Seafood Production and Trade in Micronutrient Deficient Countries

Ashantae Hayward

Mentor: Dr. McNab

Supervisor: Dr. Nussbaumer

Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Many countries around the world face micronutrient deficiency crises. Previous studies have established the nutritional benefits of seafood and its potential to minimize micronutrient deficiencies. Some micronutrient deficient countries produce enough seafood to lessen their micronutrient deficiency crises, but they export over half of their catch. A collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, the purpose of this project is to study trade policies and other factors that might drive seafood exports in countries with micronutrient deficiencies and to determine potential interventions to allow greater volumes of micronutrient-rich seafood to stay in these countries to support the health of their population. To achieve this goal, I will use a mixed-methods, case-study approach. More specifically, I will use R statistical software to quantify and create graphics of seafood imports and exports in Nigeria, a micronutrient deficient country. For the qualitative component, I will conduct an analysis of trade policies in Nigeria and review literature on programs and policies. This will enable me to discover the possible roots of micronutrient deficiencies and suggest possible interventions.