Introduction

Row 1

Main Goal of this Story Board

Main Question: Is rising seafood demand compatible with SDG 14 ?

Seafood consumption has nearly doubled since 1961. While this reflects improved nutrition and economic development, it also places increasing pressure on marine ecosystems. SDG 14 calls for sustainable use of oceans and fisheries. Rising demand—especially among high-income nations raises urgent questions about whether current consumption patterns are ecologically sustainable.

Right Column

Global Seafood Consumption Per Person (1961–2022)

Average Consumption (2000–2022)

Trends

Row 1

Iceland vs Argentina

Iceland Consumes Far More Seafood Than Argentina

Iceland and Argentina illustrate the inequality in global seafood consumption. Throughout the entire period, Iceland maintains consistently high per-capita seafood intake, reflecting its coastal geography, fishing-based economy, and strong cultural reliance on marine protein. Argentina, by contrast, remains relatively low and stable over time. This persistent gap highlights how seafood consumption is shaped not only by income, but also by geography, trade access, and dietary traditions. From an SDG 14 perspective, countries with historically high consumption levels may exert sustained pressure on marine ecosystems, while lower-consuming nations are less directly tied to global fisheries demand.

Right Column

Japan vs Cambodia

Japan Stabilizes While Cambodia Rises Rapidly

Japan and Cambodia reveal diverging trajectories in seafood consumption over time. Japan began the period with already elevated seafood intake, peaking in the late twentieth century before stabilizing and slightly declining in recent decades. Cambodia, by contrast, shows steady and rapid growth, particularly in the 2000s, reflecting rising incomes and expanding access to food markets. This divergence suggests that while mature economies may plateau, emerging economies are increasing their demand for marine protein. As more developing nations experience economic growth, global seafood demand may continue to rise, intensifying the sustainability challenges addressed by SDG 14.

Data Tables

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Data Table 1

**Long-Term Average Fish Consumption by Country (1961–2022)**
Country	Average Fish Consumption (kg per capita)
Iceland	84.8
Japan	59.8
Norway	46.4
South Korea	43.8
Cambodia	19.9
Australia	19.6
United Kingdom	19.3
United States	19.3
Brazil	6.9
Argentina	6.8

Table 1. Long-Term Average Fish Consumption by Country (1961–2022). This table presents the average per-capita fish and seafood consumption (in kilograms per year) across all available years for selected countries. The values reflect long-term dietary patterns and highlight cross-country differences in reliance on marine protein sources.

Data Table 2

**Change in Fish Consumption Per Capita (1961 vs 2022)**
Country	1961	2022	Change
South Korea	12.696435	52.789997	40.093562
Cambodia	5.299799	39.920000	34.620201
Iceland	60.205290	85.398200	25.192910
Australia	12.813356	24.469994	11.656638
Norway	40.675083	49.670033	8.994950
United States	13.430598	22.070002	8.639404
Brazil	4.633639	8.220000	3.586361
Argentina	4.216822	7.129999	2.913177
United Kingdom	19.883354	17.830002	-2.053352
Japan	48.917130	44.980457	-3.936673

Table 2. This table highlights long-term growth in seafood consumption, which has important implications for marine sustainability and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Rising consumption levels may increase pressure on global fish stocks and marine ecosystems.

Data Table 3

**Top 10 Countries by Per Capita Fish Consumption, 2022**
Country	Fish Consumption (kg per capita)
Iceland	85.40
South Korea	52.79
Norway	49.67
Japan	44.98
Cambodia	39.92
Australia	24.47
United States	22.07
United Kingdom	17.83
Brazil	8.22
Argentina	7.13

Table 3. This table ranks the ten countries with the highest average seafood consumption per person in 2022.

Right column

How many kilograms did a average person consume in 1961?

8.969643 kg

How many kilograms did a average person consume in 2022?

20.1 kg

Map: Average Seafood Consumption Per Person (1961–2022)

Map Analysis

This map reveals that high seafood consumption is heavily concentrated in coastal and maritime nations.
Iceland stands out dramatically, reflecting its deep economic and cultural reliance on fishing industries.
Other high-consuming countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and Norway, also share strong historical ties to marine resources. In contrast, larger continental nations like Argentina and Brazil display comparatively lower per-capita intake.
The geographic clustering highlights how access to coastlines, fishing infrastructure, and maritime trade routes shape dietary patterns. From an SDG 14 perspective, this concentration suggests that pressure on marine ecosystems is not evenly distributed across the globe. Instead, it is driven largely by specific coastal economies whose consumption patterns are deeply embedded in national identity and economic structure.