A school of juvenile sardines divedog/ Shutterstock.com
Small pelagic fish species, dense in nutrients, abundant, and easily accessible, can help provide nutritious food to vulnerable communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, a study covering 39 low- and middle-income countries suggests.
In a study published in Nature Food, a team of researchers, led by Omukoto Omuhaya, from Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, found small pelagic fish resources are within 20 km of a coastline or lakeshore and could be used to tackle malnutrition.
Omuhaya told Nature Africa, that nutrient deficiencies in children are increasing in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 30% at risk of poor growth and development. Between 25 and 50% of Kenyans are unable to afford a nutrient adequate diet, he says.
The researchers used catch, economic and nutrient data on 2,348 species to find the most affordable and nutritious fish in 39 low- and middle-income countries. “We found that 100g of fish cost between 10 to 30% of the cheapest daily diet, with small pelagic fish (herring, sardine, anchovy) being the cheapest nutritious fish in 72% of countries,” the researchers report.
“These small pelagic species have high nutrient concentration per portion, that can be easily fed to children in different forms. Tackling malnutrition is more effective and beneficial for human growth and development between six months and four years,” Omuhaya says.
He calls for the connection of small pelagic fisheries to national food system through useful mechanisms to allow them to contribute meaningfully to food security.
