Post-harvest losses in small-scale fisheries : case studies in five sub-Saharan African countries /
Akande, Gbola.
Diei-Ouadi, Yvette.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Rome : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
2010.
In 2006, the Products, Trade and Marketing Service of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (formerly the Fish Utilization and Marketing Service) in FAO designed a regional post-harvest loss assessment (PHLA) programme to: [1] develop a core of regional experts in fish loss assessment; [2] generate fish loss data in fisheries of socio-economic importance; [3] produce practical guides for fish loss assessment for extension officers and fishery operators; [4] update the Ward and Jeffries (2000) manual; and [5] provide normative guidance to support the implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. This regional programme began in October 2006 and lasted 18 months. It aimed to build on past initiatives and develop tools for practical loss assessment in artisanal fisheries. The programme provided capacity building for fishery officers in qualitative and quantitative fish loss assessments methods, planned support, and supervised the implementation of loss assessment studies in five sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Mali, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda). Data were generated on quality and physical losses - the main types of losses identified - and quantified by researchers using three assessment methods. The fieldwork indicates that post-harvest fish losses in small-scale fisheries occur at all stages in the fish supply chain from capture to consumer. Huge physical and quality losses were found to occur in some supply chains assessed in all the countries, with quality losses reported to account for more than 70 percent of total losses. Concurring data are that physical losses seldom exceed 5 percent in some fisheries, but the findings from assessments of the Lake Victoria sardine (Rastrineobola argentea) fishery indicate much higher losses are occurring during the rainy season when poor drying conditions prevail. Although the nutritional losses and human health problems were not the focus of the study, it can be easily admitted that these financial losses add to the food safety and quality concerns in small pelagic species (such as anchovies in Ghana), which form a noticeable part of the landings in question and are known to be prone to histamine accumulation under conducive uncontrolled time/temperature conditions. To try and reduce or prevent losses, various coping strategies are used by fishermen, processors and traders with varying degrees of success. Despite these, as has been demonstrated by the study, losses still occur, hence the need for careful and continued technical and policy initiatives by international and national agencies. Balancing technical interventions to improve fish quality with the potential increase in selling prices, associated with better quality fish with the demand for cheaper fish by low income consumers, is an important dilemma. In this situation, a policy intervention to encourage access to alternative cheap proteins to improve the food security of low income consumers would help mitigate any downbeat effects from price increases. In conclusion, governments and development agencies should ensure that changes in post-harvest fisheries-related policy and practices take stock of the loss assessment tools, information generated and experience of the programme. Fish loss assessments should be incorporated into national data collection systems and used regularly to inform policy.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-48).
Methodology -- Key data on fish losses -- Loss reduction intervention initiatives -- Additional outputs of the PHLA.
In 2006, the Products, Trade and Marketing Service of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (formerly the Fish Utilization and Marketing Service) in FAO designed a regional post-harvest loss assessment (PHLA) programme to: [1] develop a core of regional experts in fish loss assessment; [2] generate fish loss data in fisheries of socio-economic importance; [3] produce practical guides for fish loss assessment for extension officers and fishery operators; [4] update the Ward and Jeffries (2000) manual; and [5] provide normative guidance to support the implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. This regional programme began in October 2006 and lasted 18 months. It aimed to build on past initiatives and develop tools for practical loss assessment in artisanal fisheries. The programme provided capacity building for fishery officers in qualitative and quantitative fish loss assessments methods, planned support, and supervised the implementation of loss assessment studies in five sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Mali, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda). Data were generated on quality and physical losses - the main types of losses identified - and quantified by researchers using three assessment methods. The fieldwork indicates that post-harvest fish losses in small-scale fisheries occur at all stages in the fish supply chain from capture to consumer. Huge physical and quality losses were found to occur in some supply chains assessed in all the countries, with quality losses reported to account for more than 70 percent of total losses. Concurring data are that physical losses seldom exceed 5 percent in some fisheries, but the findings from assessments of the Lake Victoria sardine (Rastrineobola argentea) fishery indicate much higher losses are occurring during the rainy season when poor drying conditions prevail. Although the nutritional losses and human health problems were not the focus of the study, it can be easily admitted that these financial losses add to the food safety and quality concerns in small pelagic species (such as anchovies in Ghana), which form a noticeable part of the landings in question and are known to be prone to histamine accumulation under conducive uncontrolled time/temperature conditions. To try and reduce or prevent losses, various coping strategies are used by fishermen, processors and traders with varying degrees of success. Despite these, as has been demonstrated by the study, losses still occur, hence the need for careful and continued technical and policy initiatives by international and national agencies. Balancing technical interventions to improve fish quality with the potential increase in selling prices, associated with better quality fish with the demand for cheaper fish by low income consumers, is an important dilemma. In this situation, a policy intervention to encourage access to alternative cheap proteins to improve the food security of low income consumers would help mitigate any downbeat effects from price increases. In conclusion, governments and development agencies should ensure that changes in post-harvest fisheries-related policy and practices take stock of the loss assessment tools, information generated and experience of the programme. Fish loss assessments should be incorporated into national data collection systems and used regularly to inform policy.
Fish handling
Fishes
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Post-harvest losses in small-scale fisheries