Our first World Ocean Review (WOR) was published more than a year ago. This status report took a comprehensive look at the seas and encapsulated the current state of ocean science. It was read by almost 70,000 people, who either obtained a hard copy in German or English from non-profit organization maribus, or downloaded it as a PDF file from our homepage at www.worldoceanreview.com. Its readers included teachers, students, scientists and interested laypeople. Moreover, the WOR received intense media attention, with TV (e.g. “Tagesschau”, the German evening news), online (e.g. “Spiegel Online” ), radio and print coverage. It was also presented personally to members of parliament in Brussels, and to Federal Chancellor Merkel in Berlin. The feedback we received was all positive, with many people commending its mix of scientific excellence and readability. The original WOR was a world first in that it was comprehensible to all, but also provided a sound basis for media debate, policy developments and lectures. It is maribus’ aim to publish a World Ocean Review each year. The first edition focused on the broad picture, while subsequent WORs will take a more in-depth look at individual aspects of the oceans. Interrelationships which are frequently presented in an abbreviated and simplified form will be thoroughly investigated and presented in all their complexity. Nonetheless the close cooperation between world-leading research scientists and “mare” magazine journalists guarantees that the articles will be straightforward and easily understood by all. They will provide a knowledge base for policy-makers and journalists wishing to hone their awareness of the problems involved. This new report (WOR 2) focuses on fish and their exploitation. Fish have always been a vital source of life for mankind – not only as a food. Fish are still an essential element of the daily diet in most regions of the world. At the same time fisheries provide a livelihood to entire coastal regions and still have great economic clout. All this, however, is in jeopardy and is coming under close scrutiny. Fish stocks are declining worldwide, entire marine regions are considered overfished, and some species are on the Red List of Threatened Species. It is not our intention with this World Ocean Review 2 to press the panic button. But by pointing out the true facts surrounding fish stocks and fisheries we seek to come to grips with an extremely complex situation. Only sound knowledge – not alarmism, nor appeasement – will save these vitally important inhabitants of the world’s oceans.