The first ever calculation of national footprints based on seafood consumption rather than production has been made by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) on behalf of the European Commission. The measurement is intended to provide policymakers with evidence to encourage international collaboration and promote policies to ensure long-term sustainability of all seafood production.
Using new methodology to examine the impact of seafood supply chains across national boundaries, JRC scientists calculated that the global demand for seafood destined for human consumption is 143.8 million metric tons (MT) per year, and the overall consumption footprint, which includes other uses of seafood, is 154 million MT.
Its model explores the interactions between capture fisheries and aquaculture, fishmeal, and trade at the global level, and accounts for trade flows and interdependencies between different countries along the international supply chain, linking the extraction of raw materials, inter-industry flow, trade, and final consumption.
China has by far the largest seafood consumption footprint (65 million MT). This is due to its high footprint as a consumer of capture fisheries and fishmeal.
It is followed by the European Union (13 million MT), Japan (7.4 million MT), Indonesia (7.3 MT), and the United States (7.1 million MT).
In terms of consumption footprint per capita, the Republic of Korea scored highest (78.5 kg per capita), followed by Norway (66.6 kg), Portugal (61.5 kg), Myanmar (59.9 kg), Malaysia (58.6 kg) and Japan (58 kg). China came in seventh at 48.3 kg per capita.
The average global per capita consumption has more than doubled in the past 50 years to 22.3 kg.
JRC said that results from the model could provide policymakers and consumers with information on the extent of reliance on producer nations for their seafood supplies.
It added that the analysis could also support assessments of whether seafood sources are exploited in accordance with applicable or desired sustainability standards and objectives.
