Fish and food security SPC Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility

Key questions How can tuna best contribute to economic growth? How much fish will be needed for future food security? How many livelihoods can fish resources sustain?

Major drivers Population growth Major drivers

Major drivers Population growth High dependence on fish

SPC Study ‘Planning the use of fish for food security in the Pacific’ Estimate fish needed for good nutrition, and current consumption Forecast the fish required (to 2030) Identify how to meet future needs for fish Joint project: Division Marine Resources, Statistics & Demography, Public Health, Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility

Fish needed for good nutrition Basic protein requirement is 0.7 g/kg body weight/day (WHO) Ideal: 50% of protein derived from fish = 35 kg/person/year

Current consumption of fish Based on household income and expenditure surveys (HIES) for 15 PICTs Socio-economic surveys of fishing villages in 16 PICTs during PROCFish

Key findings on fish consumption Very high! >70 kg per capita for 6 PICTs in Micro. & Poly. >35 kg in 5 PICTs ~20 kg in 4 PICTs ~10 kg in PNG

Key findings on fish consumption Very high! Great dependence in rural areas! Rural > urban >90 kg for 7 PICTs PNG is an exception

Key findings on fish consumption Very high! Great dependence in rural areas! Subsistence! In rural areas, 60-90% of fish is caught by household ~50% in urban areas of smaller PICTs

Key findings on fish consumption Very high! Great dependence in rural areas! Subsistence! Fresh fish! 75-99% of diet is fresh fish in rural and urban areas

Key findings on fish consumption Very high! Great dependence in rural areas! Subsistence! Fresh fish! Fish supplies most animal protein! In rural areas fish contributes 70-90% of animal protein intake PNG is an exception

Main messages Good news - people are eating plenty of fish Reality - they have few alternatives Action - Provide continued access to the fish people need subsistence fishing in rural areas cheap fish in urban areas

Dimensions of the challenge

Fish needed for food (tonnes) Some examples PICT 2010 2030 Solomon Islands 18,000 29,900 - urban 3,400 8,700 - rural 14,600 21,300 Kiribati 7,700 10,200 3,500 6,100 4,200 4,100 Tonga 3,900 900 1,400 2,600 2,500

Where will the fish come from? Coastal fisheries Close at hand Traditional use

The problem Solomon Islands 40 40 30 30 Coastal fish production (t x 1000) Fish needed (tonnes x 1000) 20 20 10 10 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

The problem Solomon Islands 40 40 30 30 Coastal fish production (t x 1000) Fish needed (tonnes x 1000) 20 20 10 10 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

The problem Solomon Islands 40 40 30 30 Coastal fish production (t x 1000) Fish needed (tonnes x 1000) 20 20 10 10 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

The problem Solomon Islands 40 40 30 30 Coastal fish production (t x 1000) Fish needed (tonnes x 1000) 20 20 10 10 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

The problem Solomon Islands 40 40 30 30 Coastal fish production (t x 1000) Fish needed (tonnes x 1000) 20 20 10 10 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

The problem Solomon Islands 40 40 30 30 Urban Coastal fish production (t x 1000) Fish needed (tonnes x 1000) 20 20 Rural 10 10 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

A widespread problem

What is the solution?

Maintain the production from coastal fisheries Gap to be filled

2. Increasing access to fish Storing and distributing low-value tuna landed by industrial fleets

2. Increasing access to fish Low cost, inshore fish aggregating devices (FADs)

2. Increasing access to fish Small pond aquaculture

2. Increasing access to fish Develop fisheries for small pelagics

Food security for rural areas Food security today Food security for rural areas Aquaculture export commodities Freshwater fisheries Livelihoods Coastal finfish Food security for rural areas Subsistence Sales

Improved security today Food security for rural areas Food security for rural areas Freshwater fisheries Coastal export fisheries Aquaculture export commodities Tuna FADs Pond aquaculture Coastal finfish fisheries Livelihoods New options New vehicles

A new approach Ec. growth Food Livelihoods What is emerging is a need to consider a new approach to planning and managing the fisheries of the Pacific

Fish needed for food (tonnes) 5,000 t 10,000 t 15,000 t 20,000 t Coastal Oceanic Aqua Fw Food F Food Food L L Revenue Livelihoods

Priority Actions Manage coastal fisheries sustainably Store and distribute low-value tuna in urban areas. Develop inshore FAD infrastructure, fishing techniques and post-harvest Develop small pond aquaculture Develop fisheries for small pelagics

Information