GITNUXREPORT 2026

Overfishing Statistics

Overfishing threatens global fish stocks and marine ecosystems worldwide.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Global economic losses from overfishing estimated at $83 billion annually, per 2021 World Bank.

Statistic 2

Overfishing costs the EU €5.4 billion per year in lost revenue and jobs, STECF 2022.

Statistic 3

In Indonesia, overfishing leads to $3 billion annual losses in fisheries revenue, per 2020 study.

Statistic 4

Global subsidies for overfishing total $35.4 billion yearly, fueling 35% excess capacity, Sumaila 2021.

Statistic 5

U.S. Northeast multispecies fishery losses from overfishing: $1.2 billion since 1996, NOAA.

Statistic 6

West African fisheries lose $2.3 billion annually to foreign overfishing, ODI 2019.

Statistic 7

Global seafood trade value hit $160 billion in 2020, but overfishing threatens 50% decline by 2050.

Statistic 8

China's distant water fleet costs $5.9 billion in subsidies for overfished stocks, 2020 AidData.

Statistic 9

Overcapacity in global fishing fleets leads to $50 billion in wasteful expenditure yearly, FAO 2018.

Statistic 10

Iceland's cod fishery crash in 1970s cost 20% of GDP temporarily from overfishing.

Statistic 11

IUU fishing generates $23-50 billion illegal profits annually while depleting stocks.

Statistic 12

Small island nations lose $500 million yearly to illegal overfishing in EEZs, UN 2022.

Statistic 13

Overfishing in the Black Sea caused 80% drop in turbot revenue since 1990s.

Statistic 14

Global aquaculture growth of 5.2% offsets only 20% of capture declines from overfishing.

Statistic 15

Job losses from overfished stocks: 200,000 in EU fisheries since 2008, per 2022 report.

Statistic 16

Overfishing subsidies in developing countries total $20 billion, distorting markets, 2021.

Statistic 17

U.S. Gulf of Mexico red snapper overfishing cost $300 million in recreational losses 2010s.

Statistic 18

Global fish prices rose 30% since 2010 due to supply shortages from overfishing.

Statistic 19

Thailand's shrimp fishery overcapacity led to $1 billion losses 2015-2020.

Statistic 20

Overfished stocks reduce MSY by 20-50% globally, costing $10-20 billion, Hillard 2020.

Statistic 21

Pacific Island tuna fisheries lose $400 million to foreign fleets annually.

Statistic 22

EU bluefin tuna recovery saved €1.6 billion in revenue since 2009 moratorium.

Statistic 23

Overfishing in Bay of Bengal costs Bangladesh $500 million yearly in exports.

Statistic 24

Global fleet overcapacity: 200% excess, burning $30 billion fuel yearly.

Statistic 25

Collapse of Newfoundland cod fishery cost Canada $4 billion 1992-2010.

Statistic 26

IUU fishing in Southeast Asia: $6.5 billion annual economic loss, 2022.

Statistic 27

Overfishing reduces fishery profits by 13% globally per year, World Bank 2017.

Statistic 28

Alaska pollock fishery sustainable, but past overfishing cost $500 million pre-1980s.

Statistic 29

Global overfishing leads to $83 billion foregone revenue, equivalent to 64% of industry value.

Statistic 30

Overfishing causes habitat destruction costing $100 billion in ecosystem services loss yearly.

Statistic 31

Bottom trawling from overfishing destroys 1.5 billion hooks of seafloor habitat annually.

Statistic 32

Overfishing disrupts food webs, causing jellyfish blooms in 60% of impacted ecosystems.

Statistic 33

Nutrient cycling in overfished reefs reduced by 40%, leading to algal overgrowth, 2021.

Statistic 34

Overfishing of predators increases prey herbivory, shifting seagrass loss by 30%.

Statistic 35

Ghost fishing from lost gear kills 640,000 tonnes of marine life yearly.

Statistic 36

Overfished systems show 50% reduction in trophic level of catches since 1950.

Statistic 37

Coral bleaching exacerbated by overfished reefs lacking grazers, 20% faster decline.

Statistic 38

Bycatch from overfishing kills 300,000 dolphins, whales yearly.

Statistic 39

Overfishing reduces carbon sequestration in mangroves by 25% via prey shifts.

Statistic 40

Ecosystem regime shifts from overfishing occurred in 30% of large marine ecosystems.

Statistic 41

Overfishing increases ocean acidification impacts by 15% through biomass loss.

Statistic 42

Trophic cascades from predator overfishing double invasive species success rates.

Statistic 43

Overfished kelp forests show 60% urchin barren expansion globally.

Statistic 44

Plastic pollution from fishing gear: 75% of ocean plastics are from overfishing nets.

Statistic 45

Overfishing reduces resilience to hypoxia, with 40% more dead zones in fished areas.

Statistic 46

Biodiversity loss from overfishing: 33% fewer species in heavily fished vs. protected areas.

Statistic 47

Overfishing shifts microbial communities, reducing nitrogen fixation by 20%.

Statistic 48

Seabird populations declined 70% linked to overfished prey stocks since 1950.

Statistic 49

Overfishing exacerbates erosion in coastal ecosystems by 25% via sediment destabilization.

Statistic 50

Functional diversity loss in overfished communities: 45% reduction in key traits.

Statistic 51

Overfishing increases disease prevalence in corals by 50% due to grazer loss.

Statistic 52

Oxygen minimum zones expand 20% faster in overfished regions.

Statistic 53

Overfishing reduces wave attenuation by seagrasses, increasing storm damage 30%.

Statistic 54

Ecosystem production potential down 25% in overexploited large marine ecosystems.

Statistic 55

Overfishing linked to 15% increase in harmful algal blooms via nutrient shifts.

Statistic 56

Genetic diversity loss in overfished stocks: 20% reduction per generation.

Statistic 57

The IUCN Red List shows 17% of marine fish species threatened primarily by overfishing in 2023.

Statistic 58

Bluefin tuna populations have declined by 97% in the Atlantic due to overfishing since the 1960s, per ICCAT 2022.

Statistic 59

Overfishing has caused 33% of shark species to be classified as threatened with extinction, IUCN 2020.

Statistic 60

Atlantic cod stocks off Newfoundland collapsed by 99% from overfishing in the 1990s, DFO 2023.

Statistic 61

60% of coral reef fish species in the Indo-Pacific show biomass declines over 50% from overfishing, per 2021 Nature.

Statistic 62

Orange roughy populations are depleted by 80-90% globally due to slow growth and overfishing, FAO 2018.

Statistic 63

Overfishing has led to local extinctions of 20% of large fish species in the Mediterranean, per 2022 WWF.

Statistic 64

Pacific sardine populations crashed by 90% from 2007-2020 due to overfishing and environmental factors, NOAA.

Statistic 65

41% of ray species are critically endangered or endangered primarily from overfishing, IUCN 2021.

Statistic 66

Bigeye tuna in the Pacific is overfished with spawning biomass at 10% of unfished levels, WCPFC 2023.

Statistic 67

Overfishing reduced Northwest Atlantic right whale prey (copepods) indirectly by 50%, per 2019 study.

Statistic 68

25% of global seahorse populations are threatened by incidental overfishing in trawls, IUCN 2022.

Statistic 69

Patagonian toothfish stocks depleted by 70% in Southern Ocean from illegal overfishing pre-2000, CCAMLR.

Statistic 70

Over 50% biomass reduction in groupers across Southeast Asia from overfishing, FAO 2020.

Statistic 71

Yellowfin tuna in Indian Ocean at 20% of unfished spawning stock due to overfishing, IOTC 2022.

Statistic 72

Local extinctions of abalone species in California from overfishing, reaching 99% decline, NOAA 2021.

Statistic 73

37% of freshwater fish species threatened globally, many from overfishing, IUCN 2023.

Statistic 74

Swordfish North Atlantic populations recovered 70% but still 40% below targets from past overfishing, ICCAT.

Statistic 75

Overfishing caused 80% decline in scallop populations in the Sea of Japan, FAO 2019.

Statistic 76

28% of squid stocks in FAO areas are overexploited, leading to population crashes, 2022.

Statistic 77

European eel populations declined 90-95% since 1980 due to overfishing, ICES 2023.

Statistic 78

45% of lobster species assessed are threatened by overfishing, IUCN 2021.

Statistic 79

Overfishing led to collapse of Peruvian anchovovy fishery multiple times, 90% drops, FAO.

Statistic 80

Monkfish in the Gulf of Alaska depleted by 85% from overfishing 1980s-2000s, NOAA.

Statistic 81

22% of bivalve species threatened globally by overharvesting, IUCN 2022.

Statistic 82

Skipjack tuna shows signs of overfishing with F/Fmsy >1.2 in WCPO, WCPFC 2023.

Statistic 83

Overfishing has reduced global fish biodiversity by 15% since 1970, per 2021 BioScience.

Statistic 84

According to the FAO's 2022 SOFIA report, 35.4% of assessed global fish stocks are currently fished at biologically unsustainable levels, marking a steady increase from 10% in the 1970s.

Statistic 85

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization reports that global fish production from capture fisheries peaked at 96.3 million tonnes in 2018 and has since plateaued due to overfishing pressures.

Statistic 86

A 2023 study by Our World in Data indicates that 64% of Atlantic Ocean fish stocks are overfished, the highest regional rate worldwide.

Statistic 87

WWF data from 2021 shows that 90% of large predatory fish populations, like tuna and billfish, have been depleted by overfishing since 1950.

Statistic 88

The European Commission's 2022 report states that 41% of EU-managed fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic are overfished.

Statistic 89

NOAA Fisheries' 2023 assessment reveals that 28% of U.S. managed fish stocks are overfished, down from 37% a decade ago due to management efforts.

Statistic 90

A 2020 IUCN report estimates that 37.4% of all marine fish populations are overexploited globally.

Statistic 91

Global illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing accounts for up to 26% of total catch value, exacerbating overfishing, per a 2019 study.

Statistic 92

The FAO notes that in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, 62.3% of stocks are overexploited as of 2020.

Statistic 93

A 2022 analysis by Sea Around Us shows that 66% of fish stocks in Southeast Asian waters are overfished.

Statistic 94

Global fishing pressure has tripled since 1950, leading to 34% of stocks being overfished in 2017 per FAO.

Statistic 95

In the Western Central Pacific, 58% of key tuna stocks are overfished according to the 2021 WCPFC report.

Statistic 96

Oceana reports that 80% of Pacific bluefin tuna populations are overfished as of 2023.

Statistic 97

A 2019 Nature study found that 63% of EU Atlantic stocks were subject to overfishing in 2018.

Statistic 98

The Global Fishing Watch data from 2022 indicates a 20% increase in fishing hours globally since 2012, driving overfishing.

Statistic 99

In 2020, 39% of assessed stocks in the Indian Ocean were overfished per IOTC.

Statistic 100

FAO 2022 data shows global capture fisheries production stagnated at 90.3 million tonnes from 2015-2020 due to overexploitation.

Statistic 101

75% of global fisheries are fully or overexploited according to a 2021 UNEP report.

Statistic 102

In the Northwest Atlantic, 42% of groundfish stocks are overfished as per NAFO 2023.

Statistic 103

A 2023 study estimates that overfishing has caused a 50% decline in global fish catch potential since 1950.

Statistic 104

55% of shark and ray stocks are overfished globally per IUCN 2020.

Statistic 105

Global trawling effort increased by 67% between 2012 and 2019, per Global Fishing Watch.

Statistic 106

In 2021, 47% of ICES-assessed stocks in the Northeast Atlantic were overfished.

Statistic 107

FAO reports that small-scale fisheries, contributing 40% of catch, suffer from 30% overcapacity.

Statistic 108

70% of fish stocks in West Africa are overexploited due to industrial fleets, per 2022 EDF.

Statistic 109

Global overfishing rates for cephalopods reached 50% in 2020 per FAO.

Statistic 110

A 2023 PLOS study shows 59% of global stocks are maximally sustainably fished or overfished.

Statistic 111

In the Eastern Central Atlantic, 72% of demersal stocks are overfished per CECAF 2021.

Statistic 112

Overfishing has led to a 2.6% annual decline in global fish biomass since 1930, per 2020 Science.

Statistic 113

65% of monitored stocks in the South Atlantic are overfished as of 2022 per SEAFO.

Statistic 114

70% of fisheries management failures due to ignoring ecosystem effects of overfishing.

Statistic 115

Only 0.7% of the ocean is protected from overfishing as MPAs with full enforcement, 2023 MPAtlas.

Statistic 116

58 countries have implemented rights-based fisheries management, reducing overfishing by 20%.

Statistic 117

EU landing obligation reduced discards by 40% but overfishing persists in 37% stocks, 2022.

Statistic 118

Global catch reporting covers only 50% of small-scale fisheries, hindering management.

Statistic 119

25% of RFMOs have harvest control rules preventing overfishing in all stocks.

Statistic 120

U.S. rebuilt 50 overfished stocks since 2000 via Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Statistic 121

IUU listings under Port State Measures cover 90 countries, reducing illegal catch 30%.

Statistic 122

Only 7% of global catch under scientifically set quotas to avoid overfishing.

Statistic 123

Tuna RFMOs reformed harvest strategies in 60% of stocks post-2018 Kobe plot.

Statistic 124

National plans of action against IUU adopted by 120 countries, FAO 2022.

Statistic 125

Marine reserves recover overfished stocks 2x faster, covering 8% of EEZs.

Statistic 126

Catch share programs adopted in 22 countries, stabilizing 70% of managed stocks.

Statistic 127

FAO Code of Conduct compliance: only 40% of members fully implement.

Statistic 128

85 RFMOs and arrangements exist, but only half have binding overfishing limits.

Statistic 129

Subsidies reform: WTO agreement phased harmful subsidies for 54 members.

Statistic 130

Observer coverage on vessels: average 1%, insufficient for overfishing monitoring.

Statistic 131

Ecosystem-based fisheries management in 30 countries, reducing bycatch 25%.

Statistic 132

VMS mandatory in 70% of distant water fleets, improving compliance 15%.

Statistic 133

Stock assessments updated annually for only 20% of global stocks.

Statistic 134

Bans on fish aggregating devices reduced juvenile catch 50% in 5 RFMOs.

Statistic 135

National IUU task forces in 50 countries prosecuted 1,000 cases 2015-2020.

Statistic 136

High-seas fishing closed in 5% of areas via BBNJ treaty progress 2023.

Statistic 137

Quota trading systems in 15 fisheries increased economic efficiency 30%.

Statistic 138

Traceability systems cover 25% of seafood trade, reducing IUU 10%.

Statistic 139

Rebuilding plans successful in 70% of U.S. stocks within timelines.

1/139

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Beneath the waves, a silent crisis is unfolding as more than a third of the world's fish populations are now being hauled from the ocean faster than they can possibly recover, a sobering reality driven by the stark statistics that follow.

Key Takeaways

According to the FAO's 2022 SOFIA report, 35.4% of assessed global fish stocks are currently fished at biologically unsustainable levels, marking a steady increase from 10% in the 1970s.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization reports that global fish production from capture fisheries peaked at 96.3 million tonnes in 2018 and has since plateaued due to overfishing pressures.
A 2023 study by Our World in Data indicates that 64% of Atlantic Ocean fish stocks are overfished, the highest regional rate worldwide.
The IUCN Red List shows 17% of marine fish species threatened primarily by overfishing in 2023.
Bluefin tuna populations have declined by 97% in the Atlantic due to overfishing since the 1960s, per ICCAT 2022.
Overfishing has caused 33% of shark species to be classified as threatened with extinction, IUCN 2020.
Global economic losses from overfishing estimated at $83 billion annually, per 2021 World Bank.
Overfishing costs the EU €5.4 billion per year in lost revenue and jobs, STECF 2022.
In Indonesia, overfishing leads to $3 billion annual losses in fisheries revenue, per 2020 study.
Overfishing causes habitat destruction costing $100 billion in ecosystem services loss yearly.
Bottom trawling from overfishing destroys 1.5 billion hooks of seafloor habitat annually.
Overfishing disrupts food webs, causing jellyfish blooms in 60% of impacted ecosystems.
70% of fisheries management failures due to ignoring ecosystem effects of overfishing.
Only 0.7% of the ocean is protected from overfishing as MPAs with full enforcement, 2023 MPAtlas.
58 countries have implemented rights-based fisheries management, reducing overfishing by 20%.

Overfishing threatens global fish stocks and marine ecosystems worldwide.

Economic Consequences

Global economic losses from overfishing estimated at $83 billion annually, per 2021 World Bank.
Overfishing costs the EU €5.4 billion per year in lost revenue and jobs, STECF 2022.
In Indonesia, overfishing leads to $3 billion annual losses in fisheries revenue, per 2020 study.
Global subsidies for overfishing total $35.4 billion yearly, fueling 35% excess capacity, Sumaila 2021.
U.S. Northeast multispecies fishery losses from overfishing: $1.2 billion since 1996, NOAA.
West African fisheries lose $2.3 billion annually to foreign overfishing, ODI 2019.
Global seafood trade value hit $160 billion in 2020, but overfishing threatens 50% decline by 2050.
China's distant water fleet costs $5.9 billion in subsidies for overfished stocks, 2020 AidData.
Overcapacity in global fishing fleets leads to $50 billion in wasteful expenditure yearly, FAO 2018.
Iceland's cod fishery crash in 1970s cost 20% of GDP temporarily from overfishing.
IUU fishing generates $23-50 billion illegal profits annually while depleting stocks.
Small island nations lose $500 million yearly to illegal overfishing in EEZs, UN 2022.
Overfishing in the Black Sea caused 80% drop in turbot revenue since 1990s.
Global aquaculture growth of 5.2% offsets only 20% of capture declines from overfishing.
Job losses from overfished stocks: 200,000 in EU fisheries since 2008, per 2022 report.
Overfishing subsidies in developing countries total $20 billion, distorting markets, 2021.
U.S. Gulf of Mexico red snapper overfishing cost $300 million in recreational losses 2010s.
Global fish prices rose 30% since 2010 due to supply shortages from overfishing.
Thailand's shrimp fishery overcapacity led to $1 billion losses 2015-2020.
Overfished stocks reduce MSY by 20-50% globally, costing $10-20 billion, Hillard 2020.
Pacific Island tuna fisheries lose $400 million to foreign fleets annually.
EU bluefin tuna recovery saved €1.6 billion in revenue since 2009 moratorium.
Overfishing in Bay of Bengal costs Bangladesh $500 million yearly in exports.
Global fleet overcapacity: 200% excess, burning $30 billion fuel yearly.
Collapse of Newfoundland cod fishery cost Canada $4 billion 1992-2010.
IUU fishing in Southeast Asia: $6.5 billion annual economic loss, 2022.
Overfishing reduces fishery profits by 13% globally per year, World Bank 2017.
Alaska pollock fishery sustainable, but past overfishing cost $500 million pre-1980s.
Global overfishing leads to $83 billion foregone revenue, equivalent to 64% of industry value.

Economic Consequences Interpretation

We are collectively spending tens of billions to subsidize the ocean's bankruptcy, a spectacularly poor investment where the only guaranteed returns are empty nets, lost jobs, and a sea of red ink.

Environmental and Ecosystem Effects

Overfishing causes habitat destruction costing $100 billion in ecosystem services loss yearly.
Bottom trawling from overfishing destroys 1.5 billion hooks of seafloor habitat annually.
Overfishing disrupts food webs, causing jellyfish blooms in 60% of impacted ecosystems.
Nutrient cycling in overfished reefs reduced by 40%, leading to algal overgrowth, 2021.
Overfishing of predators increases prey herbivory, shifting seagrass loss by 30%.
Ghost fishing from lost gear kills 640,000 tonnes of marine life yearly.
Overfished systems show 50% reduction in trophic level of catches since 1950.
Coral bleaching exacerbated by overfished reefs lacking grazers, 20% faster decline.
Bycatch from overfishing kills 300,000 dolphins, whales yearly.
Overfishing reduces carbon sequestration in mangroves by 25% via prey shifts.
Ecosystem regime shifts from overfishing occurred in 30% of large marine ecosystems.
Overfishing increases ocean acidification impacts by 15% through biomass loss.
Trophic cascades from predator overfishing double invasive species success rates.
Overfished kelp forests show 60% urchin barren expansion globally.
Plastic pollution from fishing gear: 75% of ocean plastics are from overfishing nets.
Overfishing reduces resilience to hypoxia, with 40% more dead zones in fished areas.
Biodiversity loss from overfishing: 33% fewer species in heavily fished vs. protected areas.
Overfishing shifts microbial communities, reducing nitrogen fixation by 20%.
Seabird populations declined 70% linked to overfished prey stocks since 1950.
Overfishing exacerbates erosion in coastal ecosystems by 25% via sediment destabilization.
Functional diversity loss in overfished communities: 45% reduction in key traits.
Overfishing increases disease prevalence in corals by 50% due to grazer loss.
Oxygen minimum zones expand 20% faster in overfished regions.
Overfishing reduces wave attenuation by seagrasses, increasing storm damage 30%.
Ecosystem production potential down 25% in overexploited large marine ecosystems.
Overfishing linked to 15% increase in harmful algal blooms via nutrient shifts.
Genetic diversity loss in overfished stocks: 20% reduction per generation.

Environmental and Ecosystem Effects Interpretation

Our voracious appetite for seafood has turned the ocean's intricate clockwork into a billion-dollar wrecking ball, leaving behind a silent, slimy, and increasingly brittle world.

Impact on Marine Species and Biodiversity

The IUCN Red List shows 17% of marine fish species threatened primarily by overfishing in 2023.
Bluefin tuna populations have declined by 97% in the Atlantic due to overfishing since the 1960s, per ICCAT 2022.
Overfishing has caused 33% of shark species to be classified as threatened with extinction, IUCN 2020.
Atlantic cod stocks off Newfoundland collapsed by 99% from overfishing in the 1990s, DFO 2023.
60% of coral reef fish species in the Indo-Pacific show biomass declines over 50% from overfishing, per 2021 Nature.
Orange roughy populations are depleted by 80-90% globally due to slow growth and overfishing, FAO 2018.
Overfishing has led to local extinctions of 20% of large fish species in the Mediterranean, per 2022 WWF.
Pacific sardine populations crashed by 90% from 2007-2020 due to overfishing and environmental factors, NOAA.
41% of ray species are critically endangered or endangered primarily from overfishing, IUCN 2021.
Bigeye tuna in the Pacific is overfished with spawning biomass at 10% of unfished levels, WCPFC 2023.
Overfishing reduced Northwest Atlantic right whale prey (copepods) indirectly by 50%, per 2019 study.
25% of global seahorse populations are threatened by incidental overfishing in trawls, IUCN 2022.
Patagonian toothfish stocks depleted by 70% in Southern Ocean from illegal overfishing pre-2000, CCAMLR.
Over 50% biomass reduction in groupers across Southeast Asia from overfishing, FAO 2020.
Yellowfin tuna in Indian Ocean at 20% of unfished spawning stock due to overfishing, IOTC 2022.
Local extinctions of abalone species in California from overfishing, reaching 99% decline, NOAA 2021.
37% of freshwater fish species threatened globally, many from overfishing, IUCN 2023.
Swordfish North Atlantic populations recovered 70% but still 40% below targets from past overfishing, ICCAT.
Overfishing caused 80% decline in scallop populations in the Sea of Japan, FAO 2019.
28% of squid stocks in FAO areas are overexploited, leading to population crashes, 2022.
European eel populations declined 90-95% since 1980 due to overfishing, ICES 2023.
45% of lobster species assessed are threatened by overfishing, IUCN 2021.
Overfishing led to collapse of Peruvian anchovovy fishery multiple times, 90% drops, FAO.
Monkfish in the Gulf of Alaska depleted by 85% from overfishing 1980s-2000s, NOAA.
22% of bivalve species threatened globally by overharvesting, IUCN 2022.
Skipjack tuna shows signs of overfishing with F/Fmsy >1.2 in WCPO, WCPFC 2023.
Overfishing has reduced global fish biodiversity by 15% since 1970, per 2021 BioScience.

Impact on Marine Species and Biodiversity Interpretation

The statistics paint a dire portrait of our oceans, where we are systematically erasing the cast of characters from a story we haven't even finished reading.

Overfishing Prevalence and Trends

According to the FAO's 2022 SOFIA report, 35.4% of assessed global fish stocks are currently fished at biologically unsustainable levels, marking a steady increase from 10% in the 1970s.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization reports that global fish production from capture fisheries peaked at 96.3 million tonnes in 2018 and has since plateaued due to overfishing pressures.
A 2023 study by Our World in Data indicates that 64% of Atlantic Ocean fish stocks are overfished, the highest regional rate worldwide.
WWF data from 2021 shows that 90% of large predatory fish populations, like tuna and billfish, have been depleted by overfishing since 1950.
The European Commission's 2022 report states that 41% of EU-managed fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic are overfished.
NOAA Fisheries' 2023 assessment reveals that 28% of U.S. managed fish stocks are overfished, down from 37% a decade ago due to management efforts.
A 2020 IUCN report estimates that 37.4% of all marine fish populations are overexploited globally.
Global illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing accounts for up to 26% of total catch value, exacerbating overfishing, per a 2019 study.
The FAO notes that in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, 62.3% of stocks are overexploited as of 2020.
A 2022 analysis by Sea Around Us shows that 66% of fish stocks in Southeast Asian waters are overfished.
Global fishing pressure has tripled since 1950, leading to 34% of stocks being overfished in 2017 per FAO.
In the Western Central Pacific, 58% of key tuna stocks are overfished according to the 2021 WCPFC report.
Oceana reports that 80% of Pacific bluefin tuna populations are overfished as of 2023.
A 2019 Nature study found that 63% of EU Atlantic stocks were subject to overfishing in 2018.
The Global Fishing Watch data from 2022 indicates a 20% increase in fishing hours globally since 2012, driving overfishing.
In 2020, 39% of assessed stocks in the Indian Ocean were overfished per IOTC.
FAO 2022 data shows global capture fisheries production stagnated at 90.3 million tonnes from 2015-2020 due to overexploitation.
75% of global fisheries are fully or overexploited according to a 2021 UNEP report.
In the Northwest Atlantic, 42% of groundfish stocks are overfished as per NAFO 2023.
A 2023 study estimates that overfishing has caused a 50% decline in global fish catch potential since 1950.
55% of shark and ray stocks are overfished globally per IUCN 2020.
Global trawling effort increased by 67% between 2012 and 2019, per Global Fishing Watch.
In 2021, 47% of ICES-assessed stocks in the Northeast Atlantic were overfished.
FAO reports that small-scale fisheries, contributing 40% of catch, suffer from 30% overcapacity.
70% of fish stocks in West Africa are overexploited due to industrial fleets, per 2022 EDF.
Global overfishing rates for cephalopods reached 50% in 2020 per FAO.
A 2023 PLOS study shows 59% of global stocks are maximally sustainably fished or overfished.
In the Eastern Central Atlantic, 72% of demersal stocks are overfished per CECAF 2021.
Overfishing has led to a 2.6% annual decline in global fish biomass since 1930, per 2020 Science.
65% of monitored stocks in the South Atlantic are overfished as of 2022 per SEAFO.

Overfishing Prevalence and Trends Interpretation

We are treating the ocean like a retirement fund we're allowed to raid, with a third of it already overdrawn and the statements showing our withdrawals are only getting greedier.

Policy and Management Stats

70% of fisheries management failures due to ignoring ecosystem effects of overfishing.
Only 0.7% of the ocean is protected from overfishing as MPAs with full enforcement, 2023 MPAtlas.
58 countries have implemented rights-based fisheries management, reducing overfishing by 20%.
EU landing obligation reduced discards by 40% but overfishing persists in 37% stocks, 2022.
Global catch reporting covers only 50% of small-scale fisheries, hindering management.
25% of RFMOs have harvest control rules preventing overfishing in all stocks.
U.S. rebuilt 50 overfished stocks since 2000 via Magnuson-Stevens Act.
IUU listings under Port State Measures cover 90 countries, reducing illegal catch 30%.
Only 7% of global catch under scientifically set quotas to avoid overfishing.
Tuna RFMOs reformed harvest strategies in 60% of stocks post-2018 Kobe plot.
National plans of action against IUU adopted by 120 countries, FAO 2022.
Marine reserves recover overfished stocks 2x faster, covering 8% of EEZs.
Catch share programs adopted in 22 countries, stabilizing 70% of managed stocks.
FAO Code of Conduct compliance: only 40% of members fully implement.
85 RFMOs and arrangements exist, but only half have binding overfishing limits.
Subsidies reform: WTO agreement phased harmful subsidies for 54 members.
Observer coverage on vessels: average 1%, insufficient for overfishing monitoring.
Ecosystem-based fisheries management in 30 countries, reducing bycatch 25%.
VMS mandatory in 70% of distant water fleets, improving compliance 15%.
Stock assessments updated annually for only 20% of global stocks.
Bans on fish aggregating devices reduced juvenile catch 50% in 5 RFMOs.
National IUU task forces in 50 countries prosecuted 1,000 cases 2015-2020.
High-seas fishing closed in 5% of areas via BBNJ treaty progress 2023.
Quota trading systems in 15 fisheries increased economic efficiency 30%.
Traceability systems cover 25% of seafood trade, reducing IUU 10%.
Rebuilding plans successful in 70% of U.S. stocks within timelines.

Policy and Management Stats Interpretation

Our ocean management is a haphazard patchwork of promising progress and alarming gaps, where we celebrate hard-won local victories in one breath while shrugging as the global foundation crumbles from chronic neglect and underfunded oversight.

Sources & References

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