Terms such as “blue economy” and “blue growth” are used to describe the growing interest in ocean-based economic development. Policymakers and academics deem the blue revolution and the growth of aquaculture as a blueprint for sustainable global fisheries. Aquaculture entails fish farming, which relies heavily on fishmeal. Although aquaculture is championed over wild-caught fisheries, the industry still relies on wild fishing to produce fishmeal. Fishmeal refers to a nutrient-rich feed component, predominantly used in the diets of farmed fish, which is mostly produced using small pelagic fish (e.g., sardinella, anchovy, etc). However, the sustainability of fishmeal production is in question. I have been engaged in fieldwork and research in The Gambia since 2021, where the so-called “negative externalities” of this process, such as pollution and nutritional inequities and insecurities came to the fore.
Every year, millions of wild-caught edible fish are diverted from direct human consumption to feed the aquaculture industry through the production of fishmeal (Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets Foundations, 2021). This is an ocean equity issue. It perpetuates food insecurity by redirecting approximately 20 million tons of fish annually toward feeding farmed fish rather than humans (Belton & Thilsted, 2014). The small pelagic fish commonly used in fishmeal production serve as food sources for the poor and vulnerable, prioritizing the production of fishmeal for aquaculture over direct human consumption perpetuates a cycle of inequity. This inequity plays out globally along the categories of race, ethnicity, and gender, but also class, as the industry deprives the poor of vital nutritional resources while catering to the demands of affluent global consumers.
Additionally, the production of fishmeal causes several forms of pollution. Due to the chimney smoke, fishmeal manufacturing facilities cause environmental nuisance and air pollution. Fishmeal factories also emit noxious gasses: carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and cyanide (CN−). And, fishmeal plants’ pollutants and odor have a negative impact on the health of both workers and communities surrounding fishmeal factories including respiratory issues (Gorez 2018). Still, West African governments regard fishmeal industries as pivotal sources of foreign investments and revenue and as a result West Africa has witnessed a remarkable increase in fishmeal production in countries such as Mauritania, Senegal, and The Gambia, with production growing more than ten-fold over the past decade, from approximately 13,000 tons in 2010 to surpassing 170,000 tons in 2019 (Greenpeace Africa & Changing Markets Foundation, 2021).
West Africa’s burgeoning fishmeal processing industry has become a focal point of concern for coastal communities. For example, in 2016, three Chinese-invested fishmeal factories began operating in three communities in The Gambia (Sanyan, Gunjur, and Kartong), which have been met with consistent protest. People have cited issues of displacement, disrupted work patterns, economic insecurities, as well as negative environmental and health consequences.
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In The Gambia, the process of producing fishmeal entails intensive fishing activities, which can deplete local fish supplies and disturb marine ecosystems. Fishmeal factories have contracts with fishermen who sell directly to them, diverting fish away from local food markets. Furthermore, due to increased demand, fishermen overfish in order to meet factory demands. The Changing Markets Foundation (2019) found that the combined catch of one of the factories, Golden Lead in Gunjur, accounted for approximately 40% of the country’s total reported fish catches in 2016, roughly half of the fresh fish equivalent. Furthermore, fishmeal factories acquired 29% of total fisheries production (Avadí et al. 2020), producing a total of 3,698 tons of total fisheries in The Gambia between 2014 and 2018. This diversion of fish from local consumption to feed global aquaculture not only affects the biodiversity of the ocean, but also threatens the livelihoods of artisanal fisher communities who rely on these resources for sustenance.
Additionally, the discharge of effluents from fishmeal processing is a major concern. Wastewater and fish waste pollutes local water bodies. The accumulation of fish waste along coastlines can further exacerbate environmental degradation, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities. This is a major distributional justice issues that remains largely unaddressed. As one interviewee explained to me:
“Who knows if this factory is killing us or is going to kill us in the next 10 years?…We have to take this factory very seriously because it can cause so many negative problems in our community regarding our health, our gardens, and the flora and fauna regardless.”
In short, the rapid growth of fishmeal processing in West Africa, driven by global demand, has sparked protests, and raised pressing concerns among coastal communities, particularly in The Gambia. Despite being touted as sources of foreign investment, these factories disproportionately burden vulnerable populations with environmental degradation, food insecurity, and health risks. It is essential for governments and stakeholders to prioritize environmental justice and ocean equity, ensuring that economic development does not come at the expense of community health and environmental sustainability.
Addressing the equity concerns stemming from the diversion of wild-caught fish for fishmeal production requires a multi-pronged approach. This includes advocating for sustainable fishing practices through regulatory measures and marine conservation efforts. Additionally, promoting the use of alternative feed ingredients derived from byproducts can reduce reliance on wild-caught fish. Policy interventions that incentivize sustainability and promote transparency in the seafood supply chain are essential for fostering equitable access to nutritious food resources towards the elimination of the environmental and social impacts of conventional aquaculture practices.
Author
Fatou Jobe, Department of Sociology College of Liberal Arts & Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
References
Avadí, Angel, Moustapha Deme, Adama Mbaye, and Joseph Ndenn. 2020. Fisheries Value Chain Analysis in The Gambia. European Union Commission.
Belton, Ben, and Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted. 2014. “Fisheries in Transition: Food and Nutrition Security Implications for the Global South.” Global Food Security 3(1):59–66. doi: 10.1016/j.gfs.2013.10.001.
Changing Markets Foundation. 2019. Fishing the Feed. Changing Markets Foundation.
Gorez, Béatrice. 2018. “West Africa: Fishmeal, Mealy Deal.” Samudra Report (78):33–35.
GreenPeace Africa, and Changing Markets Foundation. 2021. Feeding a Monster: How European Aquaculture and Animal Feed Industries Are Stealing Food from West African Communities. GreenPeace Africa and Changing Markets Foundation.