Small-scale fisheries are essential yet frequently overlooked in the global fisheries landscape, playing a crucial role in fighting hunger and malnutrition while providing livelihoods worldwide, according to new research. This study rigorously measured the contributions of both marine and inland small-scale fisheries to global aquatic harvests, nutrition, and socioeconomic stability.
Small-scale fisheries are essential yet frequently overlooked in the global fisheries landscape and are vital in combating hunger and malnutrition while generating livelihoods worldwide, as highlighted by recent research published in the journal Nature. Released online on January 15 by an international team of scientists, this study is the first to systematically assess how both marine and inland small-scale fisheries contribute to global aquatic harvests and nutritional as well as socioeconomic security.
While definitions may vary, small-scale fisheries typically consist of households or communities, primarily in lower to middle-income nations, that utilize lower-technology and more labor-intensive fishing methods for sustenance or income, in contrast to large-scale fisheries. Decision-makers have historically marginalized small-scale fisheries in resource management strategies, food system evaluations, and policies surrounding agriculture, nutrition, and development for various reasons. For instance, census data tends to combine small-scale fishers with agricultural laborers.
“Millions of individuals who depend on marine and inland fisheries have largely been overlooked by science and policymakers. Neglecting their contributions and necessities could prove harmful not only to the fishers themselves but also to our environment and society at large,” stated co-lead author Xavier Basurto, who held the Bass Chair for Excellence in Teaching and Research at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment during this research.
“Our analysis reveals that small-scale fisheries account for nearly half of the total catch across all fisheries. They play a crucial role in addressing food security and nutritional needs for billions of people,” added co-lead author Nicolas L. Gutierrez, a senior fishery officer for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
In 2017, FAO established a unique partnership with the Nicholas School and the international research organization WorldFish to explore the role of small-scale fisheries within the U.N.’s Agenda for Sustainable Development, aimed at addressing global issues such as hunger, poverty, and gender inequality. This new study builds upon a 2023 report from the group, who refer to their collaboration as the Illuminating Hidden Harvests Initiative (IHH).
“Our primary question was straightforward: Who produces aquatic foods, how do they do it, and for whom?” explained co-author Nicole Franz, a leader of the Equitable Livelihoods Team in FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division who initially conceived the IHH. “Answering that question turned out to be complex, requiring a large team of diverse specialists in areas like fisheries science, nutrition, governance, gender, and economics.”
In total, over 800 contributors from various countries were involved in this study. They gathered and analyzed large amounts of data from case studies, surveys, and databases to understand how small-scale fisheries affect global catch, nutrition, and employment.
The research shows that small-scale fisheries are vital to achieving Sustainable Development Goals focused on combating hunger and poverty, addressing climate change, and promoting aquatic conservation, women’s rights, and economic development.
For instance, the catch from small-scale fisheries supplies 20% of the dietary intake of six crucial nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, for 2.3 billion individuals living within 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) of a coastline or major inland water resource. This implies that roughly 1 in 4 people likely relies on small-scale fisheries for a significant amount of essential nutrients.
Furthermore, close to 500 million people, or one in 12, depend at least partially on small-scale fishing for their livelihoods, a term that encompasses the means necessary to meet fundamental needs. Nearly half of these individuals are women, a demographic often overlooked in fisheries research.
“Women engage in every aspect of fishing, from preparation to catching and processing fish. They are vital to these production systems, which provide food for millions,” remarked co-author John Virdin, director of the Ocean and Coastal Policy Program at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability and a faculty member at the Nicholas School.
The study found that at least 40% of the global catch arises from small-scale fisheries, and they contribute 44% to the economic value generated by fisheries worldwide.
Among the small-scale fisheries examined, operations in Africa contribute the most to global catch and nutrition, while small-scale fisheries in Oceania, which includes countries in the South and Central Pacific, play a significant role in sustaining livelihoods in that region.
“The findings from Oceania demonstrate how crucial small-scale fishing is in countries where job opportunities are limited. In such cases, there is a need for stronger fisheries management and governance efforts to ensure the sustainability of this sector,” Gutierrez noted.
Despite their substantial societal contributions, many small-scale fishers lack control over their fisheries. The study indicates that about two-thirds of the catch from small-scale fisheries in 51 surveyed countries comes from fishers who do not have formal rights to engage in resource management and decision-making.
Without authority, small-scale fishers are vulnerable to external competition or restrictive policies that could jeopardize the natural resources they depend on and their contributions to sustainable development.
“These fishers often have deep-rooted connections to aquatic environments and communities that span hundreds to thousands of years. The absence of appropriate support from local or national authorities often undermines community efforts to prevent scenarios that can easily lead to overfishing,” said Basurto, who is now on the faculty at the Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University.
This study highlights the need for further policy initiatives by governments and policymakers to better support small-scale fisheries and, by extension, promote environmental and global health.
“Our research has begun to quantify the impact of small-scale fisheries worldwide and how they relate to important policy issues like climate change, resource management, governance, conservation, gender equity, social inclusion, and nutrition. By clarifying these connections, we believe our findings provide policymakers with a clear pathway to enhance support for small-scale fisheries,” concluded co-author Edward H. Allison, a principal scientist at WorldFish.
The funding for this research was provided by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) for FAO, while Duke University received support from the Oak Foundation; WorldFish was funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) multi-donor trust fund grant as part of the Resilient Aquatic Food Systems Initiative.
