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Nutrient supply from marine small-scale fisheries
Daniel F Viana1,2, Jessica Zamborain-Mason3, Steven D Gaines4
1Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. dviana@hsph.harvard.edu.
Scientific Reports
|July 13, 2023
Summary
Small-scale fisheries are crucial for global nutrition, supplying vital nutrients like vitamin B12 and calcium. These fisheries are essential for coastal populations facing food insecurity and nutrient deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Nutritional Science
- Fisheries Management
Background:
- Over 2 billion people face food insecurity globally.
- Global fisheries are vital for nutrient provision, but small-scale fisheries' specific contribution is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the importance of marine small-scale fisheries for national nutrient supply to coastal populations.
- To assess the role of small-scale fisheries in mitigating nutrient inadequacy.
Main Methods:
- Combined multiple global databases for nutrient supply analysis.
- Integrated nutrient supply data with estimates of inadequate nutrient intake.
- Assessed contributions of small-scale fisheries to iron, zinc, calcium, DHA+EPA, vitamins A, and B12.
Main Results:
- Small-scale fisheries provide 32% of global seafood nutrients, 17% of animal-sourced nutrients, and 10% of all food nutrients.
- Half of coastal countries with nutrient inadequacy rely on small-scale fisheries for at least 15% of their nutrient supply.
- Small-scale fisheries are critical for vitamin B12, calcium, and DHA+EPA supply, reaching 100% in some nations.
Conclusions:
- Small-scale fisheries are vital for the nutritional security of vulnerable coastal populations.
- Effective fisheries management can significantly contribute to public health by ensuring sustainable small-scale fisheries.
- This study highlights the underestimated role of small-scale fisheries in global food systems and public health.
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