Have we reached peak fish?

Humans are eating more seafood than ever, and we are removing fish from the ocean at a far greater rate than they can replenish. What can be done?

Seafood is a vital source of protein for more than 3.3 billion people. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects the need for a 15% increase in global fish consumption by 2030; its director-general, QU Dongyu, calls the growth of fisheries and aquaculture vital in our efforts to end global hunger and malnutrition".

There's one big problem: the growth rate of the global wild-fish catch peaked in 1963 and plateaued in the 1990s. It has been in slow decline the past few years. When it comes to the wild-fish catch, we are most likely past peak fish".