In July 2012 the National Intelligence Council asked the Stimson Center to examine the role of fisheries in ensuring the food supply and food security of the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea and resulting implications for US security interests. The Stimson Center produced a report analyzing the current status and emerging trends affecting the future sustainability of wild capture fisheries and marine aquaculture in both regions looking out to 2020 and beyond to 2040. The report also assesses potential conflict hotspots in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea related to fisheries and evaluates the roles of relevant regional institutions for the management of fisheries resources. To develop additional detail concerning the importance of fisheries to key states, the report also includes seven regional and national case studies, as well as a study of the potential impacts of climate change.