A health challenge in La Barceloneta
A recent scientific study sends us a clear and worrying warning from the heart of the Mediterranean: the local supply of essential Omega-3 fatty acids has fallen by more than 60% in just two decades. This is the main conclusion of a study led by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona, published in the journal Food Policy. The study, headed by Dr Josep Lloret of the ICM-CSIC and based on an analysis of catches off the coast of Girona, quantifies this alarming loss for the first time. The results show that the amount of omega-3 provided by local fisheries fell from 15 tonnes per year in 2000 to just 6 tonnes in 2023.
The culprits behind this decline are the accelerated warming of our sea and overfishing. Traditional species rich in this nutrient, such as sardines and anchovies, which are native to colder waters, are seeing their populations and their ability to produce Omega-3 decline. Although catches of warm-water species such as mackerel have increased, their nutritional contribution does not compensate for the overall loss. This is not only an ecological indicator, but also a public health indicator.
Omega-3 is vital for preventing cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The doctors collaborating on the study, Angel Izquierdo and Joan San, warn that we are facing a public health challenge, as meeting the recommended daily intake will become increasingly difficult. And what about aquaculture? The study also points out its limitations. Many farmed fish are fed with meal and oil from wild fish. In addition, farmed fish may have a lower content of these valuable fatty acids than wild fish. Faced with this scenario, the scientific team, coordinated from Barcelona by Josep Lloret, proposes urgent action: strengthening management to recover stocks, diversifying consumption towards underused but nutritious species, and making better use of fishing by-products for direct human consumption. The message is clear and hits close to home: preserving local fisheries is not just a matter of tradition, but of food security and health. For a healthy Barceloneta and Mediterranean, we must act with urgency and vision. The future of our food and our well-being depends on it.
