The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010 - FAO

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8 The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010 Africa, an even greater proportion of countries increased their national fleets in terms of number of vessels. The proportion of marine fish stocks estimated to be underexploited or moderately exploited declined from 40 percent in the mid-1970s to 15 percent in 2008, whereas the proportion of overexploited, depleted or recovering stocks increased from 10 percent in 1974 to 32 percent in 2008. The proportion of fully exploited stocks has remained relatively stable at about 50 percent since the 1970s. In 2008, 15 percent of the stock groups monitored by FAO were estimated to be underexploited (3 percent) or moderately exploited (12 percent) and able to produce more than their current catches. This is the lowest percentage recorded since the mid-1970s. Slightly more than half of the stocks (53 percent) were estimated to be fully exploited and, therefore, their current catches are at or close to their maximum sustainable productions, with no room for further expansion. The remaining 32 percent were estimated to be either overexploited (28 percent), depleted (3 percent) or recovering from depletion (1 percent) and, thus, yielding less than their maximum potential production owing to excess fishing pressure, with a need for rebuilding plans. This combined percentage is the highest in the time series. The increasing trend in the percentage of overexploited, depleted and recovering stocks and the decreasing trend in underexploited and moderately exploited stocks give cause for concern. Most of the stocks of the top ten species, which account in total for about 30 percent of the world marine capture fisheries production in terms of quantity, are fully exploited. The two main stocks of anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) in the Southeast Pacific and those of Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the North Pacific and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the Atlantic are fully exploited. Several Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) stocks are fully exploited, but some are depleted. Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) in the Northwest Pacific and Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) in the Southeast Pacific are considered to be fully exploited. Some limited possibilities for expansion may exist for a few stocks of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), which are moderately exploited in the Eastern Pacific, while the stock in the Northwest Pacific was estimated to be recovering. In 2008, the largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) was estimated to be overexploited in the main fishing area in the Northwest Pacific. Of the 23 tuna stocks, most are more or less fully exploited (possibly up to 60 percent), some are overexploited or depleted (possibly up to 35 percent) and only a few appear to be underexploited (mainly skipjack). In the long term, because of the substantial demand for tuna and the significant overcapacity of tuna fishing fleets, the status of tuna stocks may deteriorate further if there is no improvement in their management. Concern about the poor status of some bluefin stocks and the difficulties in managing them led to a proposal to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2010 to ban the international trade of Atlantic bluefin. Although it was hardly in dispute that the stock status of this high-value food fish met the biological criteria for listing on CITES Appendix I, the proposal was ultimately rejected. Many parties that opposed the listing stated that in their view the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) was the appropriate body for the management of such an important commercially exploited aquatic species. Despite continued reasons for concern in the overall situation, it is encouraging to note that good progress is being made in reducing exploitation rates and restoring overfished fish stocks and marine ecosystems through effective management actions in some areas such as off Australia, on the Newfoundland–Labrador Shelf, the Northeast United States Shelf, the Southern Australian Shelf, and in the California Current ecosystems. Inland fisheries are a vital component in the livelihoods of people in many parts of the world, in both developing and developed countries. However, irresponsible fishing practices, habitat loss and degradation, water abstraction, drainage of wetlands, dam construction and pollution (including eutrophication) often act together, thus compounding one another’s effects. They have caused substantial declines and other
World review of fisheries and aquaculture 9 changes in inland fishery resources. Although these impacts are not always reflected by a discernable decrease in fishery production (especially when stocking is practised), the fishery may change in composition and value. The poor state of knowledge on inland fishery resources and their ecosystems has led to differing views on the actual status of many resources. One view maintains that the sector is in serious trouble because of the multiple uses of and threats to inland water ecosystems. The other view holds that the sector is in fact growing, that much of the production and growth has gone unreported and that stock enhancement through stocking and other means has played a significant role. Irrespective of these views, the role of inland fisheries in poverty alleviation and food security needs to be better reflected in development and fisheries policies and strategies. The tendency to undervalue inland fisheries in the past has resulted in inadequate representation in national and international agendas. In recognition of this, the “Outlook” section of this publication focuses on inland fisheries in an effort to improve awareness of their role and importance. As a highly perishable commodity, fish has specific requirements and a significant capacity for processing. Almost 81 percent (115 million tonnes) of world fish production in 2008 was destined for human consumption, while the rest (27 million tonnes) was used for non-food purposes such as fishmeal and fish oil (20.8 million tonnes), culture, bait, and pharmaceutical uses as well as for direct feeding in aquaculture and for fur animals. In 2008, 39.7 percent (56.5 million tonnes) of total world fish production was marketed as fresh, while 41.2 percent (58.6 million tonnes) of fish was frozen, cured or otherwise prepared for direct human consumption. Since the mid-1990s, the proportion of fish used for direct human consumption has grown as more fish is used as food and less for producing fishmeal and fish oil. Of the fish destined for direct human consumption, fish in live or fresh form was the most important product, with a share of 49.1 percent, followed by frozen fish (25.4 percent), prepared or preserved fish (15.0 percent) and cured fish (10.6 percent). Live and fresh fish grew in quantity from 45.4 million tonnes in 1998 to 56.5 million tonnes in 2008 (live weight equivalent). Processed fish for human consumption increased from 46.7 million tonnes in 1998 to 58.6 million tonnes in 2008 (live weight equivalent). Freezing represents the main method of processing fish for human consumption and it accounted for a 49.8 percent share of total processed fish for human consumption and 20.5 percent of total fish production in 2008. Anchoveta and other small pelagics are the main species used for reduction, and the production of fishmeal and fish oil is strictly linked to the catches of these species. Trade in fish represents a significant source of foreign currency earnings, in addition to the sector’s important role in employment, income generation and food security. In 2008, trade in fish and fishery products represented a share of about 10 percent of total agricultural exports and 1 percent of world merchandise trade in value terms. The share of fishery and aquaculture production (live weight equivalent) entering international trade as various food and feed products increased from 25 percent in 1976 to 39 percent in 2008, reflecting the sector’s growing degree of openness to, and integration in, international trade. In 2008, exports of fish and fishery products reached a record value of US$102.0 billion, 9 percent higher than in 2007, almost double the US$51.5 billion corresponding value in 1998. In real terms (adjusted for inflation), fishery exports grew by 11 percent in the period 2006–08 and by 50 percent between 1998 and 2008. In the period from late 2006 to mid-2008, international agricultural prices (particularly of basic foods) surged to record levels in nominal terms owing to several factors including a tightening in own supplies, the intertwining of global markets, exchange rate fluctuations, and rising crude oil prices and freight rates. These soaring prices affected large population segments, in particular among the poor in many developing countries. Prices of fish and fishery products were also affected by the food price crisis, following the general upward trend in all food prices. The FAO Fish Price Index indicates an increase of 37 percent between February 2007 and September
Page 1 and 2: ISSN 1020-5489 THE STATE OF WORLD F
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Page 5: FOREWORD As the world endeavours to
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PART 2 SELECTED ISSUES IN FISHERIES
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PART 4 OUTLOOK
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THE STATE OF WORLD FISHERIES AND AQ
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The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010 - FAO

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