A systematic review on assessment methods, causes, and mitigation strategies for post-harvest losses in the fresh fish supply chain

Fish is a perishable commodity that is easily damaged, especially in tropical climates. The high depreciation in the value of post-harvest fish globally, known as post-harvest fish losses (PHFL), occurs because the quantity of fish reaching the downstream supply chain is lower than when they were first harvested. This research provides a comprehensive review of previous articles discussing PHFL to determine the research trends and future research direction. This systematic literature review includes 30 articles on PHFL from 2001 to 2023. Articles were classified based on year, country, assessment method, and findings, i.e., PHFL causes and mitigation strategies. According to the research results, the most frequently used assessment methods are the questionnaire loss assessment method (QLAM), informal fish loss assessment method (IFLAM), and load tracking method (LTM). The most cited causes of PHFL are ascribable more to the actors at the upstream level than those at the downstream level. Meanwhile, the mitigation strategies are mostly related to infrastructure and post-harvest handling methods. This review highlights that, despite their widespread use, these assessment methods have limitations, particularly regarding subjectivity. Inadequate storage facilities, especially cold storage with appropriate temperature, humidity, and cleanliness, are the leading cause of PHFL. Findings emphasize the greater role of upstream actors in contributing to losses, suggesting mitigation should prioritise infrastructure development and improved handling. Given the limited research on PHFL from a supply chain perspective, further studies are necessary to develop comprehensive frameworks for effectively addressing causes and mitigation strategies in fisheries.