University of Tasmania
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Potential environmental and nutritional benefits of replacing ruminant meat with forage fish

journal contribution
posted on 2025-02-03, 04:35 authored by Shujuan Xia, Jun 'ya Takakura, Wenchao Wu, Julia BlanchardJulia Blanchard, Ryan F Heneghan, Takashi Yamakawa, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Tomoko Hasegawa, Shinichiro Fujimori, Kiyoshi Takahashi
Dietary changes can affect both human health and the environment. Reducing meat consumption, especially ruminant meat, has been proven to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce agricultural land use, and improve human health. Whereas the shift to a plant-based diet from meat is by far the most commonly investigated dietary change pattern, nutrient-rich forage fish with a low carbon footprint is receiving increasing interest from a global food system perspective. In this study, we attempted to fill the current research gap to better understand the environmental and nutritional impacts of forage fish as a substitute for ruminant meat by 2050. We developed environmental- and nutrient-based consumption scenarios for meat substitution. Global ruminant meat demand and potential forage fish supply were projected using a global economic model and catches over the last few decades. We found that the potential forage fish supply could replace 10 % of global ruminant meat consumption, resulting in global ruminant-related reductions in total GHG emissions and land use by up to 15 % and 10 %, respectively, by 2050. Such a dietary change could also increase the intake of essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), vitamin B12, and calcium, especially in deficient regions. Our analyses highlight the potential of forage fish as part of a portfolio of sustainable dietary solutions, while effective fisheries management and sociocultural acceptance of forage fish consumption are necessary to realize the potential of forage fish.

History

Sub-type

  • Article

Publication title

Sustainable Production and Consumption

Volume

40

Pagination

265-276:12

eISSN

2352-5509

ISSN

2352-5509

Department/School

Ecology and Biodiversity

Publisher

ELSEVIER

Publication status

  • Published

UN Sustainable Development Goals

12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 Climate Action, 15 Life on Land