The study, published in the December 2011 issue of Fish and Fisheries, shows there are approximately 260 million marine fisheries jobs worldwide, a figure 1.75 times greater than previous estimates from the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Of those jobs, 50 million are directly related to fishing, including commercial, small-scale or artisanal operations. Twenty-two million fishers are considered small-scale fishers, a figure 40 per cent higher than previously estimated. Secondary employment, which provides support such as trade, canning and processing of fish products, and equipment repair, supports another 210 million workers.

“This shows that there is a considerable ‘invisible workforce’ in the fisheries sector – made up of unlicensed fishers who catch fish for subsistence or to be sold locally – whose impact on the global fisheries hasn’t been counted,” says Dr. Sumaila.

Around the world, nearly one billion people – or approximately 15 per cent of the global population – rely on fish as primary source of animal protein.


For more information and a graphic representation of the study’s key findings, visit The Pew Environment Group website.

Read the article: Contribution of marine fisheries to worldwide employment.



*Images courtesy of the Pew Charitable Trusts

FERU member Megan Bailey has begun work on her PhD thesis focusing on Western and Central Pacific Ocean tuna fisheries.  You can read more about Megan and her work here.