Wasted seafood in the United States: Quantifying loss from production to consumption and moving toward solutions

May combine two claims.

The loss-adjusted supply appears to have been decreasing slightly from 2009 to 2013, primarily due to decreases in seafood production.

“It appears the loss-adjusted supply has been decreasing slightly from 2009 to 2013, primarily due to decreases in seafood production (Table 1).”

May combine two claims.

For EPA+DHA levels, the high-end estimate is 6.3 trillion mg, more than triple the low-end estimate, due to broad ranges of values for some species.

“For EPA + DHA levels, the high-end estimate is 6.3 trillion mgmore than triple the low-end estimatedue to the broad ranges of values for some species.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Global availability of seafood per capita has risen in recent decades due to growth in aquaculture production.

“Despite these challenges, global availability of seafood per capita has risen in recent decades due to growth in aquaculture production (FAO, 2014b).”

• cites FAO, 2014bNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The U.S. edible seafood supply includes a variety of wild caught and aquacultured species, both from domestic sources and imported from as many as 138 nations.

“Seafood available to United States (U.S.) consumers (i.e., the edible seafood supply) includes a variety of wild caught and aquacultured species, both from domestic sources and imported from as many as 138 nations (Kirkley et al., 2006).”

• cites Kirkley et al., 2006Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

For fish populations to rebound, it is necessary to reduce or avoid harvesting some fish species for a period of time.

“For fish populations to rebound, it is necessary to reduce or avoid harvesting some fish species for a period of time (among other approaches) (Worm et al., 2009), thereby significantly reducing the amount of harvested wild seafood.”

• cites Worm et al., 2009 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Five of the top-ten most consumed species in the U.S. are sourced mostly from aquaculture.

“Five of the top-ten most consumed species in the U.S. are sourced mostly from aquaculture (National Fisheries Institute, 2014;NOAA, 2013b).”

• cites National Fisheries Institute, 2014Not checked yet

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• cites NOAA, 2013bNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Aquaculture grew at an annual rate of 8.6% from 1980 to 2012 and now provides about half of all seafood consumed globally.

“Aquaculture, the rearing of aquatic plants and animals in controlled settings, grew at an annual rate of 8.6% from 1980 to 2012, and now provides about half of all seafood consumed globally (FAO, 2014b).”

• cites FAO, 2014bNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Fish, crustaceans, and shellfish (seafood) play an important role in human nutrition as a source of protein and healthy fats.

“Fish, crustaceans, and shellfish (which we refer to as seafood or fish) play an important role in human nutrition as a source of protein and healthy fats (Gormaz et al., 2014).”

• cites Gormaz et al., 2014 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Global harvests of wild seafood have remained static since the 1990s, while certain fisheries have collapsed and no longer provide a significant food source for humans.

“While global harvests of wild seafood have remained static since the 1990s, certain fisheries have collapsed and no longer provide a significant food source for humans (FAO, 2014b).”

• cites FAO, 2014bNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Overfishing and habitat destruction over several hundred years have greatly reduced global fish stocks and damaged aquatic ecosystems.

“Historically, fish were an abundant source of food for many civilizations, though overfishing and habitat destruction over several hundred years have greatly reduced global fish stocks and damaged aquatic ecosystems (Jackson et al., 2001;Lotze et al., 2006).”

• cites Jackson et al., 2001 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Lotze et al., 2006 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Current estimates suggest that in the overall U.S. food system, 31-40% of the postharvest food supply is lost.

“Current estimates suggest that in the overall U.S. food system, 31-40% of the postharvest food supply is lost (Buzby et al., 2014;Hall et al., 2009).”

• cites Buzby et al., 2014Not checked yet

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• cites Hall et al., 2009 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Buzby et al. (2014) estimated that at the retail and consumer levels, 39% of seafood in the U.S. is lost.

“Buzby et al. (2014) at the USDA estimated that at the retail and consumer levels, 39% of seafood in the U.S. is lost; they estimated per capita seafood loss based on this quantity (Fig. 1).”

• cites Buzby et al., 2014Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Gustavsson et al. (2011) reported that the North America and Oceania region had the highest fraction of seafood loss (50%) of any region in the world.

“Gustavsson et al. (2011) reported that the North America and Oceana region (Canada, U.S., Australia, and New Zealand) had the highest fraction of seafood loss (50%) of any region in the world.”

• cites Gustavsson et al., 2011Not checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In the U.S. EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy, preventing loss at the source is prioritized, followed by feeding hungry people, feeding animals, industrial uses, composting, and landfilling or incineration.

“In this model, preventing loss at the source is prioritized, followed by feeding hungry people, feeding animals, industrial uses, composting, and landfilling or incineration.”

• cites EPA, 2014Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Women, young people, and people with lower incomes consumed less seafood.

“Jahns et al. (2014) determined that 80-90% of Americans were not meeting seafood recommendations; and women, young people, and people with lower incomes consumed less seafood.”

• cites Jahns et al., 2014 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

The data sources used varied widely in data quality and generalizability to the U.S., which affects the ability to accurately and confidently estimate loss at each stage of the supply chain.

“The data sources we used varied widely in their data quality and generalizability to the U.S., which affects our ability to accurately and confidently estimate loss at each stage of the supply chain (Fig. 5).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend increasing seafood consumption to 8 ounces per person per week and consuming a variety of seafood in place of some meat and poultry.

“The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend increasing seafood consumption to 8 ounces per person per week, and consuming a variety of seafood in place of some meat and poultry (USDA, 2010).”

• cites USDA, 2010Not checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The year range 2009-2013 was selected as the most recent five-year range with high quality data available from most sources.

“After reviewing the available data on seafood supply and loss we selected the year range 2009-2013 as the most recent five-year range with high quality data available from most sources.”

May combine two claims.

Data along the supply chain and consumption was of low to moderate quality and low to moderate generalizability.

“In general, production level data was of good quality and highly generalizable to the U.S., while data along the supply chain and consumption was of low to moderate quality and low to moderate generalizability.”

May combine two claims.

Production level data was of good quality and highly generalizable to the U.S.

“In general, production level data was of good quality and highly generalizable to the U.S., while data along the supply chain and consumption was of low to moderate quality and low to moderate generalizability.”

May combine two claims.

Achieving government-recommended seafood consumption levels would require doubling the U.S. seafood supply and nutrition programs targeting specific groups of consumers.

“Achieving government-recommended consumption levels would require doubling the U.S. seafood supply and nutrition programs targeting specific groups of consumers.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The amount of seafood available to U.S. consumers has remained relatively constant for four decades.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

According to Gustavsson et al., seafood losses were primarily attributable to bycatch and consumers.

“According to their research, losses were primarily attributable to bycatch (when fishers catch and discard non-target species) and consumers.”

• cites Gustavsson et al., 2011Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The total amount of loss from chicken, beef, or pork is larger than that from seafood due to a larger supply of these animal products.

“While a slightly higher proportion of seafood than of other food types is lost at the consumer level (Buzby et al., 2014), the total amountof loss from chicken, beef, or pork, for example, is larger due to a larger supply of these animal products (Fig. 1) (USDA, 2014a).”

• cites USDA, 2014aNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A slightly higher proportion of seafood than of other food types is lost at the consumer level.

“While a slightly higher proportion of seafood than of other food types is lost at the consumer level (Buzby et al., 2014), the total amountof loss from chicken, beef, or pork, for example, is larger due to a larger supply of these animal products (Fig. 1) (USDA, 2014a).”

• cites Buzby et al., 2014Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Findings are reported using low-end estimates because the findings are not based on the actual distribution of seafood types lost, which is unknown.

“We report the findings using the low-end estimates, even though these were often substantially lower than the median or high-end estimates.We made this conservative decision because the findings are not based on the actual distribution of seafood types lost, which is unknown.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

It seems likely that most uneaten seafood at the consumer, food service and retail levels goes to landfills.

“Beyond that, it seems likely that most uneaten seafood at the consumer, food service and retail levels goes to landfills.”

May combine two claims.

Increasing the U.S. seafood supply places greater burden on marine ecosystems and could contribute to food insecurity in low-income countries and coastal communities.

“Increasing this supply places greater burden on marine ecosystems, and could contribute to food insecurity in low-income countries and coastal communities (Brunner et al., 2009;Greene et al., 2013;Jenkins et al., 2009).”

• cites Brunner et al., 2009 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Greene et al., 2013 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Jenkins et al., 2009 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Seafood loss is reported to two significant figures to indicate that these are not precise measurements.

“We report seafood loss to two significant figures to indicate that these are not precise measurements.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Loss was modeled by applying pre-determined percentages, based on research, to the overall supply.

“loss was modeled by applying pre-determined percentages, based on research, to the overall supply.”

May combine two claims.

The U.S. is the second largest seafood importer in the world, with imports worth $17.6 billion in 2012.

“the U.S. is the second largest seafood importer in the world, with imports worth $17.6 billion in 2012 (FAO, 2014a).”

• cites FAO, 2014aNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The study had limitations in attributing loss to specific species, so loss was attributed based on categories of products (fresh and frozen; and processed).

“There were some limitations in our ability to attribute loss to specific species, so instead we attributed loss based on categories of products (fresh and frozen; and processed).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Marine Stewardship Council includes bycatch as part of its sustainable fisheries certification system.

“the Marine Stewardship Council includes bycatch as part of their sustainable fisheries certification system (Marine Stewardship Council)”

• cites Marine Stewardship CouncilNot checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

By the consumer level, food contains about triple the embodied energy of food at the farm level.

“Thomson estimates that by the consumer level, food contains about triple the embodied energy of food at the farm level (Thompson, 2011).”

• cites Thompson, 2011Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Fish caught as bycatch in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl region include flounder, croaker, sole, halibut, hake and other species that are edible and considered fisheries in their own right.

“Fish caught as bycatch in this region include flounder, croaker, sole, halibut, hake and other species which are edible and considered fisheries in their own right (National Marine Fisheries Service, 2011).”

• cites National Marine Fisheries Service, 2011Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

The loss estimates will change as the food supply changes, but will not rise or fall as loss reduction behaviors improve, unless the underlying loss percentages are modified based on findings from further research.

“the loss estimates will change as the food supply changes, but will not rise or fall as loss reduction behaviors improve, unless the underlying loss percentages are modified based on findings from further research.”

May combine two claims.

Creating markets for bycatch species runs the risk of incentivizing their capture and creating fishing pressure for species currently viewed as bycatch.

“Creating markets for bycatch species runs the risk of incentivizing their capture and creating fishing pressure for species currently viewed as bycatch.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend more than doubling seafood intake.

“the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines recommendation to more than double seafood intake.”

• cites USDA, 2010Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Modeled results could change as more information about the specific species lost becomes available.

“Modeled results could change as more information about the specific species lost becomes available.”

May combine two claims.

Loss at the production level was limited to bycatch and did not include other types of loss associated with wild caught seafood due to a lack of data.

“Loss at the production level was limited to bycatch and did not include other types of loss associated with wild caught seafood due to a lack of data.”

May combine two claims.

The nutritional findings are strengthened by averaging results across ten seafood types, and the low-end figures are presented as conservative estimates.

“The nutritional findings are strengthened by averaging results across ten seafood types, and we present the low-end figures as conservative estimates.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Lost food has important implications for public health, natural resource use, and resiliency in the face of climate change.

“Lost food has important implications for public health, natural resource use, and resiliency in the face of climate change (Cuellar and Webber, 2010;Dorward, 2012;Lewison et al., 2011;Parfitt et al., 2010), and the issue is gaining traction among a wide range of stakeholders.”

• cites Cuellar and Webber, 2010 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Dorward, 2012 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Lewison et al., 2011 sourceNot checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The loss of seafood exacts financial costs up and down the supply chain and causes unnecessary losses to fisheries and other parts of the ecosystem needed for food security and long-term survival.

“The loss exacts financial costs up and down the supply chain, and causes unnecessary losses to fisheries and other parts of our ecosystem needed for food security and our long-term survival.”

May combine two claims.

Loss prevention would reduce unnecessary production and harvesting, which would improve the ecological sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture, contribute to increased future food security, and reduce the carbon and energy used in production and trade per unit of seafood consumed.

“Loss prevention would reduce unnecessary production and harvesting, which would improve the ecological sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture, contribute to increased future food security, and reduce the carbon and energy (Cuellar and Webber, 2010) used in production and trade per unit of seafood consumed.”

• cites Cuellar and Webber, 2010 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Louisiana Foods Total Catch Market has been selling fresh fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico that would otherwise be considered bycatch to chefs and consumers since 2011.

“Louisiana Foods Total Catch Market has been selling fresh fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico that would otherwise be considered bycatch to chefs and consumers since 2011 (Louisiana Foods Total Catch Market, 2015).”

• cites Louisiana Foods Total Catch Market, 2015Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Some loss of seafood is unavoidable, including due to the high perishability of seafood, changing circumstances after sellers and households make procurement decisions, and variation in demand.

“Some loss is unavoidable including due to the high perishability of seafood, changing circumstances after sellers and households make procurement decisions, and the reality of variation in demand.”

• Also stated in: § 6. Conclusions · plain

  “A portion of the loss of seafood is unavoidable, especially because seafood can spoil quickly compared to other foods”