The reduction in wastage of fish is key to improving food security and incomes of those working in the sector © University of Greenwich

Fish is an important source of protein and its harvest, handling, processing and distribution provide livelihood for millions of people as well as providing valuable foreign exchange earnings to many countries. It is a highly perishable food, requiring proper handling, processing and distribution if it is to be utilized in a cost effective and efficient way. Global demand for fish is growing and reduction in post-harvest losses can make a major contribution to satisfying this demand, improving quality and quantity for consumers and increasing income for producers.

 

NRI carries out research, consultancy and training on improving the efficiency of post-harvest handling and processing practices, improving marketing, adding economic value and clarifying key socio-economic issues.

 

Key Research Areas

• Reducing post-harvest loss
• Improving small scale handling and processing
• New product development
• Market research
• Impact of trade legislation
• Credit and market access issues

Assessing post-harvest fish losses with traders © University of Greenwich

NRI collaborates with national programmes in many countries. A multi-disciplinary, participative approach is taken to solving the problems and exploiting the opportunities that fish provides for improving the incomes of poor people.

Staff

Ulrich Kleih
Linda Nicolaides

Projects

A0724--Field and desk based tools for assessing fish losses: adaptation and validation in west Africa.

C1287-A study of the trade in smoked dried fish from west Africa to the United Kingdom

A1004-Market and credit access issues: Bangladesh

Publications

Ward A R, Jeffries D J (2000) A manual for assessing post-harvest fisheries losses. Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, UK.

Cheke R, Ward A R (1998) Modelling post-harvest fish losses. Fisheries Research Vol 35, p 219-227.

Ward A R (1998) Field based fish loss assessment methodologies. In: Report and proceedings of the sixth FAO Expert

Consultation on Fish Technology in Africa, Kisumu, Kenya, 27-30 August 1996. FAO Fisheries Report No 574. Rome.

Ward A R, Schoen V, Joseph M J, Kumar S, D'Cunha J (1998) Monsoon post harvest fish losses in India: exploratory studies. In: Proceedings of Symposium on Advances and Priorities in Fisheries Technology, Society of Fisheries Technologists (India) Cochin. ISBN: 81-901038-0-6.

Dillon M, Hannah S, Ryder J, Garrat S, Ward A R (1997) Production of quality seafood the cost effective way. INFOFISH International.

Dillon M, Hannah S, Ryder, Ward A R, McEachen V (1997) Cost effective approaches to the production of profitable quality seafood products. Tuna 97 conference Bangkok, Thailand Conference Proceedings, (in press).

Smith M C, Venn J, Cheke R A, Ward A R (1997) A relational database of post-harvest fish losses. NAGA Quarterly, ICLARM, Vol 20, 3 & 4.

I J Clucas, A R Ward (1996) Post-harvest fisheries development: a guide to handling, preservation, processing and quality. NRI publication. ISBN: 0-85954-441-9

Ward A R (1996) Fish loss assessment methodologies. INFOFISH International 5/96. Ward A R, Ryder A R (1996) How to get accurate quantitative data on post-harvest fish losses. Proceedings, FAO Asia Pacific Fisheries Conference, Sri Lanka.

Ames, G R. Ward, A R, Blake, B F. (1995) By-catch - its utilisation and biological implications. Tropical Science, Vol 35.

Ward, A.R. and Golob, P. (1994). The use of plant materials to control insect infestation of cured fish. Tropical Science Vol 34.

Ward, A.R. (1994). Fish Smoking in the Tropics: A Review. Tropical Science, Vol 35.