FAO Major Fishing Area

An FAO major fishing area is one of the global statistical areas the FAO uses to compile and report capture and aquaculture production, the spatial backbone of world fisheries statistics. There are 19 major fishing areas: eight inland by continent and 11 marine areas covering the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern oceans, each carrying a two-digit code (for example Area 27 Northeast Atlantic, Area 71 Western Central Pacific, Area 51 Western Indian Ocean). They align broadly with RFMO competence zones and let catch be attributed to consistent ocean regions over time.