Assessing the stochastic behavior of fishing grounds footprint of top ten fishing countries

Life on the ocean floor needs a long time to reproduce and thrive. If consumption habits continue as they are, it is likely that more than one world’s resources will be needed in the near future to meet the needs of a growing population. The fishing grounds footprint (FGF) is an important environmental indicator because it reflects the water area required for marine products produced. Moreover, reformative policies and urgent actions related to the FGF have been one of the leading priorities of governments to protect biodiversity, provide sustainability of fisheries and diminish water pollution. Therefore, this study employed the FGF per capita of the 10 countries producing and catching the most fish. Accordingly, the stochastic behaviors of the FGF of these countries were examined using three areas involving the traditional unit root test (ADF, KPSS, and PP), the residual augmented ADF unit root tests (RALS-ADF), and the Fourier unit root tests (FKPSS, FADF, and FFFFF-DF). The results will be an important resource for policymakers to develop inclusive strategies and policies for marine animals and ecological life.