5 Billion Fed By Sea Creatures

Aquatic invertebrates, a diverse and productive food source, can supply essential micronutrients to a significant portion of the global population. Current production of these invertebrates meets the annual requirements for over 5 billion people in terms of vitamin B12 and selenium.

The nutritional value of aquatic invertebrates varies among taxonomic groups, consumption patterns, and environmental factors. For example, different species of invertebrates have varying levels of micronutrients such as copper, omega 3 fatty acids, iodine, and zinc. Current production of aquatic invertebrates supplies the equivalent annual requirement for over 1 billion people for these nutrients.

In addition to vitamin B12 and selenium, aquatic invertebrates are also a rich source of other essential micronutrients. Current production supplies the equivalent annual requirement for over 100 million people for nutrients such as vitamins B2 and B3, iron, manganese, and magnesium.

There are over 1 million estimated species of aquatic invertebrates, which account for most of the animal biomass and diversity on earth. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures are expected to drive micronutrient declines in major food sources, highlighting the importance of alternative nutrient-dense food sources like aquatic invertebrates.

## Why it matters The contribution of aquatic invertebrates to global nutrient supplies is frequently overlooked, despite their potential to address micronutrient deficiencies affecting most of the global population. As the global population continues to grow, finding sustainable and nutrient-dense food sources will become increasingly important. Aquatic invertebrates, with their high nutritional value and diverse range of species, could play a crucial role in addressing global micronutrient deficiencies.

## Background SeaLifeBase, a global database focused on marine non-fish species, has been used to develop a predictive model to estimate the nutrient content of over 50,000 invertebrate species. This model has helped to quantify the contribution of aquatic invertebrates to global nutrient supplies, highlighting their potential as a nutrient-dense food source.