By Diana Crucitti
The Human Cost of Fishing in Sanyang
The report “The human cost of fishing: how the overuse of fisheries resources in Sanyang threatens the subsistence of the local population” published by Amnesty International in 2023 has brought attention to the severe consequences of overfishing on the communities of Gambia. This issue has been explored by the editorial committee of AISU on their Instagram page (@amnestyinternationalstudentsutrecht), offering additional insight for those interested in understanding the depth of the problem.
The Connection Between Farmed Salmon Consumption and West African Communities
In this article, we delve into the relationship between our consumption of farmed salmon and its impact on communities in West Africa, as revealed by the report 2024 published by Feedback.
Currently, wild-caught fish that have been reduced to fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), are used to feed for farmed salmon and other farmed fish. Around one-fifth of the world’s annual marine catch (over 16 million tonnes in 2020) is used to produce FMFO every year, most of which goes to producing feed for the aquaculture industry. Salmon production only accounts for 3.9% of farmed fish produced globally, but it uses up 58% of fish oil and 14% of fish meal destined for aquaculture. The fish used for FMFO are mainly small, oily fish like sardines which sustain local communities in the Global South are thus diverted to feed fish farmed for and consumed by the Global North, which creates a scenario of a food-feed competition.
Norwegian Salmon: A Facade of Sustainability
Norway is the world's biggest producer of farmed salmon, and is home to some of the largest global producers. The industry's marketing strategy portrays salmon aquaculture as a sustainable option. According to Feedback's report, Norway's salmon business supports a type of food colonialism that widens economic gaps worldwide and exacerbates unemployment and hunger in places like West Africa.
Some of the target fishes in Africa are migratory and widely consumed in countries without an Atlantic coastline. As a result, the industrial scale of the fish meal industry in West Africa is driving up the price of fish sold across several West African markets, including inland. The sheer scale of wild fish required for FMFO production places immense pressure on marine resources, particularly in Northwest Africa. This price increase is impacting food security, dispossessing local populations of livelihoods and food and threatening the survival of one of the most productive segments of several West African economies. Communities that depend on marine resources for their livelihoods, such as artisanal fishermen, women processors, and fishmongers, are particularly affected. Fish stocks in the region are declining, and migration from West Africa along with the ensuing human tragedies are increasingly linked to this trend more often. For example, Senegal's fish consumption fell by 50% between 2009 and 2018, which prompted more fishermen to migrate throughout the coastal republics of West Africa.
The link between Norwegian salmon and consumer markets in Europe, is undeniable. Norwegian salmon is marketed as a premium product and is readily available in major supermarkets and wholesalers across the continent. Nevertheless, the industry’s reliance on wild-caught fish exacerbates food insecurity, undermines food sovereignty, and perpetuates inequitable trade dynamics between the Global North and South.
Interview with Yves Reichling: Insights from Feedback EU
To gain deeper insights into the issue, we interviewed Yves Reichling, the Feedback EU's project manager of the Our Fish/Notre Poisson initiative.
"Hi Yves, could you provide an overview of your organisation's mission and goals?"
"At Feedback we campaign for a transition to a more sustainable and just food system. Our focus delves into how the international food system and European actors impact livelihoods and the environment and we see that often a form of exploitation through food systems we
call food colonialism is being perpetuated."
“What are some of the key policy recommendations or actions that your organisation advocates for to address the issues of blue food imperialism and its impact on West Africa?”
“Policy recommendation are key part of our advocacy work. So far we have been working on a call for action and policy recommendation to the Norwegian government, where we call for a halt to the expansion of the salmon farming sector, mandate transparency in feed sourcing across the aquaculture supply chain, and ensure that Norwegian companies' activities in the Global South align with development policies.”
“What are some ongoing projects or initiatives that Feedback EU is currently involved in to further its mission?”
“We are currently exploring the production of seabass in Turkey, a fish widely consumed in Europe. Turkey has for example significantly expanded its seabass production, is a major importer of FMFO from Mauritania and thus contributes to the
same problems we have exposed in the Blue Empire report.”
"What can individuals do to support your efforts?"
"Remember that you have agency as citizens and can engage with and call on politicians
to act. Especially in face of the European Election in 2024, there is an important opportunity to ensure that sustainable food systems are high on the agenda. As consumers, you can raise awareness by informing retailers and restaurants about sourcing practices or just asking where the food you’re about to consume comes from. In most cases, reducing one’s meat, dairy, and fish consumption helps relieve the many pressures our food system puts on the environment. Social media can also be a powerful platform for spreading awareness."
“For students interested in pursuing careers related to environmental issues or food security, what advice would you offer?"
“One of the options is of course the NGO sector. Also, social enterprises can be an interesting option since at their core, they work for the common good. If people
happen to end up in more mainstream industries, and see that harmful practices are in place, one can always push for change from the inside. Lastly, if as a student you have a part-time job in a store or in a restaurant, you can speak with your colleagues and managers and let them know about the problems, their solutions and possible alternatives.”
To conclude, the knowledge gained from the interview with Yves Reichling and the thorough examination of how farmed salmon consumption affects communities in West Africa illustrates the urgent need for a change in the global food system. Policymakers, citizens, and advocacy groups must work together to address issues of over fishing, food colonialism, and socioeconomic disparities. To safeguard the welfare of costal communities and marine ecosystems, individuals and organisations can collaborate by pushing for legislative change, increasing public awareness, and more sustainable and just alternatives.