The following publications provide a thorough analysis of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in developing countries and its role in achieving food and nutrition security as well as in contributing to the transition to sustainable food systems.

Investigating Global Aquatic Food Loss and Waste

WEF - 2024

Aquatic foods play a critical role in global food and nutrition security. With projections indicating a continued rise in their consumption, aquatic food loss and waste (FLW) is a growing global concern. While the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2011 estimate indicated that 35% of aquatic food directed to human consumption was lost or wasted globally, such estimates are outdated and inadequately aggregated, making it challenging to assess more recent FLW along the aquatic food value chains.

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) - Blue Transformation in action

FAO - 2024

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) is the biennial flagship report of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division that analyses the status of global stocks as well as trends in fisheries and aquaculture production and consumption at a global and regional level.  This edition features the Blue Transformation in action, illustrated by activities and initiatives, led by FAO in collaboration with Members, partners and key stakeholders, to integrate aquatic foods into global food security and sustainability, enhance policy advocacy, scientific research and capacity building, disseminate sustainable practices and technological innovations, and support community involvement.

JRC Knowledge review 2020 “Fisheries and food and nutrition security in developing countries”

EC - 2022

This “knowledge review” provides at a glance the key messages of the publications listed above:

• Small-scale fisheries contribute in many developing countries to food and nutrition security as well as to household, local and national economies.
• Sustainable fisheries can contribute toward sustainable food systems.
• Trade of fish and fish products plays an important role in food and nutrition security in developing countries.
• Unsustainable management of marine stocks, climate change and pollution of waters represent major threats for the sector and could comprise its contribution to food and nutrition security.
• Effective fisheries management has been implemented with success in some locations and can be used as a model.
• The EU promotes worldwide sustainable fisheries and aquaculture through different instruments.
• Exploiting the synergies between aquaculture and agriculture, through an agroecological approach, represents a promising option.

The role of aquatic foods in sustainable healthy diets

UN - 2021

This discussion paper aims to build consensus on the role of aquatic foods in sustainable healthy diets, presenting the breadth of evidence available to inform and steer policy, investments and research to make full use of the vast potential of aquatic foods in delivering sustainable healthy diets and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Report of the Blue Food Assessment

2021

The Blue Food Assessment supports decision-makers in evaluating trade-offs and implementing solutions to build healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems.

Illuminating Hidden Harvests

2021

Due out in 2022, the IHH report ties together the efforts of nearly 800 authors and experts to contribute to a more complete picture of small-scale fisheries. Drawing on a tapestry of methods, including 58 country and territory case studies, the report examines the current environmental, social, economic and governance contributions of marine and inland small-scale fisheries at global and local scales. Meanwhile, this webinar provides a snapshot of some key findings from the IHH report.

The Future of Food from the Sea

2020

Low-income and food-deficit countries, as defined by FAO, depend more heavily on fish for their animal protein. Fish are particularly important in small island developing states in tropical regions, which are most vulnerable to climate change and suffer from weak fishery management and unsustainable mariculture development. Improving fisheries management and mariculture sustainability can pay large dividends to these countries in the form of food from the sea.

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020

FAO - 2020

The 2020 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture continues to demonstrate the significant and growing role of fisheries and aquaculture in providing food, nutrition and employment. It also shows the major challenges ahead despite the progress made on a number of fronts. For example, there is growing evidence that when fisheries are properly managed, stocks are consistently above levels or rebuilding, giving credibility to the fishery managers and governments around the world that are willing to take strong action. However, the report also demonstrates that the successes achieved in some countries and regions have not been sufficient to reverse the global trend of overfished stocks, indicating that in places where fisheries management is not in place, or is ineffective, the status of fish stocks is poor and deteriorating. This unequal progress highlights the urgent need to replicate and re-adapt successful policies and measures in the light of the realities and needs of specific fisheries. It calls for new mechanisms to support the effective implementation of policy and management regulations for sustainable fisheries and ecosystems, as the only solution to ensure fisheries around the world are sustainable.

Food systems at risk. New trends and challenges

EC, FAO, CIRAD - 2019

Food systems have seriously contributed to climate change, environmental destruction, overexploitation of natural resources and pollution of air, water and soils. The report tries to bring together the most up-to-date scientific assessment of the danger humanity faces if present trends continue, with priority being given to food systems in Low-Income and Lower Middle-Income countries. The analysis includes fisheries and aquaculture.

EU achievements in food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture, 2014-2018

EC - 2018

To develop sustainable agri-food systems the EU is also investing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The portfolio focuses on three main areas of intervention: aquaculture, marine capture fisheries and inland capture fisheries. Beyond support at country level, the EU has been a key partner in strengthening global fisheries governance and developing international instruments to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication

FAO - 2015

The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) represent the first ever international instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries. They represent a global consensus on principles and guidance for small-scale fisheries governance and development.

Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition

HLPE - 2014

In October 2012, the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) requested the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) to conduct a policy oriented, practical and operational study on the role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition, considering the environmental, social and economic aspects of fisheries including artisanal fisheries, as well as a review of aquaculture development.

Recognizing the importance of fish for food security and nutrition, what should be done to maintain or even enhance this contribution now and in the long term, given the challenges that both the fisheries and aquaculture sectors are facing in terms of sustainability and governance, and given the economic constraints and demographic conditions that they have to respond to? This report seeks to address this question.

Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition

HLPE - 2014

The sustainability of fisheries in their environmental and natural resource dimensions is recognized to be a sine qua non condition for food security and nutrition (HPLE 2014). In this new report, the HLPE explores the nature and potential contributions of agroecological and other innovative approaches to formulating transitions towards sustainable food systems (SFSs) that enhance food and nutrition security. Exploiting the synergies between aquaculture and agriculture, through an agroecological approach is a promising option. 

Browse more