World fish stocks, the marine environ-
ment, the communities and industry that rely upon them, today face unpre-
cedented challenges.

75% of world fisheries are considered to be depleted, over exploited or fully exploited. At the same time, world demand for fish and seafood continues to rise.

Fisheries products are also one of worlds most heavily traded commodi-
ties with an annual turnover of more than 63 billion USD.

World fisheries provide a source of employment for 200 million people, the vast majority being small scale fishing operations in the developing world. Fisheries play an important role to advance socioeconomic development around the globe.