This publication sets out the findings of studies on the economic and financial performance of marine capture fisheries carried out in 13 African, Asian, Caribbean, European and South American countries during 2002 and 2003, replacing previously published results from 1999-2000 and 1995-1997. It includes the 94 most important fishing fleets operating in these countries that generally experienced positive gross cash flows and fully recovered their operating costs. The publication also contains the findings of two recent empirical studies on fishing efficiency presented at the 2004 session of the FAO/ICES Working Group on fishing technology and fish behaviour.