Fishery nutrient profiles provide practical guidance for nutrition-sensitive small-scale fisheries management in Timor-Leste

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries are a crucial source of nutrient-dense aquatic foods in low- and middle-income countries, yet practical tools to manage these fisheries to optimize nutritional outcomes in an ecosystem approach remain limited. Here, we present an analytical framework and predictive model of fishery nutrient profiles under typical multi-species multi-gear situations. Using 6 years of catch data from Timor-Leste, we modelled how different fishing methods, habitats, vessel types and seasons influence the yield of nutrients of public health significance. Our results demonstrate that fishing method and habitat are strong predictors of catch nutritional profiles. Importantly, we show that different combinations of fishing strategies can achieve similar nutritional outcomes, indicating complementary management pathways to enhance nutrient availability for communities while balancing ecological, economic and human wellbeing goals. This replicable framework provides actionable insights for nutrition-sensitive fisheries management and offers data-driven guidance for policies aimed at improving food and nutrition security in low- and middle-income countries.