FAO SOFIA 2024: The Global State of Marine Capture Catch
The 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlights a historic shift in global food systems. While total aquatic production has reached record highs, the year 2022 marked the first time that aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries in the production of aquatic animals. Despite this milestone, marine capture remains a foundational pillar for global food security, providing tens of millions of tonnes of nutrient-rich food.
What is the current status of global marine capture catch according to the 2024 FAO SOFIA report?
In 2022, global marine capture production reached 81 million tonnes, accounting for the vast majority of the world's total capture fisheries (92.3 million tonnes). While overall capture levels have remained relatively stable since the late 1980s, the report indicates that 62.3% of monitored marine stocks are fished within biologically sustainable levels—a decline from previous years. However, when weighted by production volume, 76.9% of landings come from sustainable stocks, demonstrating that larger, commercially significant stocks are often managed more effectively.
Performance Scorecard: Top 5 Marine Producers
This scorecard reflects the 2022 capture production levels for the leading nations as detailed in the SOFIA 2024 report.
| Rank | Country | Flag | Capture Production (Tonnes) | Global Share (%) |
| 1 | China | 🇨🇳 | 12.9 Million | 14.3% |
| 2 | Indonesia | 🇮🇩 | 7.2 Million | 8.0% |
| 3 | India | 🇮🇳 | 5.5 Million | 6.0% |
| 4 | Peru | 🇵🇪 | 5.3 Million | 5.8% |
| 5 | Russia | 🇷🇺 | 4.9 Million | 5.4% |
Key Trends in Marine Capture
The marine capture sector continues to be dominated by a few key species and regions. According to the latest data, finfish make up approximately 85% of the total marine catch.
Top Species Harvested
The "big three" continue to lead global landings, providing the bulk of the world's wild-caught marine protein:
Anchoveta (Peruvian Anchovy): 4.9 million tonnes
Alaska Pollock: 3.4 million tonnes
Skipjack Tuna: 3.1 million tonnes
Notably, catches of high-value groups like tunas and tuna-like species reached a record high of 8.3 million tonnes in 2022.
Sustainability and Management
The 2024 SOFIA report delivers a mixed message regarding the health of our oceans. While the percentage of stocks fished sustainably has dropped to 62.3% (down from 90% in 1974), the FAO emphasizes that "Blue Transformation" initiatives are working in areas with robust management.
For example, in the Northeast Pacific and Southwest Pacific, sustainability rates for individual stocks reach as high as 92.7% and 85% respectively. These success stories serve as a blueprint for regions like the Southeast Pacific and the Mediterranean, where overfishing remains a critical challenge.
Looking Toward 2032
The FAO projects that aquatic animal production will increase by 10% by 2032. While most of this growth will come from aquaculture, the recovery of overfished marine stocks could potentially add another 16.5 million tonnes to the global catch, further cementing the importance of science-based management in the coming decade.
China’s Marine Capture: A Strategy of Managed Decline
While China remains the world’s largest producer of wild-caught fish, its marine capture sector is currently undergoing a deliberate "managed decline." According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, China’s strategy has shifted from maximizing volume to prioritizing ecological restoration and sustainability through its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025).
The Numbers: China’s Marine Footprint
China's marine capture production is divided into two distinct categories: Coastal/Offshore (within its own EEZ) and Distant-Water (international and foreign waters).
| Category | 2022 Production (Tonnes) | Policy Direction |
| Total Marine Capture | 11.8 Million | Reduced by 17.9% since 2015 |
| Coastal/Domestic | ~9.5 Million | Capped at 10 Million tonnes |
| Distant-Water (DWF) | 2.3 Million | Output stabilized; fleet size frozen |
Key Milestone: In 2022, China accounted for 14.3% of global aquatic animal captures. Despite its decline, this remains more than the second and third-ranked countries (Indonesia and India) combined.
Structural Shifts & Management
China is implementing several aggressive measures to reverse decades of overexploitation in its four adjacent seas (Bohai, Yellow, East China, and South China Seas).
1. Fleet Reduction and Subsidies
China has removed over 40,000 fishing vessels from its coastal waters since 2015. Crucially, the government is phasing out traditional fuel subsidies—which historically encouraged overfishing—and replacing them with stewardship subsidies that reward fishers for adhering to conservation rules.
2. Fishing Moratoria
China enforces one of the world's most extensive seasonal fishing bans.
Coastal Moratorium: A 3- to 4-month total ban on most fishing gear along the entire coastline during peak spawning seasons.
Yangtze River: A historic 10-year fishing ban (started in 2021) to allow the river’s ecosystem to recover, which indirectly affects the marine estuaries.
High Seas: Voluntary moratoria on squid jigging in the Southwest Atlantic and East Pacific to protect spawning stocks.
3. Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
Historically, Chinese fisheries were managed by "input controls" (limiting boats/gear). The new policy is shifting toward output controls, piloting Total Allowable Catch (TAC) systems for specific species like blue crab and jellyfish to ensure harvests stay within scientific limits.
From Capture to "Marine Ranching"
As wild capture is restricted, China is pivoting toward Marine Ranching. This involves placing artificial reefs and "sea ranches" in the ocean to enhance natural habitats.
Goal: China aims to establish 200 national-level demonstration marine ranches by the end of 2025.
Purpose: To transition from "hunting" fish to "cultivating" them in a semi-wild environment, blending capture fisheries with advanced aquaculture technology.
Distant-Water Fisheries (DWF)
China’s Distant-Water fleet (approx. 2,551 vessels) remains a point of international focus. The 2024 SOFIA data confirms that China is now providing more transparent reporting for its DWF landings and has committed to "high-quality development," which focuses on improving the efficiency and legality of existing ships rather than expanding the fleet.
Indonesia’s Marine Capture: The Archipelago’s Blue Economy
Indonesia is the world’s second-largest producer of marine capture fisheries, trailing only China. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Indonesia accounts for approximately 7% of the global aquatic animal production. As an archipelagic nation with over 17,000 islands, its marine sector is a vital lifeline for food security, providing over 50% of the country’s animal protein intake.
Indonesia Capture Scorecard (2022 Data)
Indonesia's performance is characterized by high volume and a significant reliance on small-scale traditional fishers.
| Metric | Value | Global Context |
| Marine Capture Production | 7.2 Million Tonnes | #2 Globally |
| Economic Contribution | 2.6% of National GDP | Target: 4.0% |
| Fisheries Workforce | ~2.4 Million People | Heavily Small-Scale |
| Primary Export Value | $5.9 Billion (2024) | Top Market: USA & China |
Featured Snippet: Indonesia remains a global titan in tuna production. In 2022, it was a primary contributor to the record 8.3 million tonnes of global tuna landings. The country’s "blue" strategy now focuses on Measured Fishing (Penangkapan Ikan Terukur), a quota-based system designed to prevent the "fully exploited" status of its 11 Fisheries Management Areas (WPPs) from turning into a total collapse.
Strategic Management Areas (WPPNRI)
Indonesia manages its vast waters through 11 Fisheries Management Areas (WPPNRI). The 2024 data highlights specific pressure points in these regions:
WPP 711 (Natuna Sea): High value due to proximity to international markets, but faces intense pressure from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
WPP 714 & 715 (Banda Sea/Maluku): The heart of Indonesia's "Golden Tuna" production. These areas are currently the focus of conservation partnerships (e.g., KKP and YKAN) to implement AI-driven catch identification and harvest strategies.
WPP 718 (Arafura Sea): One of the most productive fishing grounds in the world, specifically for shrimp and demersal fish, but highly vulnerable to large-scale industrial overfishing.
Key Species & Economic Drivers
Indonesia’s catch is diverse, but three categories drive the majority of its export revenue:
Tuna, Skipjack, and Tongkol (TBT): The crown jewel of Indonesian fisheries. Indonesia is the world leader in skipjack tuna landings.
Small Pelagics: Species like Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger) and sardines are the primary protein source for the domestic population.
High-Value Demersals: Snapper and grouper, which are increasingly managed through "Harvest Strategies" to meet international sustainability certifications (like MSC).
Challenges to Sustainability
Despite its high production, Indonesia faces significant hurdles cited in recent reports:
Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures have caused tuna stocks to migrate to deeper or cooler waters, forcing small-scale fishers to travel further at higher costs.
Data Gaps: Approximately 76% of electronic logbook entries for tuna have historically been discarded due to poor data quality, making scientific management difficult.
Overfishing Gear: The continued use of environmentally hostile gear, such as modified trawls (locally known as arad), has led to a decline in catch-per-unit-effort in regions like the Java Sea.
The "Blue Transformation" Roadmap
The Indonesian government has committed to a "30x45" target, aiming to protect 30% of its waters (97.5 million hectares) by 2045. The 2024 strategy involves:
Quota-Based Fishing: Moving away from "whoever catches first" to a strictly regulated quota system for industrial vessels.
Expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Integrating conservation zones with local fishing rights to ensure "spillover" effects benefit traditional fishers.
Digitalization: Scaling up the use of "e-logbooks" and satellite monitoring to eliminate IUU fishing and improve traceability for exports.
India’s Marine Capture: Anchoring the Blue Economy
India is a global powerhouse in the fisheries sector, currently ranked as the second-largest fish producer in the world. While aquaculture drives much of India's recent growth, the marine capture sector remains the backbone of the coastal economy, supporting over 28 million livelihoods. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, India contributes roughly 8% to the global aquatic animal production.
India Capture Scorecard (2024 Estimates)
India’s marine sector is characterized by a high diversity of species and a massive fleet of small-scale, traditional vessels.
| Metric | Value | Status/Trend |
| Total Fish Production | 19.5 Million Tonnes | 📈 Up from 9.6M in 2014 |
| Marine Capture (2024) | 3.47 Million Tonnes | 📉 2% Decline from 2023 |
| Export Value (2023-24) | $7.38 Billion | 🏆 All-time high volume |
| Stock Sustainability | 91.1% of stocks | ✅ Found healthy (CMFRI 2022) |
Featured Snippet: In 2024, India’s marine capture fisheries were led by the Indian mackerel (263,000 tonnes) and Indian oil sardine (241,000 tonnes). Despite a slight 2% dip in total landings due to extreme weather and heatwaves, India’s "Blue Revolution" continues to expand through the PMMSY scheme, which aims to increase total fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2025.
Regional Performance & Species Trends
The 2024 data reveals a "shifting tide" between India's western and eastern coastlines.
Leading States (2024 Landings)
Gujarat: 7.54 Lakh tonnes (Remains #1 despite an 8% decline)
Tamil Nadu: 6.79 Lakh tonnes (20% increase)
Kerala: 6.10 Lakh tonnes (4% decline)
Most Landed Resources
Pelagic Species (54%): Dominated by Indian Mackerel, Oil Sardine, and Ribbonfish.
Demersal Finfish: Anchovies and Tunnies saw significant increases in 2024, while Cephalopods (squid/cuttlefish) and non-penaeid shrimps recorded declines.
Policy & Modernization: PMMSY and Beyond
The Government of India is aggressively modernizing the sector under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a ₹20,050 crore investment.
1. Deep-Sea Fishing & EEZ Rules
On November 4, 2025, India notified new rules for the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This landmark reform encourages traditional fishers to move into deep-sea fishing—beyond the overcrowded 12-nautical-mile coastal waters—by providing up to 60% financial assistance for vessel conversion.
2. Infrastructure & Value Addition
To reduce post-harvest losses (historically 20–25%), India has commissioned:
730 Cold Storages and Ice Plants.
21 Modern Wholesale Fish Markets.
11 Integrated Aquaparks to streamline the supply chain from catch to export.
3. Digitalization (MFC 2025)
The National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025, launched in late 2023 and finalized in 2025, represents a leap toward "Digital Fisheries." Using custom mobile apps like VyAS-NAV, the government now tracks real-time, geo-referenced data on every fishing trip to ensure more accurate stock management.
Environmental Challenges
Climate change is the most significant threat to Indian marine capture.
Cyclonic Disruptions: In 2024, storms like Dana and Fengal significantly halted fishing days on both the East and West coasts.
Heatwaves: Record-breaking sea surface temperatures in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have led to "unusual fluctuations" in sardine availability, causing local prices to swing from ₹400/kg to as low as ₹20/kg in a single year.
Peru’s Marine Capture: The Anchoveta Powerhouse
Peru is a global titan in marine capture, consistently ranking among the top five producers in the world. Its fishing industry is defined by the Humboldt Current, a nutrient-rich upwelling system that makes the Peruvian coast one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Peru accounts for approximately 5.8% of global capture production.
Peru Capture Scorecard (2024–2025)
Peru's fishing sector is highly volatile, shifting dramatically based on oceanographic conditions like El Niño.
| Metric | Value (2024/25) | Trend/Notes |
| Global Ranking | #4 in Marine Capture | FAO SOFIA 2024 |
| Anchoveta TAC (2025) | 3.0 Million Tonnes | First Season (North-Central) |
| Export Revenue | ~$3.5 Billion | Primarily Fishmeal & Fish Oil |
| Workforce | ~250,000 Jobs | Direct and indirect employment |
Featured Snippet: The Peruvian Anchoveta remains the world’s most heavily harvested fish species by volume. After a challenging 2023 where the first fishing season was canceled due to El Niño, the sector saw a massive recovery in 2024. By early 2025, Peru’s industrial fleet successfully landed over 95% of its 2.51 million-tonne quota for the late 2024 season, injecting over $1.4 billion into the national economy and stabilizing global fishmeal supplies.
The "Humboldt" Advantage
The Peru (Humboldt) Current covers less than 0.1% of the world’s ocean surface but provides roughly 15% of the global fish catch. This unique ecosystem allows Peru to dominate specific global markets:
Fishmeal & Fish Oil: Peru provides roughly 20% of the world's supply, which is essential for global aquaculture (shrimp and salmon farming).
Giant Squid (Pota): Peru is a top exporter of giant squid, primarily to Asian and European markets.
Management and Sustainability
Peru utilizes a sophisticated, science-based management system overseen by IMARPE (Peruvian Sea Institute) to ensure the long-term health of its stocks.
1. Adaptive Quotas (TAC)
Unlike countries with fixed annual limits, Peru sets its Total Allowable Catch (TAC) season-by-season based on real-time biomass surveys. If a high percentage of "juveniles" (undersized fish) is detected, the government immediately closes specific zones or entire seasons to protect future populations.
2. The Two-Season System
The industrial anchoveta fishery is divided into two main seasons:
First Season: Typically starts in April/May.
Second Season: Typically starts in November.
This split allows for monitoring during different stages of the anchoveta's reproductive cycle.
3. Artisanal vs. Industrial
Industrial Fleet: Operates beyond 5 nautical miles, targeting anchoveta for indirect human consumption (fishmeal).
Artisanal Fleet: Has exclusive rights to the first 5 nautical miles, targeting a variety of species like silverside, bonito, and mackerel for direct human consumption.
Climate Vulnerability: The El Niño Factor
The biggest threat to Peru’s marine capture is the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
The Impact: During El Niño, warm water replaces the cold, nutrient-rich upwelling. Anchoveta either dive deeper beyond the reach of nets or migrate south toward cooler Chilean waters.
2023 Crisis: The "Coastal El Niño" of 2023 led to the first total cancellation of a fishing season in 30 years, causing a 23% drop in global fishmeal production.
2024/25 Recovery: Current data shows a return to "Neutral" or "La Niña" conditions, which has led to a robust rebound in biomass and record-setting catch rates for the start of 2025.
Recent Innovations
Peru is leading South America in Fisheries Transparency. Since 2018, the government has shared its Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data with Global Fishing Watch, making its industrial fleet's movements publicly visible to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Russia’s Marine Capture: Modernization Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Russia is a dominant force in northern marine fisheries, consistently ranking among the top global producers. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report and 2025-2026 industry data, Russia produces approximately 5% of the world's wild-catch volume. The sector is currently defined by a massive "Investment Quotas" program, aimed at transitioning the fleet from raw material exports to high-value, deep-processed products.
Russia Capture Scorecard (2025–2026 Forecast)
Despite Western sanctions, Russia's marine capture remains resilient by reorienting trade toward Asian markets and increasing domestic processing.
| Metric | 2025/26 Value | Status/Trend |
| Total Catch Volume | ~5.0 Million Tonnes | 📈 Increasing from 4.9M in 2024 |
| Export Value | $6.0+ Billion | 🏆 Targeted 25% growth by end of 2025 |
| Key Export Market | China (Over 50%) | 🇰🇷 South Korea & 🇯🇵 Japan follow |
| Deep Processing Share | ~35% of total catch | 🏗️ Up from <15% a decade ago |
Featured Snippet: In 2025, Russia’s marine capture was anchored by Alaska Pollock, which accounts for over 50% of the country's total landings. Russia is currently the world’s leading producer of pollock, with 2025 production of fillets and surimi on vessels growing by 26% and 35% respectively. This shift is part of a state mandate to reduce the export of "raw" frozen fish in favor of high-margin processed goods produced on newly commissioned "factory ships."
Dominant Species and Fishing Basins
Russia’s marine activity is concentrated in three primary basins, each with a distinct strategic profile:
1. The Far East Basin (Okhotsk & Bering Seas)
The engine of the Russian industry, providing over 70% of the total catch.
Alaska Pollock: The primary volume driver.
Pacific Salmon: A highly seasonal and volatile fishery; the 2024 season saw a sharp drop (235k tonnes), while 2025/26 projections rely on a predicted "pink salmon" rebound.
Crab: High-value King and Snow crab exports shifted almost entirely to China and Japan following the 2022 US/EU bans.
2. The Northern Basin (Barents & Norwegian Seas)
Highly regulated through international cooperation, despite current tensions.
Cod and Haddock: Managed via a historic bilateral agreement with Norway. For 2026, the cod quota was set at 285,000 tonnes—the lowest since 1991—to allow stocks to recover from overfishing.
Greenland Halibut: Quotas remain stable at 19,000 tonnes for 2026.
3. The Atlantic & Global Operations
Russia maintains an active distant-water fleet, recently renewing a major agreement with Morocco in October 2025 to allow Russian vessels to harvest pelagic species (sardines and mackerel) in the Atlantic.
The "Investment Quota" Revolution
Russia is currently in "Phase 2" of its radical Investment Quotas program. Under this policy, the government grants fishing rights only to companies that commit to building new ships in Russian shipyards or constructing coastal processing plants.
The Results: By 2026, Russia aims to have launched over 100 new fishing vessels, including "super-trawlers" capable of processing fish oil, meal, and surimi entirely at sea.
Digitalization: By March 2026, a unified digital platform will integrate AI and satellite data to monitor every vessel, intended to eliminate IUU fishing and streamline logistics via the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
Challenges and Sanctions
The 2026 outlook remains complicated by external pressures:
Market Redirection: Russia has largely lost the US and UK markets for whitefish and crab. While China has absorbed the volume, it often does so at lower price points, forcing Russia to invest in its own brands.
Shipbuilding Delays: Western sanctions on specialized components (engines and electronics) have slowed the delivery of many "Investment Quota" ships, forcing Russian yards to source parts from "friendly" nations or develop domestic alternatives.
Best Practices in Global Marine Capture: A Path to Sustainability
As the 2024 FAO SOFIA report and 2026 industry updates highlight, the world's leading fishing nations are shifting from high-volume exploitation to high-value, science-based management. While the global percentage of sustainable stocks has faced pressure, the most successful regions demonstrate that rigorous oversight, technological integration, and ecosystem-based approaches can reverse declining trends.
Best Practices Scorecard: Top 5 Producers
The following table summarizes the primary strategies and "best practice" benchmarks utilized by the world's leading marine capture nations as of 2026.
| Rank | Country | Flag | Primary Best Practice | Key Technology/Policy |
| 1 | China | 🇨🇳 | Managed Decapacity | Reduction of 40,000+ vessels & "Marine Ranching" |
| 2 | Indonesia | 🇮🇩 | Harvest Strategies | Quota-based "Measured Fishing" in 11 Management Areas |
| 3 | India | 🇮🇳 | Deep-Sea Modernization | PMMSY funding for EEZ expansion and digital vessel tracking |
| 4 | Peru | 🇵🇪 | Adaptive Management | Real-time "Biomass-Triggered" closures for Anchoveta |
| 5 | Russia | 🇷🇺 | Investment Quotas | "Phase 2" factory ship mandates for deep processing |
Emerging Standards for 2026
Leading nations are currently adopting a "Triple-Bottom-Line" approach that balances economic output with environmental and social health.
1. Smart Selective Fishing
A major breakthrough in 2025/26 is the deployment of AI-integrated "Smart Trawls." These systems use high-speed cameras and image recognition to identify species before they enter the codend (the back of the net).
Impact: Unwanted bycatch is diverted through a rotating gate, reducing mortality for non-target species by up to 95% in certain trials.
2. Digital Transparency & PSMA
To combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, countries are increasingly ratifying the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
Best Practice: Centralizing Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) data into public platforms like Global Fishing Watch. Peru and Indonesia have become leaders in this, allowing for real-time tracking of their industrial fleets.
3. "Blue Transformation" Incentives
Following the WTO's 2025 entry-into-force of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, leading nations are reorienting government spending.
Old Practice: Fuel subsidies that encouraged boats to stay out longer and fish deeper.
2026 Best Practice: "Stewardship Subsidies" that pay fishers for data collection, gear modernization (e.g., green LED-lit nets to reduce turtle bycatch), and adherence to seasonal closures.
The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)
Moving beyond "single-species management," the FAO now advocates for EAF, which considers the entire food web. For instance, Peru no longer just counts anchoveta; they monitor the predators (like seabirds and seals) that rely on them. This ensures that even if a quota is "sustainable" for the fish, it is also sustainable for the ocean's biodiversity.