Book excerpt: The FAO Yearbook of Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics, prepared by the Statistics Team of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, offers a synthesis of the major trends in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Statistics are presented in eight main thematic chapters, covering statistics of production (total, aquaculture, capture fisheries), employment, fleet, consumption and trade, together with a section with selected tables and an Annex including notes, concepts, classifications and a map of FAO major fishing areas. The Yearbook is meant to constitute a primary tool for policymakers, researchers and analysts, as well as for the general public interested in the past and current paths of the sector.