The United Nations announced on Friday that the overall global amount of fish, shrimp, mussels and other aquatic animals caught in aquaculture has exceeded the quantity caught on this planet’s wild waters for the primary time.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says in its latest report on fisheries and aquaculture – or aquatic farming – that greater than 185 million tonnes of aquatic animals were caught and harvested worldwide in 2022, the most recent 12 months for which statistics can be found.
This milestone in human history was to be expected, experts say, because fishing revenues have largely stagnated over the past three a long time – mainly attributable to natural limitations.
Manuel Barange, head of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, said aquaculture advantages from growing recognition of its dietary advantages – corresponding to omega-3 and other micronutrients present in foods from aquatic animals – and its lower environmental impact than foods from land animals.
The total amount of aquatic animals caught within the wild fell from 91.6 million tonnes in 2021 to 91 million tonnes the next 12 months, the FAO said in its latest report on the state of world fisheries and aquaculture.
Global production rose to 94.4 million in 2022, up from 91.1 million the previous 12 months, it said.
Asia accounts for greater than 90 percent of total aquaculture production of aquatic animals, the FAO added.
About 90% of farmed or fished aquatic animals are intended for human consumption. The rest is used for other purposes, corresponding to as feed for other animals or as fish oil.
The mostly caught fish on this planet’s oceans, seas, rivers, lakes and ponds include Peruvian anchovies, skipjack tuna and Alaska pollock, while freshwater carp, oysters, mussels, shrimp, tilapia and crabs are amongst probably the most caught animals.
