Dear HLPE report 15 moderators,
I have read the HLPE report # 15 with interest and note that fish, fisheries and fisherfolk are mentioned 6, 3 and 1 time respectively.
This is surprising when one considers that in many South East Asian countries fish contributes over 50% of the animal protein consumed. Capture fisheries are in serious decline (marine and inland) and aquaculture (including rice-fish) is perceived to be the solution to dwindling fish supplies. In terms of nutritious food production integrated agriculture with best management practices for water, land, fish and crop management has shown to double profitability per unit area while delivering nutritious food in the form of rice, fish and vegetables free of pesticide residues as they are no longer applied. I attach publications.
Most of the animal protein and essential oils in fish feeds comes from the Peruvian anchovy fishery http://www.chinafeedonline.com.hk/taxonomy/term/13/?CFO . If more than the current 11% of the 1.3 million metric ton anchovy catch was used for direct human consumption (instead of fish and pig feed) many of the nutrition problems (including micro-nutrient deficiencies) in sub-Saharan Africa could be solved by the use of a fish-powder sprinkle on the carbohydrate staples.
Globally, more than 250 million people depend directly on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods and millions are employed in fisheries and aquaculture value chains in roles such as processing or marketing. In addition fish provides more than one billion poor people with most of their daily animal protein. https://www.worldfishcenter.org/why-fish
Perhaps more reference to fish, fisheries and their contribution to improved human nutrition could be included.
Many thanks.
Best wishes,
Mike Akester
Mike Akester