Global Roundtable highlights small pelagics’ role in aquaculture feed and food security
The Global Roundtable on Marine Ingredients (GRT) has published findings from its July workshop in Nouakchott, Mauritania, examining the future of West Africa’s small pelagic fisheries and their importance for both direct human consumption and the aquaculture value chain.
Co-organised with the Mauritanian Institute for Oceanographic and Fisheries Research (IMROP) and the Mauritanian Small Pelagics Fishery Improvement Project, the meeting brought together 60 participants from governments, local communities, industry, research institutions and civil society.
The report underlines the pressure on stocks, with CECAF assessing five as overexploited and four fully exploited. Climate change is intensifying these challenges, with the 2023 Nansen survey showing abnormally high sea temperatures and the absence of sardines south of Cap Blanc.
“Faced with these challenges, scientific and regional management of migratory stocks is essential,” said Cheikh Baye Braham, Chair of CECAF-North and scientist at IMROP. “The implementation of management plans, investment in data monitoring and the promotion of the ecosystem approach to fisheries appear to be priorities. Finally, the sustainable development of fishmeal and fish oil industries must be reconciled with West African food security.”
Árni M. Mathiesen, independent chair of the GRT, stressed the global relevance for aquaculture feed markets: “Aquatic foods, with their high nutritional value and low environmental footprint, play a vital role in addressing the challenge of food security for a global population exceeding 8 billion. The West African sub-region faces declining fish stocks due to overfishing and climate change, alongside economic competition and shifting consumer preferences. Without strengthened regional institutional cooperation, we will face enormous difficulties.”
Workshop recommendations included strengthening fisheries data systems at processing plants, establishing a sub-regional observatory, harmonising regulatory frameworks, and supporting inclusive governance for fishery improvement projects. Infrastructure upgrades, artisanal processing and awareness campaigns were also highlighted as ways to increase direct human consumption.
The report concludes that small pelagics must be better integrated into both human diets and aquaculture supply chains, warning that sustainable management will be critical to the resilience of marine ingredients and the broader blue economy.
The GRT said it will continue to engage with international and regional stakeholders and monitor progress on implementation.
