Slightly more than half of stocks (57%) are fully exploited, producing catches at or close to their maximum sustainable limits. The percentage was stable at around 50% from 1974 to 1985, dropped to 43% in 1989 and increased gradually to 57.4% in 2009. They account for 30% of all stocks, a significant increase from the 10% that fell into this category' in 1974. These stocks yield less than their maximum potential due to excess fishing pressure in the past.