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Updated:  2016

Screen 1: Estimated numbers of individuals in annual global capture tonnage (FAO) of fish species (1999-2007)

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This page shows FAO reported annual capture tonnages (averaged for 1999-2007) by species category together with the estimated mean weight (EMW)(obtained in this study) and estimated fish numbers. For species categories where no EMW was obtained, a generic mean weight was used to estimate numbers. Derivation of these generic mean weights are shown in the totals section, obtained by scrolling to the bottom. The overall estimate of fish numbers is also shown there.

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LineSpeciesClassCapture (t)Estimated
mean
weight
(EMW)
(g)		EMW idGeneric
mean
weight
(g)		Estimated
numbers
(millions)
1Marine fishes nei Mixed9,684,79531-80121,670 - 312,222
2Anchoveta(=Peruvian anchovy) (Engraulis ringens)Actinopterygii8,736,86210-29EMW-20303,997 - 873,686
3Freshwater fishes nei Mixed4,739,79131-8059,546 - 152,803
4Alaska pollock(=Walleye poll.) (Theragra chalcogramma)Actinopterygii2,903,353227-1,000EMW-62,903 - 12,790
5Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)Actinopterygii2,165,610100-600EMW-603,609 - 21,656
6Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)Actinopterygii2,161,1742,000-10,000EMW-317216 - 1,081
7Blue whiting(=Poutassou) (Micromesistius poutassou)Actinopterygii1,864,858135-340EMW-1595,485 - 13,814
8Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus)Actinopterygii1,781,553100-750EMW-2152,375 - 17,816
9Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi)Actinopterygii1,778,803200-1,000EMW-2131,779 - 8,894
10Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus)Actinopterygii1,607,85620-22EMW-25773,084 - 80,393
11Largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus)Actinopterygii1,298,32732-713EMW-2701,821 - 40,573
12Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)Actinopterygii1,257,1105,000-20,000EMW-34563 - 251
13Scads nei (Decapterus spp)Actinopterygii1,100,34063-231EMW-3084,755 - 17,466
14European pilchard(=Sardine) (Sardina pilchardus)Actinopterygii1,049,68069-127EMW-2308,254 - 15,257