Malnutrition in the Pacific islands arises partly because local production offish and other foods is strongly export-oriented and imported foods are of ten of inferior nutritional value. Some types of malnutrition in the Pacific islands might be remedied through improved use offisheries products.
In the production phase offisheries operations, increasing attention should be given to local production for local consumption. In processing, improvements could be made in traditional techniques of drying, salting and smoking fish. The use offish products in weaning foods should be strengthened. In distribution, means could be found to improve the delivery offish to the poor, whether through commercial channels, barter, traditional gifting or institutional feeding. Consumption patterns in households could be improved through educational programmes, which address traditional taboos and which promote improved home preservation and preparation techniques.
At the national level, nutritional impacts should be taken into account along with economic impacts in the evaluation offishery development plans and projects.
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