College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

A newly published study in Nature featuring significant contributions from Michigan State University’s Dr. Mar Mancha-Cisneros, an assistant professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, is shedding light on the often overlooked but vital role of small-scale fisheries (SSF) in addressing hunger and malnutrition while supporting livelihoods around the world. 

The study, “Illuminating the multidimensional contributions of small-scale fisheries,” was part of an initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in partnership with Duke University and WorldFish, an international research organization focused on transforming aquatic systems to combat hunger and malnutrition. The study estimates that SSF provide at least 40 percent of the global fisheries catches, which support the livelihoods of 1 in every 12 people globally (half of which are women). It also provides 20 percent of dietary intake across key micronutrients essential for human health for 2.3 billion coastal and inland people. 

As the study’s technical lead, Mancha-Cisneros was essential in shaping project methodologies to ensure data addressed critical gaps. The study, which brought together more than 800 contributors from multiple disciplines, is the first to rigorously quantify how marine and inland SSF contribute to aquatic harvests and nutritional and socioeconomic security on a global scale. 

“Previous studies have attempted to capture global metrics on small-scale fisheries, but either focused on a single dimension (like production), provided more attention to marine fisheries than to inland fisheries or just focused on a handful of case studies,” says Mancha-Cisneros. “Our study was based on 58 country case studies covering about 69 percent of the world's marine fisheries catch and 63 percent of the world’s inland fisheries catch. We applied a multidimensional data-driven approach that incorporated a wide range of perspectives, allowing us to collect figures from data sources we don’t normally work with.” 

SSF is critical to livelihoods, especially in lower-income countries. But the families and communities that rely on those operations rarely occupy center stage in policy discussions. Instead of engaging with the impacts of small-scale aquatic systems on employment, nutrition and culture, policymakers focus on one-dimensional metrics, like catch or landed value. 

For Mancha-Cisneros, the key to ensuring SSF's long-term sustainability hinges on adopting more inclusive policies and fostering better coordination among governments, development organizations and the private sector. This means fully recognizing SSF's wide-reaching impact. 

“This paper illuminates the significant contributions of SSF to sustainable development,” says Mancha-Cisneros. “Most people don't know what they are. Most policies don’t recognize their full potential. The study's goal was to provide some much-needed data to show how important the sector is globally. Not just in terms of production but also in its broader social, cultural and economic dimensions. What gets measured is more likely to be managed, and for small-scale fisheries to gain the recognition they deserve, we need better data, more awareness and stronger collaboration across governments and institutions.” 

While the study focused on marine and inland SSF, Mancha-Cisneros acknowledged the challenges in collecting data on inland fisheries. Marine fisheries often receive more attention and resources, leading to a significant data gap for inland fisheries despite their critical role in local communities. 

"Even though marine catch is more substantial, inland fisheries are just as vital,” says Mancha-Cisneros. “They play a huge role in food security for households near these water bodies. This sector needs a lot more attention. Our data supports that. One of my main focuses at MSU is working with other faculty to address this and advance inland fisheries research globally.” 

Ultimately, Mancha-Cisneros hopes this research and ongoing international collaboration will pave the way for lasting change for SSF worldwide. FAO workshops, such as those held in Liberia, Madagascar and Tanzania, are already making strides in developing more comprehensive curricula for fisheries management. 

"These efforts are helping build a lasting network for change," she says. "We were in Liberia a couple of months ago working on a curriculum for the University of Liberia. We hope to bring attention to the needs of small-scale fisheries. We hope to provide a more holistic understanding. We call this an initiative because it’s not just about research; it’s about creating an interdisciplinary network that will continue to grow and involve more countries in these crucial conversations."