Aquaculture Outpaces Wild Catch in China’s Fisheries

The world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. To feed everyone, we need sustainable ways to provide food, especially fish. A recent report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights how important the fishing industry will be in this effort.

In 2022, fish production hit a record high. This increase was largely due to a rise in animal aquaculture, which is when fish are farmed instead of caught in the wild. For the first time, farmed fish outnumbered wild fish catches.

China’s Role in Fish Production

China has been the largest producer of fish since 1989. By 2022, the country produced nearly 40% of all fish in the world. However, its wild fish catch dropped from 14.4 million tonnes in 2015 to 11.8 million tonnes in 2022, a decrease of almost 18%. While wild fish catches have fallen, China has become a leader in aquaculture, driving growth not just in Asia but across the globe.

To address the issue of declining fish stocks from overfishing, China has focused on expanding aquaculture. The country has more fishing boats than any other nation. Many of these boats operate in local waters, which has led to the overfishing of coastal areas. Climate change is also harming nearshore fish populations, including species like the large yellow croaker and sea bream.

Policy Changes for Sustainability

China’s government has been working on policies to protect its fish stocks for the past two decades. This includes reducing the number of fishing vessels and implementing seasonal fishing bans. In 2003, new guidelines were issued to cut down the number of fishing boats, and in 2017, some coastal regions started using fishing quotas to limit catches.

To make up for the reduced catches in its own waters, China has also expanded its distant-water fishing (DWF) operations since 2000. In 2022, DWF production was 2.33 million tonnes, making up almost 18% of the country’s total wild catch. However, this growth has raised concerns from other countries about sustainability and fairness. For example, Chinese fishing operations in West Africa have been criticized for competing with local fishers and harming their livelihoods.

In response to these concerns, the Chinese government has implemented stricter regulations, including a blacklisting system to combat illegal fishing. While the number of DWF vessels increased significantly from 2010 to 2016, the count dropped to 2,551 by 2022. Since 2020, China has limited its DWF operations, including a pause on fishing in certain international waters.

A Shift Towards Aquaculture

With wild fish catches declining, China is increasingly relying on aquaculture. By the end of 2020, aquaculture output was already four times greater than wild catches. This shift is crucial for ensuring food security in the future.

In 2022, Asia harvested 83.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals, with China contributing more than half of this growth. Despite its rapid development, aquaculture in China faces challenges such as pollution from fish farms and the overuse of chemicals.

To make fish farming more sustainable, China began promoting green aquaculture technologies in 2021. This includes controlling waste, reducing drug use, and creating more environmentally friendly feed for fish. The government has also designated different zones for aquaculture to limit environmental damage.

However, there are still gaps in implementing these policies. Many fishers lack the skills and support needed to follow new regulations. The fishing industry in China is vast, with nearly 200,000 active vessels employing millions of people, making management difficult.

China as a Major Fish Exporter

China plays a significant role in the global fishing market. It was the world’s largest exporter of fish products in 2022, with countries like Japan, the US, and South Korea as its main customers. Popular exports include cuttlefish, squid, and cod.

At the same time, China’s imports of fish products have grown. In 2022, it became a net importer of aquatic animal products by value. Countries like Ecuador, Russia, and Vietnam supply a large share of these imports, including shrimp, lobsters, and fish feed.

These trends indicate that China will rely more on aquaculture and imports for its fish supply in the future. The FAO predicts that aquaculture will account for 54% of global fish production by 2032, an increase from 51% in 2022.

In summary, as the world’s population grows, sustainable fish farming will be essential. China is at the forefront of this change, focusing on aquaculture and making important policy shifts to ensure a stable food supply for the future.