⚠️This fact has been debunked
No credible sources support the 90% figure. While northern hemisphere countries do dominate global fishing (China leads with 13.2M metric tons capture fisheries), major fishing nations exist in both hemispheres. The top 7 producers account for 50% of global marine catches, and include countries across various latitudes. Southern hemisphere nations like Peru (#3 globally with 6.7M tons), Chile, Indonesia (straddles equator), and others contribute significantly. The claim likely confuses the fact that 90% of Earth's population lives in the northern hemisphere, but this doesn't translate to 90% of fish catch.
Over 90% of all fish caught are caught in the northern hemisphere.
The Myth That 90% of Fish Are Caught Up North
You've probably heard that most of the world's fish are caught in the northern hemisphere. Some versions put it at over 90%. It sounds plausible—after all, that's where most people live. But when you dig into actual fishing data, this claim falls apart.
The myth likely stems from a real statistic: 90% of Earth's population lives in the northern hemisphere. But more people doesn't automatically mean more fishing. The distribution of fish catches is far more complex than just drawing a line at the equator.
Where Fish Actually Get Caught
Global fishing is dominated by a handful of major players, spread across both hemispheres. China leads the world with 13.2 million metric tons from capture fisheries alone—almost double any other nation. But look at the top producers and you'll find plenty of southern hemisphere activity.
Peru, which straddles the southern hemisphere, ranks #3 globally with 6.7 million tons annually. Its cold, nutrient-rich waters off the Pacific coast produce massive anchovy hauls. Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa all have significant fishing industries, though Australia has intentionally reduced catches to protect stocks.
Indonesia, the #2 fishing nation with 7.2 million tonnes annually, sits on the equator—its 17,000+ islands span both hemispheres. The top seven fishing nations combined account for 50% of all marine catches, but they're not neatly divided by latitude.
Why the Myth Persists
The confusion makes sense. The northern hemisphere does have more fishing activity in absolute terms, driven by countries like China, Russia, the United States, Japan, and the European Union. But "more" is not the same as "90%."
Fisheries data is typically organized by FAO statistical areas, ocean regions, and economic zones—not hemispheres. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization tracks production by country and region, but they don't publish hemisphere-based comparisons because it's not a particularly useful way to understand global fisheries.
What We Actually Know
Here's what the data does show:
- China accounts for 14.8% of global marine catch
- Indonesia contributes 8.6%
- Peru provides 6.6%
- The top 7 nations produce half of all marine catches
- 90% of global fish stocks are fully exploited or overfished
The real story isn't about hemispheres—it's about the concentration of fishing power among a few nations and the alarming state of global fish populations. Whether fish are caught north or south of the equator matters far less than whether we're catching them sustainably.
So while it's true that northern hemisphere countries catch a lot of fish, the 90% figure is pure fiction. It's one of those facts that sounds truthy enough to spread, but doesn't hold up when you check the actual numbers.