Marine ingredients continue to play an important role in the diets of some aquaculture species. Credit: The Conversation

Small fish such as sardinella are an affordable source of protein and essential nutrients for millions of people across West Africa.

Some of these fish are increasingly exported or processed into fishmeal and fish oil for aquaculture feeds used in high-income European countries and across East Asia, particularly China. As nutrient deficiencies are common in people living in parts of West Africa, retaining more fish for local consumption could help improve diets and address dietary health problems.

Aquaculture is one of the world's fastest-growing food production sectors . Despite its growth in the last three decades, global wild fish catches for marine ingredients have declined overall.…