Hake: a key resource for food security and sustainability

A recent study published in npj Ocean Sustainability, featuring researchers from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA) and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), sheds light on the opportunities and challenges posed by international hake trade in the pursuit of nutritious and sustainable food. However, the study also warns about the risk of overexploiting this valuable resource.

This interdisciplinary research, conducted by scientists from IMEDEA, the IEO, and the University of Santiago de Compostela, with the support of the scientific association Alimentta and the Daniel & Nina Carasso Foundation, explores the complex dynamics of hake trade. As one of the most nutritionally valuable species globally, hake could play a pivotal role in food security. However, the study highlights the vulnerability of this food resource to economic, political, and environmental shifts.

With global demand surging, hake has become an essential, widely distributed, and heavily traded food. However, intensive exploitation poses significant challenges to sustainability. Of the 22 known species of hake, only six constitute the bulk of global catches, peaking in the 1970s. Since then, catches have declined steadily due to overfishing, threatening the long-term availability of this resource.

Despite this decline, the trade value and volume of hake have continued to rise, although stabilization has been observed since 2016. Spain is the world’s largest importer, with a market that is interconnected with key exporters such as Namibia, Argentina, South Africa, and the United States. However, large-scale exports from countries like Namibia and Argentina to Europe raise questions about potential negative impacts on food security in exporting countries. For example, Namibia plays a crucial role as a supplier to Spain, but much of its exports are processed and re-exported to other countries. This trend raises concerns about whether these exports undermine local food security needs in favor of European consumers and if such resources could have a more strategic use within local communities.

Photo: Hake catch

The study underscores hake’s nutritional value, rich in protein and essential fatty acids, making it a crucial food source for meeting the needs of a global population projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. While hake generates significant revenue for developing countries, the emphasis on exports may affect local resource availability and, ultimately, food security in these emerging economies. Overexploitation and short-term reliance on export income could have long-term environmental and social impacts, particularly for vulnerable populations dependent on fish as a primary source of protein and micronutrients.

The authors suggest promoting fairer trade models that allow for a more equitable distribution of resources. It is essential to question whether, for developing countries, the economic benefits of exporting fish resources like hake outweigh the potential social and ecological repercussions, which include pressing issues of malnutrition. The growing demand in Europe, especially in Spain, which serves not only as a direct consumer but also as a redistributor, intensifies concerns over whether exporting nations are compromising their food security to serve wealthier, globally connected markets.

The study's conclusion is clear: the future of hake fisheries and their role in global food security will depend not only on responsible management but also on greater equity. Striking a balance between rising demand and biodiversity conservation will be essential, with international cooperation between governments, fishers, and policymakers being key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of this vital resource.

Reference

Andrés Ospina-Alvarez, Guilherme Martins Aragão, Lucía López-López,

Sebastián Villasante & Joan Moranta (2024). Global hake production and trade: Insights for food security and supply chain resilience. npj Ocean Sustainability. https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-024-00083-5