Three-quarters of fish stocks are currently exploited to the maximum extent, if not excessively. The Northeast Atlantic Ocean continues to exhibit declining catches, as well as a shift towards fish at lower levels in the food chain. This graphic illustrates the decline in the catch ratios of predatory and plankton-feeding fish in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean from 1950 to 1995.

Change in the initial species richness in 2005 relative to 2001-2005 average (high-range climate change scenario). Studies predict species invasion will be profound in the Arctic and Southern Oceans. Among others these changes could result in a significant turnover of species of more than 60% of present biodiversity. This has the potential to disrupt a range of marine ecosystem services including food provisioning.