FAO releases the most detailed global assessment of marine fish stocks to date | FAO News

Rome/Nice, France – Some of the world’s marine fisheries are recovering under strong, science-based management, but many others remain under pressure, according to a report launched today at the UN Ocean Conference by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It shows just how far effective governance can go & how urgently those gains need to be replicated.

The Review of the state of world marine fishery resources – 2025 reports on the biological sustainability of 2 570 individual fish stocks, a major increase from previous editions of the report. Informed by over 650 experts from more than 200 institutions & over 90 countries, this participatory & inclusive report analyzes trends across all FAO marine fishing areas & offers the clearest picture to date of how global marine fisheries are faring.

The report confirms that 64.5 percent of all fishery stocks are exploited within biologically sustainable levels, with 35.5 percent of stocks classified as overfished. When weighted by their production levels, 77.2 percent of the fisheries landings globally come from biologically sustainable stocks.  

In marine fishing areas under effective fisheries management, sustainability rates far exceed the global average. In the Northeast Pacific, for example, 92.7 percent of stocks are sustainably fished.

“Effective management remains the most powerful tool for conserving fisheries resources. This review provides an unprecedentedly comprehensive understanding, enabling more informed decision-making based on data,” said QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO. “This report gives governments the evidence they need to shape policy & coordinate coherently.”

Regional insights: where management works, fish stocks thrive

Nearly two-thirds of marine stocks are fished within biologically sustainable levels globally & in recent years overfishing has been rising by about 1 percent per year on average. In addition, the gap between well-managed & underperforming areas remains stark.

In the Northeast Pacific (Area 67) & Southwest Pacific (Area 81), long-term investment & robust management frameworks are paying off. Sustainability rates of all individual stocks reach 92.7 percent & 85 percent respectively, & these stocks are responsible for an estimated 99 percent & 95.7 percent of the 2021 landings in these regions.

In the Antarctic (Areas 48, 58, & 88), 100 percent of the stocks assessed are fished sustainably. This is the first time this region has been included in this report, & while small in volume these fisheries demonstrate what is possible with ecosystem-based management & international cooperation.

“Positive outcomes like the Antarctic, Northeast Pacific, & Southwest Pacific reflect the benefit for sustainable fishery management of having strong institutions, consistent & comprehensive monitoring, the integration of scientific evidence into management decisions & the implementation of precautionary & ecosystem-based approaches,” said David Agnew, Executive Secretary of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, who contributed to the review.

The Mediterranean & the Black Sea (Area 37) show early signs of recovery. Although only 35.1 percent of stocks are sustainably fished, fishing pressure has dropped 30 percent, & biomass has risen 15 percent since 2013. This shows that regional cooperation & national efforts are starting to make a difference.

Not all areas are on track. While some show real progress, others remain under intense pressure. 

In the Southeast Pacific (Area 87), only 46 percent of stocks are sustainably fished, while the Eastern Central Atlantic (Area 34) stands at 47.4 percent. These regions include countries where fisheries are central to food security & nutrition, employment, & poverty reduction, particularly through small-scale & artisanal operations. But with limited institutional capacity, fragmented governance, & major data gaps, these areas face steeper trade-offs & tighter constraints.

Species-level results: tuna stands out, deep-sea species under pressure

Among the 10 most landed marine species, including anchoveta, Alaska pollock, skipjack tuna, & Atlantic herring, 60 percent of assessed stocks are sustainable. When weighted by their volume of production, 85.8 percent of landings are estimated to come from biologically sustainable stocks.

Tuna & tuna-like species stand out, with 87 percent of assessed stocks sustainable, & 99 percent of landings coming from sustainable sources.

In these areas, a commitment to effective fisheries management – the application of science-based policies, regulatory measures, & compliance systems – has ensured the sustainability of marine fisheries & the benefits they provide.

But not all species are doing as well. Deep-sea species remain vulnerable, with only 29 percent of stocks sustainably fished. The report also flags concern over highly migratory sharks, often caught as bycatch in tuna fisheries. While 57 percent of stocks assessed are sustainable, lack of consistent international management continues to hinder recovery efforts.

Closing the gaps: turning science into action

Despite major advances in data coverage, gaps persist, especially in small-scale fisheries where insufficient coverage of landing sites increases assessment uncertainties. FAO urges countries to invest in data collection & management systems, & science-based approaches, & to close capacity gaps & align sustainability goals, to keep fisheries on track.

“We now have the clearest picture ever of the state of marine fisheries. The evidence shows what works & where we are falling short,” Qu said. “The next step is clear: governments must scale up what works & act with urgency to ensure marine fisheries deliver for people & planet . This is the essence of FAO’s Blue Transformation, a call to build more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient & more sustainable aquatic food systems to increase their contribution to global food security, meet nutrition requirements & improve livelihoods of a growing population.”