Swimming Towards a Well-Fed World: The Fisheries Revolution


Harnessing Fisheries for Global Food Security and Nutrition

Importance of Fisheries Trade

  • Fishery exports essential to national economies, particularly in developing nations
  • Contribute significantly to foreign currency earnings
  • International fish trade valued at US $130 billion (lower than 2014 due to prices, currency fluctuations)

Livelihoods and Growth Potential

Key Point: Around 200 million people worldwide depend on fisheries for livelihoods

  • Fish trade crucial for developing countries' foreign exchange earnings
  • Potential for expansion in fisheries and aquaculture sectors due to growing demand and population
  • Aquaculture can provide rural employment opportunities, preventing urban migration

Global Fisheries Dynamics

  • Globalized sector with production, processing, consumption across countries
  • China is the largest exporter since 2002, followed by Norway, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Chile

Key Issues and Challenges

  • Concerns over fish waste and losses, social and labour issues, climate resilience (discussed at FAO meeting)

Nutritional Significance of Fish

Key Point: Fish is a 'superfood' rich in proteins, healthy fats, essential nutrients

  • Vital for women during pregnancy/lactation and children's development

Role of Aquaculture

  • Contributes over 50% of fish consumed globally
  • Highest growth in Africa, South and Central America (potential for food security impact)
  • Challenges: Land scarcity, need for intensification, better planning and management

Combating Food Loss and Waste

Key Point: Around 35% of fish and seafood products lost or wasted throughout value chain

  • Addressing this can improve efficiency in capture fisheries sector

Promoting Gender Parity

  • FAO working to strengthen women's role (significant workforce in processing and marketing)
  • Initiatives for improved technologies, organizing cooperatives, supporting participation

Fisheries and aquaculture offer immense potential in addressing food security, nutrition, and livelihoods, particularly in developing countries. However, sustainable management, reducing waste, promoting gender parity, and addressing climate change impacts are critical challenges to be addressed.


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