Fishing, Hunting And Trapping Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Fishing, Hunting, Trapping), By Application (Sportfishing Association, Fishing Organization, Others), By Region, and By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 522.34 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.77%
Fastest Growing Segment	Fishing Organization
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 690.84 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Fishing, Hunting And Trapping Market will grow from USD 522.34 Billion in 2025 to USD 690.84 Billion by 2031 at a 4.77% CAGR. The Global Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping market comprises commercial and recreational enterprises dedicated to the capture of aquatic organisms, game animals, and wildlife for food, raw materials, or leisure. The primary drivers sustaining market expansion include the rising global demand for high-protein food sources and the robust growth of the outdoor tourism sector which incentivizes recreational participation. Additionally, economic stability in key regions enables higher consumer spending on necessary equipment and licenses. Exemplifying the sector's substantial scale, according to the American Sportfishing Association, in 2025, the sportfishing industry generates more than 230.5 billion USD annually for the United States economy.

Despite these growth factors, the market faces a significant impediment in the form of stringent regulatory frameworks aimed at curbing overexploitation and preserving biodiversity. Governments and international bodies are increasingly enforcing stricter quotas and protected area designations which directly limit the operational volume for commercial entities and recreational availability. This regulatory pressure is compounded by environmental changes that disrupt animal habitats, further complicating supply chain stability and threatening the long-term viability of traditional harvesting grounds.

Key Market Drivers

Rising global demand for seafood and animal protein serves as the primary catalyst propelling the commercial segment of the fishing, hunting, and trapping market. As international populations expand and dietary preferences shift toward nutrient-dense aquatic foods, commercial operations are scaling efforts to meet these consumption requirements. This consumption trend drives investments in fleet modernization and processing capabilities to ensure food security and efficient supply chain management. The massive scale of production required to satisfy this human need is evident in recent global output metrics. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, June 2024, in the 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024', total global fisheries and aquaculture production surged to a record 223.2 million tonnes in 2022. This high volume of extraction and cultivation supports substantial international trade values, underscoring the sector's economic importance. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, in 2024, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 172 billion in 2023, reflecting the intense value generation driven by protein demand.

Growth in recreational fishing and hunting tourism significantly diversifies market revenue streams beyond traditional food production. This sector relies heavily on the experiential economy, where consumers spend substantial disposable income on licenses, specialized gear, and travel to prime harvesting destinations. The proliferation of outdoor tourism packages and guided expeditions has broadened the demographic appeal of these activities, transforming them from subsistence practices into popular leisure pursuits. This surge in engagement directly stimulates ancillary markets for equipment manufacturers and hospitality services. The expanding base of enthusiasts is quantifiable through recent participation data. According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, May 2024, in the '2024 Special Report on Fishing', fishing participation in the United States reached a historic high of 57.7 million participants in 2023.

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Key Market Challenges

Stringent regulatory frameworks constitute a primary impediment to the growth of the global fishing, hunting, and trapping market by directly limiting the volume of resources that enterprises can harvest. Governments and international bodies are increasingly enforcing rigorous quota systems and establishing expansive protected areas to curb overexploitation. These legal restrictions create a hard ceiling on production capabilities, forcing commercial entities to cap their output regardless of rising market demand. Consequently, companies confront restricted revenue potential and increased operational complexity as they must navigate an evolving landscape of compliance requirements, seasonal closures, and exclusionary zones that physically reduce access to profitable grounds.

The economic impact of these regulations is intensified by the biological necessity for such measures, which ensures that strict enforcement remains a long-term constraint rather than a temporary hurdle. As stock levels fluctuate, regulatory bodies are compelled to further shrink allowable harvest limits to maintain biodiversity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2024, it was reported that 37.7 percent of global fish stocks were fished at biologically unsustainable levels. This data underscores the severity of the supply constraints facing the market, as high rates of unsustainability inevitably trigger tighter controls and reduced commercial availability of key species.

Key Market Trends

The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into commercial harvesting is altering operational efficiency by replacing traditional intuition with data-driven precision. Commercial fleets are deploying predictive algorithms to optimize route planning and catch targeting, which reduces fuel consumption and lowers operational costs. This technological shift is evidenced by substantial capital inflows into digital modernization as companies seek to automate complex decision-making processes. According to National Fisherman, October 2024, in the 'How AI is changing commercial fishing and aquaculture' article, the seafood industry has invested more than $610 million on AI-related initiatives to enhance monitoring and automation capabilities. These technologies allow enterprises to maximize yield per expedition while minimizing the resource footprint of their fleets.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a critical pivot toward the utilization of biodegradable and sustainable gear materials to mitigate the long-term damage caused by derelict equipment. Manufacturers are developing nets and traps constructed from biopolymers that decompose harmlessly if lost, addressing the persistent issue of ghost fishing where abandoned gear continues to entrap marine life. The urgency of this transition is highlighted by the sheer scale of pollution that this trend aims to resolve. According to Ocean Conservancy, August 2024, in the 'Ghost Gear Facts & Figures' report, abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear constitutes between 70 percent and 86 percent of all floating macroplastics in ocean gyres by weight. This innovation trajectory allows market players to align with environmental regulations while preserving stock viability.

Segmental Insights

The Fishing Organization segment currently stands as the fastest-growing category within the global fishing, hunting, and trapping market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the increasing global demand for seafood, as consumers prioritize high-quality protein sources for health benefits. Additionally, the widespread adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices allows these organizations to scale operations efficiently to meet consumption needs. Support from institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization regarding sustainable fishery management further enables these entities to modernize supply chains and ensure consistent production levels.

Regional Insights

North America maintains the leading position in the global fishing, hunting, and trapping market driven by extensive commercial operations and a robust culture of recreational outdoor activities. The region benefits from high consumer expenditure on equipment and licenses which directly funds conservation efforts. Organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implement strict management programs that ensure sustainable wildlife populations, thereby securing long-term resource availability for the industry. This effective balance between economic activity and environmental regulation supports the continuous growth of the regional market.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Vista Outdoor Inc. announced the completion of the sale of The Kinetic Group to Czechoslovak Group (CSG). Following approval from stockholders, the transaction finalized the separation of the company's ammunition business, which includes major hunting and shooting brands, from its outdoor performance gear segment. Under the terms of the merger agreement, stockholders received a combination of cash and shares in the newly standalone company, Revelyst. The Chairman of the Board stated that this milestone would position the ammunition brands for continued success under CSG’s ownership, leveraging their expertise in supply chain management and manufacturing.
• In September 2024, Savage Arms announced the release of four new rifle models chambered in the newly introduced 21 Sharp rimfire cartridge. This launch included three variations of the Mark II and one B Series model, designed to maximize performance for small game hunters and recreational shooters. The company's Director of Marketing highlighted that the new cartridge offers enhanced accuracy with lead-free projectiles and significant velocity improvements compared to standard options. The new rifles were engineered to utilize modern, aerodynamic bullet shapes while maintaining compatibility with affordable ammunition options, addressing a specific demand in the predator and varmint hunting market.
• In July 2024, Pure Fishing, Inc. achieved significant industry recognition when its PENN Fathom Electric Reel secured the "Best in Show" award at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST). The new reel, which also won in the Saltwater Reel category, is the first of its kind to feature an integrated battery, eliminating the need for external power sources on the boat. Designed for deep-drop anglers, the product includes a line counter, auto-stop functionality, and a user-friendly LED display. The Senior Product Manager for PENN noted that the innovation represented years of research aimed at providing more power and torque for saltwater fishing applications.
• In February 2024, Garmin unveiled the Panoptix PS70, a new live sonar system powered by RapidReturn technology, designed specifically for deep-sea fishing. This product launch introduced a transducer capable of providing real-time views of fish and structures at depths up to 1,000 feet, updating at a minimum of 10 frames per second. The Vice President of Global Consumer Sales described the technology as a significant advancement that allows anglers to survey the ocean floor with unprecedented speed and detail. The system offers multiple sonar modes, including a wide 120-degree beam, to assist in locating bait and game fish more efficiently in offshore environments.

Key Market Players

• Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd.
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation
• Leroy Seafood Group Asa
• Angler's Legacy
• American Sportfishing Association
• Keep America Fishing Organization
• National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers
• National Rifle Association

By Type	By Application	By Region
Fishing Hunting Trapping	Sportfishing Association Fishing Organization Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Fishing, Hunting And Trapping Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Fishing, Hunting And Trapping Market, By Type:

• Fishing
• Hunting
• Trapping

• Fishing, Hunting And Trapping Market, By Application:

• Sportfishing Association
• Fishing Organization
• Others

• Fishing, Hunting And Trapping Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE