Global Aquaculture Surpasses Wild Fishing: A Historic Milestone

The United Nations reports that for the first time, the global volume of farm-harvested aquatic animals, including fish and shrimp, has surpassed wild fishing. The FAO's latest figures show that 185 million tonnes were harvested in 2022, with Asia leading in production. This shift is driven by nutritional benefits and lesser environmental impact.

The United Nations has announced a historic milestone in the world of aquaculture. For the first time ever, the global volume of farm-harvested aquatic animals has surpassed the amount captured from the wild. According to the latest report from the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 185 million tonnes of aquatic animals were harvested in 2022—the highest on record.

Experts had anticipated this moment, as wild fisheries have seen stagnation over the past three decades due to natural limits. Manuel Barange, head of the FAO's fisheries and aquaculture division, pointed out that aquaculture has gained momentum due to its recognized nutritional benefits, such as Omega 3, and its lesser environmental impact compared to land-based animal farming.

The FAO report noted that wild capture of aquatic animals decreased slightly from 91.6 million tonnes in 2021 to 91 million tonnes in 2022, while global aquaculture production climbed from 91.1 million tonnes to 94.4 million tonnes during the same period. Asia continues to dominate this sector, contributing over 90 percent of the total farmed aquatic production, primarily for human consumption.