Global Fisheries: Types, Laws, Methods and Aquaculture

Fisheries: Catch, Methods and Global Issues

Fisheries are the catch of fish and other marine animals in seas, lakes and ríos (rivers). Currently, 75% of the global catch is for human consumption or used as raw material to produce fish oil or fishmeal for industrial purposes.

Types of Fishing by Location

1. Littoral (coastal) fishing

   Littoral fishing is carried out in the immediate coastal area, often using artisanal boats and traditional gear. These catches are typically destined for local consumption or sale in local markets and are frequently found in developing countries.

2. Inshore fishing

   Inshore fishing is performed near the coast with small and medium-sized vessels equipped with different gear depending on the target species. Some of these vessels can preserve the catch on board, and the time from capture to landing usually does not exceed a day.

3. Offshore (high-seas) fishing

   Offshore fishing is conducted far from shore with large-tonnage vessels equipped with modern technical tools to detect schools, and with facilities for cleaning, cutting, packaging and freezing. Trips in offshore fishing can last weeks or even months.

Fishing Grounds and Ocean Zones

Many species concentrate in certain areas that are especially productive for fishing, such as fishing banks and continental shelves. Continental shelves are relatively shallow, allowing sunlight penetration that promotes plankton growth, which in turn supports abundant marine life.

Legal Zones and International Law

Sailors cannot fish wherever they want because international law defines maritime jurisdictional zones. Coastal states have sovereign rights in their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), typically up to 200 nautical miles from the coast. Beyond that are international waters (high seas), which do not belong to any single country. Many vessels seek access to fishing grounds inside another state's waters, which is why governments negotiate bilateral or multilateral fisheries agreements.

Environmental Impacts and Management

Due to overfishing and mismanagement, some fishing grounds have become depleted and certain species have declined or disappeared. To mitigate these problems, governments and the fishing industry implement management measures, quotas and protected areas. Developed countries increasingly implement aquaculture, the breeding of fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled conditions, to supplement wild catches and help reduce pressure on wild stocks and prevent species extinction.

Fishing Techniques and Technology

Modern fishing techniques and technology (sonar, GPS, advanced gear) allow fishermen to locate and harvest large quantities of fish, but they can also accelerate depletion if not managed. Responsible practices include selective gear, bycatch reduction, and measures to minimize habitat damage.

Spain and Global Fisheries

Spain is one of the major fishing nations in the world. It occupies first place in Europe in terms of fleet size and catch volume, and ranks as the second country in the world by some measures, behind Japan. Spain has high fish consumption rates and uses fisheries agreements with other countries to access resources beyond its own waters. Within Spain, the activity of the Galician fishing fleet is particularly important and helps place Spain among the top nations for fisheries production.

Note: This document preserves original facts and emphasizes legal, environmental and technical aspects of fisheries while correcting language and structure for clarity and search visibility.