Small fish, big benefits: Experts spotlight pelagic species as affordable solution to global malnutrition

05 Dec 2022 --- As world organizations search for solutions to nutrient deficiencies in developing countries, researchers from several countries across the globe are touting the health and cost-effectiveness of small fish species in a new study. 

The multinational team revealed that small fish could help close malnutrition gaps for undernourished people, especially young people and small children.

“This study shows that small pelagic fish are relatively affordable, high-quality sources of nutrients,” says Dr. Kathryn Fiorella, assistant professor in the department of public and ecosystem health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, US, and a co-author of the study.

“This is particularly true within nations where access to small pelagic fish can be a key tool in addressing malnutrition.”

Affordable and abundant
The study, published in Nature food, used economic, nutrient and catch data from 2,348 species to identify the most nutritious fish in 39 low- and middle-income countries. Researchers found that pelagic fish like anchovies, sardines and herring were the most inexpensive fish in 72% of countries.

Moreover, one 100 g serving of the fish represented between 10% to 30% of the average daily diet budget across these countries. Anchovies, sardines and herring – commonly known as pelagic fish – inhabit the upper layers of the open sea and lakes and are some of the easiest to catch in large quantities.

Additionally, pelagic fish are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, calcium and iron and are up to half the cost of other fish groups. The researchers, who hail from Canada, the US, the UK, Malaysia, Ghana, Italy and Kenya, also found that cold water fish like cod and flounder were the least affordable.The researchers state that sustainable and equitable policies must be made to reduce overfishing.

Feeding those most in need
These findings could be especially important for places like sub-Saharan Africa, where nutrient deficiencies are on the rise, and children from six months to four years old reportedly only intake about 38% of the recommended amounts for seafood.

Furthermore, the fish are caught in such large amounts that less than 20% of current catch amounts would meet all of the nutritional requirements for children under five who live near coastlines or large bodies of water.

The study is part of the Illuminating Hidden Harvests project. The project unites international researchers and fishery scientists who compile and analyze the catch volume, nutrient and economic data for more than two-thirds of global fisheries.

The findings are intended to inform policies on public health and fisheries so “nutrition-sensitive” regulation can be created that promotes and supports the consumption of wild-caught fish and ensures adequate local supplies for vulnerable populations.

At the same time, the study emphasizes the need to prevent overfishing of the small pelagic species, which it states mainly occurs as a result of global fish oil and animal feed demands. The researchers stress that due to the nutritional benefits provided by these fish, industry and lawmakers must create “sustainable and equitable policies for managing small-scale fisheries.”

Edited by William Bradford Nichols