The first preliminary FAO global fish catch statistics for 1995 indicate that fish production has reached another record 112.9 million tons, representing an increase of 2.4 million tons over the 1994 figures, This increase is attributed to both capture and aquaculture fisheries, and fish production in the Near East Region is following the same trend. Throughout the Region, many countries have increased their annual capture and aquaculture landings- the Region's overall annual fish landings are now over 4 million tons.