Fishing and fish farming contribute to food security in three main ways.

They directly increase people's food supplies, providing highly nutritious animal protein and important micronutrients while doing so. Fish food also "fill in the gaps" during times when other food is scarce. Finally, fishing and aquaculture provide jobs and income that people use to buy other foods.

Just over 100 million tonnes of fish are eaten worldwide each year, providing two and a half billion people with at least 20 percent of their average per capita animal protein intake.

This contribution is even more important in developing countries, especially for small island states and coastal regions, where frequently over 50% of people's animal protein comes from fish.

In some of the most food-insecure places -- many parts of Asia and Africa, for instance -- fish protein is absolutely essential, accounting for a large share of an already-low level of animal protein consumption.

All in all, 97 percent of fishers are in developing countries, making the sector particularly crucial there.