The fisheries and aquaculture sector – a vital source of livelihoods, nutritious food and economic opportunities – has a key role to play in meeting one of the world’s greatest challenges: feeding a population set to rise to 9.6 billion people by 2050.

This issue of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reveals how aquaculture is continuing its impressive growth, in both increased quantity and improved quality. However, to meet rising demand from a growing population, the sector as a whole needs to increase production sustainably and reduce wastage in a context of climate change, greater competition for natural resources, and conflicting interests.

Improved science, technology and governance are all combining with greater global understanding and commitment to help meet the goals of responsible and sustainable use of aquatic resources. In efforts to boost the supply of fish and fishery products, innovative approaches that adopt ecosystem approaches and safeguard social rights aim to secure valuable resources for the benefit of present and future generations.