According to the 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a new record high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022, marking a 4.4 percent increase from 2020. Of this total, 185.4 million tonnes consisted of aquatic animals and 37.8 million tonnes of algae. This milestone highlights the increasing importance of seafood as a crucial source of nutrition for people worldwide.
While the rapid expansion of aquaculture presents numerous opportunities, it also brings significant challenges, particularly for small-scale producers who make up a substantial portion of the industry. These producers often face obstacles such as disease outbreaks, environmental degradation, and market volatility.
Disease outbreaks are a major threat to aquaculture, leading to substantial economic losses and jeopardizing the livelihoods of nearly 60 million people employed in aquatic animal production. Globally, these outbreaks cost the industry over US$6 billion annually. Small-scale producers, especially those in remote areas with limited access to veterinary services, are especially vulnerable to these risks (World Organisation for Animal Health, 2021).
Climate change is another significant concern. A 2023 study revealed that more than 90 percent of seafood production is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Major producers in Asia and the United States face the greatest threats, including water pollution from agricultural runoff, inland warming, changes in precipitation patt