Scombrotoxicosis in African Fisheries-Its Implications for International Fish Trade: An Overview (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION-GLOBAL FISH SUPPLY The total global fish supply for 2005 was 140 million tonnes with expected increases towards the end of the period 2006-2010 [1]. Worldwide, about 1 billion people rely on fish as their main source of animal proteins [2], with dependence on fish usually being higher in coastal than in inland areas. About 20% of the world's population derives at least 20% of its animal protein intake from fish, and some small island states depend on fish almost exclusively [3]. Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Africa and Angola, derive considerable economic and nutritional benefits from seafood exploitation [4]. In 2000-2004, Africa's fisheries sector employed 3-3.5 million people annually (about 4% of Africa's population) [4; 5].