Study Reveals Massive Global Fish Waste
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Feb 12, 2026 · Last updated Feb 13, 2026
The study highlights significant inefficiencies and wastage in the global marine fisheries sector, particularly in Asia, which could lead to increased costs and reduced supply for consumers. Recommendations for value-chain upgrades, if implemented, could improve efficiency and sustainability, potentially benefiting companies involved in cold storage, processing, and logistics.
A joint study by the Bay of Bengal Programme Intergovernmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed that 25 to 35 million tonnes of fish are wasted globally each year due to infrastructure inefficiencies. In developing countries, fish loss accounts for 20-35% of total production, with Asia experiencing 20-60% loss along the aquatic food value chain. Key issues include inadequate icing facilities, lack of cold storage, and poor cold-chain logistics. The study, conducted across 11 Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, was presented at an international workshop in India===Puducherry, co-organized by BOBP-IGO and the Government of India===Puducherry. Recommendations include fleet management, modernization of infrastructure, mandatory traceability, and integration between fishing vessels and processing industries, drawing lessons from Norway and Iceland.
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