Seafood Europe, the European Trade Association for seafood processors and traders, has published its new Sustainability Manifesto – A Fish and Seafood Industry Perspective. The document outlines a unified vision and a concrete framework to guide the sector’s environmental, social and governance commitments for the coming years.
The organization, which consists of 15 national associations from nine EU Member States and two third country associate members (UK and Norway) represent some 3,900 individual businesses. Combined, these employ around 128,000 people and account for roughly 80% of the total European sector, with a combined output of about €34 billion.
The organization’s manifesto calls for transparent fishing policies following the best science and in concert with governments, NGOs, and others to ensure not only robust fish populations but healthy ocean ecosystems.
“We also have a responsibility to care for our oceans and their health, adapting our practices to protect our marine environments. This includes:
a) Strong Regulatory and Management Systems: Advocating for and adhering to stringent regulations that enforce sustainable fishing and protect marine resources.
b) Robust Harvest Strategies: Implementing strategic, well-planned, science-based approaches to managing fish and seafood populations sustainably and responsibly.
c) Precautionary Approach: Exercising a precautionary principle in our operations to avoid unintended negative impacts on marine ecosystems.
d) International Cooperation: Agreement of harvest strategies between nations that share stocks is critical for conservation efforts as fish and other marine species populations across man-made boundaries.
e) Long-Term Economic Viability: Ensuring the fishing industry’s economic sustainability while prioritising environmental stewardship.”
The six chapters of the Manifesto cover: the crucial role seafood plays in global nutrition, responsible management from the initial harvesting in wild fisheries through to the final landing of wild-caught seafood, sustainable farming practices, responsible processing, the pivotal issues of protecting human rights and promoting community development, and the importance of responsible and transparent communication.
It is intended to be a living document, evolving to meet new requirements and reflect the industry’s future achievements.
“Sustainability defines the future of our sector,” said Luciano Pirovano, Chair of Seafood Europe Sustainability Working Group. “With this Manifesto, we reaffirm our shared responsibility to protect the oceans, support the people working across the seafood value chain and promote seafood as a key component of healthy and sustainable nutrition worldwide. Together, we are building a responsible and resilient industry for generations to come, one that safeguards our planet, our people and strengthens the trust of consumers who rely on us every day.”
