Aquaculture now outpaces wild fishing in global seafood supply

The farming of seafood has expanded quickly over the past few decades. Known as aquaculture, this industry now produces more fish and shellfish than wild fishing does. The shift has helped meet rising demand while easing pressure on ocean stocks. Aquaculture covers more than just fish farming. It also includes crustaceans like prawns and aquatic plants such as seaweed. The industry has grown so much that, since 2013, farmed seafood has surpassed wild catch in global supply.

The Asia-Pacific region leads the market, holding 63.25% of production in 2024. That year, it generated 167.1 million tons of fish and aquaculture products. China remains the top producer worldwide, while Norway dominates in farmed salmon, supplying over half of global consumption. With aquaculture now outpacing wild fishing, the industry plays a key role in feeding the world's appetite for seafood. Regions like Asia-Pacific and countries such as China and Norway continue to shape its growth. The expansion helps balance demand while reducing strain on natural fish populations.