Diminishing returns on labour in the global marine food system

Abstract

Paper summary generated by OpenAI: This study investigates the dynamics of labor in the global marine food system from 1950 to 2015, revealing a paradox of diminishing returns on labor despite technological advancements. While mechanization has significantly increased agricultural yields on land, the number of marine fishers has continued to rise, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries, leading to a decline in catch per fisher since the 1990s. The analysis highlights that, unlike terrestrial farming, fisheries have experienced negative returns on labor, adversely affecting food production efficiency, marine ecosystems, and fishing communities. These findings underscore the need for a reevaluation of labor dynamics and sustainability practices in marine fisheries.