Production from fish farms will grow by as much as 4.14 percent annually through 2022, a new report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicates. The authors of the report are optimistic that aquaculture will contribute to feeding the growing world population.

“The primary reason for increased optimism is that there is ample room for catching up with more productive technologies, especially in Asia, where many fish farmers are small and unable to foot the hefty capital outlays the industry requires to expand output without running into resource constraints,” said Audun Lem of UN FAO.”

Farmed fish has now exceeded captured fish in terms of the rate of human consumption.  Globally, consumption of fish per capita has doubled since 1970. Some view farmed fish as a means to sustainably provide protein to a growing population, without further stressing greatly impacted natural fisheries.

The report, which provides an economic analysis of the situation, projecting out through 2030, is available from the UN FAO site by clicking here.

 

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