Aquatic food plays an important role in global food security and, while its consumption levels grow significantly annually, millions of tons of seafood are lost or wasted each year across the value chain causing a major concern for humanity.
Humans consume far more seafood nowadays than in the past. In the 1960s, the consumption level of aquatic food was around 28 million tons compared to 158 million tons in 2019. Globally, 3.3 billion people rely on aquatic foods for 20% or more of their average intake of animal protein. It is also a source of unique vitamins that people cannot obtain from other sources and provides humans with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
However, despite its important role, the food loss and waste (FLW) of aquatic sources of protein are significant across the value chain nodes, and here’s how it happens:
- The first and most important node in the value chain is wild capturing that takes place on vessels where the catch is sorted into that which can be used for further processing and that which is considered worthless. The part of the catch that is not considered good enough to be processed is thrown back into the sea but unfortunately, many fish are already dead or die shortly after release due to physical trauma.
- The next important node in the value chain are at-sea and land fish processing. During processing at sea, those parts of the fish that are of no value on the market, such as heads, tails, etc., are returned to the sea. On land, the remainder of the fish undergoes further processing, including into more convenient forms like fillets which are packaged for supermarket shelves. Further loss occurs when fish are cut into fillets and packaged.
- Loss and waste also occur when aquatic food reaches the retail node of the value chain. This may happen if the food becomes contaminated, spoiled, or its freshness has expired. To reduce waste, some retailers donate this type of food if it is still safe for consumption. However, if it is no longer edible, it is thrown away. Further aquatic FLW occurs in hotels, restaurants, and the catering industry due to overstocking, improper storage and handling, and human error.
- The last node in the value chain is household consumption where, due to limited storage or failure to recognize expiry dates, aquatic FLW happens.
Aquatic FLW through the value chain has reached significant levels. Total edible aquatic FLW was 23.8 million tons which is equal to 14.8% of global edible aquatic foods Looking at the value chain, with the highest level of aquatic FLW occurring during on-land processing, at over 9 million tons of FLW, followed by wild capture, at over 8 million tons.
Fig.1. Estimation of global edible aquatic FLW along the value chain
Source: Investigating Global Aquatic Food Loss and Waste
In percentage terms, the discard from vessels accounts for 11.79% of the global catch while aquatic FLW during on-land processing was 21.55% of the total live weight traded. These two nodes produced the highest FLW across the value chain, while the food service sector had the lowest FLW, with 4.65% of aquatic food products associated with food service.
Fig.2. Global edible aquatic FLW by value chain node
Source: Investigating Global Aquatic Food Loss and Waste
In 2021, total aquatic food production was 160.7 million tons of which over 70 million tons was caught and over 89 million tons were derived from aquaculture production. According to the FAO, global aquatic food production is projected to increase by 15% by 2030. This increase is necessary to meet the growing population’s need for healthy and nutritious food. However, it also means that aquatic food production must be sustainable. The FAO has initiated the ‘Blue Transformation’ initiative which encourages sustainable aquaculture intensification and expansion, effective management of fisheries, and upgraded food chains.