The latest report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), “The State of World Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – 2025”, offers the most comprehensive insight to date into the state of global marine fisheries, covering 2,570 individual fish stocks.
According to the report, 64.5 percent of global fish stocks are being exploited within biologically sustainable limits, while 35.5 percent are overfished. When results are weighted by catch volume, a significant 77.2 percent of total production comes from sustainable sources.
More than 650 experts from over 200 institutions across 90 countries contributed to the development of this report. Particular attention is drawn to regions like the northeast Pacific, where 92.7 percent of stocks are harvested sustainably, and the southwest Pacific, with 85 percent sustainable stocks. In Antarctica, for the first time since its inclusion in the report, 100 percent of assessed stocks have been rated as sustainable, thanks to an ecosystem-based approach and strong international cooperation.
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On the other hand, worrisome trends have been observed in regions such as the southeast Pacific (46 percent sustainable stocks) and the eastern-central Atlantic (47.4 percent). In these areas, challenges are heightened due to weak institutional support, fragmented management, and a lack of reliable data.
Among the ten most commonly caught fish species—including tuna—a remarkable 85.8 percent of the total catch comes from sustainable stocks. Tuna stands out as a success story: 87 percent of tuna stocks are sustainable, and 99 percent of the catch originates from these sources, thanks to science-based policies and efficient monitoring systems.
However, deep-sea species are under serious pressure, with only 29 percent of stocks rated as sustainable, and there is growing concern over migratory sharks, often caught as bycatch in tuna fisheries.
The FAO emphasizes the need for additional investment in data collection systems and the strengthening of management capacities, particularly in small-scale and artisanal fisheries, where data gaps remain significant.
“Effective fisheries management remains the most powerful tool for preserving resources. This report demonstrates how well-managed systems deliver tangible results,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.
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