The new fishing vessels that entered the global fishing fleet were more efficient in their operation as fishing technology improved and as distant water fishing nations found themselves having to pay for fishing rights; hence the advent of high tech factory trawlers.

High seas fishing also increased during this period for those nations that were restricted from fishing in traditional fishing grounds that were now under national jurisdiction.

Another factor which was responsible for the increase in fish production was the growing consumer demand as the health and superior nutritional benefits of seafood became more apparent.

While coastal states paid significant attention to the development of the industry very little attention was given to the abundance and nature of fish stocks, or the management and conservation measures that would be necessary to ensure resource sustainability.

UNCLOS III provided coastal States with new opportunities to increase their economic benefits from living marine resources and also mandated certain responsibilities as these States engaged in fisheries management and development. The adaptation of management measures were not effective to maintain the unprecedented levels of fishing effort that were applied to these resources. By 1991 the world catch dropped to 81.3 m tons resulting in an over-capitalized fishing fleet and subsequent reduction in fishing fleet operations.