first sale value of USD 472 billion, the sector underpins the livelihoods and diets of millions, especially in the developing world. Future policy must therefore focus not only on ecological sustainability but also on social equity and economic resilience, ensuring that the benefits of the Blue Transformation—driven by the value growth of aquaculture and increased global trade—are equitably shared, empowering small-scale operators and supporting the significant number of women involved throughout the value chain.