GITNUXREPORT 2025

Fishing Industry Statistics

Global fishing industry worth $240 billion sustains 90 million workers.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Aquaculture accounts for nearly 54.4% of global fish production by volume

Statistic 2

China is the largest fishing nation, producing about 14.3 million tonnes of seafood annually

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The global catch from wild fisheries has plateaued around 90-100 million tonnes per year since 1990

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About 20% of the world's fish stocks are overexploited, depleted, or in recovery from depletion

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The world's largest fish market is in Tokyo, Japan, handling around 500,000 tonnes of seafood annually

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About 50% of the global fish supply is consumed directly by humans

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Seafood consumption per capita has increased from approximately 9.9 kg in 1980 to 20.5 kg in 2020 globally

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The majority of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing accounts for about 20-32% of the total fishing activity

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The use of artificial reefs can increase local fish biomass by up to 400%

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Over 3 billion people rely on fish as their primary source of protein, especially in developing countries

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Global fish stocks are projected to decline by 11 million tonnes by 2030 if current overfishing trends continue

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The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) concept is used to determine the most fish that can be caught without depleting the stock

Statistic 13

In 2020, global fish consumption per capita in Asia reached 38 kg, significantly higher than the global average

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About 30% of the world's fish stocks are overfished, which is a significant concern for global food security

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The United Nations estimates that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing accounts for 15-18% of the global catch, worth approximately $10-23 billion annually

Statistic 16

About 7% of global fish stocks are fully exploited, while 66% are either overexploited or depleted, indicating unsustainable fishing practices

Statistic 17

The average profit margin for commercial fishermen in the U.S. is around 10-15%, influenced by fuel prices, regulations, and market demand

Statistic 18

The use of remote sensing technology helps monitor illegal fishing activities in real-time, improving enforcement efforts

Statistic 19

Fish farming in freshwater accounts for approximately 54% of total aquaculture production, with significant growth in Asia

Statistic 20

The most common fishing gear used globally is trawl nets, which account for about 40% of global catches

Statistic 21

The Pacific Ocean supplies about 10% of the world's fish catch annually, making it a vital region for global fisheries

Statistic 22

Globally, aquaculture now accounts for more than 50% of all seafood consumed, a significant shift from traditional wild catches

Statistic 23

Over the last 50 years, fish consumption has increased more than fourfold globally, from around 4 kg per person to over 20 kg

Statistic 24

The European Union is one of the leading seafood markets, with a per capita fish consumption of around 24 kg in 2020

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The world’s largest fish stock, the Peruvian anchoveta, accounts for roughly 9% of the world’s fish catch, but is highly vulnerable to overfishing and climate change

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Approximately 80% of the seafood consumed globally is sourced from developing countries, highlighting their importance in the industry

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The majority of seafood imports in the U.S. come from Canada, China, Ecuador, and Mexico, accounting for over 60% of total imports

Statistic 28

The global market for wild-caught fish is declining, with wild catch volumes decreasing by 2% annually since 2010, due to overfishing and environmental changes

Statistic 29

The global consumption of farmed seafood surpassed wild-caught seafood in 2019 for the first time, marking a major milestone in fisheries management

Statistic 30

The global marine aquaculture production increased by about 45% between 2010 and 2020, reflecting rapid industry growth

Statistic 31

In developing countries, small-scale fisheries supply over 50% of the fish consumed locally, making them critical to food security

Statistic 32

Over 90 million people are engaged in fishing worldwide

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Approximately 4.5 million people in the U.S. are directly involved in commercial fishing and aquaculture

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The average age of a commercial fisherman in the U.S. is around 50 years old, indicating an aging workforce

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The global seafood industry employs over 300 million people worldwide, direct and indirect

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The commercial fishing industry is a significant contributor to employment in coastal regions, providing livelihood for millions worldwide

Statistic 37

The employment rate in the seafood processing sector varies significantly between regions, with up to 35% of employment in some Asian countries

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Overfishing costs the global economy approximately $83 billion annually in lost fisheries productivity

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Marine protected areas (MPAs) cover about 7.5% of the world's oceans, aiming to conserve marine biodiversity

Statistic 40

Over 60% of global fish stocks are under threat due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution

Statistic 41

Fisheries subsidies amounted to approximately $35 billion globally in 2019, potentially encouraging overfishing

Statistic 42

The productivity of illegal fishing operations is estimated to be up to three times higher than legal fisheries, due to lack of regulation

Statistic 43

The use of selective fishing gear can reduce bycatch by up to 50%, helping conserve non-target species

Statistic 44

Larger fishing vessels (over 100 meters) are associated with higher incidences of illegal fishing activities, according to enforcement agencies

Statistic 45

The environmental impact of fishing includes bycatch mortality of approximately 10-20% of global catches, affecting non-target species

Statistic 46

Marine pollution from fishing gears, especially lost or discarded nets, accounts for a significant portion of ocean plastic pollution, weighing an estimated 640,000 tons annually

Statistic 47

The global fishing industry was valued at approximately $240 billion in 2022

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The U.S. fishing industry's gross revenue was approximately $145 billion in 2020

Statistic 49

The global fish farming industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% over the last decade

Statistic 50

Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of fishery products, with exports valued at over $6 billion in 2021

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Salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest are among the most economically significant fisheries in the U.S., generating over $100 million annually

Statistic 52

The fishing industry in Norway generates over $8 billion annually, with major exports including cod, haddock, and salmon

Statistic 53

The global shrimp farming industry is worth over $40 billion, with major producers including India, Ecuador, and Thailand

Statistic 54

Seaweed farming is a rapidly growing segment of the marine agribusiness sector, with a global market size of USD 15 billion in 2022

Statistic 55

The global market for seafood processing equipment was valued at approximately $5.2 billion in 2021, with Asia being the largest market

Statistic 56

The global annual fish trade is valued at over $150 billion, with the Asia-Pacific region being the largest contributor

Statistic 57

The global market for seafood packaging is expected to reach $22 billion by 2026, driven by increasing demand and sustainability efforts

Statistic 58

In 2020, the seafood industry faced disruptions due to COVID-19, leading to an estimated loss of $30 billion in global seafood trade

Statistic 59

The global seafood industry has significant tax and revenue impacts, with fisheries contributing billions annually in taxes, tariffs, and export duties

Statistic 60

The global fish processing market is likely to grow at a CAGR of around 6.2% from 2021 to 2028, driven by rising demand for convenience foods

Statistic 61

The use of GPS technology in modern fishing boats has increased efficiency and reduced fuel costs by up to 15%

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The demand for seafood has risen by 20% in the last decade, with Asia as the largest market

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The average size of a fishing boat has increased over the last 30 years, with modern vessels reaching lengths of over 50 meters, improving fishing efficiency

Statistic 64

The use of blockchain technology in seafood supply chains can improve traceability and reduce fraud, with pilot programs showing promising results

Statistic 65

The majority of fish caught are processed into about 1,300 different species products, including fillets, canned, and smoked seafood

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Key Highlights

The global fishing industry was valued at approximately $240 billion in 2022
Over 90 million people are engaged in fishing worldwide
Aquaculture accounts for nearly 54.4% of global fish production by volume
China is the largest fishing nation, producing about 14.3 million tonnes of seafood annually
The global catch from wild fisheries has plateaued around 90-100 million tonnes per year since 1990
About 20% of the world's fish stocks are overexploited, depleted, or in recovery from depletion
The U.S. fishing industry's gross revenue was approximately $145 billion in 2020
Approximately 4.5 million people in the U.S. are directly involved in commercial fishing and aquaculture
The world's largest fish market is in Tokyo, Japan, handling around 500,000 tonnes of seafood annually
About 50% of the global fish supply is consumed directly by humans
Seafood consumption per capita has increased from approximately 9.9 kg in 1980 to 20.5 kg in 2020 globally
The global fish farming industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% over the last decade
Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of fishery products, with exports valued at over $6 billion in 2021

The global fishing industry, worth nearly $240 billion and supporting over 90 million livelihoods, faces critical challenges from overexploitation, environmental threats, and evolving markets amid a booming demand for seafood and groundbreaking advancements in aquaculture technology.

Aquaculture and Wild Fisheries Data

Aquaculture accounts for nearly 54.4% of global fish production by volume
China is the largest fishing nation, producing about 14.3 million tonnes of seafood annually
The global catch from wild fisheries has plateaued around 90-100 million tonnes per year since 1990
About 20% of the world's fish stocks are overexploited, depleted, or in recovery from depletion
The world's largest fish market is in Tokyo, Japan, handling around 500,000 tonnes of seafood annually
About 50% of the global fish supply is consumed directly by humans
Seafood consumption per capita has increased from approximately 9.9 kg in 1980 to 20.5 kg in 2020 globally
The majority of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing accounts for about 20-32% of the total fishing activity
The use of artificial reefs can increase local fish biomass by up to 400%
Over 3 billion people rely on fish as their primary source of protein, especially in developing countries
Global fish stocks are projected to decline by 11 million tonnes by 2030 if current overfishing trends continue
The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) concept is used to determine the most fish that can be caught without depleting the stock
In 2020, global fish consumption per capita in Asia reached 38 kg, significantly higher than the global average
About 30% of the world's fish stocks are overfished, which is a significant concern for global food security
The United Nations estimates that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing accounts for 15-18% of the global catch, worth approximately $10-23 billion annually
About 7% of global fish stocks are fully exploited, while 66% are either overexploited or depleted, indicating unsustainable fishing practices
The average profit margin for commercial fishermen in the U.S. is around 10-15%, influenced by fuel prices, regulations, and market demand
The use of remote sensing technology helps monitor illegal fishing activities in real-time, improving enforcement efforts
Fish farming in freshwater accounts for approximately 54% of total aquaculture production, with significant growth in Asia
The most common fishing gear used globally is trawl nets, which account for about 40% of global catches
The Pacific Ocean supplies about 10% of the world's fish catch annually, making it a vital region for global fisheries
Globally, aquaculture now accounts for more than 50% of all seafood consumed, a significant shift from traditional wild catches
Over the last 50 years, fish consumption has increased more than fourfold globally, from around 4 kg per person to over 20 kg
The European Union is one of the leading seafood markets, with a per capita fish consumption of around 24 kg in 2020
The world’s largest fish stock, the Peruvian anchoveta, accounts for roughly 9% of the world’s fish catch, but is highly vulnerable to overfishing and climate change
Approximately 80% of the seafood consumed globally is sourced from developing countries, highlighting their importance in the industry
The majority of seafood imports in the U.S. come from Canada, China, Ecuador, and Mexico, accounting for over 60% of total imports
The global market for wild-caught fish is declining, with wild catch volumes decreasing by 2% annually since 2010, due to overfishing and environmental changes
The global consumption of farmed seafood surpassed wild-caught seafood in 2019 for the first time, marking a major milestone in fisheries management
The global marine aquaculture production increased by about 45% between 2010 and 2020, reflecting rapid industry growth
In developing countries, small-scale fisheries supply over 50% of the fish consumed locally, making them critical to food security

Aquaculture and Wild Fisheries Data Interpretation

With wild fisheries plateauing and overexploitation threatening global fish stocks, aquaculture now supplies over half of our seafood—yet unless fishing practices are sustainably managed, today's catch might turn into tomorrow's fishmonger’s myth.

Employment and Workforce Demographics

Over 90 million people are engaged in fishing worldwide
Approximately 4.5 million people in the U.S. are directly involved in commercial fishing and aquaculture
The average age of a commercial fisherman in the U.S. is around 50 years old, indicating an aging workforce
The global seafood industry employs over 300 million people worldwide, direct and indirect
The commercial fishing industry is a significant contributor to employment in coastal regions, providing livelihood for millions worldwide
The employment rate in the seafood processing sector varies significantly between regions, with up to 35% of employment in some Asian countries

Employment and Workforce Demographics Interpretation

With over 90 million engaged globally and a U.S. commercial fishing workforce averaging 50 years old, the seafood industry, vital to coastal livelihoods and employing over 300 million worldwide, faces the pressing challenge of renewing its aging fleet amid regionally uneven employment landscapes—highlighting both its economic significance and urgent need for sustainable succession planning.

Environmental Impact and Pollution

Overfishing costs the global economy approximately $83 billion annually in lost fisheries productivity
Marine protected areas (MPAs) cover about 7.5% of the world's oceans, aiming to conserve marine biodiversity
Over 60% of global fish stocks are under threat due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution
Fisheries subsidies amounted to approximately $35 billion globally in 2019, potentially encouraging overfishing
The productivity of illegal fishing operations is estimated to be up to three times higher than legal fisheries, due to lack of regulation
The use of selective fishing gear can reduce bycatch by up to 50%, helping conserve non-target species
Larger fishing vessels (over 100 meters) are associated with higher incidences of illegal fishing activities, according to enforcement agencies
The environmental impact of fishing includes bycatch mortality of approximately 10-20% of global catches, affecting non-target species
Marine pollution from fishing gears, especially lost or discarded nets, accounts for a significant portion of ocean plastic pollution, weighing an estimated 640,000 tons annually

Environmental Impact and Pollution Interpretation

While the battered global fishing industry suffers staggering economic losses and environmental degradation—costing $83 billion yearly and harming over 60% of fish stocks—targeted solutions like expanding marine protected areas, promoting selective gear use, and cracking down on illegal vessels remain urgent steps to ensure the ocean’s bounty endures for future generations.

Industry Revenue and Valuation

The global fishing industry was valued at approximately $240 billion in 2022
The U.S. fishing industry's gross revenue was approximately $145 billion in 2020
The global fish farming industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% over the last decade
Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of fishery products, with exports valued at over $6 billion in 2021
Salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest are among the most economically significant fisheries in the U.S., generating over $100 million annually
The fishing industry in Norway generates over $8 billion annually, with major exports including cod, haddock, and salmon
The global shrimp farming industry is worth over $40 billion, with major producers including India, Ecuador, and Thailand
Seaweed farming is a rapidly growing segment of the marine agribusiness sector, with a global market size of USD 15 billion in 2022
The global market for seafood processing equipment was valued at approximately $5.2 billion in 2021, with Asia being the largest market
The global annual fish trade is valued at over $150 billion, with the Asia-Pacific region being the largest contributor
The global market for seafood packaging is expected to reach $22 billion by 2026, driven by increasing demand and sustainability efforts
In 2020, the seafood industry faced disruptions due to COVID-19, leading to an estimated loss of $30 billion in global seafood trade
The global seafood industry has significant tax and revenue impacts, with fisheries contributing billions annually in taxes, tariffs, and export duties
The global fish processing market is likely to grow at a CAGR of around 6.2% from 2021 to 2028, driven by rising demand for convenience foods

Industry Revenue and Valuation Interpretation

With a valuation soaring beyond $240 billion in 2022 and a steady annual growth trajectory propelled by aquaculture and global trade, the fishing industry exemplifies both economic fishiness and resilience—though recent setbacks, like the COVID-19 pandemic’s $30 billion blow, remind us that even the deepest waters have their turbulence.

Market Trends and Industry Developments

The use of GPS technology in modern fishing boats has increased efficiency and reduced fuel costs by up to 15%
The demand for seafood has risen by 20% in the last decade, with Asia as the largest market
The average size of a fishing boat has increased over the last 30 years, with modern vessels reaching lengths of over 50 meters, improving fishing efficiency
The use of blockchain technology in seafood supply chains can improve traceability and reduce fraud, with pilot programs showing promising results
The majority of fish caught are processed into about 1,300 different species products, including fillets, canned, and smoked seafood

Market Trends and Industry Developments Interpretation

As the fishing industry harnesses cutting-edge technology from GPS and blockchain to boost efficiency and transparency, it also faces the rising tide of global demand and larger vessels, reminding us that innovation and sustainability must swim together in today's seafood catch.