Small-scale fisheries in the context of traditional post-harvest practice and the quest for food and nutritional security in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Existing scholarly works have paid little or no attention to the problems small-scale fisheries encounter within the context of food and nutritional security. Therefore, this work has examined the problem. Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are the dominant source of local fish production in Nigeria and, like many fisheries worldwide, receive inadequate attention for their significance within the context of food and nutritional security. A central theme to guaranteeing small-scale fisheries' contribution to sustainable food and nutritional security in Nigeria is addressing post-harvest losses (PHL). Considerable fish loss occurs between production and consumption. A narrative review was conducted to expose PHL practiced by SSF and discuss factors that prevent the adoption of locally available interventions.Finding: Our study revealed that sun-drying and smoking are the major interventions practiced to mitigate PHL. Unfortunately, these methods of reducing PHL are constrained by gross under-capacity and improper handling during peak fishing periods and issues related to product safety. There are a handful of potential intervention mechanisms to address issues of PHL. Many of these PHL-reducing interventions have been designed bearing in mind local contexts and situations. However, general inertia and poor policy implementation currently hamper progress for reducing PHL.

An assessment of post-harvest fish losses and preservation practices in Siavonga district, Southern Zambia

“…Contrary to the findings of Onyango et al (2017), most of the artisanal fishers reported that the traditional smoking kiln was the major tool used to smoke the fish because it was deemed cheaper, less time-consuming, and reduces microbial growth thereby giving fish long shelf life besides adding a nice flavor. However, our findings were in line with those reported by Akintola and Fatoya et al (2017) among small-scale fishers in Nigeria. Caution was given by the fishers regarding the use of smoking for preserving fish since it requires proper monitoring to ensure a quality product.…”

The relationship between forests and freshwater fish consumption in rural Nigeria

“…In many Nigerian communities, fish, or fish products are considered a necessary element of the meal, either as the main source of protein, or as a condiment [39]. Fish are the preferred source of animal protein, perhaps due to its relative affordability, and are thus typically favored by low income households [40].…”

“…Around 900km 2 of the country is covered in rivers and lakes supporting freshwater fish that are widely consumed by urban and rural households [44]. Most fish in Nigeria are sourced from artisanal fisheries found in rivers [39] contributing to 80% of domestic production [45]. There have as yet been no studies, to our knowledge, that investigate the relationship between vegetation cover and fish production or consumption in Nigeria.…”

Preliminary Assessment of Proximate Composition, Mineral and Energy Contents in Locally Smoked Pellonula Leonensis and Sardinella Maderensis From Badagry Creek, Lagos State, Nigeria

“…Enormous significance of fish in enhancing food security both among developing and under developed nations has been reported [2]. In Nigeria, fish supplies 5.6% of total protein and 38.2% of animal protein [3] while fishing communities with greater access to fish for direct consumption have higher animal protein intake with fish contributing as much as 75 % [4]. Fishes of the family Clupeidae are the most common small fish consumed in Nigeria [4].…”

“…In Nigeria, fish supplies 5.6% of total protein and 38.2% of animal protein [3] while fishing communities with greater access to fish for direct consumption have higher animal protein intake with fish contributing as much as 75 % [4]. Fishes of the family Clupeidae are the most common small fish consumed in Nigeria [4]. Occurring in a wide range of aquatic environments, they constitute an affordable and important source of food and nutrition in many inland and coastal fishing communities of West Africa.…”