How Much Do Humans Rely On Fish For Survival?

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) has just unveiled their latest findings regarding seafood consumption in the United States in 2021. According to their report, the average American consumed a notable 20.5 pounds of seafood per person during that year, marking a significant increase of 1.5 pounds compared to the previous year, 2020. This information, released on June 7, 2023, sheds light on the growing appetite for seafood among Americans and highlights a positive trend in seafood consumption.

Is our fish consumption reaching unsustainable levels? The world’s growing population is exerting significant pressure on our precious marine resources. Over the past three decades, global seafood consumption has surged by a staggering 122%. This surge in demand has led to a concerning situation, as more than a third of the world’s fish stocks are currently being harvested at levels that exceed their ability to replenish naturally. This alarming trend, as of August 1, 2021, highlights the urgent need for sustainable practices in the fishing industry to ensure the long-term health of our oceans and the availability of fish for future generations.

If we examine the composition of life in our oceans, we find a fascinating distribution. Microbes dominate the ocean’s biomass, constituting a staggering 98% of all living organisms in these vast waters. Among the larger organisms that share this aquatic ecosystem, we encounter a diverse group of creatures, including mollusks and arthropods, primarily crustaceans. This means that fish represent only a fraction of the remaining 2% of the ocean’s biomass, highlighting the remarkable diversity and complexity of marine life. To put it in perspective, while fish are indeed an essential component of ocean life, they make up a relatively small portion of the overall biological makeup of Earth’s oceans.