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<p>Globally, only 54% of harvested fish is consumed directly by people, with the remainder lost to spoilage, inefficient processing, limited by-product utilization, or diverted to non-food uses. This inefficiency limits the nutritional, economic, and environmental potential of aquatic foods. Here, we assess the impact of targeted post-harvest interventions—including cold chain improvements, better handling practices, and valorisation of by-products, using a quantitative modelling approach with a qualitative synthesis of case studies and literature. We show that increasing net fish consumption by humans to 74% through feasible technological adoption could deliver an additional 850 million portions of fish per day, without harvesting a single extra fish. These “hidden harvests” could meet global dietary protein and micronutrient needs while reducing price to the consumer by nearly 10%. Whilst these findings should be seen as upper limits rather than expected outcomes. They highlight post-harvest optimisation as a critically underutilised lever for advancing nutrition security, reducing pressure on aquatic ecosystems, and achieving sustainable, equitable growth in blue food systems. Reducing waste, not simply increasing catch, is the key.</p>

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Technology-driven reduction of fish post-harvest loss could enhance food security and economic resilience

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月11日

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  • Haizhou Wu,
  • Jingnan Zhang,
  • Heng Zhu,
  • Omar Peñarubia,
  • David F. Willer

摘要

Globally, only 54% of harvested fish is consumed directly by people, with the remainder lost to spoilage, inefficient processing, limited by-product utilization, or diverted to non-food uses. This inefficiency limits the nutritional, economic, and environmental potential of aquatic foods. Here, we assess the impact of targeted post-harvest interventions—including cold chain improvements, better handling practices, and valorisation of by-products, using a quantitative modelling approach with a qualitative synthesis of case studies and literature. We show that increasing net fish consumption by humans to 74% through feasible technological adoption could deliver an additional 850 million portions of fish per day, without harvesting a single extra fish. These “hidden harvests” could meet global dietary protein and micronutrient needs while reducing price to the consumer by nearly 10%. Whilst these findings should be seen as upper limits rather than expected outcomes. They highlight post-harvest optimisation as a critically underutilised lever for advancing nutrition security, reducing pressure on aquatic ecosystems, and achieving sustainable, equitable growth in blue food systems. Reducing waste, not simply increasing catch, is the key.