(Oslo, July 9, 2026) – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has published The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026, its most comprehensive global assessment of marine fish stocks to date and a continuation of its 2025 review. The report finds that all Antarctic fish stocks, including the Antarctic krill fishery, are fished within sustainable levels.
Specifically, the report finds that Antarctica has the highest proportion of biologically sustainable stocks of any region assessed, with 100 percent classified as sustainable. This is the second consecutive assessment to reach this conclusion. Antarctica was first included in FAO's 2025 review, and SOFIA 2026 confirms the same 100 percent result with newer data.
The assessment covers all 15 assessed stocks across the three Antarctic FAO areas (48, 58 and 88). FAO names Antarctic krill as the primary target species of the region, alongside toothfish, which directly ties this sustainability result to the krill fishery from which Aker BioMarine sources krill.
A sustainable result against a weaker global backdrop
While the global share of sustainably fished stocks declined slightly, from 64.5 to 62.4 percent, the Antarctic held at 100 percent, standing further above the global average than before. FAO describes the region as a global benchmark for precautionary, ecosystem-based fisheries management, attributing the outcome to strong management systems and extensive data coverage.
Grounded in science-based management
The Antarctic krill fishery is managed under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), widely regarded as one of the world's most precautionary fisheries management frameworks. Science sits at the core of this management system, with CCAMLR's Scientific Committee conducting annual reviews of the best available science on krill and ecosystem impacts. All management decisions are informed by that advice. As a precautionary measure, krill harvesting in is capped by a trigger level of 620,000 tonnes, roughly 1 percent of the estimated 63-million-tonne krill biomass, and set well below the total allowable catch established through CCAMLR's science-based stock assessments. The FAO result reflects the success of what CCAMLR’s management approach is designed to deliver: sustainable harvesting alongside a healthy, resilient ecosystem.
A reminder that sustainable ocean governance needs continued attention
While the assessment of Antarctica is encouraging, the slight decline in the global average, reinforces the need for greater focus on sustainable ocean governance.
"The FAO's findings confirm what the science has shown consistently: that the Antarctic krill fishery is among the most strictly regulated and sustainably managed in the world. As the global picture becomes more challenging, the Antarctic result stands out as proof that precautionary, science-based management works," said Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine.
Even a strong result leaves room for improvement. Aker BioMarine and the wider industry continue to advocate for strengthened spatial management of the fishery, alongside the proposed Domain1 marine protected area under discussion at this year's CCAMLR meeting, two measures that would further strengthen the management of the krill fishery and support the long-term resilience of the Antarctic ecosystem.
"The ocean depends on continued, science-based governance, and we are engaged in this work on several fronts: supporting protection in Antarctica and contributing to ocean stewardship more broadly. Through the Sustainable Markets Initiative, which was founded by His Majesty King Charles in 2020 when he was The Prince of Wales, we collaborate with policymakers and industry peers, because we firmly believe that conservation and sustainable harvesting can go together,” he continues.
About The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 provides the most up-to-date data and information on the trends, challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping the sector. It also assesses the state and health of marine fishery resources. Widely recognized as a leading reference for policymakers, resource managers, scientists, producers, industry stakeholders and civil society, the report offers a global perspective on the role of aquatic food systems in food security, nutrition, livelihoods and sustainable development.