News
Meet the East Africa Specialist: Austin Humphries
"I wish more people knew how vitally important fish is to not only the livelihood and wellbeing of individuals in developing economies, but also to their cultural identity and spiritual health. Untangling these can be difficult since they represent shared histories with the environment."
Dried Small Fish (Kapenta)
Our featured recipe this month is for Zambian kakeya or kapenta (sardines) cooked with tomatoes and onions and served with greens, cabbage, or nshima (cornmeal porridge). This small fish offers a terrific package of concentrated nutrients important for growth and brain development in children and general health for adults.
Replacement of fisheries-derived fishmeal with yeast-derived proteins for sustainable aquaculture in Zambia
Fishmeal is a fisheries-derived product that is used as a protein source in the diet of farmed animals, including farmed aquatic animals (finfish and shellfish). Aquaculture is currently the main consumer of the global fishmeal production. Given the sustainability concerns inherent to fishmeal production, it is necessary to find alternative protein sources, which will substitute fishmeal, in order to support the sustainable growth of aquaculture globally.
Internal Survey Tool Will Measure Gender Integration in Fisheries and Aquaculture
In communities worldwide, gender issues in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture have implications for all fish value chain activities, from production through consumption. Research shows that empowering women fishers, processors, traders, and entrepreneurs across the fish value chain can positively impact nutrition and food security, particularly in vulnerable households. To better understand these dynamics, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish (Fish Innovation Lab) is developing an internal survey tool to understand issues of gender equity across its projects.
Fish Innovation Lab Featured in Recent Feed the Future Gender Report
The “Gender Integration in USAID’s Agricultural Research Investments: A Synthesis of Key Findings and Best Practices” report summarizes the extent and nature of gender integration across 20 agricultural and food security research activities funded by the USAID’s Bureau for Food Security, including 16 Feed the Future Innovation Labs. The report focuses on four broad themes and explores key project documents, an in-person workshop, and key informant interviews with 38 research directors, gender advisors, and other activity staff. Explore the infographic below to discover key findings and best practices from the report.
Reducing Post-Harvest Losses in Nigeria's Aquaculture Sector Contributes to Sustainable Development
The low production and consumption of fish in Nigeria is because of rudimentary production systems in the country, more competitive imported fish products, and high poverty rates that limit purchasing power of consumers. The situation is further complicated by high “post-harvest losses” in Nigerian fish food production and consumption systems. Post-harvest loss is a reduction in the value (e.g., mass, monetary value, or nutritive value) of fish after they are harvested. Of all the losses to suffer in an agricultural system, post-harvest losses are the worst. While increasing fish production and productivity in the long term are practical strategies for increasing fish consumption that address malnutrition in Nigeria, reducing post-harvest losses of fish from farm gate to consumption is an economic and a rational strategy of increasing value of aquaculture businesses that lead to sustainable economic development. Efforts at increasing production outcomes will also create jobs and reduce waste through post-harvest loss reduction.
Meet the Program/Finance Manager: Shauncey Hill
"As people understand more on how much fish can benefit them, they can take part in opportunities that benefit them and their families long term. It’s my hope that the Fish Innovation Lab projects can provide ways that can help make their choices easier." -- Fish Innovation Lab Program/Finance Manager Shauncey Hill
Gender Dynamics in Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture [video lecture]
This lecture, hosted by the Fish Innovation Lab and Social Science Research Center, focused on how gender dynamics in small-scale fisheries/aquaculture shape men’s and women’s participation and benefits. Research exploring these gender dynamics has increased, yet significant knowledge gaps remain. A renowned scientist and gender expert, Steven Cole of IITA discussed how filling these gaps is an important means to enhancing food, nutrition, and economic security of people in low-income settings.
Lab Leaders Host Seminar on Fisheries and Aquaculture in Bangladesh
Fish Innovation Lab leaders hosted a seminar titled “Challenges, Needs and Potentials of Aquaculture and Fisheries in Bangladesh,” which brought together academic, industry, and governmental leaders on December 26, 2019, at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) in Mymensingh. More than 70 participants representing BAU, the Government of Bangladesh Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), and aquaculture entrepreneurs attended the event.
Gender impacts to fisheries, aquaculture topic at upcoming MSU presentation
On Thursday [Feb. 6], Steven Cole of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture is discussing “Gender dynamics in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture” at 9:30 a.m. in the Colvard Student Union’s Fowlkes Auditorium. The event is free to all and sponsored by the MSU-based Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, or Fish Innovation Lab, and the university’s Social Science Research Center.