So are fish that important do we really need them? Maybe you enjoy eating fish but there are plenty of other protein sources right? Maybe you enjoy fishing but there are plenty of other things you can do with your free time. This may seem silly but this is the way many people think. People in wealthier countries or in landlocked areas may have a harder time seeing how important fish are. Not everyone relies on fish at the same degree in reference to protein consumption and economics. But looking worldwide fish are crucial to millions of people all around the world. People rely on fish for protein, jobs, recreation, and much more.
As many people may know fish are a protein source that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, calcium, zinc, and iron. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations “fish provide 6.7 percent of all protein consumed by humans”. This percentage however does not truly represent how important fish are to specific countries. For example, fish contribute 20% of all animal protein consumption in developing countries according to green facts. They also note that this percentage may be underrepresented because of unrecorded contribution of subsistence fisheries. We can continue to zoom in and see that people in more specific locations can be even more dependent on fish. For example, “It is estimated that fish contributes to at least 50 percent of total animal protein intake in some small island developing states, as well as in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, French Guiana, the Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia and Sierra Leone” according to Green Facts. It is clear that people are dependent on fish on varying levels for protein consumption.
Can people benefit from fish for more than food? Yes, millions of individuals or even countries rely on the fishing industry for economic gain. The fishing industry includes, fishermen, guides, recreational fishing and equipment, aqua culture, and more. In the United States alone the fishing industry contributes nearly $90 billion annually and supports over 1.5 million jobs according to Harris et al. 2014. Fish have historically been and continue to be one of the most traded foods worldwide. According to the FAO greater than 50% of fish exports by value originate in developing countries. The fishing industry contributes substantially to economies of countries all over the world.
So it may be hard to understand the importance of a resource if you are less dependent on it yourself. If you live in the planes of the western United States where fish diversity is relatively low and cattle or various livestock appear to out number nearly all other protein food sources, it is probably easy for you to view livestock as a more valuable resource. Now this may be true for you, it is still important to understand that people outside of your state or even country may more heavily rely on fish instead. People all over the world benefit from the fishing industry for individually specified reasons. It is clear however that developing countries and more specifically smaller islands are substantially more reliant on fish for protein consumption and economic gain. Although this paper is only looking at how people benefit from fish looking at protein intake and economics there are many other ways to look at this topic. Some follow up research could be how other animals depend on fish or how various components of the ecosystem are impacted by fish and how that can effect humans or recourses that humans care about or rely on.
Work Cited
FAO. 2016. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2016. Contributing to food security and nutrition for all. Rome.200 pp. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5555e.pdf
“Fisheries Latest Data.” Fisheries: 6. How Much Fish Is Consumed Worldwide?, FAO Fisheries, www.greenfacts.org/en/fisheries/l-2/06-fish-consumption.htm. Web. 31 Oct. 2017
“Global per Capita Fish Consumption Rises above 20 Kilograms a Year.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/421871/icode/. Web. 31 Oct. 2017.
Harris, Benjamin H., et al. “Economic Contributions of the U.S. Fishing Industry.” Brookings, Brookings, 28 July 2016, www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2014/09/03/economic-contributions-of-the-u-s-fishing-industry/. Web. 31 Oct. 2017.