Fishing in the city for food—a paradigmatic case of sustainability in urban blue space

By 2050, a projected 88% of the global population will reside in cities, placing immense pressure on urban ecosystems for resources like food, water, and clean air, as well as recreational opportunities. Sustainable development goals highlight the importance of urban ecological issues in meeting the needs of urban populations. However, research on urban blue spaces (city waters) is significantly less prevalent than that on green spaces. This paper focuses on urban blue space and proposes fishing in the city for food (FCF) as a key example illustrating the relationship between urban ecologies, sustainability, and justice. Historically, many city waters provided a vital protein source, but this has diminished due to factors such as pollution, overfishing, and economic shifts. The authors aim to challenge the notion of urban blue space's insignificance for food provisioning by examining FCF. The study specifically focuses on fishing within city limits, excluding semi-urban fishing or urban dwellers fishing outside the city. The city itself is considered a microcosm of broader urban models, allowing for focused investigation of the environmental sustainability and justice concerns surrounding FCF and the governance of urban blue space. The paper employs a three-pronged approach: a literature review, a survey of FCF in European capitals, and a case study of FCF in Stockholm.

A comprehensive literature search using keywords related to urban fishing and food yielded 135 relevant articles. The geographical distribution of these articles is uneven, with a significant majority (104) focusing on the USA. The literature was categorized into four main strands: urban fisheries management (primarily from the USA, focusing on program characteristics and angler demographics, with limited attention to food consumption); public health effects of consuming city fish (examining contaminants and pathogens, angler knowledge of health risks, and the effectiveness of consumption advisories); inequality in urban fisheries (highlighting unequal access to safe food and fishing grounds for minority and low-income groups); and urban foraging (a broader perspective encompassing various resource harvesting, including fishing, often by marginalized communities). These four strands often operate in isolation, failing to integrate their interconnected aspects of management, public health, environmental justice, and livelihood security. The authors emphasize the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address these interwoven themes.

The study used a mixed-methods approach. First, a comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing existing research on urban fishing for food. Second, a quick scan of FCF in European capitals was undertaken using semi-structured telephone interviews with staff at urban fishing associations. The interviews aimed to ascertain the prevalence of FCF, who consumes the catch, and access to fishing areas. Third, a case study of FCF in Stockholm was conducted. This involved 37 field visits over two years, during which 383 individuals fishing were observed, and 106 fishers were interviewed. The Stockholm case study provided qualitative data on fishing practices, motivations, ethics, and the social dynamics surrounding FCF within the city.

The European quick scan revealed that FCF is widespread across European capitals, with variations in regulations and practices across cities. In some cities, eating the fish is prohibited due to health concerns. The Stockholm case study revealed a diverse group of fishers with varying motivations, techniques, and ethical perspectives. Some fishers practiced catch and release, while others regularly consumed their catch. Ethical considerations regarding the sustainability of FCF and animal welfare were prominent among fishers. The study also documented the social and economic dimensions of FCF, including its role in livelihood security and the existence of informal trade networks for surplus fish. The findings underscored the need to consider how FCF affects urban fish populations and aquatic ecosystems, the importance of FCF for livelihoods and its role in informal economies, the ethical considerations related to animal welfare, and the existence of stigmatization and discrimination faced by certain groups of fishers. The study highlighted the lack of research on FCF from low- and lower-middle-income countries, where it is expected to be more prevalent and significant.

The findings address the research question by demonstrating the widespread yet overlooked significance of FCF in urban contexts. The results highlight the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, social justice, and urban planning, urging for integrated approaches to urban management. The study's findings are relevant to the fields of urban ecology, sustainable development, and environmental justice by revealing a previously understudied aspect of urban ecosystems and its implications for equitable resource distribution and access. The limited research on FCF from low- and lower-middle-income countries is a significant gap requiring further attention. The study's qualitative data, particularly from Stockholm, offers valuable insights into the social dynamics, ethical considerations, and practical aspects of FCF.

This study demonstrates the societal relevance of FCF, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches to integrate management, public health, environmental justice, and livelihood security considerations. The research highlights significant gaps in FCF literature and identifies several areas requiring further research: the effects of FCF on urban fish populations and ecosystems; the contribution of FCF to urban livelihood security; ethical dimensions of FCF concerning animal welfare; and the stigmatization of certain fishing practices. Future research should focus on these gaps, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income contexts, and promote collaborations between researchers, policymakers, and fishing communities to ensure sustainable and just use of urban blue spaces.

The European quick scan, being explorative in nature, may not fully represent the frequency of FCF. The Stockholm case study, while rich in qualitative data, may not be generalizable to other cities. The reliance on existing literature and available data introduces potential biases, particularly concerning the underrepresentation of FCF studies in low- and lower-middle-income countries. The study also acknowledges the challenges of accessing and involving all urban fishers, particularly those who are not formally organized or easily reachable. The authors explicitly recognize that their data from European capitals is limited and may not fully represent the complexity of FCF practices worldwide.