Recently, Rome - the food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released the report on the state of World Fisheries and aquaculture in 2022. The report points out that with the significant growth of aquaculture, the global fishery and aquaculture production has reached a record high, and aquatic food has made an increasingly important contribution to ensuring food security and nutrition in the 21st century.
　　The report said that driven by the growth of aquaculture in the world, especially in Asia, the total output of Fisheries and aquaculture rose to the highest level in history in 2020, reaching 214 million tons, of which 178 million tons were aquatic animals and 36 million tons were algae.

　　The output of aquatic animals in 2020 is 30% higher than the average level in the first decade of this century and more than 60% higher than the average level in the 1990s. This achievement is largely due to the growth of aquaculture, whose aquatic animal production has set a record of 87.5 million tons.
　　FAO said that with the continuous expansion of Fisheries and aquaculture, it is necessary to promote more targeted transformation and transformation, and build a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable fisheries and aquaculture industry. To achieve the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, we must carry out "blue transformation" in the production, management, trade and consumption of aquatic food.

　　World fishing and aquaculture production, 1950-2020. FAO
　　Qudongyu, director general of FAO, said, "the growth of Fisheries and aquaculture plays a vital role in eradicating hunger and malnutrition on a global scale, but fisheries and aquaculture need further transformation to meet the challenges."
　　"We must promote the transformation of the agricultural food system, ensure the sustainable production of aquatic food, ensure livelihoods, and protect aquatic habitats and biodiversity."
　　At present, the contribution of aquatic food to food security and nutrition is unprecedented. Since 1961, the global consumption of aquatic food (excluding algae) has increased at an average annual rate of 3.0%, almost twice the average annual growth rate of the world population. The per capita annual consumption reached 20.2 kg, more than twice that of the 1960s.

　　World fishery and aquaculture production since 1950: utilization and apparent consumption. FAO
　　Despite the impact of the COVID-19, more than 157 million tons of aquatic animals were still directly available for human consumption in 2020, accounting for 89% of the output of aquatic animals, slightly higher than the consumption in 2018. In 2019, aquatic food accounted for about 17% of animal protein consumption, 23% in middle-income and low-income countries, and more than 50% in parts of Asia and Africa.
　　In 2020, the aquatic animal production of Fisheries and aquaculture in Asian countries accounted for 70% of the global total, followed by America, Europe, Africa and Oceania. China remains the largest fishery producer, followed by Indonesia, Peru, Russia, the United States, India and Vietnam.

　　The contribution of each region to the world's catch fisheries and aquaculture production. FAO
　　Aquaculture shapes the future of aquatic food
　　In the past two years, the growth rate of aquaculture has been higher than that of fishing. It is expected that the aquaculture industry will further expand in the next decade. In 2020, the aquaculture output of aquatic animals reached 87.5 million tons, an increase of 6% over 2018. At the same time, the fishing output fell to 90.3 million tons, a decrease of 4.0% compared with the average level of the previous three years.

　　World aquaculture production from 1991 to 2020. FAO
　　The main reasons for the decline in fishing output include the serious obstacles to fishing activities, market access and sales caused by the COVID-19, the reduction in the catch of China, and the reduction in the catch of anchovy in Peru due to natural fluctuations.
　　The growing demand for fish and other aquatic foods is rapidly changing the face of Fisheries and aquaculture. It is expected that by 2030, consumption will increase by 15% to 21.4 kg per capita. The main drivers are income growth and urbanization, changes in post harvest treatment and circulation methods, and dietary trends that pay more attention to health and nutrition.
　　3 fish knowledge you may not know. FAO
　　The total output of aquatic animals is expected to reach 202 million tons in 2030, mainly due to the continuous growth of aquaculture. Aquaculture production is expected to exceed 100 million tons for the first time in 2027 and reach 106 million tons in 2030.
　　"Blue transformation" is the only way
　　FAO stressed that more efforts are needed to meet the needs of the growing world population while taking a long-term view, strengthen the sustainability of populations and fragile ecosystems, and protect people's lives and livelihoods.
　　According to the data reported in the 2022 edition of the state of World Fisheries and aquaculture, the sustainability of marine fishery resources is still deeply worrying. The proportion of sustainable fishing stocks fell to 64.6% in 2019, 1.2% lower than the level in 2017.

　　1974-2019 global trends in the status of world marine fishery resources. FAO
　　However, there are also encouraging signs: sustainable fishery stocks accounted for 82.5% of the total landings in 2019, an increase of 3.8% over 2017. This seems to indicate that larger populations have been more effectively managed.
　　FAO actively promotes the "blue transformation". This is a far sighted strategy aimed at addressing the twin challenges of food security and environmental sustainability at the same time, and ensuring equitable outcomes and gender equality. Climate and environment-friendly policies and practices, as well as technological innovation, are also indispensable to promote change.
　　Everyone can contribute to saving our ocean. FAO
　　"The blue transformation is a goal driven process. Through the blue transformation, FAO Members and partners can maximize the role of the aquatic food system, promote food security and nutrition, and promote affordable and healthy meals without exceeding the scope of the birth system," said Manuel Berridge, director of the Department of Fisheries and aquaculture of FAO
　　Fisheries and aquaculture have made important contributions to employment, trade and economic development. It is estimated that in 2020, the first sales of aquatic animals produced by the fishery and aquaculture industry totaled $406billion, of which $265billion came from aquaculture.
　　It is critical to recognize the important role of women in fisheries and aquaculture. FAO
　　According to the latest estimated data, 58.5 million people are employed in the fishery and aquaculture industry, of which about 21% are women. It is estimated that fisheries and aquaculture support the lives and livelihoods of about 600million people in various forms. Strengthening resilience is crucial to promoting equitable and sustainable development.
　　State of World Fisheries and aquaculture in 2022
　　Main data
　　yield
　　Total global production of aquatic animals and algae: 214 million tons - first sales of aquatic animals: 406 billion US dollars
　　Marine fishing: 78.8 million tons
　　Freshwater fishing: 11.5 million tons
　　Aquaculture output: 87.5 million tons, a record high
　　Consumption and trade
　　Total amount for human consumption (excluding algae): 157 million tons
　　International trade volume of fishery and aquaculture products: 151 billion US dollars
　　Employment and number of fishing boats
　　Total employment in the primary industries of Fisheries and aquaculture: 58.5 million, of which 21% are women
　　The region with the largest number of fishermen and aquaculture: Asia (84%) - total number of global fishing vessels: 4.1 million
　　The region with the largest number of fishing vessels: Asia - 2.68 million, accounting for about two thirds of the total number of fishing vessels in the world
　　Fishery population
　　Sustainable fishing population: 64.6% (2019), down 1.2% from 2017
　　Proportion of sustainable fishing population in total landing volume: 82.5% (2019), an increase of 3.8% over 2017

　　At present, the contribution of aquatic food to food security and nutrition is unprecedented.