Nearly 3 billion people rely on fish as a major source of protein. Overall, fisheries and aquaculture assure the livelihoods of 10–12 per cent of the world’s population. 60 per cent of the world’s populatio n lives within 100km of the coast. Marine vertebrate populations declined 49 per cent between 1970 and 2012. populations of fish species utilized by humans have fallen by half, with some of the most important species experiencing even greater declines. Around one in four species of sharks, rays and skates is now threatened with extinction, due primarily to overfishing.