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Global Aquaculture Reaches a Historic Milestone, Reinforcing the Industry’s Role in Food Security

Aquaculture has reached a significant milestone in the global food system. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report, farmed aquatic animals accounted for 53% of worldwide aquatic animal production in 2024, surpassing wild-capture fisheries as the leading source of aquatic animals. The achievement reflects decades of growth in fish farming and other forms of aquatic food production, as well as the increasingly important role aquaculture plays in feeding a growing global population.

Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached approximately 235 million metric tons in 2024. Aquaculture produced a record 103 million metric tons of aquatic animals, compared with approximately 92 million metric tons from capture fisheries. When algae are included, total aquaculture production reached approximately 141 million metric tons, with a reported value of $391 billion.

These figures represent more than a production milestone. They demonstrate that aquaculture has become a central component of global food security, providing a growing share of the aquatic foods consumed by people around the world.

A Growing Role in Meeting Global Food Demand

For much of modern history, wild fisheries supplied the majority of the world’s fish and other aquatic animals. However, growth in wild-capture production has largely leveled off, while aquaculture has continued expanding to meet rising demand.

The FAO’s findings indicate that aquaculture supplied more than 59% of aquatic animal foods destined for human consumption in 2024. This distinction is important: although the 53% figure measures aquaculture’s share of total aquatic animal production, its contribution to the food people actually eat is even greater.

The industry is helping meet demand for nutritious protein while providing economic opportunities for producers, processors, feed suppliers, equipment manufacturers, distributors and other businesses throughout the food supply chain. Globally, fisheries and aquaculture support livelihoods for more than 600 million people.

For California, these developments reinforce the importance of maintaining a viable, innovative and competitive domestic aquaculture industry. California producers operate in a market where consumers increasingly expect reliable supplies of high-quality food, while farms must navigate complex permitting requirements, environmental considerations, water-resource constraints and changing market conditions.

Sustainability and Responsible Production Remain Essential

The growth of aquaculture also brings greater responsibility. Continued expansion must be accompanied by effective environmental management, strong animal-health practices, responsible resource use and science-based regulation.

The FAO identifies climate change, aquatic ecosystem degradation, pollution and disease risks as continuing challenges for aquatic food production. Aquaculture operations may face changing water temperatures, extreme weather, water availability concerns and increased pressure to demonstrate responsible environmental performance.

These challenges underscore the value of production systems tailored to local conditions and supported by sound management practices. Depending on the species and production method, aquaculture can include freshwater ponds, raceways, recirculating aquaculture systems, shellfish cultivation and other approaches. No single system is appropriate for every location or species, making practical, science-based decision-making essential.

Innovation in water management, biosecurity, feed formulation, production efficiency and monitoring can help farms improve performance while managing environmental risks. Continued research and collaboration among producers, universities, regulators and industry organizations will be important to making these improvements accessible to farms of different sizes.

An Opportunity for California’s Aquaculture Industry

Although global aquaculture production is substantial, production remains concentrated in a relatively small number of countries. Asia accounted for approximately 89% of global aquatic animal aquaculture production in 2024. This concentration highlights the importance of understanding international competition while recognizing opportunities for responsible domestic production.

California’s aquaculture businesses have the potential to contribute to regional food security, support rural and coastal economies, supply specialized markets and strengthen domestic production capacity. Realizing that potential, however, requires a business and regulatory environment in which responsible producers can invest, innovate and plan for the long term.

The global figures also provide a useful foundation for public education. Aquaculture is no longer a marginal contributor to the food supply; it is a major source of aquatic foods. Communicating that reality accurately can help policymakers, consumers and community stakeholders better understand the industry’s role and the importance of sound production practices.

For the California Aquaculture Association, the milestone reinforces the need to advocate for policies that recognize aquaculture as an important part of California agriculture and the broader food system. That includes supporting science-based regulation, responsible environmental stewardship, workforce development, research and innovation, and practical pathways for sustainable industry growth.

Looking Ahead

The global aquaculture industry has demonstrated that farmed aquatic animals can supply a majority of the world’s aquatic animal production. The next challenge is ensuring that continued growth is environmentally responsible, economically viable and resilient to changing conditions.