Based on an annual estimate of approximately 450,000,000,000, derived from Changing Markets Foundation.
1,232,876,712
per day
51,369,863
per hour
856,164
per minute
14,269
per second
37,500,000,000
per month
280,988,661,986
so far this year (est.)
Hundreds of billions of small fish (anchovies, sardines, herring) are caught annually to make fishmeal and fish oil. Estimates are derived from ~20-25 million tonnes of catch divided by average fish size.
How many fish for feed are caught for fishmeal each year?
Based on annual estimates, approximately 450,000,000,000 fish for feed are caught for fishmeal globally each year.
How many fish for feed are caught for fishmeal per day?
Approximately 1,232,876,712 fish for feed are caught for fishmeal per day worldwide, based on an annual estimate of 450,000,000,000.
How many fish for feed are caught for fishmeal per second?
Approximately 14,269 fish for feed are caught for fishmeal per second — equivalent to 856,164 per minute and 51,369,863 per hour.
Which region accounts for the largest share of fish for feed caught for fishmeal?
South America accounts for approximately 35% of global fish for feed caught for fishmeal.
Context Beyond the Numbers
Approximately 5 pounds of wild-caught fish are required to produce 1 pound of farmed salmon, creating a net loss of edible protein.
Fishmeal production depletes fish stocks that coastal communities in developing countries depend on for food security.
Populations of penguins, seabirds, and marine mammals are declining in regions where their prey species are heavily fished for animal feed.
West African communities face increasing food insecurity as local fish are processed into fishmeal and exported to feed farmed fish in wealthier nations.
Approximately 70% of global fishmeal production is used to feed farmed fish, with the remainder going to pig and chicken feed.
The feed fish industry operates with minimal transparency regarding catch volumes, species composition, and environmental impact.