ABSTRACT
Global fish production has grown steadily in the last five decades, with food fish supply increasing at an average annual rate of 3.2 percent, outpacing world population growth at 1.6 percent (FAO 2014). World per capita apparent fish consumption increased from an average of 9.9 kg in the 1960s to 19.2 kg in 2012 (preliminary estimate) (FAO 2014). This impressive development has been driven by a combination of population growth, rising incomes and urbanization, and facilitated by the strong expansion of fish production and more efficient distribution channels (FAO 2014). In these conditions, world aquaculture production continues to grow. According to statistics collected globally by FAO, world aquaculture production attained another all-time high of 90.4 million tons (live weight equivalent) in 2012 (US$ 144.4 billion), including 66.6 million tons of food fish (US$ 137.7 billion) (FAO 2014). Table 6.1 shows aquaculture production by region. Aquaculture industry is flourishing in Asian countries, especially China.
