A recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations sheds light on the significant contribution of small-scale fisheries, constituting 40% of the global fishing catch. The study, conducted in collaboration with Duke University and WorldFish, provides a comprehensive analysis based on data from 58 countries and territories, involving 800 researchers, government officials, and consultants.
Asia emerges as a key player, contributing approximately 23 million tonnes out of the 37 million tonnes caught between 2013 and 2017. Small-scale fisheries, characterized by low-tech and low-cost family or community-level fishing along coastlines and rivers, play a crucial role in supporting livelihoods, nutrition, and especially empowering women in the region.
Contrary to previous assessments, the report suggests that the value of the small-scale fisheries sector has been underestimated. The average economic value of annual fishery landings globally from 2013 to 2017 reached almost $77.2 billion, marking a 49% increase since the first study in 2012, which utilized different sources and methods. Small-scale fisheries generated about 44% of the total economic value of fishing catches in the countries studied.
In India, the average annual landing value ranges between $1-4.3 billion, representing 10-25% of the marine catch. In comparison, the United States reported over $4.3 billion in annual landing value. The sector is a major employer, providing jobs for almost 90% of global fisheries employment, with 60.2 million people engaged along the value chain in 2016.
China leads the way with 35.5 million people involved in small-scale fishing, followed by India with 13.1 million. The report emphasizes the significance of the sector as a vital source of employment, particularly for women. Globally, an estimated 44.7 million women participate in the value chains or engage in subsistence activities related to small-scale fisheries, comprising 40% of the people involved.
The report estimates that in 2016, 113 million people were employed along the value chain or engaged in harvesting or processing for subsistence. When considering their household members, small-scale fisheries may be supporting almost half a billion people globally. Additionally, the report highlights the nutritional importance of small-scale fisheries, providing essential nutrients for millions of women in Africa and Asia.