Fishery

A fishery is a complex system of activities focused on harvesting aquatic life.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines it as any activity leading to the harvest of fish. This includes capturing wild fish from their natural habitats. It also includes aquaculture, which is the practice of raising fish in controlled environments. A fishery is often defined by several specific features. These include the people involved, the species being targeted, and the area of water or seabed used. It also considers the methods of fishing, the types of boats used, and the ultimate purpose of the activity.

To understand how fisheries function, one must distinguish between different types of aquatic life. In biology, a "true fish" is a vertebrate that uses gills throughout its life. Most true fish belong to a group called teleosts, often referred to as finfish. However, the term "fish" in a fishery context is much broader. It serves as a collective term for any aquatic animal harvested for economic value. This includes mollusks, such as oysters, and crustaceans, such as shrimp. It can even include echinoderms or aquatic plants like kelp.

Fisheries are categorized into three main sectors: commercial, recreational, and subsistence. Commercial fisheries are driven by profit and can be divided into wild capture and fish farming. Wild capture fisheries include industrial-scale operations and small-scale or artisanal fishing. About 90 percent of the world's fishery catches come from the oceans and seas. Most marine fisheries operate near the coast. This is because shallow coastal waters are easier to navigate. These areas also benefit from coastal upwelling and land runoff, which provide abundant nutrients.

Inland fisheries represent about 10 percent of the total global catch. These occur in freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers. In 2022, inland fisheries produced 11.3 million tonnes of food. This production was concentrated in Asia, which provided 63.4 percent of the total. Africa provided 29.4 percent. Major producers in this sector included India, Bangladesh, and China. While aquaculture is growing, most wild fisheries remain the primary source of catch. Aquaculture often takes place in coastal areas or inland in tanks and ponds.

Historically, fisheries were managed using a "first-come, first-served" approach. This meant there were few rules regarding who could fish or how much they could take. However, modern challenges have forced a change in how we manage these resources. Overfishing, or taking fish faster than populations can recover, is a major threat. Marine pollution and the destruction of coastal ecosystems also create uncertainty. Today, jurisdiction is established through a mix of local laws and international treaties. These legal regimes aim to prevent conflict and ensure economic stability.

Fisheries hold massive economic and social significance for the global population. Approximately 500 million people are economically dependent on these activities. In 2022, small-scale fisheries contributed 40 percent of the global catch. This sector supports 90 percent of the capture fisheries workforce. Women are vital to this industry, representing 40 percent of the small-scale workforce. In terms of global value, it was estimated in 2014 that fisheries added US$270 billion annually to the global GDP.

In 2016, total fish production reached a record high of 171 million tonnes. Most of this, about 88 percent, was used for direct human consumption. This led to a record per capita consumption of 20.3 kg. Despite these high numbers, the industry faces significant environmental hurdles. Climate change is altering ocean conditions, which may extend some fisheries while reducing the sustainability of others. To address this, international goals like Sustainable Development Goal 14, "Life Below Water," focus on preserving ecosystems. These efforts aim to support sustainable practices for coastal communities worldwide.