Biology subjects

Eurich, J. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Eurich, J. G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Fisheries trade and blue nutrient flows in Pacific Island Countries

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are located in highly productive fishing regions that supply nutrient-rich fish to global markets. Marine fisheries are a critical source of protein and essential micronutrients for billions of people worldwide, supporting both local diets and global food security. International trade shapes modern blue food systems, influencing broader distributions and availability of these "blue nutrients." Yet, the structure of these trade networks, the nutritional composition of exported fisheries, and the implications for local food security remain poorly understood. Using global marine fisheries trade data from 1996-2020 combined with species-level nutrient compositions, we analyzed production, consumption, and nutrient balances for 12 PICs and used network analysis to characterize the structure of international blue nutrient flows. Here we show that many PICs experience persistent net losses of essential nutrients, particularly vitamin B12, protein, and fatty acids. This results in nutrient yields far below population needs, with only a few PICs (Vanuatu and Kiribati) meeting average requirements. Compared to global trade networks, the regional PICs trade is more modular, less reciprocal, and less clustered, implying reliance on a few intermediaries (Papua New Guinea and Fiji). Despite high domestic production and consumption, 54% of blue nutrients are exported from PICs rather than retained locally, leaving local nutritional deficits unaddressed even as PICs supply global seafood markets. Combining trade, nutrient, and network analyses can help inform strategies to increase nutrient retention, strengthen food security, and support resilience for PICs in the modern blue food economy.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

The nutritional value of invertebrate aquatic foods

Aquatic invertebrates are a diverse, nutrient-dense, and socio-ecologically important food whose contribution to human nutrition is frequently overlooked. We quantify their contribution to global nutrient supplies and estimate the nutrient content of >50,000 macroinvertebrate species. Current aquatic invertebrate production supplies the equivalent annual requirement for >6 billion people in terms of vitamin B12 and selenium; >1 billion people for copper, omega 3 fatty acids, iodine and zinc; and >100 million people for nutrients such as vitamins B2 and B3, iron, manganese, and magnesium. Nutrient composition differs among taxonomic groups, consumption patterns, and environmental and life-history factors. Our study highlights the benefits of integrating aquatic invertebrates into dietary portfolios across global societies, mainstreaming their nutritional importance in development projects, sustainability assessments and food policy.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

The contribution of aquatic foods to human nutrient intake and adequacy in a Small Island Developing State

Many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are experiencing a nutrition transition, wherein high prevalence of malnutrition co-occurs with growing rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Sustainably managed and accessible aquatic foods can serve as a rich and bioavailable source of nutrients, helping communities achieve healthy diets and meet key sustainable development goals (e.g., SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG 2 Zero Hunger, and SDG 14 Life Below Water). However, to properly harness aquatic food systems in nutrition interventions, we must first understand aquatic foods role in nutrient intake and adequacy. Here, using a nationally representative survey from Kiribati, we quantify the contribution of aquatic foods to nutrient intake and adequacy, and examine the spatial variability in nutrient intake adequacies. We find aquatic foods are the main contributors of most nutrients we examined, providing > 80% of vitamin B12, retinol, and heme iron, and > 50% of niacin, vitamin A, protein, vitamin E, potassium, and total iron consumed. Consumption of aquatic foods contributes to meeting key nutrient adequacies (e.g., niacin) and provides complete adequacy for vitamin B12 and protein. However, despite high aquatic food consumption, we find high levels of nutrient inadequacies (11 of the 17 nutrients with dietary reference intakes). Overall, our study quantifies the nutritional importance of aquatic foods in an emblematic SIDS, emphasizing their vulnerability to declining aquatic resources. We also highlight the need for cross-scale context-specific targeted nutrition interventions, even when aquatic food consumption is high, to enable SIDS to meet key SDGs.

ecology↗