The rising influence of the fishmeal and fish oil industry in West Africa has been predominantly focused on fueling the growth of export markets, with less emphasis on the domestic arena. This has left local seafood markets grappling with certain challenges and repercussions. The trend has raised critical questions about the trade-offs West African nations are willing to make in their pursuit of economic growth, while potentially undermining their food security and local fisheries sustainability.
1. The fishmeal and fish oil industry has risen in prominence in West Africa, mostly focused on growing export markets rather than developing the local industry.
2. This export-centric approach has resulted in challenges for local seafood markets and might be compromising food security and local fisheries' sustainability.
3. The growing industry has raised concerns about the choices West African nations are making to boost economic growth at potential environmental and security costs.
4. The shift towards an export heavy strategy has destabilized local markets and difficulties for small-scale enterprises and communities dependent on the fishing industry.
5. Increasing overfishing geared towards the fishmeal and oil industry has not only raised environmental concerns but has also sparked worries over food security due to a decrease in the availability of seafood for local consumption.
In West Africa, an estimated 40% of the region’s total fish catch is used for fishmeal and fish oil production, primarily for export markets.
uncertain supplies and escalating prices. This sub-Saharan region, rich in marine resources, has been experiencing an unprecedented focus on the mass production of fishmeal and fish oil primarily intended for foreign markets. This shift towards export heavy strategies has resulted in local market instability and difficulties for small-scale enterprises and local communities built around the fishing industry. The depletion of fish stock due to overfishing for the fish meal and oil industry has raised environmental concerns, along with growing anxiety over food security due to the dwindling availability of seafood for local consumption.