BLUE REVOLUTION

CAURTESY : BLUE REVOLUTION

The Blue Revolution has improved accessibility and availability of farmed fish in some regions, therefore potentially improving food and nutrient security, especially in low-income nations and rural populations.

Increased aquaculture production has enabled a reliable fish supply that is more stable than wild fish catches. Further, aquaculture’s boom has driven down the price of most farmed species, making them more affordable for low-income households. Meanwhile, reduced wild fish stocks has increased the price of fish from other fishing industries and practices.In recent decades, aquaculture in underdeveloped countries has mostly gone towards domestic consumption, rather than international trade.Reduced prices and year-long predictable supply has allowed food insecure regions with high aquaculture production to improve food conditions for some of their most vulnerable populations. Fish for direct human consumption are an excellent source for many important nutrients, such as omega 3-fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D, iron and calcium. Fish are also a significant source of protein for much of the global population, providing over 3 billion people with about 20% of their animal protein In small-island states, and West Africa, fish provides up to 50% of protein intake. Increased consumption of fish from the Blue Revolution can ameliorate conditions of nutrient deficiencies in low-income malnourished populations in underdeveloped regions. However, in some regions, such as Africa, fish consumption is expected to decrease in coming decades, potentially threatening food and nutrient security in existing vulnerable groups.

Livelihoods and Poverty Alleviation

The Blue Revolution and aquaculture activities play an important role in supporting livelihoods and reducing poverty, especially for rural populations. In 2018, over 20 million people globally were employed and got their income from aquaculture related activities. Generally, aquaculture can provide a higher income to low-income, rural households than agriculture. In underdeveloped countries, many people rely on income from seafood production to support their livelihoods in addition to other sources of income. This is especially true for small-scale aquaculture, which is most often practiced in rural areas. Aquaculture also as positive indirect effects of poverty alleviation through spill-over from surplus income and employment linkages to those in jobs associated with fish farming.  The growth of freshwater aquaculture has helped provide income and reduce poverty, specifically in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Also fish farming has positive effects on income distribution, attenuating the levels of inequality in rural coastal localities where salmon farms are established, compared to localities where salmon farms are not established.  For example, in Bangladesh, aquaculture activities facilitate per capita income to grow 2.1% between 2000 and 2010, reducing national poverty levels.