Methodology and Quality Report of Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics 2025

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Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

25/06/2026

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics publication is an annual publication that provides up-to-date data for stakeholders and decision-makers on marine fisheries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including both traditional and industrial fishing activities along the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea. It also includes data on aquaculture projects, foreign trade in marine products, and loans granted for marine fishing and aquaculture activities. All information is presented in the form of statistical tables and descriptive reports.
Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics are statistics based on administrative records data. Information on the main characteristics is collected as follows:

  • Fish and shrimp catch in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.
  • Fish aquaculture farms
  • Fish and shrimp production in fish aquaculture farms.
  • Material production inputs for fish aquaculture farms.
  • Exports and imports of marine products.
  • Developmental loans granted for fisheries and aquaculture projects.
  • Sustainable development indicators related to Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics.
  • Area of land used for aquaculture

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in the Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics
Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC)
It is a statistical classification based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC Rev. 4). This classification is used in the Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics to describe the productive activities of an establishment.
Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) 
Harmonized System (HS)  (H.S.2022):
Goods export and import statistics are classified according to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS 2022) issued by the World Customs Organization. This system consists of a standardized schedule for the description and classification of goods, including subheadings, numerical codes, sections, and chapters, in accordance with the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System signed in Brussels.
The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (H.S.2022)
Central Product Classification(CPC 2.1):
It is a coherent product classification covering both goods and services, issued by the United Nations Statistical Commission, and based on a set of internationally agreed concepts, definitions, principles, and classification rules.
This classification serves as an international standard for the aggregation and classification of all types of data requiring product-level detail. It also provides a comprehensive framework for collecting and presenting product data in a manner that facilitates economic analysis and supports decision-making and policy formulation at both the national and international levels.
Central Product Classification (CPC 2.1)
The classifications are available on GASTAT's website: Classifications - General Authority for Statistics 

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and concepts for Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics:

  • Main activity of fish farms: 
    It is the activity that accounts for more than 50% of the annual income of the holding during the agricultural year, derived from fish farming and aquaculture in freshwater and saline water, such as fish farms specialized in producing fish or shrimp.
  • Aquaculture:
    An agricultural activity concerned with the production of aquatic organisms such as fish and shrimp.
  • Fisheries:
    In accordance with fishing regulations related to fishing licenses, marine fisheries are classified into two categories:  industrial fisheries and traditional fisheries.
    -    Industrial fisheries:
    These are fisheries that use modern fishing vessels, typically more than nine meters in length, equipped with advanced equipment, electronic navigation systems, and communication devices, in addition to mechanical lifting and hauling equipment and highly efficient fishing gear.
    -    Traditional fisheries:
    These are fisheries that use traditional fishing boats ranging from five to twenty meters in length, without the use of the modern navigation and electronic equipment mentioned above, except for the use of mechanical lifting equipment and bottom trawl nets.
  • Catch:
    This refers to the product harvested through fishing and includes all quantities caught and landed (landings) of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and shellfish, as well as any other animals or plants. The catch is measured in live weight in kilograms or metric tons.
  • Volume of imports and exports:
    It expresses the volume in net weight, which is the total weight of the commodity after the weight of the ligature and packaging is deducted.
  • Developmental loans granted:
    Loans provided to finance fisheries and aquaculture activities.
  • Sustainable Development:
    Sustainable development concerns the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It aims to achieve a balance between economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. It also relies on the efficient use of natural resources, promoting innovation, and adopting clean technologies, with a focus on improving the quality of life for all. Some of the key indicators covered by the publication include:
    -    Indicator (14.6.1): Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing:
    It measures the progress of countries in implementing international agreements aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
    -    Indicator (14.b.1): Small-scale fisheries access rights indicator:
    It measures the extent to which the legal, regulatory, policy, and institutional framework recognizing and protecting access rights for small-scale fisheries is implemented.
  • Area of land used for aquaculture
    It is the area of land or water bodies used for aquaculture activities. It includes ponds, tanks, canals, lakes, and marine areas designated for aquaculture.

Data sources

The data on Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics are based on two sources:
First source: Administrative record data from partner government entities

  • Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture:
    The data from the ministry were relied upon, analyzed, and incorporated into the publication. The data are quantitative in nature (numbers, areas, and quantities).
  • Agricultural Development Fund.
    Data on loans granted to marine fisheries and aquaculture activities. The nature of the data is quantitative (figures and percentages).
    Second source: Secondary data from the General Authority for Statistics
    Data on exports and imports of marine products are derived from international trade data issued by GASTAT. These data are quantitative and are measured in terms of the total weight of the commodity.

Designing the data collection tool

Administrative records data are collected based on standardized data request templates sent to data-owning entities, in order to obtain periodic, structured, and documented data derived from relevant administrative records related to marine fisheries and aquaculture activity indicators. This ensures improved data quality and the integration of different data sources.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

Not applicable; as Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics are register-based and rely on administrative records available from relevant entities.

Statistical population

The statistical population for the Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics consists of all fishing areas along the western and eastern coasts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as all specialized aquaculture projects across fish farms in the Kingdom’s 13 administrative regions. It also includes all entities characterized by the production of marine products of various types (such as fish, crustaceans, etc.), in addition to all records related to the movement of exports and imports of marine products and development loans granted for marine fishing and aquaculture activities.

Sample Design

Not applicable, as the product is registry-based and relies on registry data available from the relevant authorities.

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

The statistical unit in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics consists of agricultural holdings (aquaculture farms) and fishing harbors.

Data collection

Data collection from administrative records:
Administrative records data for Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics are obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Fund.
The data are stored in GASTAT's databases after undergoing validation and review processes in accordance with approved statistical methods and recognized quality standards. The data source is referred back to in cases where errors are identified or observations are raised regarding the data. Administrative records are also examined by reviewing data consistency, ensuring completeness and logical accuracy, and verifying the absence of duplication.

Data collection frequency 

The data collection process for Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics is conducted on an annual basis.

Reference area

Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics cover data at two geographical levels within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are: 

  • The Kingdom’s coasts with respect to fisheries activities.
  • The administrative regions (13 regions) with respect to aquaculture activities.

Reference period (time reference)

  • The Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics data are based on the reference year 2025.
  • Data from administrative records are based on the last day of each calendar year.

Base period

Not applicable, as the Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics publication provides data and indicators on a regular basis to measure change over time and does not use a fixed base period for comparison.

Measurement unit

  • Ton: A unit of mass in the metric system equal to 1,000 kilograms. It is used to measure indicators such as catch quantities and import and export volumes.
  • Numbers: A unit used to express total counted data as whole numbers, such as the number of fishing vessels.
  • Cubic meter: A unit of volume in the International System of Units (SI), representing the volume of a cube with sides one meter in length. It is used to measure volumes of liquids, gases, and various materials.
  • Saudi riyal: The official currency unit of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, used to measure monetary values, such as the development loans indicator.

Time coverage

  • Fisheries Data: The data is available from the year 2000 to 2025.
  • Aquaculture project data The data is available from the year 2015 to 2025.

Publication frequency

The results of Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics are published annually according to the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

Review and validation processes are conducted on administrative records data after they are received and stored in the data lake, through the application of a set of systematic procedures to ensure their quality, accuracy, and consistency.
These included the following:

  • Identifying illogical or out-of-range values, such as inconsistent quantities or totals.
  • Categorizing data to verify accuracy, with reference to the primary data source when errors or quality issues are detected.
  • Reviewing internal consistency among the provided data to ensure logical coherence.
  • Comparing the provided data with previous records to ensure validity and prepare for data processing, results extraction, and review.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

Not applicable; as Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics rely on administrative records from specific official sources, where each statistical indicator is derived independently from its designated source, without the need to integrate or reconcile data from multiple sources for the same variable.

Imputation and calibration

Imputation or statistical calibration methods are not used in Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics, as they rely on complete administrative and register-based data. If any data gaps or errors are identified, the data provider is contacted directly to complete and validate the data before it is included in the publication.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable. The final results are published based on the available data received from relevant authorities.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

The Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics results are published annually and reflect the final data available at the time of preparing the publication.
No updates are made to the data after publication within the same release. However, if subsequent updates or corrections are received from the data providers, they are included in later editions of the publication, thereby enhancing data quality and ensuring consistency of time series across reference periods.

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A criterion that indicates the extent to which the product meets users' needs.

User needs 

The Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics product aims to provide basic and structural data on marine fisheries and aquaculture activities, and to build a reliable information base that supports decision-makers and researchers. It also contributes to preparing studies and conducting local, regional, and international comparisons to develop this vital sector.
Key variables that users benefit from include:

  • Quantity of catch from Marine Fisheries
  • Quantity of Aquaculture Project Production
  • Quantity of production inputs used.
  • Export quantities of marine products.

Users of Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics include: 

  • Internal users within GASTAT: 
    -    National accounts and price statistics.
    -    International indicators.
  • External users, most notably:
    -    Government entities.
     

Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture

All data.

Agricultural Development Fund

 

 

 

 -    Regional and international organizations.

Food and Agriculture Organization

All data.

 


-    Research institutions.
-    Media.
-    Individuals.

Completeness 

A comprehensive review of data from various sources was conducted to ensure its completeness and compliance with national requirements and international standards, including SDG indicators and other relevant metrics. This review aimed to guarantee the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and alignment of the data with international standards.
The publication includes the following key elements: 

  • Number of aquaculture projects across the Kingdom’s regions.
  • Catch quantities from coastal fisheries by region of the Kingdom, and production quantities from aquaculture projects by region of the Kingdom.
  • Exports and imports of marine products in the Kingdom.
  • Loans granted for fisheries and aquaculture activities.

Accuracy and reliability 

A measure of the extent to which calculations or estimates are close to the true values and reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

Limited updates may be made to some data as a result of subsequent updates to administrative records or differences in the reference periods of certain indicators. Efforts are made to verify data accuracy and ensure reliability through the following measures:

  • Verifying the internal consistency of the data and comparing it with time series from previous years to identify any significant changes in values or statistical patterns.
  • Verifying the logical consistency between related indicators, such as marine fish catch quantities and production quantities from aquaculture projects, to ensure coherence and consistency across data series.
  • Periodically reviewing administrative records received from relevant entities and cross-checking them against supporting official sources to verify their accuracy and reliability.
  • Applying multi-stage review procedures before finalizing and approving the results to ensure the quality and accuracy of statistical outputs.

Timeliness and punctuality 

Timeliness A standard that indicates the length of time between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
Punctuality It reflects the time lag between the data publication date and the target date when publication actually occurs.

Timeliness

 The General Authority for Statistics is committed to applying internationally recognized standards regarding the announcement, clarification of the time of publishing statistics on its official website, as outlined in the statistical calendar, as well as adhering to the announced time of publication. In the event of any delay, updates will be provided accordingly.

Punctuality 

The publication is carried out in accordance with release dates specified in the statistical calendar published for the Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics on the website of the General Authority for Statistics. The data are made available as scheduled in the statistical calendar. In the event of a delay in publication, the reasons for the delay will be provided.

Coherence and comparability

A standard that refers to the necessity of internal and temporal consistency of statistics, their logical coherence, and their comparability and integration across different regions and sources.

Comparability - geographical

The statistical data related to marine fisheries and aquaculture are fully comparable geographically across all regions of the Kingdom, as well as at the regional and international levels. This comparability is based on approved standards and on concepts, definitions, and classifications provided by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Furthermore, the geographic distribution of projects has not changed within the administrative boundaries of the Kingdom, ensuring that key indicators and their related variables remain unaffected. Concepts and definitions aligned with international standards have been adopted to ensure the accuracy and quality of the statistical Publication.

Comparability - over time 

The comparability of recent data with historical data has been maintained despite the ongoing improvements in the Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics publication.
The main changes to the publication are as follows:

  • 2015:
    The agricultural census included a comprehensive enumeration of aquaculture projects.
  • 2017 – 2018:
    The first survey of aquaculture projects was conducted, and its data were published in 2018 and 2019
  • 2019:
    A gap in aquaculture data occurred, as data collection was not conducted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2020:
    The first administrative publication covering fisheries statistics from 2000 to 2020 was issued, whereas aquaculture publications had previously been published independently.
  • 2021:
    The aquaculture survey resumed for two years, providing data for the reference years 2020 and 2021.
  • 2022:
    A data gap in aquaculture, as the survey was not conducted in preparation for the comprehensive agricultural survey of 2023.
  • 2023 – 2024:
    The fisheries administrative publication and the aquaculture projects survey were merged under a single title: Fishery and Aquaculture Publication 2023
  • 2025:
    Administrative records data were published under the title:  Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics publicatio 2025, with the addition of data on the number of marine fishing vessels by administrative region in the Kingdom, data on the area of land used for aquaculture, and data on development loans granted to aquaculture projects.

Coherence- Cross domain

The General Authority for Statistics has ensured the consistency of Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics by aligning the data with international trade statistics based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. (H.S.2022). This includes verifying that export and import data for marine products are consistent with the publication's results and ensuring that quantities are coherent when aggregated across multiple levels (e.g., product type and reference year). In case of any discrepancies between sources, their causes are systematically analyzed and addressed according to approved statistical quality standards. This process aims to provide a consistent and reliable picture of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the Kingdom, facilitating temporal comparisons and enhancing alignment with national and international data sources.

Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable, as Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics are published on an annual basis and no monthly or quarterly releases are issued.

Coherence- National Accounts 

Fisheries statistics data are integrated with the requirements of national accounts through the adoption of approved economic classifications, such as the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC4). The publication's results including data on production quantities, changes in assets, number of employed persons and their compensations, as well as income, expenditure, and price data are used as key inputs to estimate the contribution of the fisheries and aquaculture sector to GDP within the national accounts framework. Continuous coordination with national accounts statistics ensures consistency between the publication's results and macroeconomic indicators.

Coherence- Internal 

The Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics publication is internally consistent, with statistics within a single dataset aligning in terms of logical sequencing of values and consistency across different measures, such as totals, quantities, and percentages.
Internal consistency is verified through:

  • Ensuring that data logically align with one another within the overall context of the bulletin.
  • Matching totals with detailed data by type, administrative region, and coasts.
  • Reviewing relationships between indicators and variables, such as production quantities, number of projects, and number of ponds.

Accessibility and clarity

The accessibility of data for users, and the availability of detailed or aggregate data. It also indicates the availability of the methodology and quality report.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 9.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link: 
Press release

Publications

The General Authority for Statistics ensures that the results of the Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics publication are published in a way that serves all users. This includes publications in various formats containing tables, charts of data and indicators, and the methodology and quality report, all available in both Arabic and English.
The results of Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics are available at the link:
Official website of the General Authority for Statistics – Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics

Online database

The data is published on the statistical database on the link:
Statistical database.

Microdata accessibility

Not available.

References and standards

Framework of Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics :
GASTAT carries out all its statistical activities in accordance with a unified methodology that is consistent with the nature of each statistical product. In doing so, it relies on the Statistical Business Process Manual, which is aligned with the procedures adopted by international organizations in coordination with the relevant entities.
For more details, you can refer to the attachment. 
Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)
The tabulation of raw data for Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics was based on the classification and coding inputs applied during the data collection process. The data were tabulated in accordance with the concepts, definitions, and classifications provided by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and based on the standards of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics - FAO
Furthermore, the calculation of indicators 14.b.1 and 14.6.1 followed the methodology issued by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).
SDG Indicators  

Quality assurance

GASTAT is committed to the following principles: Impartiality; user-oriented statistical products; quality of processes and outputs; effectiveness of statistical processes; and minimizing respondent burden. 
Data are validated through quality assurance procedures and controls implemented at various stages of the statistical process, including: data entry, data collection, and other final controls.

Quality assessment

GASTAT carries out all statistical activities in accordance with the National Model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)). During the comprehensive evaluation stage, which is the final stage of the GSBPM, information collected throughout each stage and sub-process is used to prepare an evaluation report summarizing all quality-related challenges associated with each statistical process. This report serves as an input for improvement and development actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality - Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1379, data must always be kept confidential and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data were displayed in appropriate tables to facilitate their summarization, comprehension, and results extraction. Also, to compare data with other data and extract statistical meanings for the study community. It is also easier to check tables without the need to see any sensitive or confidential data, which violates the confidentiality of statistical data.

Publishing policy

Statistical calendar

Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics have been included in the statistical calendar.
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of GASTAT's objectives is to better meet its clients' needs. Therefore, it promptly provides them with the results of Marine Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics publication upon its release.
GASTAT also receives clients' questions and inquiries regarding the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:

  • GASTAT’s official website:  www.stats.gov.sa
  • GASTAT's official email address:  info@stats.gov.sa
  • Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
  • Official letters.
  • Statistical telephone: (199009).