Seafood Europe has published its first Sustainability Manifesto: ‘A Fish and Seafood Industry Perspective’, a new document outlining a unified vision and a concrete framework to guide the sector’s environmental, social and governance commitments for the coming years.
With it, the organisation insists that sustainability is a matter of major importance and a core operational priority for the seafood value chain.
The first edition of the manifesto is available for download on the Seafood Europe website. 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.”
The work is the result of collaboration from a working group of industry-leading companies and national associations. Among key contributors who shaped the manifesto’s contents are Profand, Bolton, Thai Union, Espersen, Nomad Foods, New England Seafood International, Mowi and Cermaq. The group also benefited from the expert advice of the FAO on the vital chapter covering human rights in the sector.
“The manifesto is designed to serve as a practical guide for the industry. With our first edition and through continuous work we will dedicate to this document, the industry will have a clear roadmap to approach sustainable practices throughout the value chain to ensure a more resilient future.” said Jennie Montell, Vice-Chair of the Group at Seafood Europe.
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.
Industry leaders who contributed to the document commented on its comprehensive scope and importance.
“The manifesto embodies the collaborative spirit of our sector,” stated Antonio Alvarez Snachez, Profand’s Head of Sustainability. “At Profand, we share its vision and work with transparency and a holistic approach to sustainability to meet our clients’ and consumers’ expectations.”
“This sustainability manifesto brings together the essential pillars of responsible seafood”, said Caterina Martins, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer at Mowi. “In a world where the ocean is vital for climate resilience, food security and healthier diets, this document stands as an important summary of both the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead. It is a call to protect, produce, and prosper from the ocean – responsibly – so that seafood can continue to nourish people and the planet for generations to come.”
“We are working towards a future where food is produced with greater respect for the health of our people, our oceans and our planet,” said Oliver Spring, Group Sustainability Manager at Nomad Foods Europe. “As a major purchaser of fish and seafood globally, we can help to transform how food is produced and, together with our suppliers and partners, make a meaningful contribution to protect biodiversity and tackle climate change.”
According to Seafood Europe, the manifesto’s vision underscores the industry’s commitment to the future of the sector, a sentiment shared by its leadership. “It helps align the industry around the core sustainability challenges we all face. It’s reassuring to see our work reflected in its priorities and to be part of a collective push for a meaningful change.” said Cassie Leisk, Planet and People Director at New England Seafood International.
“The manifesto is a remarkable piece of work that gives a clear insight in the ambitions our sector pursues” added Guus Pastoor, President of Seafood Europe. “We have been fortunate that we were able to gather so much expertise in this group of outstanding professionals with different backgrounds and from different companies.”
