by Helga Josupeit Helga Josupeit
FAO-GLOBEFISH
Rome, June 2003

Total world fish production (capture plus aquaculture) in 2001 is estimated at 129.3 million tonnes, slightly below previous year’s production of 130.4 million tonnes. The decline in 2001 was due primarily to decreased catches of small pelagics fisheries in South America, particularly in Peru. Of the total world production in 2001, fish capture accounted for 91.8 million tonnes.
This is 3 million tonnes short of the 2000 record capture. Aquaculture production continued to expand in 2001, reaching 37.5 million tonnes, or 29 percent of total fisheries production, compared to a share of just 15 percent in 1990.

[Cont.]