Marine fisheries play a crucial role in food security, nutrition, the economy, and the well-being of coastal communities around the world. This is not just an environmental issue: the health of the oceans is deeply intertwined with global social, economic, and political factors.
For this reason, the FAO has released a new edition of the Review of the State of World Marine Fishery Resources, a report that offers an updated and in-depth overview of the condition of the world’s living marine fishery resources. It is a key tool for policymakers, the scientific community, civil society, fishers, and resource managers working in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The report updates previous reviews of the state of global fishery resources, incorporating stock assessments up to 2023 and official catch statistics through 2021. Compared to the last edition published in 2011, this version provides a more comprehensive perspective, supported by more recent data and a revised methodology.
The preparation of the report involved a highly participatory process, including 19 regional workshops and consultations that brought together around 650 experts from 92 countries and 200 organizations. This inclusive approach allowed for the collection of a wide range of knowledge, experiences, and data, improving the quality and reliability of the assessments.
A significant development is the increase in the number of stocks assessed, which has reached 2,570. This marks a major step forward in understanding the status of global fishery resources.
This new edition of the Review is not only a snapshot of the current state of marine resources, but also serves as a fundamental guide to support more sustainable policies, based on solid and shared scientific data.