| dc.description.abstract | Food security exists when all individuals have physical and economic access to the fundamental foods they require at all times. Fisheries play an essential role in many communities' animal protein supplies, both in the developed and developing world (Adewolu & Adoti, 2010). Some communities in Low Income Food Deficit Countries (LIFDCs) are, nonetheless, reliant on fish, not just for animal protein, but also for micronutrients, minerals, and vital fatty acids (FAO, 2010). However, these communities that rely on fisheries face post-harvest fish losses. For example, 10 to 12 million tons of fish are lost due to spoilage each year, and 20 million tons of fish are dumped at sea each year (Kumolu-Johnson & Ndimele, 2011).
Post-harvest losses of fish can take many different forms. Physical material losses, quality losses, bycatch discarding, economic losses, nutritional losses, and spoilage losses. Furthermore, the conversion of significant volumes of fish captures to animal feeds can be regarded as a threat to human food security in some circumstances (FAO, 2010). Food spoilage occurs when it degrades to the point where it is no longer fit for human consumption. Food can be spoilt in a variety of ways, including autolytic enzymatic spoilage, insect infestation spoilage, oxidative spoilage, and microbiological spoilage, all of which result in the production of several undesired metabolites in the food, which generate unpleasant smells and odors (Gram & Dalgaard., 2002)
Insect-related losses of up to 25% of cured fish are estimated to be typical, and can reach 90% in some situations if no preventative steps are taken. Blowlifly and beetle infestation of traditionally processed fish is a big problem in several underdeveloped nations, resulting in significant physical and economic losses. This is exacerbated by fish processors' unrestricted use of potentially dangerous pesticides (Ahmed, 2008).
There is currently no enough information yet about the insect species responsible for the infestation and destruction of Ugandan freshwater pelagic fishes yet pelagic fish losses attributed to this issue remain on a rise. It is estimated that about ten to twelve million tons of fish are lost per year due to insect infestation, accounting for roughly ten percent of total capture fisheries and aquaculture production. Previous research in Africa revealed a complex pattern of losses ranging from 2% to 35% in both mono and multispecies fisheries. Insect infestation, on the other hand, is projected to cost traders around 50% of their profits (Ames, 1990). Despite the fact that no study has been done to estimate the losses of freshwater pelagic fish owing to insect infestation, it remains a significant problem. | en_US |
