Total catches from fisheries of the world have
been decreasing at least over the time since the
first edition of this book was published in 1995.
Many stocks of fish are under threat or worse.
According to the United Nations’ Food and
Agriculture Organization, about 60% of the
world’s 200 most valuable fish species are in
trouble. Some species, such as the Atlantic halibut
and Atlantic bluefin tuna, have been fished to
the brink of extinction and populations of many
other exploited species are threatened.