278. In the medium and long term, Mediterranean capture fisheries are likely to face a decrease in production of demersal fish and small pelagics such as anchovy, as well as a competition for resources from other users of the coastal zone.

An analysis of global fish catches over the past five decades, from data collected by FAO, found that there has been a gradual depletion of larger and more commercially valuable species of fish high in the food chain (such as cod and haddock) and a corresponding rise of less valuable marine organisms and fish low in the food chain (such as anchovy). The results suggest a marked decline in the quality of the fish catch worldwide.