Book Description

"More than 60 percent of global production of smoked fishery products occurs in Africa and Asia, highlighting their tremendous significance in food and nutrition security, as well as livelihood support in these regions. However, prevailing processing technologies present critical challenges, especially in terms of safety and quality aspects, and thus there is an urgent need for the development of more efficient and safer systems. The FAO-Thiaroye fish processing technique (FTT) was developed to address these challenges by yielding products that comply with international limits on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particular, while fostering many social, economic and environmental benefits. This document examines the conditions in which improved fish smoking systems in general, and the FTT in particular, have been adopted in the context of benefits, trade-offs and policy implications in selected developing countries. In fact, experience from some African and Asian countries points to the need for a context-driven balance that ensures that the gains associated with the use of this new technique can be realized without making expensive compromises, especially in terms of fisheries resources status and trade dynamics. Policy and regulatory frameworks need to be informed by a risk-based approach and supportive of consistent benchmarking and differentiation of FTT products. This document reviews the lessons from those countries, and makes the case for a hard, evidence-based, policy backbone to safeguard the sustainable, eco-friendly supply of safe smoked (and dried) fishery products to support food security, particularly in the developing world. It aims to enlighten policy makers, fisheries planners and decision makers and any development practitioner interested in developing small-scale fisheries or promoting sustainable food systems, as well as private sector entrepreneurs who wish to implement this technology to improve their products. It provides recommendations on how best to mainstream consumers' interests while supporting sustainable livelihoods interventions in fisheries communities."--Page 4 of cover.