Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publishes the biennial "State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture" (SOFIA) report, which serves as the global standard for statistics on capture fisheries, aquaculture, and consumption.
Detailed Explanation:
According to the FAO SOFIA 2022 report (which analyzes consolidated data through the end of 2020), total global fisheries and aquaculture production reached an all-time record of 214 million metric tonnes (mmt).
This total production is broken down as follows:
- Aquatic animals: 178 mmt (composed of 90 mmt from capture fisheries and 88 mmt from aquaculture).
- Algae Seaweeds: 36 mmt (derived almost entirely from marine aquaculture).
Adding these components ($178 \text{ mmt} + 36 \text{ mmt}$) gives the total global production of 214 mmt.
The report highlights that this high production has contributed significantly to global food security, with aquaculture showing the fastest growth among food-producing sectors.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The world's total fish and aquatic plant production as per the FAO 2022 report is 214 mmt.