Hotline: +84 243 869 1980

General news

Aquaculture overtakes wild fisheries for first time: UN report

Update: Jun 15, 2024 - 14:26 (GMT+7)

Diem Uyen – HUPHAVETDiem Uyen – HUPHAVETDiem Uyen – HUPHAVET

Aquaculture overtakes wild fisheries for first time: UN report
A man sells fish in a market in the Nicaraguan capital Managua.

(VAN) Aquaculture is playing an increasingly important role in meeting the world's food needs, surpassing wild fisheries in aquatic animal production for the first time, according to a report published Friday.

With global demand for aquatic foods expected to keep growing, an increase in sustainable production is vital to ensure healthy diets, the United Nations's Food and Agriculture Organization said.

In 2022, aquaculture yielded 94.4 million tonnes of aquatic animal production -- 51 percent of the total, and 57 percent of the production destined for human consumption, it said.

"Aquatic systems are increasingly recognized as vital for food and nutrition security," according to the report, released as experts gathered in Costa Rica for talks on ocean conservation.

"Because of their great diversity and capacity to supply ecosystem services and sustain healthy diets, aquatic food systems represent a viable and effective solution that offers greater opportunities to improve global food security and nutrition," it added.

While wild fisheries production has stayed largely unchanged for decades, aquaculture has increased by 6.6 percent since 2020, the report noted.

The sustainability of wild fishery resources remained a cause for concern, it added.

The proportion of marine stocks fished within biologically sustainable levels decreased to 62.3 percent in 2021, 2.3 percent lower than in 2019, the report said.

"Urgent action is needed to accelerate fishery stock conservation and rebuilding."

Call for investment

With the world's population projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, "providing sufficient food, nutrition and livelihoods for this growing population demands significant investments," it added.

"Aquaculture has a major role to play, particularly in Africa where its great potential is not yet realized," the report said, noting that more than 40 percent of the world's population cannot afford a healthy diet.

Aquatic products remain one of the most traded food commodities, generating a record $195 billion in 2022 -- a 19 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels, it said.

"Despite these significant achievements, the sector still faces major challenges from climate change and disasters, water scarcity, pollution, biodiversity loss" and other man-made impacts, it added.

The report was released to coincide with a meeting in San Jose of country representatives, scientists and international experts to prepare for the third UN Ocean Conference, to be held in France in 2025.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Social Affairs Li Junhua said at the start of the talks that protecting the ocean was "not an option but an imperative."

Costa Rica's President Rodrigo Chaves, host of the two-day meeting, said that if the world does not act, "we as a generation would be taking away the future of humanity."

Participants will debate issues including the capacity of the ocean to absorb carbon dioxide, the need for sustainable fishing and tackling marine pollution.

H.D
(AFP)


Maybe you are interested

Farmers use advanced techniques to breed fish in cages
Farmers use advanced techniques to breed fish in cages
Farmers use advanced techniques to breed fish in cages

Viet Nam News / BÀ RỊA-VŨNG TÀU – Farmers who breed marine fish in floating cages in Vũng Tàu City in the southern province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu are using new advanced farming techniques with good results.

Ninh Thuan to breed more sheep, goats for sale
Ninh Thuan to breed more sheep, goats for sale
Ninh Thuan to breed more sheep, goats for sale

The south-central province of Ninh Thuan, the country's largest animal producer, is strengthening measures to breed more sheep, goats, pigs and other animals for commercial production.

Hanoi, Belgium\'s Wallonia develop 3B bull breed
Hanoi, Belgium\'s Wallonia develop 3B bull breed
Hanoi, Belgium\'s Wallonia develop 3B bull breed

A working delegation led by Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen visited and held a working session with Belgimex, supplier of Blanc Blue Belgium (3B) bulls...