According to a study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Institute of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, seafood consumption in the Philippines has been declining over the years, particularly among the poorest Filipinos. The study found that the amount of fresh fish consumed increased with wealth, while the amount of processed fish consumed decreased. The poorest Filipinos consumed at least 179.7 grams of fresh fish, while the richest consumed 287.1 grams.
Despite this, a high proportion of Filipinos still suffer from protein inadequacy. Ramos, Vice President of Oceana, a U.S. non-profit, cited 2020 data from the FNRI which revealed that seafood comprises 42.2% of total animal protein intake and 18.3% of total protein intake, and fish consumption is 14 kg per individual per year, making up about 40% of the total animal-sourced protein consumed.
Factors contributing to the decline in seafood consumption include increasing food prices, a growing population, unsustainable development, impacts from natural disasters, and lingering effects of the pandemic. The study showed that only 55.1% of households meet the recommended protein intake, and even fewer pregnant women, lactating mothers, and elderly meet the recommended intake.
Director Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa of DOST-FNRI emphasized that fish and seafood must be made available and accessible to Filipinos as these are the main sources of good quality protein. Failure to address this issue may lead to higher medical costs due to nutrient inadequacy. Ramos suggested that restoring the ocean could help provide healthy seafood meals to people, as the Philippines ranks second in the world with a population highly dependent on healthy and vibrant oceans for nutrition, livelihood, and coastal protection. However, this requires stopping rampant illegal fishing activities, implementing fisheries laws and regulations, and valuing the contribution of coral reefs to food security and livelihoods.
The study also found that aquaculture, particularly tilapia and milkfish, offer less nutrients per serving compared to pelagic species, such as round scad, big-eyed scad, and tuna from the wild. Tilapia and bangus are the most commonly consumed fish by Filipinos, comprising 26% of the total seafood consumption per individual. Wild capture fisheries, mainly contributed by marine municipal fishers, provide more livelihood and food security compared to aquaculture, which employs fewer people and is more capital intensive.
In conclusion, it is crucial to address the decline in seafood consumption in the Philippines, particularly among the poor, to ensure adequate protein intake and prevent nutrient inadequacy-related illnesses. This can be achieved by restoring the ocean, stopping illegal fishing activities, implementing fisheries laws and regulations, and valuing the contribution of coral reefs to food security and livelihoods. Moreover, it is essential to make fish and seafood available and accessible to Filipinos, particularly those in low-income and rural households.