SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF FORAGE FISH USAGE IN FISHMEAL: A CASE AGAINST INEQUITIES IN FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

Introduction

Forage fish are essential for food security in developing countries and fulfill critical roles in marine ecosystems. However, 20 to 30 million metric tons of forage fish are harvested yearly in low-income countries for use in the fishmeal and aquafeed industries (Fig.1, depicting catch allocation trends), mainly catering to developed countries. This exploitation of fish diminishes the supply to fresh fish markets, escalating local fish prices and marginalizing artisanal fishermen and their communities in leading fish-producing nations.

Ecological consequences are equally troubling—overfishing disrupts marine food webs, depleting piscivores like mackerel, seabirds, and marine mammals. The ethical implications of such practices are profound, particularly for low-income populations in forage-fish-producing nations (Fig. 2, illustrating the main stakeholders in the forage fish industry). Rising fish prices diminish access to nutritious diets and create financial strain for millions in fish-producing nations (Fig. 3, typical fish markets in low-income communities; removing fish from this market to the industry raises prices for the local consumers).

Analysis

Our research evaluates these trends’ financial and nutritional effects, exploring the financial impact of a hypothetical 10% drop in fresh forage fish allocation to local markets for illustrative purposes. The findings suggest that even such a slight fish supply shift could significantly impact consumers’ expenses by hundreds of millions of dollars globally and tens of millions of dollars nationally, as well as increase the catch of larger fish and significantly improve household nutrition in underprivileged communities.

We advocate for industry and policy reforms to rectify these inequities, including promoting alternative aquafeed protein sources and cultivating non-carnivorous fish. Only by prioritizing equitable access can the fisheries industries ensure that forage fish resources serve both human and ecological well-being.

Reference

£ More details: Neori, A. and Agami, M., 2024. Low-Income Fish Consumers’ Subsidies to the Fish Reduction Industry: The Case of Forage Fish. World, 5(3), pp.769-788. https://doi.org/10.3390/world5030040