Speed Presentation 2024 Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting combined with NZMSS

Managing fisheries and aquaculture for food and nutrition (#42)

Anna Farmery 1 , Liam Fullbrook 1
  1. University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Food and health outcomes are not well-integrated into fisheries and aquaculture policy or management, despite global expectations that aquatic foods will help address food system challenges. Fisheries and aquaculture management is predominantly focused on economic and ecological objectives. While environment and economics are essential considerations, this focus risks limiting the potential contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food systems. This research examines what fisheries and aquaculture management would look like if it were to prioritise food and nutrition alongside environment and economic outcomes. The research also considered the reasons management does not focus on food outcomes in many contexts. We draw on published literature on aquatic foods and food systems, as well as information from key informants across academia, government and industry. The research identifies a broad range of current management actions supporting fisheries and aquaculture's contribution to food and nutrition. In addition, there are a range of suggested management objectives, as well as actions to be undertaken beyond the production stage, that have the potential to improve food outcomes. However, a range of barriers exist to implementing these objectives and the synergies and trade-offs with existing management objectives are not well understood.