Sources of animal protein in meals of the population of the Sepik-Ramu catchment

Baseline data about freshwater fish and other sources of animal protein in the diet were collected by means of structured interviews with inhabitants of 24 villages in the Sepik-Ramu catchment area and among people fishing at a high altitude reservoir. The survey revealed that 35 - 38% of the respondents staying at high(> 1000 m above sea level) and middle altitude level (200 - 1000 m) had no animal protein in the meals eaten the day before the interviews took place. At these higher altitude levels, where in general freshwater fish is scarce, tinned fish and frozen meat were the most commonly eaten sources of aninzal protein. Of the respondents staying at low altitude ( <200 m above sea level) 23% reported not to have eaten any animal protein the day before the interview took place. Freshwater fish was the most commonly eaten source of animal protein for respondents who had access to water bodies with more abundant fish resources such as lakes and reservoirs.