The total volume of production from wild-catch fisheries is expected to reach 94 million tons in 2025, up from approximately 93 million tons averaged between 2013 and 2015, according to the FAO report, "The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2016." The primary reason for the stagnation in production is that fact that most stocks are fully exploited.
“The 10 most productive species accounted for about 27 percent of the world’s marine capture fisheries production in 2013. Most of their stocks are fully fished and, therefore, have no potential for increases in production, while some stocks are overfished and increases in their production may be possible only after their successful restoration,” the report said.
The key factor toward maintaining the current production levels of the world’s oceans will be reducing overfishing and achieving a greater share of fish stocks harvested within biologically sustainable levels, according to the FAO. While 68.5 percent of the world’s wild fish stocks caught in 2013 were fished within biologically sustainable levels, the FAO estimated that 31.5 percent of fish stocks were overfished in 2013. That total includes 41 percent of tuna stocks – one of the most important fish species globally.
Other major contributors to the continuing steady production of seafood include declining oil prices, the recovery of fish stocks currently under management plans, the reduction of discards and waste (the FAO estimates between 27 and 35 percent of landed fish are lost, discarded, or wasted between landing and consumption), and the increasing efficiency of fishmeal production.
The last two factors will increasingly become more intertwined through 2025, as fishmeal and fish oil producers up the share of residual “leftovers” from fish processing – such as heads, tails, bones, and offal – that they in their products. The amount of fishmeal produced from fish waste is predicted to grow from 29 percent – the average of the years 2013 through 2015 – to 38 percent in 2025. The total amount of fishmeal and fish oil production will be 5.1 million tons and one million tons, respectively – representing a 15 percent jump from the 2013-2015 average. The FAO estimates that 96 percent of that growth will come from the increased use of fish waste.
Despite the inherent limitations on their yields, wild-capture fisheries will continue to be a vital part of the seafood industry and of feeding the world’s population. Continuing the work of improving the sustainability of the world’s catch is vital not just to maintaining current levels of seafood production, but also in achieving the humanitarian goal of alleviating poverty, the report said.
“Progress in ensuring the sustainability of capture fisheries and aquaculture and their contribution to the fight against hunger and poverty and to economic and social development is critical,” the FAO said.
Success stories, such as the rebuilding of the hake fishery in Namibia, the abalone stock in Mexico, and laws curbing overfishing in Australia, the European Union, and the United States, are evidence that progress is being made.
“Such success stories prove that overfished stocks can be rebuilt, and rebuilding will lead to higher yields and substantive social and economic benefits,” the report concluded.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
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