FAO Report: Positive Progress in European Fisheries Strengthens Sustainable Supply for Marine Ingredients

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has just released its most comprehensive assessment to date of global marine fishery resources, incorporating data up to 2021 and contributions from over 650 experts across 92 countries.

Global Snapshot: Signs of Stability in Major Fisheries

The global picture is mixed, but there are encouraging signals:

• 64.5% of fish stocks worldwide were fished at biologically sustainable levels in 2021.

• Crucially, when looking at volume, 77.2% of total global landings came from sustainable stocks — a clear sign that larger, well-managed fisheries are performing well.

• This underlines the impact of effective fisheries management and the potential for positive change.

Europe Leads on Sustainability in the Northeast Atlantic

The Northeast Atlantic (Area 27) — a core region for European fisheries and marine ingredients — stands out as a success story:

• 75.8% of assessed stocks in the region were at sustainable levels in 2021.

• Even more impressively, 86.6% of landings were from sustainable stocks.

• These figures have steadily improved since 2007, thanks to Total Allowable Catches (TACs), the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, and strong science coordination through ICES.

This demonstrates that long-term, coordinated fisheries management in Europe is delivering real results — securing the future of important fish stocks and underpinning supply stability for the fishmeal and fish oil industry.

Growing Momentum in the Mediterranean and Black Sea

While challenges persist in the Mediterranean and Black Sea (Area 37), recent efforts are beginning to show promise:

• The share of sustainably exploited stocks has grown to 35.1%, and

• 56.9% of landings now come from sustainable sources.

Ongoing regional cooperation, multiannual management plans, and improved data collection are laying the groundwork for future gains.

What This Means for the Fishmeal and Fish Oil Sector

For Europe’s fishmeal and fish oil producers, the report brings good news:

• Key raw material species such as sprat and blue whiting remain within safe biological limits, particularly in the Northeast Atlantic.

• Precautionary, science-based management is helping to ensure long-term availability of responsibly sourced material — a cornerstone of industry sustainability.

With aquaculture expanding globally, this stable foundation in Europe is a strategic asset for marine ingredient supply chains.

EFFOP’s Response

EFFOP warmly welcomes the FAO’s findings, which validate the importance of strong regional governance and science-driven policy. Europe’s progress demonstrates that sustainable fisheries are achievable — and essential — for the future of the blue bioeconomy.

We reaffirm our commitment to:

• Promoting sustainable raw material sourcing

• Supporting science-based decision-making

• Collaborating across borders to safeguard fish stocks

The fishmeal and fish oil sector depends on healthy oceans — and we are proud to be part of the solution.

Find the whole report here or download here: FAO – Review of the state of world marine fishery resources – 2025