The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’s (FAO) latest Technical Paper, “Small Fish for Food Security and Nutrition,” spotlights the transformative potential of small fish in nourishing populations worldwide. This comprehensive paper sheds light on the often-overlooked significance of small-scale fisherfolk and the nutritional richness found in small fish species. Traditionally consumed whole, these fish pack a punch with multiple micronutrients vital for health, particularly for vulnerable populations like women and young children.
The paper’s holistic approach, aligning with food systems frameworks, emphasizes the significance of small fish in nourishing vulnerable populations, marking a pivotal step towards sustainable and inclusive food systems. It delves into various facets – consumption, availability, access, utilization, stability, and sustainability of small fish in food systems, comprehensively addressing stakeholders, interactions, feedback, and outcomes.
The collaborative efforts behind this paper, led by Maarten Bavinck and Molly Ahern and supported by projects like SmallFishFood, Ikan-F3, Dried Fish Matters, and Fish4Food, exemplify the dedication to addressing global nutritional challenges.
In the realm of enhancing food security and nutrition, the chapter “The Promise of Dried and Fermented Small Fish Processing,” authored by DFM investigators, including Project Director Professor Derek Johnson, underscores the invaluable role that fish processing, especially drying and fermentation, plays in ensuring widespread access to highly nutritious small fish. These techniques not only facilitate extended storage and wider distribution but also cater to the nutritional needs of remote and underprivileged populations. The chapter highlights the diverse range of products stemming from small fish processing and underscores its economic and cultural significance. The chapter also sheds light on the challenges faced, including increased demand for fish meal and fish oil and inadequate management that pose significant risks for consumers and for the economic viability of small fish production. The chapter stresses the need for substantial public investment in innovative solutions that enhance product quality, improve labour conditions, and bolster supply chain governance to realize the promise of small fish for food security and nutrition.
For those interested, PDF