Wild fish are a precious resource – here’s how aquaculture can bolster food security

Menhaden are a small, silver, oily fish often caught to be turned into fish meal for use in aquaculture. SNEHIT PHOTO/Shutterstock

Small fish such as sardinella are an affordable source of protein and essential nutrients for millions of people across West Africa.

Some of these fish are increasingly exported or processed into fishmeal and fish oil for aquaculture feeds used in high-income European countries and across East Asia, particularly China. As nutrient deficiencies are common in people living in parts of West Africa, retaining more fish for local consumption could help improve diets and address dietary health problems.