Capture fisheries and aquaculture depend on the use of natural renewable resources and other resources (e.g. aquatic species, land and water) as raw material. Other resources such as hatchery-produced seeds, feeds and fertilizers are artificially generated. Because fishery resources are finite, there is competition for them, within the sector and with other types of uses.

Capture fisheries resources have historically been considered, used and managed on a stock-by-stock basis. They are impacted by fisheries as well as other polluting and degrading economic activities. The state of wild marine resources raises concern as, since 1990, about a quarter are more or less seriously overfished. The state of wild inland resources is poorly known but is likely to deserve equal concern in most regions and reflect a much greater environmental impact.

Aquaculture resources comprise a wide variety of animals and plants (and their genetic resources) such as fish; crustaceans, molluscs, seaweeds and other aquatic plants.

The most harvested species are oysters and carps. The use of local species is recommended but introduced species are responsible for 17% of the world's finfish production with significant social, environmental, genetic and economic impact. The culture of several important species still relies on the collection of brood stock or seed from natural populations. Aquafeed resources production is one of the fastest expanding agricultural industries in the world, with growth rates in excess of 30 percent per year.