Transporting Fish: In the world of shipping decarbonisation

 


Maria Sahib is a consultant with the Micronesia Centre for Sustainable Sea Transport

In my last article many moons ago in the Fiji Sun dailies, I talked about the importance of addressing carbon emissions from fishing vessels at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). I also raised pertinent questions about which UN body would take responsibility for decarbonising the fishing industry. In this article, however, the supply chain issues of fish products will be discussed and the significance of transportation in the supply chain.

According to UNCTAD[1] (2016), trade in marine products and services can create opportunities for economic growth, export diversification, and new investments including sustainable fishing and aquaculture, sustainable and resilient marine transport and logistic services, and in links with maritime and coastal tourism.

Global trade is only possible through the transport sector and is largely dependent on the shipping industry.  By definition, raw fish and fish products rely heavily on the transportation sector in order to complete the supply chain. Fish resources are harvested from the Pacific region in fishing vessels, transported across the globe, with value added in various processing plants and canneries and traded via shipping methods.

In a world where climate change effects and long term environmental negative impacts are being felt, measures to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050 has become a highly ambitious goal set out by the international community. Mitigating GHG effects has been a forefront issue for most Pacific Island Countries including Fiji and the Marshall Islands.  Both countries have championed the need for action on climate change in their own right. This is because not only are these countries heavily reliant on shipping for trading of goods and services but also on supply chains for fish and fishery products, internationally and domestically. This holds true for most Pacific Island Countries.

Fish harvested for trade play a fundamental role in the supply chain for the raw materials to reach the consumers efficiently and in a timely manner. For aquaculture, fish are generally transported in containers of various forms including boxes, bags and bottles. Any waterproof clean container maybe used. Containers which provide good insulation can be made from wood or Styrofoam. Metal or plastic containers are poor insulators therefore they have to be wrapped in wet towels or ice packs to lower temperatures. Once fish have been placed in their transport container, the most direct route is used to transport the fish to their destination either by foot, animal cart, bicycle, boat, motorized land vehicle, train, or plane.

Global tuna industry depend on unbroken supply chains from the sea to the supermarket ensuring that fish remains fresh on its long journey across oceans and continents. Tuna fish requires transportation at ultra-low temperatures and specialised care. The ideal temperature for frozen tuna is as low as -60 C which a super freezer container can maintain to carry frozen fish and retain quality and freshness of the tuna.

Transport and trade are complementary in nature, as transport allows the movement of goods and services. Timely transportation of goods and services mean efficient movement in the supply chain. Fisheries depend largely on timely transportation for raw materials to reach the market in timely fashion to avoid shortage of food and availability of products in the market.

Fisheries play a vital role in food security as well, therefore the sustainability of the fishing industry is necessary. Reducing carbon emissions and managing fish stocks at sustainable levels contributes either directly or indirectly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mitigating and adapting to the climate change effects as a result of reducing GHG has never been more critical than today. The pandemic of COVID-19 which has brought the world to a halt is an indication that the world needs to step back and redesign development which does not only react to the current situations but to be proactive to prevent potential negative environmental situations.

Transport is a vital lifeline to the Pacific and our dependence on it for food and services has been tested in this unprecedented times. The question then arises - what are the immediate steps to ensure sustainability of supply chains which are environmental friendly. What is the nature of transition for fishing vessels to low carbon emission boats? Would the current geopolitical dynamics at play in the Pacific prioritise decarbonisation? How much power does the Pacific as a region hold at the IMO?

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