From ocean to plate: Integrating fisheries and aquaculture for resilient global food security

Crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), fisheries and aquaculture bolster global food and nutrition security, supplying vital protein, micronutrients and essential fatty acids to billions. This opinion piece highlights the interdependent and complementary roles of fisheries and aquaculture in meeting global food demands and combating malnutrition. Fisheries offer diverse, nutrient-rich species essential for local access and dietary diversity. Aquaculture provides a growing, stable supply as wild stocks stagnate. The paper highlights nutritional differences between wild and farmed fish and their implications for public health. While both sectors are indispensable socioeconomic pillars, their long-term contributions hinge on sustainable management and equitable access. The expansion of aquaculture should strategically mitigate risks like resource competition and environmental degradation, and concurrently, fisheries face critical challenges including overfishing and habitat loss. Finally, integrated policies prioritizing sustainable production, fair access and resilience against climate change are essential to harness the full potential of aquatic food systems for a nutritionally secure future.