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Backgrounder
Overfishing and Food Security
The impact of global overfishing is typically measured in environmental and economic terms, but often overlooked is the threat depleted fish stocks pose to the millions of people around the world who depend on fish for food.
According to the World Resources Institute, about 1 billion people – largely in developing countries – rely on fish as their primary animal protein source. Fish is highly nutritious, and it serves as a valuable supplement in diets lacking essential vitamins and minerals.
During much of the last half-century, the growth in demand for animal protein was satisfied in part by the rising output of oceanic fisheries. Between 1950 and 1990, the oceanic fish catch increased roughly fivefold, from 19 million to 85 million tonnes. During this period, seafood consumption per person nearly doubled, climbing from 8 to 15 kilograms.[1]
Unfortunately, the human appetite for seafood is outgrowing the sustainable yield of oceanic fisheries. Today, more than 70 per cent of the world’s fisheries are either fully exploited or depleted. Production levels in many fishing nations have fallen to historically low levels, confirming that some fish stocks are in a fragile state.
Global investments in aquaculture are seen as one way to help bridge the growing demand for fish and seafood. While this may also help contribute to food security, it is only part of the solution. Action is still needed to create sustainable fish stocks in the high seas.
One of the major factors contributing to the current predicament of global fisheries is illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Illegal fishing undermines efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks. This situation leads to the loss of both short and long-term social and economic opportunities, and to negative effects on food security.
IUU fishing is especially problematic for developing nations. These States can lose tens of millions of dollars to illegal fishing, and may not have the governance structures in place to ensure proper fisheries management. [2]
The world's oceans, lakes and rivers are harvested largely by artisanal fishers. Their catches provide essential nourishment for poor communities, not only in Africa and Asia, but also in many parts of Latin America and islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Of the 30 countries most dependent on fish as a protein source, all but four are in the developing world.[3]
The rapid growth in demand for fish and fish products, in combination with shrinking supply, is leading to significant increases in fish prices. As a result, fisheries investments have become more attractive to both entrepreneurs and governments. This is to the detriment of small-scale fishing and fishing communities all over the world. Developing countries are also taking a growing share of the international trade in fish and fishery products. This may have both benefits and drawbacks. While the exports provide valuable foreign exchange, the diversion of fish and fish products from local communities and developing regions can deprive needy people of a traditionally cheap, but highly nutritious food. [4]
The Government of Canada recognizes the threat that both overfishing and IUU fishing pose to global food security. These issues were specifically addressed in the Ministerial Declaration of the St. John’s Conference on the Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the United Nations Fish Agreement and the Bali Plan of Action. In these international commitments, concrete measures were outlined to: strengthen regional fisheries management organizations to help ensure sustainable fisheries; and assist developing nations in implementing relevant agreements, instruments and tools for the conservation and management of fish stocks.
Sustainable fish stocks are needed as a significant and renewable source of healthy food for large parts of the world’s population. Continued sustainable use provides for increased food security on a global basis.
[1] UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Overview of Fish Production, Utilization, Consumption and Trade – 2002. ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/stat/overview/overview.pdf
[2] Marine Resources Assessment Group. Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on Developing Countries. July 2005. www.high-seas.org/docs/Synthesis_report_Final_MRAG_2005.pdf
[3] FAO, Fisheries and Food Security. www.fao.org/FOCUS/E/fisheries/intro.htm
[4] ibid.
