ABSTRACT
The fisheries sector plays an important role in food security, food industries development, and poverty alleviation in many parts of the world. The consumption of fish and fishery products has been strongly influenced by improvements in postharvest handling, packaging, storage, transportation, and marketing. These have led to significant improvements in post-production efficiency, lower costs, wider product choice, and safer and improved products. Advances in marine and fisheries science and engineering as well as food product development have resulted in technological innovations for fish capture, postharvest handling, processing, marketing, and distribution. The extent and range of these changes have varied among regions; however, there is increasing recognition of the importance of fish and other seafood in the economies of many regions. The supply of food proteins to many parts of the developing world has raised awareness of the role of fish and other marine foods in enhancing food security and alleviating malnutrition and poverty. In general, there has been a growth in fish and fishery products marketed in fresh form and in the production of ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat products, particularly in wealthy economies and due partly to increasing understanding of fish functionality in health. The development and application of efficient and cost-effective postharvest technologies for the handling and preservation of fresh fish and other seafood are therefore important to ensure product safety and maintenance of quality throughout the supply chain from sea to plate.
