Cited by 284Marine and fisheries researchFood Industry and Aquatic BiologyAquaculture Nutrition and Growth

Fishing for Feed or Fishing for Food: Increasing Global Competition for Small Pelagic Forage Fish

Metian, Albert G. J. Taconand Marc·2009·AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment

Abstract

At present, small pelagic forage fish species (includes anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines, etc.) represent the largest landed species group in capture fisheries (27.3 million t or 29.7% of total capture fisheries landings in 2006). They also currently constitute the major species group actively fished and targeted for nonfood uses, including reduction into fishmeal and fish oil for use within compound animal feeds, or for direct animal feeding; the aquaculture sector alone consumed the equivalent of about 23.8 million t of fish (live weight equivalent) or 87% in the form of feed inputs in 2006. This article attempts to make a global analysis of the competition for small pelagic forage fish for direct human consumption and nonfood uses, particularly concerning the important and growing role played by small pelagic forage fish in the diet and food security of the poor and needy, especially within the developing countries of Africa and the Sub-Saharan region.

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Authors
Metian, A. G. J. T. M.
Venue
AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
Published
2009-09
Volume
38
Issue
6
Pages
294-302
ISSN
0044-7447 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2177938258
Cited by
284
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 35 · 2012: 23
FWCI
12.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • AMBIO (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BioOne Complete (BioOne) (submittedVersion)
  • Acceda (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food Industry and Aquatic Biology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
Keywords
fish meal, fish oil, aquaculture feed, food security, developing countries, sub-Saharan Africa, fish landings, anchovy, herring, sardine, mackerel
MeSH terms
Animals, Animal Feed, Developing Countries, Fish Products, Fisheries, Food Supply, Humans, Nutritional Status, Poverty, Socioeconomic Factors, Global Health, Food Chain

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