The USA seafood, energy, water nexus: strategies for increased efficiencies & waste reduction

In this research project, we use a llfe cycle approach to evaluate the energy, water, seafood nexus in the main fisheries that supply USA seafood consumption. The study, funded by the US Department of Agriculture under the National Science Foundation’s Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems (INFEWS) program, is investigating energy and water consumption in the USA seafood supply chain to identify strategies for increased efficiencies and reduction of wastes.

FAO statistics on global fisheries provide both optimism and warning signs for the future of a sustainable seafood system. In 2018, global seafood captures reached 96.4 million tonnes, an increase of over 5% from the previous 3 years. Yet, as of 2017, 34.2% of global fish stocks were overexploited, an increase of 142% since 1974 (FAO, 2020). Worldwide, seafood accounts for 20% of human protein consumption, while, estimates of global harvest that is either lost or wasted have reached 35%. Highest wastage rates are in North America and Oceania, where nearly 50% of seafood is wasted at the consumption stage. Clearly addressing waste and increasing efficiencies in the energy, water, seafood nexus will advance long term food security and resilience.