This new report (WOR 2) focuses on fish and their exploitation. Fish have always been a vital source of life for mankind – not only as a food. Fish are still an essential element of the daily diet in most regions of the world. At the same time fisheries provide a livelihood to entire coastal regions and still have great economic clout. All this, however, is in jeopardy and is coming under close scrutiny. Fish stocks are declining worldwide, entire marine regions are considered overfished, and some species are on the Red List of Threatened Species. It is not our intention with this World Ocean Review 2 to press the panic button. But by pointing out the true facts surrounding fish stocks and fisheries we seek to come to grips with an extremely complex situation. Only sound knowledge – not alarmism, nor appeasement – will save these vitally important inhabitants of the world’s oceans.

World Ocean Review 2013