The impact of fishmeal and fish oil factories on food security in West Africa

In recent years, West Africa has become a major global exporter of fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), with increasing industrial demand for small pelagic fish intensifying overfishing, threatening ecosystem sustainability, and undermining food security. Small pelagic fish, such as sardines and anchovies, are highly productive and affordable sources of protein and essential nutrients (e.g., calcium, iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids), playing a crucial role in the food security of local communities in the region. FMFO factories established in Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania now compete with local communities for small pelagic fish, however, the impact of factories on household food security in these countries remains unclear, as does the scale of this impact. Using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data, we examined how household proximity to FMFO factories (measured using travel distance) is related to fish consumption among women and children (ages 6–24 months) in Senegal. Women living in households closest to FMFO factories (less than 20 minutes travel time) and those living very far away (more than 8 hours travel time) were more likely to consume less fish than women living at intermediate distances. While proximity to factories had no clear effect on fish consumption among children, there was a temporary decrease in children’s fish consumption in the poorest households in Senegal and a simultaneous increase in children’s fish consumption in the richest households in the years following the opening of multiple FMFO factories. Our analyses reveal interactions between geographic and socioeconomic impacts of FMFO factories on people’s food security that have been previously overlooked. Our findings highlight the importance of considering food security impacts of FMFO factories on local communities and will be critical for informing sustainable and equitable governance of small pelagic fisheries in West Africa.