May 24, 2012 – Brazilian research from the World Fisheries Congress, which was held in Edinburgh from 7-11 May, demonstrates ‘forage fish’ as a cheap and sustainable source of protein and micronutrients for school children.
So called ‘forage fish’- small marine fish, such as anchovies – have traditionally been used to stock fish farms with about 20 to 30 million tonnes used to produce fish meal every year. Four million tonnes of which are used in aquaculture to feed carnivorous fish.
This practice has come under fire due to its poor return in food value. Indeed, by feeding the fish direct to humans for consumption – eight times as much protein reaches our dinner plates.
So why aren’t these fish used for direct human consumption? This question has been addressed by Prof Lauro Madureira in conjunction with the Brazilian Ministry of Fisheries through an innovative and imaginative programme.
The problem lay in getting the public to accept a novel product made from what had previously been termed ‘trash fish’.
The answer was simple – large numbers of active and hungry school children without too many preconceived attitudes to the source of their food. Provided they were served a meal which was tasty and sustained them – they would be satisfied. Add to this the fact that fish and their benefits to health are well known; it provided a cheap and sustainable source of dietary protein.
Read the full article here.