Why fishing is important

This comes in many forms, including the actual fish fresh or frozen but also fish meal and fish oil that are used to feed both farmed fish and land animals, or added as supplements to other food products.

Hundreds of millions of people rely on fish for these nutrients , and are at risk of malnutrition if fish populations continue to decline. Unfortunately, with failing management and new risks from climate change, fish populations are declining globally, meaning that not only are important sources of protein disappearing, but that the uptake of micronutrients— especially in vulnerable populations — is also declining.

These sorts of effects are felt most acutely in coastal communities and small island nations in developing regions, where access to alternative food and nutrient sources may not be readily available, and where fish can represent the vast majority of available protein. There is also a disproportionate effect in the tropics, as climate change results in warmer waters and a further reduction in available fish biomass as marine species shift to more optimal environments, typically poleward and offshore into cooler waters, and where fragile coral reef ecosystems are poised for collapse.

While that sounds gloomy, we know that fixing fisheries management in many cases can reverse this trend , even in the face of climate change. Sustainable fishing generates less waste, minimises energy consumption and reduces the use of chemicals that damage the ozone layer.

Certifies the sustainability of the catches. International standards such as the MSC Marine Stewardship Council Standard determine whether a fishery is sustainable and is being well-managed.

The opposite of sustainable fishing is the so-called destructive fishing. The latter uses more aggressive methods — such as trawling —, makes indiscriminate catches and prioritises productivity over environmental protection. Fish farming, both in coastal and inland areas, is a booming activity worldwide. The FAO believes that a sustainable aquaculture strategy is based on these six principles:. Skip to main content. You are in Social commitment Sustainable fisheries.

Share in Twitter. Share in Facebook. Whatsapp Whatsapp. The survival of marine fauna depends on sustainable fishing The overexploitation of the seas and oceans is leaving them without fish. As food, 2. They can control diseases, and 4.

Fish are aquatic, cold blooded and craniate vertebrates belonging to the super class Pisces under phylum Chordata Biology Discussion, The protein in fish and shellfish is very easy to digest and research shows that the amino acids in fish are more bioavailable your body can absorb and use them more readily than beef, pork or chicken 2,3.

Small quantities of fish can have a significant positive nutritional impact on plant based diets, and this is the case in many LIFDCs and least-developed countries. Fish is usually high in unsaturated fats and provides health benefits in protection against cardiovascular diseases FAO Wellbeing with Well-B Discover how you can recharge when spending time by water.

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