Fish supplies are too low to meet dietary requirements in many European countries, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Scientists from the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute and School of Biological Sciences carried out the first in-depth investigation into seafood supplies and how this relates to dietary recommendations across 31 countries.
People in the UK are advised to eat two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily such as salmon or mackerel. In only 13 of the studied countries were supplies meeting the recommendations. Landlocked countries in central and eastern Europe were particularly affected.
Professor Baukje de Roos from the Rowett Institute said that is was becoming increasingly important to understand how diets related to food supply chains. “For example, what is being produced, what is imported and exported, and how does this relate to what we eat and what we should be eating?” she said.
This link is key to ensuring an adequate and helps ensure sustainability across food supply chains. “It is important to note, that from a scientific perspective, there is no doubt that fish can be harvested sustainably,” said Professor Paul Fernandes, from the University’s School of Biological Sciences.
“However, to maintain this situation and, indeed, expand it to make all fish stocks sustainable, effective integrated management across government policies for fisheries, aquaculture and public health is essential,” he added.
