Fishmeal and fish oil imports from West Africa to Europe reveal a broken food system | Greenpeace int.

Every year, European companies contribute to a tragic diversion of fresh fish that is essential to maintaining the food security of over 33 million people in the West African region. This is the conclusion of a new report from Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets. Feeding a Monster: How the European Aquaculture and Animal Feed Industries Steal Food from West African Communities.

The report shows how every year more than half a million tons of small pelagic fish are extracted along the coast of West Africa and processed into feed for aquatic and arable farming, nutritional supplements, cosmetics and pet food products outside the African continent. [1]

“The fishmeal and fish oil industry, and all the governments and corporations that support them, are basically robbing the local population of their livelihoods and food. This contradicts international commitments on sustainable development, poverty reduction, food security and gender equality. " said Dr. Ibrahimé Cissé, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa.

The report is based on research into the fish meal and fish oil (FMFO) trade relationship between the FMFO industry in West Africa and the European market. It includes traders, aqua and agro feed companies in France, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Und Greece[2] It also examines the supply chain relationships between fish processors / traders and farmed fish producers who have purchased Aquafeed from companies involved in the West African FMFO trade and well-known retailers in recent years France (Carrefour, Auchan, E.Leclerc, Système U, Monoprix, Groupe Casino), Germany (Aldi Süd, Lidl, Kaufland, Rewe, Metro AG, Edeka.), Spain (Lidl Espana) and the United Kingdom (Tesco, Lidl, Aldi). [3]

“Exports of fish meal and fish oil to Europe are robbing coastal communities of their livelihoods by depriving the population of an important source of food and income. European Aquafeed companies and retailers can no longer ignore this major human rights and environmental issue. Now is the time to rethink supply chains and expeditiously end the use of wild-caught fish in farmed fish and other animals in order to preserve these fish populations for future generations. " said Alice Delemare Tangpuori, Campaigns Manager, Changing Markets.

Research by Greenpeace and Changing Markets confirms a rapid expansion of FMFO in recent years, particularly in Mauritania, where 2019% of fish oil exports went to the EU in 70. The governments of Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia have so far failed to properly manage their common small pelagic fish resource and take the appropriate measures to ensure the right to food and livelihood for their affected communities, including the artisanal fisheries sector, which continue to oppose the FMFO factories protest.

“In Senegal's cold season at the moment, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to find sardines at the usual landing sites. The consequences for the food and nutrition security of the local people are catastrophic as well as for the balance of the food chain at sea. " said Dr. Alassane Samba, former Research Director and Director of the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Center in Senegal. [4]

Harouna Ismail Lebaye, President of the FLPA (Craft Fisheries Free Federation), Nouadhibou section in Mauritania, has a strong message for companies and governments involved in the procurement of FMFO: “Your investments are robbing us of our fishery resources, your investments are starving us, your investments are threatening our stability, your factories are making us sick ... Stop it now."

Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets are calling on companies, policymakers and governments to stop harvesting healthy fish from West Africa to meet demand for fish meal and fish oil in the European Union and Norway.

Notes:

[1] Feeding a Monster: How the European Aquaculture and Animal Feed Industry Steals Food from West African Communities Report from Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets, June 2021, https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-africa-stateless/2021/05/47227297-feeding-a-monster-en-final-small.pdf

[2] The FMFO dealers, aqua and agro feed companies by country are: France (Olvea), Norway (GC Rieber, EWOS / Cargill, Skretting, Mowi), Denmark (ED&F Man Terminals, TripleNine, FF Skagen, Pelagia and BioMar) , Germany (Köster Marine Proteins), Spain (Inproquisa, Industrias Arpo, Skretting Espana) and Greece (Norsildmel Innovation AS).

[3] The report states: “Although we cannot establish a direct custody chain between retailers and the West African FMFO, Changing Markets has supply chain relationships - through public sources, store visits, interviews and research - between those in the report Feeding a Monster: How the European Aquaculture and Animal Feed Industries Steal Food from West African Communities, Seafood processors / distributors and farmed fish producers who have purchased Aquafeed from companies involved in the West African FMFO trade in recent years. Maintaining these relationships is problematic, and regardless of whether there is a direct chain of custody, they shouldn't come from those who come from West Africa. "

[4] The main species at stake in FMFO production, flat and round sardinella and bonga, are critical to the food security of millions of people in the region. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), these fish resources are being overexploited and fishing effort must be reduced by 50% - FAO working group on the assessment of small pelagic fish off North West Africa 2019. Summary report available at: http://www.fao.org/3/cb0490en/CB0490EN.pdf