Seafood could account for 25% of animal protein needed to meet projected increases in demand

 

Seafood could account for 25% of animal protein needed to meet projected increases in demand

August 19, 2020

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Policy reforms and technological improvements could drive seafood production upward by as much as 75% over the next three decades, research by Oregon State University and an international collaboration suggests.

The findings, published today in Nature, are important because by 2050 the Earth will have an estimated 9.8 billion human mouths to feed, a 2 billion increase in population from 2020. Seafood has the potential to meet much of the increased need for protein and nutrients, researchers say.

Marine ecologist Jane Lubchenco, university distinguished professor in the OSU College of Science, joined scientists from the United States, China, Chile, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Norway, Argentina and Malaysia in analyzing how much food the ocean could be expected to sustainably produce 30 years from now.

Examining the sea’s primary food-producing sectors – wild fisheries and the mariculture of finfish such as tuna and snapper as well as bivalves like clams and oysters – the researchers determined estimates of “sustainable supply curves” that take into consideration ecological, economic, regulatory and technological limitations. Mariculture means cultivating marine organisms for food and other products in coastal seawater environments or the open ocean.

The scientists framed those supply curves against future demand scenarios to predict how much food the ocean, which presently accounts for just 17% of the animal production industry, could supply as the global population swells.

“As mariculture technology improves and policies surrounding the ocean and its resources are reformed, food from the sea could increase by between 21 million and 44 million metric tons annually,” Lubchenco said. “Those increases amount to between 12% and 25% of the estimated animal protein increases needed to feed the almost 10 billion people expected to live on the Earth in 2050. Rising incomes and shifts in food preferences will greatly increase demand for nutritious food in the coming decades, and the ocean can be a big part of meeting that demand.”

Producing more and more food from land-based crops is challenging because of declining yield rates and competition for land and water, Lubchenco notes, as well as various environmental and health concerns associated with large-scale agriculture.

And while land-derived seafood – freshwater aquaculture and inland fisheries – plays an important role in the global food picture, its expansion faces some of the same hurdles and causes some of the same problems.

“Land-based sources of fish and other foods are certainly part of the solution, but we show that sustainable food from the sea can play a major role in global food supply and food security as well,” Lubchenco said. “Stories of overfishing, pollution and unsustainable mariculture give the impression that it is impossible to sustainably increase the supply of food from the sea. But unsustainable practices, regulatory barriers and other constraints may be limiting seafood production – meaning shifts in policies and practices could benefit both conservation and food production. We’ve seen, for example, how changes in policy in U.S. fisheries resulted in significantly reducing overfishing and rebuilding wild stocks, thus increasing the abundance of fish in U.S. waters as well as fishery yields.”

Lubchenco and colleagues including lead author Christopher Costello of the University of California, Santa Barbara, describe four primary routes to sustainably increasing ocean-based food production: Better management of wild fisheries, which account for 80% of the sea’s meat production; reforms for policies governing mariculture; improvements in feeds used in mariculture; and shifts in demand to drive increased production from all ocean food sectors.

Nutritionally diverse and less environmentally burdensome than land-based food production, seafood is uniquely positioned to help feed the Earth’s growing population, Lubchenco said. And directing resources away from subsidies that enhance fishing capacity toward building institutional and technical capacity for fisheries research, management and enforcement will be a key step.

“The potential for increased global production from wild fisheries hinges on maintaining fish populations near their most productive levels,” Lubchenco said. “For overfished stocks, that means adopting or improving management practices that prevent overfishing and allow depleted stocks to rebuild.”

Seventy-five percent of mariculture production requires some feed inputs, like fishmeal and fish oil, derived from wild forage fisheries. But alternatives like terrestrial plant- or animal-based proteins, seafood processing waste, microbial ingredients, insects, algae and genetically modified plants are in the works – innovations that could decouple mariculture from wild fisheries.

And the largest potential for expansion of food from the sea will come from the farming of bivalves. 

“We have shown that the sea can be a much larger contributor to sustainable food production than is currently the case, via a collection of plausible and actionable mechanisms,” Lubchenco said.

Supporting the research were SYSTEMIQ; the World Resources Institute; the David and Lucile Packard Foundation; the European Research Council; CONICYT-BASAL 0002; and GAIN-Xunta de Galicia.

Collaborators included scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuacultura; Harvard University; Iwate University, the National Research Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Fisheries Research and Education Agency of Japan; the University of Washington; the University of Cape Town; Stanford University; the Norwegian School of Economics; Spain’s CIM-University of Vigo; the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina; and WorldFish of Malaysia.

About the OSU College of Science:  As one of the largest academic units at OSU, the College of Science has seven departments and 12 pre-professional programs. It provides the basic science courses essential to the education of every OSU student, builds future leaders in science, and its faculty are international leaders in scientific research.https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/seafood-could-account-25-animal-protein-needed-meet-projected-increases-demand?MessageRunDetailID=3200117322&PostID=18616764&utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io

 

Organization Synergies Yield New Research Insights 

As part of its commitment to cultivate the knowledge of its network to pursue food and nutrition solutions for those in need, Feeding Tomorrow partnered with global non-profit Engineering for Change (E4C) and the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., to support research regarding the mango value chain in Kenya.

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In the words of Helen Keller, “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” This sentiment is at the heart of Feeding Tomorrow, the Foundation of IFT. One of Feeding Tomorrow’s commitments is to leverage the collective knowledge of the global science of food community to pursue food and nutrition solutions for those in need. As part of that commitment, the foundation recently partnered with global non-profit Engineering for Change (E4C) and the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., to support research regarding the mango value chain in Kenya. 

Mangoes constitute an important, but underserved, niche in the region’s food supply, and their production is low-tech and rich with targets for improvement, according to experts. Three E4C Research Fellows living and working in three countries (USA, Ghana, and UK) are wrapping up the first phase of a two-part investigation into post-harvest losses on Kenyan mango plantations. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the group to conduct their research remotely, but that didn’t stop them from making significant progress on their research goals. Preliminary findings suggest limitations in harvesting, processing technology, and market options may stymie profits and increase losses.

“So far, our findings show there is limited availability of technologies for mango processing, especially for post-harvest handling and small-scale processing,” said Bezalel Adainoo, a graduate of the University of Ghana, who lives in Accra, Ghana. Adainoo was accepted into a Master of Food Science program at the University of Missouri that begins in the fall of 2020. “It is quite surprising that even with the abundance of mangoes, there is limited access to markets, which leaves most of the mangoes at the local fresh markets where a lot goes to waste.”

Behirah Hartranft, an undergraduate student of biological engineering at the University of Missouri, has studied large-scale soy operations in the United States, and says she struggles to avoid comparing them too closely to the Kenyan mango farms she is investigating now.

“Mango farms in Kenya are much smaller and there is almost no equipment involved,” Hartranft said. “Harvesters may even climb trees to pick the fruit rather than using mechanized or even hand tools, and mangoes are usually sold whole without any processing to add value or reduce the risk of loss to rot or damage.”

Only five percent of mangoes in Kenya go to processing plants, according to Jonathan Kemp, who recently graduated with a Master in Engineering for International Development from University College London (UK) and now serves as Technical Manager for a Malawian organization called Eagles Relief and Development Programme Intl.

Unique Talents Yield Improved Results
Partnerships with organizations like E4C and the University of Missouri bring distinct areas of expertise together to advance areas of common interest.

E4C provides technical know-how with its global community of more than 1 million engineers, academics, global development practitioners, and students, as well as the experience of its founding partners, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Engineers Without Borders – USA.

The University of Missouri Food Engineering and Sustainable Technologies (FEAST) Lab provides students in engineering and food science a platform for transdisciplinary collaboration. Students are selected for their interest in global development, academic excellence, and interest in sustainable food processing technologies. Educational institutions such as the University of Missouri can provide young minds opportunities to address the world’s grand challenges, according to IFT member Dr. Kiruba Krishnaswamy, an assistant professor at the University Missouri who leads the FEAST Lab. 

Partnerships like these are also able to speed progress.

“So many of us are working toward the same mission and partnerships can accelerate impact,” said Kate Dockins, vice president and executive director of Feeding Tomorrow. “The collaboration and insights from cross-disciplinary organizations and members are the lifeblood of non-for-profit, mission-driven organizations. It’s thrilling to see the intersection of innovation and inspiration through this fellowship program.”

This sentiment reflects a global push for partnerships among entities striving to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, as embodied in SDG 17, “revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.”

“The fundamental core of good partnerships is their ability to bring together diverse resources in ways that can together achieve more: more impact, greater sustainability, increased value to all,” Darian Stibbe and colleagues at The Partnering Initiative and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs write in their report, Maximising the Impact of Partnerships for the SDGs. “The SDGs name all societal sectors as key development actors and require an unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration among civil society, business, government, NGOs, foundations, and others for their achievement,” the report says.

With the worldwide population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, the challenge to minimize food waste and meet global food demand is great. Partnerships like this are one way Feeding Tomorrow is acting on its promise to ensure the world has the ability to feed its growing and diverse population in the years to come. Learn more about the foundation’s work on the Feeding Tomorrow website.

 

https://www.ift.org/news-and-publications/blog/2020/e4c-blog?MessageRunDetailID=3200117255&PostID=18617457&utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io

Women's Health Update August 2020

 

August 2020   www.fda.gov/womens

Message from the Associate Commissioner

Dear Women’s Health Colleagues, The Office of Women’s Health (OWH) strives to enhance the regulatory process and advance the health of women through science, outreach, and education. This month, in recognition of National Breastfeeding Month, we are highlighting our educational resources and recent activities related to maternal health. We kicked off the month by hosting our first fully virtual seminar and welcomed Dr. Vincenzo Berghella, Director of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division at Thomas Jefferson University, as our featured speaker for our OWH Scientific Seminar Series. Dr. Berghella gave an informative lecture and shared his insights on COVID-19 and pregnancy with FDA staff.  I am also pleased to inform you that FDA issued a draft guidance last month to assist applicants in complying with the content and format requirements for the Pregnancy, Lactation, and Females and Males Reproductive Potential subsections of the label for human prescription drugs and biological products. The FDA product label serves as a critical resource for healthcare providers and consumers. I encourage you to read this draft guidance and submit your comments and suggestions. I also invite you to learn about FDA’s educational resources for nursing mothers in the Call to Action section below. As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, OWH is soliciting input to help inform our strategic priorities. The Federal Register public docket will be open for comments until September 8, 2020. We look forward to receiving your feedback.  Sincerely, Kaveeta Vasisht, M.D., Pharm.D. Associate Commissioner for Women's Health Director, Office of Women's Health

CORONAVIRUS Below are links to specific COVID-19 topics, with a full list of the latest COVID-19 information from the FDA here. FDA Consumer Update: Help Stop the Spread of Coronavirus and Protect Your Family FDA Updates on Hand Sanitizers Consumers Should Not Use FDA Authorizes First Two Tests that Estimate a Patient’s Antibodies from Past SARS-CoV-2 Infection Findings from Real-World Data Study Reveal Higher Risk of Hospitalization and Death Among Cancer Patients with COVID-19, Underscore Health Disparities

In case you missed it, we highlighted breast pump basics and breastfeeding drug safety tips earlier this month in recognition of National Breastfeeding Month and specifically, World Breastfeeding Week! We encourage you to share these resources with the new and expectant moms in your life and communities. Visit www.fda.gov/womens for additional resources on pregnancy and becoming a new mom. This month also marks the beginning of back-to-school season, which looks different for many given the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we have resources to help students, parents, and/ or health care professionals navigate this new normal. Download and share our College Women’s Campaign resources View, download, and/ or have our publications shipped to you for free by clicking here Share messages from FDA OWH on Twitter and Pinterest

FDA Finalizes Rule Related to Gluten-Free Labeling for Foods Containing Fermented, Hydrolyzed Ingredients The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule to establish compliance requirements for fermented and hydrolyzed foods, or foods that contain fermented or hydrolyzed ingredients, and that bear the “gluten-free” claim. The rule pertains to foods such as soy sauce, yogurt, sauerkraut, pickles, cheese and green olives. Distilled foods, such as distilled vinegars, are also included in the final rule. “These new compliance requirements for labeling a product ‘gluten-free’ will protect individuals with celiac disease, an incurable, hereditary disorder that millions of Americans, including myself, live with,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. Read FDA News Release FDA Posts Additional Postmarket Information for Essure FDA posted the first spreadsheet of reportable events received from Bayer following granting of an adverse event reporting variance in April 2020. FDA continues to take concerns about Essure very seriously and is committed to postmarket evaluation. Read FDA In Brief FDA Takes Action to Limit Inorganic Arsenic Levels in Infant Rice Cereal The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidance finalizing the 2016 draft guidance for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals and identifying the agency’s intended sampling and enforcement approach. The guidance identifies an action level of 100 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) or 100 parts per billion (ppb) which protects public health by reducing infants’ dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic and is achievable by industry. FDA testing of infant rice cereals over the last decade suggests that manufacturers are already making significant progress in reaching this action level through good manufacturing practices, such as selective sourcing and testing of rice and rice-derived ingredients (e.g., rice flour) to ensure lower levels of inorganic arsenic. Read FDA In Brief FDA Warns Companies Illegally Selling Hangover Remedies The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has issued warning letters to seven companies for illegally selling unapproved products labeled as dietary supplements that claim to cure, treat, mitigate or prevent hangovers, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The warning letters were issued to: Double Wood LLC; Ebnsol Inc.; Vita Heaven LLC (doing business as Hangover Heaven); Happy Hour Vitamins; LES Labs; Mind, Body & Coal LLC; and Purple Biosciences LLC. Read FDA News Release FDA Requiring Labeling Changes for Opioid Pain Medicines, Opioid Use Disorder Medicines Regarding Naloxone - Goal is to Help Reduce Opioid Overdoses and Deaths The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it is requiring that labeling for opioid pain medicine and medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) be updated to recommend that as a routine part of prescribing these medicines, health care professionals should discuss the availability of naloxone with patients and caregivers, both when beginning and renewing treatment. Naloxone is a medicine that can be administered by individuals with or without medical training to help reduce opioid overdose deaths. If naloxone is administered quickly, it can counter the overdose effects, usually within minutes. Read FDA News Release FDA Proposes New Rule on Reporting Requirement Under Right to Try Act The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the proposed rule, Annual Summary Reporting Requirements Under the Right to Try Act, that when finalized, will implement a statutory requirement for sponsors and manufacturers to provide an annual summary to the FDA for any eligible investigational drug they provide to eligible patients under the Right to Try Act. “The FDA is dedicated to achieving the goals that Congress set forth in the Right to Try Act, so that patients facing terminal conditions have another avenue to access investigational medicines,” said Anand Shah, M.D., Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs. “Today’s proposed rule builds on the FDA’s long-standing dedication to enhancing access for patients who are facing life-threatening diseases or conditions and our continued commitment to transparency.” Read FDA News Release FDA Recommends Health Care Professionals Discuss Naloxone with all Patients When Prescribing Opioid Pain Relievers or Medicines to Treat Opioid Use Disorder FDA is requiring drug manufacturers for all opioid pain relievers and medicines to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) to add new recommendations about naloxone to the prescribing information.  This will help ensure that health care professionals discuss the availability of naloxone and assess each patient’s need for a naloxone prescription when opioid pain relievers or medicines to treat OUD are being prescribed or renewed.  The patient Medication Guides will also be updated. Read FDA Drug Safety Communication FDA Notifies Companies, Including Puff Bar, to Remove Flavored Disposable E-Cigarettes and Youth-Appealing E-Liquids from Market for Not Having Required Authorization The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters notifying ten companies, including Cool Clouds Distribution Inc. (doing business as Puff Bar), to remove their flavored disposable e-cigarettes and youth-appealing e-liquid products from the market because they do not have the required premarket authorization. These new actions are part of the FDA’s ongoing, aggressive effort to act against illegally marketed tobacco products amid the public health crisis of youth e-cigarette use in America. The agency is particularly concerned about the appeal of flavored, disposable e-cigarettes to youth and continues to monitor all available data. Read FDA News Release Appeal Options Available to Mammography Facilities Concerning Adverse Accreditation Decisions, Suspension/Revocation of Certificates, or Patient and Physician Notification Orders FDA guidance document describes the processes available to mammography facilities to request additional review of an adverse appeals decision on a facility's accreditation, and/or a suspension or revocation of certificate, and/or a patient and physician notification (PPN) order. This guidance, when final, will supersede section 4.5 of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Appeals Processes guidance document dated July 2, 2019. The remainder of the July 2, 2019 CDRH Appeals guidance, with exception of technical edits for consistency with the newly amended section 4.5, will not be substantively changed and will remain in effect. Read FDA Guidance Document

Participate in Upcoming FDA Meetings

The FDA, like other government agencies, is taking the necessary steps to ensure the agency is prepared to continue our vital public health mission in the event that our day-to-day operations are impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Therefore, we are canceling or postponing all non-essential meetings through the month of April. We will reassess on an ongoing basis for future months. Where possible, the agency will leverage technology to host meetings allowing for remote participation.  Visit FDA Meetings, Conferences and Workshops to find out about available meetings. Subscribe to OWH

Please share this update with your network, members, constituents, and community. Replying to this message will not reach the OWH staff. If you have comments or questions, please contact us at 301-796-9440 or owh@fda.gov.  For additional women's health information, please visit the For Women webpage.