Понимание и выявление основных причин продовольственных потерь и порчи пищевой продукции на ключевых этапах производственно-сбытовых цепочек рыбного хозяйства и аквакультуры имеет решающее значение для их сокращения и предотвращения, и может иметь место в промышленном рыболовстве, аквакультуре, переработке и хранении, оптовой торговле, транспортировке, розничной торговле и потреблении.

A value chain is the full range of activities that are required to bring a product or service from its conception to the final consumers. This includes activities such as design, production, marketing, distribution and support services. Value chains include local, regional and global markets. Key activities in a fisheries value chain can include fishing, aquaculture production, processing, transport, wholesale and retail marketing.

Food loss and food waste (FLW) occurs at all levels of the fisheries and aquaculture value chain. Understanding why and identifying where FLW happens is crucial in arming decision makers with information that can reduce and prevent it. Reducing FLW is becoming increasingly more important as demand for fish as food increases.