Freshwater fish as a potential nutritional gap-filler in combating malnutrition in Namibia

With Namibia exporting up to 97% of the catch from marine capture fisheries, the small-scale inland fisheries resources have been touted as the community-centred solution towards ensuring food security and alleviating malnutrition in the country. Although efforts have been made over the years to address malnutrition, especially among children, nearly 90% of children under the age of five do not receive the minimum acceptable diets with adequate dietary diversity and meal frequency. Consequently, one in every five children has stunted growth. With monotonic energy-based diets prioritising caloric input over balanced nutrition, Namibian children are often deficient in micronutrients such as vitamins B2, B3, B9, calcium, and iron, all of which are found in high concentrations in freshwater fish. Additionally, fish provide other essential micronutrients such as vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids that support overall health and growth. Small-sized fish or juveniles of large fish have high concentrations of these essential micronutrients, underscoring the need for further research on fisheries resource utilisation and the nutritional composition of local fish resources which hold significant potential for addressing dietary micronutrient deficiencies. This article aims to discern the potential contribution of freshwater fish in addressing malnutrition, especially amongst vulnerable groups such as children.