World fishing and aquaculture production was 223.2 million tons in 20224.4% more than in 2020, according to the most recent report on that economic sector, released this Friday by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The study explained that the Aquaculture animal production surpassed that of capture fisheries for the first timeconstituting 51% of the total animals.
Despite this achievement, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu stated that more transformative and adaptive actions are needed “to strengthen the efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability of aquatic food systems and consolidate their role in the fight against insecurity.” food, poverty alleviation and sustainable governance”.
Qu added that his agency advocates “blue transformation” to meet the overall requirements of better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, without leaving anyone behind.”
Latin America
Latin America and the Caribbean produced 17.7 million tons of fishing and aquaculture production, 8% of the world total.
Currently, a small number of countries dominate aquaculture in the region. Chile and Ecuador represent 53% of the total aquaculture production of aquatic animals in Latin America and the Caribbean, and both are among the top ten countries in the world.
The FAO representative for the region, Mario Lubetkin, said that specific policies, technology transfer, Capacity building and responsible investment are crucial to boost sustainable aquaculture where it is needed most.
“We must promote the effective and sustainable management of all fisheries, and the sustainable intensification and expansion of aquaculture, to enhance the contribution of aquatic food systems to food security, poverty eradication and the sustainable use of natural resources ”Lubetkin stressed.
The capital of Costa Rica, San José, will host the high-level event on ocean action Immersed in change, where the report will be presented tomorrow.
Aquatic products are key to nutrition
The FAO noted that the record production of seafood underlines the potential of the sector to combat food insecurity and malnutrition.
Global consumption of seafood reached 162.5 million tons in 2021. Per capita consumption in 1961 was 9.1 kg and in 2022 it reached 20.7 kg, That is, it grew at twice the rate of the world population.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, consumption was seven million tons, reflecting a per capita consumption of 10.7 kg. Although there is great variability between countries, the regional average is only lower than that of Africa, and is far behind the world average.
FAO stressed the importance of support increased consumption of sustainable sources in the region to promote healthy diets and improve nutrition.
High quality proteins
Aquatic animal foods provide high-quality protein and key nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. In 2021, they provided at least 20% of the per capita protein supply from all animal sources to 3.2 billion people worldwide.
The report indicated that global production of Capture fishing has remained stable since the late 1980s. In 2022, the sector produced 92.3 million tons, of which 11.3 million corresponded to inland fishing and 81 million to marine fishing. Despite the growth of aquaculture, capture fisheries remain an essential source of aquatic animal production.
Peru, the largest capture fishery in the region
Capture fishery production in Latin America and the Caribbean was about 12.8 million tons, representing 14% of the world total. Peru, which contributes almost 6% of that fishingis the only country in the region that appears among the top ten global producers of capture fisheries.
The FAO estimated that the Aquatic animal production will increase by 10% in 2032 until reaching 205 million tons, while consumption will increase by 12% to supply an average of 21.3 kg per capita.
Latin America and the Caribbean would need increase your bid by an additional 13%and even more if the region wanted to get closer to the annual global average of 20.7 kg per capita by 2050, evidencing the need to accelerate priority blue transformation actions in a world where aquatic foods play a more significant role to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
Important employment sector
The publication recalls that, in addition to nutrition and food security, fishing and aquaculture are a important source of livelihood.
FAO data indicate that the sector employed andn 2022 to 61.8 million people in the primary sector of fishing and aquaculture.
In Latin America, it is estimated that 2.3 million people worked in the primary sector in that year.
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