Achieving a sustainable global fish trade

Fish often travel long distances after they are caught, mainly from developing countries to developed countries. Over one third of the world's fish catch for human consumption and reduction (processing fish into fish meal and oil) is traded internationally - the highest ratio for any primary commodity.

This global trade is increasing and today it is worth over US$ 71 billion. The participation of developing countries has grown impressively:

• For developing countries, the net receipts (the value of exports minus imports) from fish are about US$ 18 billion - greater than the net exports of all other primary commodities (coffee, rice, tea, bananas for example) together.
• This expansion coincided with a growing demand for fish in developed countries. Major breakthroughs in storage and transport technologies enabled a highly perishable product to reach markets quickly and in good condition.

The global fish trade is an important source of income in developing countries and can increase their food security. For people in developed countries, it is a source of healthy food.

Problems with a globalised fish trade

This rapid growth has put pressure on fisheries resources, however. Modern technologies used to harvest fish often damage aquatic ecosystems, both seas and inland waters. A recent study of 11 developing countries by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation showed that the international trade in fish products has a negative impact on the fish resources of all countries. The opportunities for making profits from trade cause these depletions.

The study also showed that a globalised fish trade benefits developing nations, supporting fishers and fishworkers and providing for consumers. However, this income may not be well distributed along the value chain.

Clearly, these trends are conflicting and unsustainable. If the benefits are to continue, policymakers must manage fisheries more sustainably. They must adopt mutually beneficial strategies, including:

• the use of more environmentally friendly fishing techniques, such as pots, traps and lines that only select the target species
• exporting larger volumes of value-added products and high quality fresh fish
• encouraging responsible fish consumption patterns in developed countries.

One way to support these strategies is socio-ecological product labelling, such as Fair Trade certification. To be successful, these initiatives must involve developed country trade representatives, consumers and developing country fish producers. The participation of mutually acceptable third parties, such as state representatives and environmental organisations, is also necessary to steward the process and make international trade more inclusive.

A productive future for the global fish trade will only be achieved when sustainable fish production and consumption are in place. This is the challenge of the day.

John Kurien
Centre for Development Studies, Ulloor, Trivandrum 695 011, India
T +91 471 244881
F +91 471 2447137
kurien.john@gmail.com

See also

Responsible fish trade and food security, FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 456, Rome, by John Kurien, 2005 (PDF)
www.globefish.org/files/tp_456_290.pdf

Trade and marketplace measures to promote sustainable fishing practices, International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development, Genevat & High Seas Task Force, Paris, by Cathy Roheim and John G. Sutinen, 2006 (PDF)
www.ictsd.org/pubs/ictsd_series/nat_res/Roheim_Sutinen_2006.pdf

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