Estimating the fishing rate for maximum nutritional yield (FMNY) optimizes fish production for human health

Anneli Lӧfstedt, Laurence T. Kell, Baukje de Roos, Paul G. Fernandes

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Abstract

Fisheries management is largely based on the principle of achieving the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) with little regard for nutritional value. Management strategies maximizing nutrients rather than yield, however, may provide a smarter contribution to global food and nutrition security. Here, we present a novel fisheries management strategy: fishing at maximum nutritional yield (FMNY), the exploitation rate at which essential nutrients are maximized. Combining top-down population modelling approaches with bottom-up nutrient compositional analysis, we compared nutrient yields across seasons for Europe’s most valuable fishery (Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus). FMNY estimates differed between nutrients, but were equal to, or lower than, FMSY. An autumn fishery provided higher amounts of lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein, whereas vitamin D3, and calcium were maximized in winter. Aligning national fisheries policies and nutrition objectives is paramount to realising the potential of seafood in building healthier food systems. Developing novel fisheries management strategies, such as FMNY, where fisheries are optimised for human nutrition will, therefore, contribute to nutrient sustainability and help improve human health and diets.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberfsae137
JournalICES Journal of Marine Science
Early online date7 Oct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 7 Oct 2024

Keywords

  • fisheries
  • nutrition
  • production
  • Atlantic mackerel

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