A guide to the application of a multidimensional solutions approach to food loss and waste reduction in aquatic value chains

Loss and waste is a feature of the fisheries and aquaculture sector and efforts to understand and characterize the causes of, as well as research and develop ways of reducing fish loss and waste are ongoing. Reducing food loss and waste (FLW) is widely seen as an important way to reduce production costs and increase the efficiency of a food system, improve food security and nutrition and contribute towards environmental sustainability. Evidence suggests that a broader multidisciplinary and multistakeholder approach to reducing FLW will be more effective and yield sustainable results. Such an approach encompasses and combines interventions that link policy, the regulatory framework, social and gender equity, services and infrastructure, market issues, technology, as well as skills and knowledge. Guidance for practitioners wishing to adopt this approach can be found in the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction (CoC FLW).This technical paper describes a multidimensional solutions (MDS) approach to reduce FLW, which, whilst more challenging to apply, is felt will likely lead to more successful interventions. An overview of the MDS concept and a description of a process that can be used to develop long-term multidimensional FLW solutions strategies for the fisheries and aquaculture sector are provided. Case studies are included, as well as observations on given application issues. This MDS approach is evolving but early indications are that it warrants wider dissemination, discussion, and application.