FAO’s initiatives in sustainable fisheries management for food and nutrition security

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With about 58.5 million people working in fisheries and aquaculture worldwide, of which approximately 21 percent are women, these sectors provide livelihoods for around 600 million people.

Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a peak of 214 million tonnes in 2020, encompassing 178 million tonnes of aquatic animals and 36 million tonnes of algae, largely attributed to the growth of aquaculture in Asia (SOFIA, 2022). With about 58.5 million people working in fisheries and aquaculture worldwide, of which approximately 21 percent are women, these sectors provide livelihoods for around 600 million people. Over the past two decades, fisheries and aquaculture have gained recognition for their vital contribution to global food security and nutrition. Per capita fish consumption increased from an average of 9.9 kg in the 1960s to approximately 20.5 kg in 2020. Projections indicate that increased income, urbanization, and improvements in post-harvest practices could drive fish consumption to rise by 15 percent by 2030. However, international trade in fisheries and aquaculture products decreased from USD 165 billion in 2018 to USD 151 billion in 2020.

Significant variations exist between regions, with around 70 percent of global production coming from Asian countries, followed by the Americas, Europe, and Africa. In Tanzania, the fisheries sector encompasses both marine and inland waters, contributing significantly to food security and socioeconomic well-being. In the marine fishery, Tanzania's territorial sea covers approximately 64,000 km² with a coastal line of 1,424 km. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles, providing additional marine area and fisheries resources. Inland waters, including rivers and transboundary lakes such as Victoria, Tanganyika, and Nyasa, constitute an essential part of Tanzania's fisheries sector. The sector's contributions are underscored by its employment of over 195,000 people in capture fishery and 30,000 in aquaculture. Additionally, around 4.5 million people, equivalent to 6.89 percent of Tanzania's population are indirectly employed in various ancillary activities related to fisheries. The sector also contributes to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for 1.8 percent in 2021.

FAO’s initiatives in sustainable fisheries management for food and nutrition security

What you need to know:

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