Fish products, including finfish, invertebrates and seaweeds, are a major component of food security around the world. In addition to providing a source of high-quality protein and critical long chain omega-3 fatty acids with well-known nutritional benefits in many countries, fish and fishery products are the major source of animal protein for a significant fraction of the global population, and in particular in countries where hunger is widespread. Even in the most developed countries, consumption of fish is increasing both per capita and in absolute terms, with implications for both global food security and trade.

Fisheries and aquaculture are a major employer and source of livelihoods in coastal States. Significant economic and social benefits result, including providing a key source of both subsistence food and muchneeded cash for many of the world's poorest peoples. As a mainstay of many coastal communities, fisheries and aquaculture play an important role in the social fabric of many areas.

Small-scale fisheries, particularly those that provide subsistence in many poor communities, are often a key source of employment, cash, and food in coastal areas. Many such coastal fisheries are under threat due to over-exploitation, conflict with larger fishing operations, and loss of productivity in coastal ecosystems due to a variety of other impacts. These include habitat loss, pollution and climate change, as well as loss of access to space as coastal economies and uses of the sea diversify.

Globally, world capture fisheries are near the ocean's productive capacity with catches in the order of 80 million metric tons. Only a few means to increase yields are available. More effectively addressing sustainability concerns including ending overfishing, eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, rebuilding depleted resources, reducing broader ecosystem impacts of fisheries, and adverse impacts on them from pollution, are important aspects of improving fishery yields and thereby food security. For example, ending overfishing and rebuilding depleted resources may result in an increase of as much as 20 per cent in potential yield, if the transitional costs of rebuilding depleted stocks can be addressed.

In 2012, more than one-quarter of fish stocks worldwide were classified by FAO as overfished. Although these stocks clearly will benefit from rebuilding once overfishing has ended, other stocks may still be classed as fully fished despite being on the borderline of overfishing; these stocks could yield more if effective governance mechanisms were in place.