FAO’s Latest Food Security Report

What Seafood Consumers Should Know from the FAO’s Latest Food Security Report

As seafood lovers, our choices at the fish counter or sushi bar might seem far removed from global food security discussions. However, the FAO’s 2025 report, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), highlights critical connections between our diets, health, and the planet’s well-being.

Seafood is a vital source of nutrition and livelihoods for millions worldwide; the Report highlights both opportunities and urgent challenges facing the sector. Here’s what every seafood consumer should know about the state of global food security, the role of seafood, and why your choices matter more than ever.

1. The Global Food Security Crisis: Where Do We Stand?

Acute food insecurity and malnutrition are rising for the sixth consecutive year, with over 295 million people in 53 countries experiencing acute hunger in 2024[3].
Major drivers include conflict, economic shocks (like inflation), climate extremes, and forced displacement[3][4].
The FAO warns that hunger shocks will likely persist in 2025, especially in regions already facing crisis-level food insecurity[4].

2. Seafood’s Critical Role in Food Security

A. Nutrition Powerhouse

Seafood is rich in high-quality protein, essential fatty acids (like omega-3s), vitamins, and minerals. It is especially important for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. The FAO stresses that aquatic foods are crucial for ending hunger and improving nutrition worldwide[5].

B. Livelihoods and Economic Stability

The seafood sector employs 62 million people directly, with over 90% in small-scale fisheries. When including the full value chain, about 600 million people depend on the sector for employment[5].
Seafood is a cornerstone of food security for coastal and island nations, as well as for global trade.

3. Seafood Supply: Record Highs, But Challenges Ahead

A. Production Milestones

Aquaculture is now the largest driver of growth in animal protein production, outpacing even poultry[6].
Key species with strong growth include Pangasius (Basa), Tilapia, Atlantic Salmon, Sea Bass (Barramundi), and Sea Bream[6].

C. Sustainability Concerns

Nearly 40% of exploited marine populations were fished above biologically sustainable levels in 2021[5].
The FAO calls for urgent investment in “Blue Transformation”—a shift toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive aquatic food systems[5].

4. What Are the Main Threats to Seafood and Food Security?

A. Overfishing and Resource Limits

Wild fisheries are at or beyond their sustainable limits in many regions, threatening long-term supply[5]. The Global Hotspots are

Mediterranean Sea: This is the most overfished sea in the world, with 62% of its fish stocks now classified as overfished and at real risk of depletion. The combination of intense fishing pressure, habitat degradation, and weak enforcement makes the Mediterranean a global hotspot for unsustainable fishing.[7][8][9].
Southeast Asia: Countries such as Cambodia and the Philippines face crisis-level overfishing, driven by high demand, population growth, and overcapacity. Despite some recent improvements in certain stocks, the region remains highly vulnerable, especially in coastal waters [10][11].
Caribbean and Pacific Islands: Overfishing, combined with reef decline, is pushing many important food fish toward extinction, threatening food security and biodiversity in these regions.[12].
Other Regions: The Black Sea, parts of West Africa, and some areas in South America also report high rates of unsustainable fishing, often exacerbated by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Australia is widely recognized for its science-based, precautionary approach to fisheries management. Most Australia’s fish stocks are considered sustainable or recovering, with about 85% of stocks in this category as of 2024[13][14]. Less than 15% of Australia’s assessed fisheries are classified as overfished, which is a significantly better outcome than most global averages.[15]

B. Climate Change and Environmental Shocks

Extreme weather, ocean warming, and pollution are disrupting both wild and farmed seafood production, with impacts felt most acutely in vulnerable communities[3][4].

C. Economic and Political Instability

Inflation, currency devaluation, and conflict are making food—including seafood—less affordable and accessible for millions[3][1][4]. Tariffs are unknown but will surely impact on the globalization aspects e.g. countries that relied on exporting to the USA and are now expecting high tariffs will look for other markets.

D. Inequality and Access

Seafood consumption varies widely by region. For example, Africa’s per capita seafood consumption remains well below the global average, and bridging this gap would require a 285% increase in production by 2050[5].

5. What Should Seafood Consumers Do?

A. Make Informed Choices

Support sustainable seafood by buying from reputable, knowledgeable retailers, caters, restaurants who buy responsibly and ask about the origin and production method of your seafood.
Diversify your seafood choices to reduce pressure on overfished species and support a broader range of producers. There are ‘many fish in the sea’ as we have been told – try different species and lift you and your families understanding of those species.

B. Advocate for Change

Encourage policymakers and retailers to invest in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, fair trade, and transparent labelling, specifically regarding nomenclature.
Support initiatives that improve gender equality and empower small-scale fishers, who are the backbone of the industry[5].
Ensure policymakers do not persist with overlays of regulation which have an enormous cost of living impact. Challenge them on benefit/costs in all areas where you see this.

C. Reduce Waste and Support Local

Minimize food waste by buying only what you need and making use of the whole fish, including by-products, as highlighted in the FAO’s 2025 report[6]. Ask supermarket chains what is happening with the wastage from overbuying and focus on special cuts.
Choose local and seasonal seafood, when possible, to reduce the environmental footprint and support community resilience.

6. The Road Ahead: Opportunities for Action

The FAO’s latest report is a call to action for governments, industry, and consumers:

Invest in sustainable seafood production, especially aquaculture—to meet growing demand without harming the environment[5][6].
Strengthening food systems resilience by supporting local producers, improving supply chains, and ensuring fair access for all.
Promote research and innovation to address emerging challenges, from climate change to new contaminants.

Table: Key Takeaways from the FAO Food Security Report

Issue	Key Point for Seafood Consumers Reference	Reference
Global Hunger	733 million people hungry; progress stalled	[1][2]
Seafood’s Role	Vital for nutrition and livelihoods,trade	[5]
Production Trends	Aquaculture now leads global seafood supply	[6]
Sustainability	40% of marine stocks overfished	[5]
Major Threats	Climate,conflict,economic shocks	[3][4]
Action Steps	Choose sustainability,advocate,reduce waste	[5][6]

Conclusion

Seafood is at the heart of the global food security conversation. The FAO’s latest report makes clear that while seafood offers immense promise for nutrition and livelihoods, it faces unprecedented challenges from overfishing, climate change, and inequality.

As a seafood consumer, your choices and your voice matter—supporting sustainable seafood, reducing waste, and advocating for fair, resilient food systems can help ensure a healthy ocean and a food-secure future for all[5][6][1].

References: FAO State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025[1][2], FAO State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024[5][6], FAO/WFP Hunger Hotspots Report 2025[3][4].