Fish Food and Community Health: An Assessment of the Contribution of Capture Fisheries to Nutritional Needs of Households in Nigeria

Capture fisheries has been a major source of animal protein to households in Nigeria especially among low income households and riverine rural communities. This study evaluated the potential contribution of captured fishes to meeting the recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) of various population groups in consumer households. Results of nutritional composition of Clarias gariepinus, Synodontis schall and Tilapia zillii indicate that the fish species are good sources of animal protein (15.87 – 17.64%), fish oil (1.74 – 6.53%) and micronutrients (1.54 – 8.24 mg/100g). The low per capita consumption of fish as food in Nigeria (8.39 kg) has led to the poor contribution (≤ 25%) of these fishes to the average daily recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of calcium, iron, and zinc in adults, pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children. Estimations of RNI showed increasing percentage contribution with increasing per capita consumption of fish among various population groups. The need for increased fish consumption among the various population groups in Nigeria (>30 kg per capita); investments in community based aquaculture of commercial fish species and dietary inclusion of other food sources with good quantities of nutrients are recommended to ameliorate malnutrition and undernutrition especially among the vulnerable group of consumers.