FAO: Aquaculture is the main driver of global seafood production, with marine ingredients playing a key role

A new FAO report shows record high production of aquatic foods and identifies aquaculture as the main driver of future growth. At the same time, the report highlights the importance of making efficient use of marine resources, with fishmeal and fish oil playing an essential role as key ingredients in the production of healthy and sustainable aquaculture products.

Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached its highest level ever in 2024, with a total production of 235 million tonnes, Of this, 195 million tonnes were aquatic animals, while the remainder was algae. The report confirms that aquaculture is the primary driver of growth in global aquatic food production.

Aquaculture is becoming increasingly important for global food security

According to FAO, aquaculture is playing an increasingly important role in ensuring a stable supply of healthy and nutritious food for a growing global population. At the same time, the report emphasises that future development must take place within the framework of sustainable management, technological innovation and efficient resource utilisation.

Although Asia continues to dominate global aquaculture production with almost 90 percent of total output, FAO points to significant untapped potential, particularly in Africa, where targeted investments, capacity building and access to technology could contribute to both improved food security and local economic development.

Fishmeal and fish oil support the development of sustainable aquaculture

The report underlines that the development of sustainable aquaculture depends on access to efficient and nutritionally balanced feed systems. FAO therefore highlights the need for continued innovation in aquaculture feed and improved resource utilisation as an important part of the global Blue Transformation.

Fishmeal and fish oil play an important role as high quality ingredients in feed for many aquaculture species. They provide highly digestible protein, essential amino acids and the long chain omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are essential for fish growth, health and welfare, as well as for the quality of the food products ultimately produced.

FAO also shows that the vast majority of the world’s aquatic products are used directly for human consumption. Only around 11 percent of total production is used for non-human consumption purposes, the largest share of which is used for the production of fishmeal and fish oil.

Growing use of by-products strengthens the circular bioeconomy

An important development highlighted in the report is the increasing use of by-products and processing trimmings from the seafood industry as raw materials for the production of fishmeal and fish oil. While marine ingredients were previously produced primarily from whole fish, an increasing share of raw materials now comes from residual material generated during fish processing for human consumption.

For example, the report shows that 34 percent of global fishmeal production in 2024 was produced from by-products, including trimmings and residual materials from the seafood industry, while 54 percent of global fish oil production was produced from by-products. FAO also notes that this share is expected to increase further in the coming years, supporting the transition towards a circular bioeconomy.

This development contributes to a circular use of marine resources by ensuring that valuable nutrients are utilised rather than wasted. At the same time, it supports a resource efficient value chain in which a greater share of marine resources is fully utilized. FAO describes this development as an important element of a more efficient and sustainable use of global aquatic food production.

Status of fishery resources 

The report assessed 2,665 fish stocks worldwide to evaluate their biological sustainability. Overall, 62% of assessed stocks were classified as biologically sustainable, representing 73% of global landings by volume. While these global figures provide a broad overview, they also mask considerable regional variation. Europe continues to stand out as one of the strongest-performing regions, maintaining a high proportion of sustainably managed fish stocks through the long-term implementation of science-based fisheries management, precautionary harvest strategies, and effective monitoring and enforcement.

Marine ingredients contribute to the Blue Transformation

FAO’s report shows that future growth in aquatic food production will largely come from aquaculture. At the same time, the report emphasises that this growth must be supported by responsible resource management, innovation and efficient value chains.

Marine ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil are an important part of this development. They contribute to the production of healthy and nutritious aquaculture products while also supporting an increasingly circular use of marine resources through the utilisation of by-products from the seafood industry.

As the trade association representing European producers of fishmeal and fish oil, EFFOP works to promote the responsible and sustainable production of marine ingredients. We contributes to the efficient utilisation of marine resources, creates high value from raw materials and supplies essential ingredients that support the development of sustainable global aquaculture and the continued Blue Transformation that FAO identifies as crucial for the future of the global food supply.

Read the report here or click here: FAO SOFIA 2026