Changing the way we look to fisheries’ discards

It is well known that fish is rich in macro- and micronutrients associated with various nutritional benefits, which has led to an increase in fish consumption in recent decades. The greater demand for fish has led to an increase in discards, which are largely made up of by-catches. The valorisation/promotion of species with low or no economic value (that would be discarded) and the development of new seafood products with commercial added value should be applied to regulated fisheries, since the increased in demand in the absence of management can lead to overfishing. Diversifying consumption can also result in less dependence from imports, particularly in countries like Portugal with a high per capita consumption of fish. Diversification of fish consumption is essential for sustainable fisheries with ecological, economic and social benefits.