Gracia and Newton estimated that in 1989, the world’s fishing fleet reflected an overcapacity of 25%-53% with respect to maximum economic yield. Over the period 1970-1990, the capacity of world industrial fisheries grew eight times faster than the rate of growth of landings from world capture fisheries. A report published by the world wildlife fund stated that the world fleet was to and a half times (150%) greater than world fish stocks could sustain. FAO research show that tuna fisheries worldwide have an average harvesting overcapacity of about 20%, although this varies from region to region. Similarly a recent government study in the united states found that overcapacity exists in 55% of 73 important fisheries.