Overview

Global fisheries and aquaculture production has grown rapidly and is projected to exceed 200 million tonnes by 2030.  

Aquatic animal foods provide about 15% of global animal protein intake, with per capita consumption surpassing 20 kg in 2022, and fish and fish products ranking among the most widely traded food commodities worldwide. The sector employs around 200 million people across primary and secondary activities, with women playing a significant role, particularly in processing. As the global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture will be increasingly critical to meeting rising demand and ensuring global food security in the decades ahead.  

Food loss and waste in aquatic value chains

According to the FAO Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction, food loss and waste (FLW) is the decrease in quantity or quality of food along the food supply. 

Food loss is the decrease in the quantity or quality of food resulting from decisions and actions by food supply chain actors from the production stage up to, but excluding, retailers, food service providers and consumers. 

Food waste is the decrease in the quantity or quality of food resulting from decisions and actions by retailers, food service providers and consumers. 

In terms of fish, food loss includes fisheries and aquaculture products that are intended for human consumption but are ultimately not eaten or consumed by people, or that have incurred a reduction in quality. A reduction in quality usually leads to a reduction in nutritional value, economic value, or food safety issues. An important part of food loss is food waste, which refers to the discarding or alternative (non-food) use of food that was fit for human consumption, by choice or after the food has been left to spoil or expire as a result of negligence. An example of “waste” in fisheries is “discards”, whereby fish are thrown away at sea.

Sustainable Development Goals

Reducing FLW in aquatic value chains can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals