Abstract

Fish receives special attention as a food because of its content of first class animal proteins with high nutritive
valve and rich in various essential amino acids. Its contribution of fair amounts of water-soluble vitamins and
many of the minerals and micronutrients is also well recognized. New knowledge on the role of ω-3 fatty acids
in human physiology and high contents of this group has added a new dimension to the importance of fish in
health and nutrition. Malnutrition is still a problem in many countries. Micronutrient efficiencies of vitamin A,
iron and iodine are also of public health concern in the whole world. Their consequences include nutritional
blindness, poor learning capabilities, poor growth and increased morbidity and mortality rates. There is
therefore need for development of agricultural programmes including fisheries and aquaculture which mainstream
nutrition issues, as these can go a long way in alleviating the problem of malnutrition in the world