State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 Report

News: India ranked as the world’s second-largest aquatic animal producer in the FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report.

About State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 Report

• It is a biennial report that provides evidence-based information on fisheries and aquaculture trends, challenges, opportunities and solutions.
• Released by: The report is released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
• Key Highlights:
  • Global
    • Record Global Production: Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached 235 million tonnes in 2024.
    • Major Producing Bloc: India, China, Indonesia, Viet Nam and Bangladesh together produced 82 per cent of all farmed aquatic animals.
    • Food Availability: Per capita aquatic animal food availability increased from 21.1 kg in 2023 to a preliminary estimate of 21.3 kg in 2024.
    • Regional Consumption Pattern: Asia recorded the highest availability at 26.3 kg per person.
    • Declining Wild Stocks: The share of marine fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels fell to 62.4% in 2023, down from 64.5% in 2021.
  • India
    • India’s Global Position: India produced 9 per cent of the world’s aquatic animals in 2024 and ranked second globally after China.
    • Inland Water Catch: India ranked first in inland water catches, producing 2.2 million tonnes from rivers, lakes and freshwater systems
    • Aquaculture Contribution: India ranked second in farmed aquatic animal production and contributed 12 per cent of global output.
• Policy Relevance:
  • Blue Transformation Agenda: The report showcases FAO’s efforts to translate the Blue Transformation vision into action.
  • Global Commitments: It highlights the role of sustainable aquatic food systems in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.