Global fish production has grown steadily in the last five decades (Figure 1), with
food fish supply increasing at an average annual rate of 3.2 percent, outpacing
world population growth at 1.6 percent. 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) (Table 1 and Figure 2, all data presented are subject to rounding). 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.