Nutrition

Capture fisheries in small island developing states (SIDS) have the capacity to increase access to vital micronutrient-rich food to tackle malnutrition, but when fishers are restricted to nearshore habitats by limited capacity (boats, engines, fishing gear), fisheries production can be low. This is the case of coastal Timor-Leste, where some of the world’s most diverse coral reefs are juxtaposed with one of the world’s most undernourished populations.

Micronutrient deficiencies account for an estimated one million premature deaths annually, and for some nations can reduce gross domestic product by up to 11%, highlighting the need for food policies that focus on improving nutrition rather than simply increasing the volume of food produced3. People gain nutrients from a varied diet, although fish—which are a rich source of bioavailable micronutrients that are essential to human health—are often overlooked.

FISH made significant progress during 2018 in producing and disseminating a suite of research innovations for the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture across Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

A fish agri-food system is an interconnected and interdependent system involving components of fish production through to processing, marketing and consumption. The CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agri-Food Systems (FISH) is a collaborative global partnership that aims to enhance the sustainability, productivity and resilience of fish agri-food systems, contributing to global goals for poverty reductions, food and nutrition security, and improved resilience of natural resource systems.

Budget plan and delivery milestones for the new FISH CRP are outlined in this document.