Trade and foreign fishing mediate global marine nutrient supply

Fish are an important source of bioavailable micronutrients and essential fatty acids, and capture fisheries have potential to substantially reduce dietary deficiencies. Vigorous debate has focused on trade and fishing in foreign waters as drivers of inequitable distribution of volume and value of f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2022-05, Vol.119 (22), p.e2120817119
Main Authors: Nash, Kirsty L, MacNeil, M Aaron, Blanchard, Julia L, Cohen, Philippa J, Farmery, Anna K, Graham, N A J, Thorne-Lyman, Andrew L, Watson, Reg A, Hicks, Christina C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bioavailability
Biological Sciences
Climate change
Commerce
Conservation of Natural Resources
Distribution patterns
Fatty acids
Fish
Fisheries
Fishes
Fishing
Food intake
Food Supply
Humans
Hunting
International trade
Internationality
Malnutrition
Marine fish
Micronutrients
Nations
Nutrients
Nutrition
Social Sciences
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Summary:Fish are an important source of bioavailable micronutrients and essential fatty acids, and capture fisheries have potential to substantially reduce dietary deficiencies. Vigorous debate has focused on trade and fishing in foreign waters as drivers of inequitable distribution of volume and value of fish, but their impact on nutrient supplies from fish is unknown. We analyze global catch, trade, and nutrient composition data for marine fisheries to quantify distribution patterns among countries with differing prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake. We find foreign fishing relocates 1.5 times more nutrients than international trade in fish. Analysis of nutrient flows among countries of different levels of nutrient intake shows fishing in foreign waters predominantly (but not exclusively) benefits nutrient-secure nations, an outcome amplified by trade. Next, we developed a nutritional vulnerability framework that shows those small island developing states and/or African nations currently benefiting from trade and foreign fishing, and countries with low adaptive capacity, are most vulnerable to future changes in nutrient supplies. Climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities for many nations. Harnessing the potential of global fisheries to address dietary deficiencies will require greater attention to nutrition objectives in fisheries’ licensing deals and trade negotiations.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2120817119