Stilts fishermen, Sri Lanka Fishing is the activity of catching fish. There are many fishing techniques, such as netting, trapping, angling and gathering. By extension, the term fishing may be applied to pursuing other aquatic animals such as different types of shellfish, squid, octopus, turtles, frogs, and some edible marine invertebrates. The term fishing is not usually applied to pursuing aquatic mammals such as whales, where the term "whaling" is more appropriate, or to commercial fish farming. Fishing is an ancient and worldwide practice with various techniques and traditions and has been transformed by modern technological developments. In addition to providing food through harvesting fish, modern fishing is both a recreational and professional sport. According to FAO statistics, the total number of fishermen and fish-farmers is estimated to be 38 million. Fisheries provide direct and indirect employment to an estimated 200 million people worldwide.[1] The average person on Earth consumes about 14 kg of fish a year.[2]