Fishing industry

The fishing industry is a massive global network of activities. It involves taking, growing, processing, and selling fish or other seafood products. The Food and Agriculture Organization defines this industry broadly. It includes commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing. It also covers the harvesting, marketing, and processing sectors. This industry is vital for human survival. Over 500 million people in developing countries depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods.

There are three primary sectors within the industry. The commercial sector focuses on making products for sale. This includes wild-catch fishing and aquaculture, which is the farming of aquatic life. This sector is sometimes called the seafood industry. It also produces non-food items like pearls. The traditional sector involves people following customs to gather resources. This is common among aboriginal populations. Finally, the recreational sector is for sport or personal use. People in this sector do not sell what they catch.

Once seafood is harvested, it enters a complex series of related industries. Fish processing is a major part of this chain. It is divided into fish handling and product manufacturing. Handling is the initial stage of working with raw fish. Large companies often own their own fishing fleets. They sell their products to grocery chains or intermediaries. Processing can happen on ships or at land-based plants. There are also two main types of processing. Primary processing involves filleting and freezing fish for retail. Secondary processing creates chilled, frozen, or canned goods.

Seafood provides a huge amount of nutrition for the planet. It is estimated to provide 16% of the world's protein. Many people value the flesh of edible fish species. However, the industry uses many other marine animals for food. This includes shellfish, crustaceans, jellyfish, and sea cucumber. Beyond food, marine life provides many industrial materials. Pearls and mother-of-pearl are highly valued. Sharkskin and rayskin are also used. Some creatures, like sea urchins, are used in traditional medicine. Even pigments like Tyrian purple and sepia come from the ocean.

Scientific research even looks at fish by-products for health. Scientists study fish-derived protein hydrolysates. These are substances made from parts like skin, scales, and bones. They may show anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer activities. These products can also help stabilize food and improve shelf life. Other uses are quite practical. Fish glue has been used for many products for a long time. Isinglass is used to clarify wine and beer. Even fish emulsion is used as a fertilizer for plants.

Despite its importance, the industry faces serious environmental challenges. Overfishing and climate change threaten global food security. In 1974, 90% of fish stocks were at biologically sustainable levels. By 2021, that number dropped to 62.3%. This decline has led to international disputes over fishing rights. One famous example is the "Turbot War" between Canada and the European Union. This began after the collapse of the Atlantic northwest cod fishery in 1992. Another example is the "Cod Wars" between Iceland and the United Kingdom. These conflicts often happen around Exclusive Economic Zones, or EEZs. An EEZ is a specific area of ocean managed by a single country.

Modern efforts focus on making fishing more sustainable. The United Nations has set goals to regulate harvesting and end overfishing. They want to restore fish stocks using science-based management. One group working on this is the Marine Stewardship Council. This is an independent non-profit organization. They set high standards for sustainable fishing. Experts assess fisheries to see if they follow these rules. In Asia, groups like the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission help manage stocks. They impose catch limits on member countries like Canada, Japan, and the United States. These efforts aim to protect the ocean for the future.