Doha – A recent data analysis published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health suggests that replacing red meat consumption with forage fish, such as sardines, herring, and anchovies, could prevent up to 750,000 deaths per year by 2050.
The study also indicates that this dietary shift could significantly reduce the burden of disability caused by diet-related diseases, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
The findings are especially relevant for countries like Morocco, which is the main supplier of sardines to the European Union, accounting for 93% of total extra-EU imports in 2022.
According to a recent study by the Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the European Parliament, sardines make up 48% of the total catch in the CECAF (Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic) area, and the stocks are considered non-fully exploited as of 2021.
Researchers behind the BMJ Global Health study emphasize that forage fish are not only rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin B12 but also have the lowest carbon footprint of any animal food source.
Despite these benefits, around 75% of the global forage fish catch is currently used for producing fishmeal and fish oil, primarily for fish farming that caters to high-income consumers.
The study analyzed four different scenarios for allocating forage fish globally, using projected red meat consumption data for 137 countries in 2050. The analysis revealed that prioritizing forage fish for countries with the lowest fish intake, mainly in lower and middle-income nations, would most effectively reduce the global burden of disease.
Read also: Morocco, World’s Leading Exporter of Canned Sardines in 2022
However, the researchers acknowledge that the limited supply of forage fish is insufficient to replace all red meat consumption. They also point out potential barriers to realizing the health benefits of forage fish, such as overfishing, climate change, and cultural acceptance.
To address these challenges, the researchers suggest multi-sectoral policy coordination and action, including prioritizing access to affordable fish for the poor and promoting the use of nutrient-rich microalgae as fish feed. They also recommend culturally tailored interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness about the relationship between diet and disease.
While Morocco’s sardine stocks are currently considered non-fully exploited, the situation is less favorable for other small pelagic fish species in the region. Sardinella stocks, which account for 14% of the total catch, were deemed over-exploited in 2021, and the current level of chub mackerel capture, representing 21% of overall catches, is considered unsustainable.
