Regional Conference on Food Security and Income Generation through Reduction of Losses and Waste in Fisheries
15/12/2013-17/12/2013
Regional Conference on Food Security and Income Generation through Reduction of Losses and Waste in Fisheries
Fish is a highly perishable commodity and if not properly, harvested, handled and stored, the quality deteriorates rapidly.
The problem is particularly acute in warm climates where infrastructure facilities in boats, landing centers and in subsequent operations are not adequate. This quality deterioration leads to economic loss and also loss of fish as food, as fish becomes unfit for human consumption.
The extent of postharvest loss of fish varies in different countries and losses in the range of 20-30% is not uncommon. In addition to the economic loss, these losses also contribute to increased pressure on the fisheries resources. Postharvest loss may occur even in case of processed fish; for example dry fish may become unfit for consumption by insect infestation and mold growth. Even in situations where fish is processed, considerable volumes of waste is generated through discarding fish heads, viscera, bones, fins, tail, which contain meat that can be used for food. In some sectors, for example the tuna industry, "scrape" is used for food, for making "pate", and in many sectors there is considerable potential for the utilisation of processing "waste" for by-products, however this is not yet common. `Discarded bycatch are also a critical issue, they can sometimes constitute between 28-80% of the catches from industrial trawlers; a large waste of food which could be otherwise utilized.
Objectives: The objectives of the workshop are to
(a) review the current practices in the sector in the Near East and North Africa region,
(b) examine case studies of best practices globally and discuss the best options for the region, and
(c) identify policy level and operational level interventions to improve food security and income generation through reduction of losses and waste in fisheries in Near East and North Africa region.
The problem is particularly acute in warm climates where infrastructure facilities in boats, landing centers and in subsequent operations are not adequate. This quality deterioration leads to economic loss and also loss of fish as food, as fish becomes unfit for human consumption.
The extent of postharvest loss of fish varies in different countries and losses in the range of 20-30% is not uncommon. In addition to the economic loss, these losses also contribute to increased pressure on the fisheries resources. Postharvest loss may occur even in case of processed fish; for example dry fish may become unfit for consumption by insect infestation and mold growth. Even in situations where fish is processed, considerable volumes of waste is generated through discarding fish heads, viscera, bones, fins, tail, which contain meat that can be used for food. In some sectors, for example the tuna industry, "scrape" is used for food, for making "pate", and in many sectors there is considerable potential for the utilisation of processing "waste" for by-products, however this is not yet common. `Discarded bycatch are also a critical issue, they can sometimes constitute between 28-80% of the catches from industrial trawlers; a large waste of food which could be otherwise utilized.
Objectives: The objectives of the workshop are to
(a) review the current practices in the sector in the Near East and North Africa region,
(b) examine case studies of best practices globally and discuss the best options for the region, and
(c) identify policy level and operational level interventions to improve food security and income generation through reduction of losses and waste in fisheries in Near East and North Africa region.
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