Significant amounts of small pelagic fish, a nutrient-rich food source, are unnecessarily processed into animal and pet food rather than being directed for human consumption in South Africa and Tanzania.
The research highlights the role of both large and small-scale fisheries in the capture of small pelagic fish, the largest species group landed globally. It focuses on the fact that in South Africa, all anchovy landings from large-scale fisheries are turned into animal feed, fish oil, and pet food. Similarly, in Tanzania, a considerable portion of the dagaa fish catch is reduced to fishmeal, primarily intended to feed chickens. The main methodological challenges being faced relate to the size of the species, labour costs, lack of state incentives, and issues around post-harvest handling and sanitation.
The discussion of the results reveals a concerning trend where substantial quantities of nutrient-rich fish, which could be an optimal food source for humans, are being diverted to feed animals. To change this course, the role of the state needs to be appreciated in Tanzania and South Africa, with particular focus on investment in post-harvest processing. Furthermore, the contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security needs to be reconsidered in terms of economic viability and data reporting compared to large-scale fisheries.
