Asia Leads in Aquaculture Production with Over 90% of Farmed Seafood

  • Global aquatic animal farming surpasses wild-caught harvesting for the first time
  • FAO’s report highlights the nutritional benefits of farmed seafood
  • Asia accounts for over 90% of global aquaculture production
  • Farmed and fished aquatic animals primarily used for human consumption

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that for the first time, the global volume of farmed fish, shrimp, clams, and other aquatic animals surpassed the amount caught in the wild. In 2022, the total catch and harvest reached over 185 million tons. The report attributes this milestone to stagnating fisheries and increasing awareness of the nutritional benefits of farmed seafood. Aquaculture has also had a lesser environmental impact compared to land animal farming. Asia is responsible for more than 90% of global aquatic animal production, with 90% of these animals being used for human consumption.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the shift in global aquatic animal harvesting from wild fishing to farming, citing data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s report. It also mentions the nutritional benefits of aquaculture and the regions where most farmed or fished animals are consumed. However, it lacks some details on the specific methods and impacts of aquaculture, as well as the environmental consequences.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the shift in global aquatic animal harvesting trends but lacks depth and analysis. It could benefit from more context on the environmental impact of aquaculture and a comparison between wild-caught and farmed animals.
Key People: Manuel Barange (head of FAO’s fisheries and aquaculture division)

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Fishing and aquaculture industries
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a significant change in global fishing trends, with aquaculture surpassing wild-caught fish for the first time. This could impact the fishing industry and may have implications for companies involved in these sectors.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com