“OUR OCEAN, OUR DUTY”: SAFEGUARDING MARINE RESOURCES

More than 80% of world trade moves by sea, the ocean regulates our climate, and it provides both jobs and food security for millions of people. Yet, beneath the waves lies a pressing challenge: how can the agri-food industry, and particularly the seafood sector, meet rising demand while protecting the ocean ecosystems on which it depends?

Seafood: A growing appetite

Fish and seafood are now firmly established as essential sources of protein and nutrition worldwide. In 2022, global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 223 million tonnes, with more than 162 million tonnes destined for human consumption. This translates to a global average of around 20.7 kilograms per person each year – more than double the figure recorded in 1961.

Consumption patterns vary widely across regions. Europeans, for example, eat more than 21 kilograms per capita, while Asia consumes nearly 25 kilograms. In Europe, 66% of fish consumed in 2022 was frozen, reflecting the importance of preservation technologies in delivering seafood to consumers year-round. Meanwhile, aquaculture has overtaken capture fisheries as the main source of supply, accounting for more than half of all aquatic food consumed.

The challenge is that growing demand places pressure on marine ecosystems already under stress. The FAO has reported that nearly 38% of fish stocks are overfished, while climate change and pollution exacerbate the risks. It is here that the agri-food sector, from fishing fleets to processors and retailers, can take a leading role.

Companies taking responsibility

Several global players have already stepped forward. Thai Union, one of the world’s largest seafood companies, runs its SeaChange® programme, which tackles issues ranging from bycatch reduction to marine debris removal. Similarly, Maruha Nichiro and Princes have invested heavily in fishery improvement projects and partnerships with NGOs to ensure their tuna and other seafood products come from certified, sustainable sources.

In France, Chancerelle, the historic cannery behind the Phare d’Eckmühl brand, was among the first to adopt MSC certification and has linked arms with 1% for the Planet to support marine conservation organisations such as Tara Océan.

Innovation at SIAL Paris

SIAL Paris has increasingly become a platform for showcasing companies that blend innovation with responsibility. One notable exhibitor is La Truitelle, a French company producing organic mountain trout in canned form.

La Truitelle has made a bold claim: to achieve “zero impact on the sea.” While its fish are farmed in inland freshwater systems, the company recognises that aquaculture is often dependent on marine-derived feed such as fishmeal and fish oil. Its solution is to explore alternative ingredients, notably insect protein and oil, which could replace marine resources in aquafeeds. By reducing reliance on wild fish stocks, La Truitelle aims to cut its indirect pressure on ocean ecosystems.

This example underscores how even small, artisanal companies can make meaningful contributions to ocean protection by rethinking supply chains and pushing the boundaries of sustainable production.

A shared opportunity

Protecting the ocean is not only an obligation, as this year’s World Maritime Day theme suggests – it is also a tremendous opportunity. By investing in sustainable practices, companies can future-proof their supply chains, respond to consumer demand for responsible products, and safeguard the very resource base on which their business depends.

Aquatic foods already provide more than 15% of global animal protein intake and are vital to the diets of over three billion people. Ensuring their sustainability is therefore not just an environmental imperative, but a social and economic one.

Image credit: Harrison Haines - Pexels