Total world marine fish catches within 1960-1980 are analysed, based upon 5-year mean catch. A marked increase in the perciform (Perciformes) and salmonid (Salmoniformes) catches along with increasing yields of molluscs, crustaceans, and algae are observed. At the same time, the catches of clupeids (Clupeiformes), gadoids (Gadiformes), redfish (Scorpaeniformes), and flatfish (Pleuronectiformes) tended to become stabilised, while there was a well-marked decrease in catches of marine mammals, the decrease being particularly pronounced in terms of biomass. After the last 12-year period of stabilised overall marine catch, a gradual slow increase can be predicted. Most probably, as soon as in the nearest future, the role of clupeids in the world fisheries wil1 make way for the perciformes.