Food from the oceans

The only way to obtain significantly more food and biomass sustainably from the ocean is to harvest seafood that on average is from a lower trophic level than we currently harvest.

The Evidence Review Report warns that in our extraction of food from the oceans, ‘business as usual’ is not sustainable from social, economic and environmental viewpoints.

What the report says

The oceans are home to a large number of resources that are either not exploited or are marginally exploited currently and which could improve food security and the wellbeing of humanity. Increased food production from the ocean could release some of the pressure that has been put on agriculture, as well as supporting a range of livelihoods and activities associated with the fishing and mariculture industries.

Key options for how to obtain more food and biomass from the ocean:

Tackling waste and discards. It is quite common that around one-quarter of the catch constitutes unwanted species or undersized fish, termed 'bycatch'. Part of the bycatch is landed and used, but the unused fraction is thrown back into the ocean (often dead or dying) as discards. This practice is a wasted opportunity for biomass and food production as the potential for utilisation of discard and other waste is significant.
Harvesting wild animal species at lower trophic levels, which today are either not exploited at all, or only marginally. Plankton, zooplankton and wild macroalgae could be used as as a food source for mankind.
Developing aquaculture, and especially supporting the mariculture of macroalgae, marine herbivores, such as bivalves and marine carnivores and introducing multi-trophic aquaculture which integrates the production of species from different tropic levels.
Providing trustworthy consumer information on industrial fishing and mariculture.
Cultivating new approaches to social responsibility, which focus on open innovation, co-production of knowledge and social responsibility on multiple levels.
Introducing financial strategies that promote sustainable fishing.

Read the full report

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Debate and impact

Policy impactAcademic impactMedia coverageEvents

European Commission: recommendations from the Scientific Opinion contained in the proposal for the 2021-2027 European Marine and Fisheries Fund
European Commission: cited in Maritime Spatial Planning for Blue Growth
European Parliament: cited in Towards a sustainable and competitive European aquaculture sector
European Council: discussed by the Working Party on Internal & External Fisheries Policy, with strong endorsements from the French, Dutch and Spanish delegations
European Marine Board: influenced the position paper Navigating the Future V: Marine Science for a Sustainable Future
High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: cited in:The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change
High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: cited in:The Future of Food from the Sea

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Beckensteiner, J., Kaplan, D. M., Scheld, A. M. (2020). Barriers to eastern oyster aquaculture expansion in Virginia. Frontiers in Marine Science.
Buck, B. H., Troell, M. F., Krause, G., Angel, D. L., Grote, B., & Chopin, T. (2018). State of the art and challenges for offshore integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). Frontiers in Marine Science, 5(165).
Delabre I., Rodriguez L., Miller Smallwood J., Scharlemann J.P.W, Alcamo J., Antonarakis A.S., Rowhani P., Hazell R.J., Aksnes D.L., Balvanera P., Lundquist C.J., Gresham Ch., Alexander A.E., Stenseth N.C. (2021)Actions on sustainable food production and consumption for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Science Advances, Vol. 7, no. 12.
Filgueira, R., Strople, L. C., Strohmeier, T., Rastrick, S., & Strand, Ø. (2019). Mussels or tunicates: That is the question. Evaluating efficient and sustainable resource use by low-trophic species in aquaculture settings. Journal of Cleaner Production, 231, 132-143.
Hang L., Ullah I., Kim D.-H. (2020). A secure fish farm platform based on blockchain for agriculture data integrity. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 170.
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van Hoof L., van den Burg S.W.K., Banach J.L., Röckmann C., Goossen M. (2020). Can multi-use of the sea be safe? A framework for risk assessment of multi-use at sea. Ocean and Coastal Management, 184.
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Kaiser, M., Goldson, S., Buklijas, T. et al. (2020). Towards Post-Pandemic Sustainable and Ethical Food Systems. Food ethics 6, 4 (2021).
Krause, G., Buck, B. H., Breckwoldt, A. (2018). Socio-economic aspects of marine bivalve production. In Goods and Services of Marine Bivalves.
Krause G., Billing S.-L., Dennis J., Grant J., Fanning L., Filgueira R., Miller M., Pérez Agúndez J.A., Stybel N., Stead S.M., Wawrzynski W. (2020). Visualizing the social in aquaculture: How social dimension components illustrate the effects of aquaculture across geographic scales. Marine Policy, 118.
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Mouritsen, O., Styrbaek, K. (2018). Cephalopod gastronomy: A promise for the future. Frontiers in Communication.
Mouritsen, O. G., Rhatigan, P., & Pérez-Lloréns, J. L. (2018). World cuisine of seaweeds: science meets gastronomy. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 14, 55-65.
Piferrer, F. (2019). La determiniació del sexe en els vertebrats: canvis de paradigma i noves eines en biologia aplicada. Memorias de la Real Academia de Ciencias y Artes de Barcelona 1056.
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van der Schatte Olivier, A., Jones, L., Le Vay, L., Christie, M., Wilson, J., Malham, S. K. (2018). A global review of the ecosystem services provided by bivalve aquaculture. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6(165).
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Schattenblick: Hifters LNA geht in Libyen gegen Schlepperbanden vor (10 May 2017)
Bergen Gastronomy: Food from the Oceans, Food Festival and Scientific Seminar (12 June 2017)
Bergen Commune: Inviterer til bærekraftig sjømatdag (15 June 2017)
Hordaland: Folkefest med mat frå havet (15 June 2017)
Nordnes republikken: Ferske reker og foredrag (17 June 2017)
TV2 Norway:News story on Bergen Food Festival and events (18 June 2017)
The Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities: Nahrungsquelle Meer - Entwicklungen, Gefährdungen, Prognosen (15 September 2017)
Public Now: Commission Prepares To Move Its Bioeconomy Efforts Up A Gear (16 November 2017)
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences: Europees advies over voedsel uit zee (30 November 2017)
JRC: Commission's top scientific advisers publish opinion on food from the oceans (30 November 2017)
Seafood intelligence: Commission's top scientific advisers publish opinion on food from the oceans (30 November 2017)
Agripress: Commission's top scientific advisers publish opinion on food from the oceans (30 November 2017)
Science Business: Huge untapped source of food and biomass in oceans, say EU science advisors (30 November 2017)
Academia Europaea Cardiff Hub:Cardiff Hub oversees completion of the food from the oceans evidence review report for the European Commissoons (1 December 2017)
University of Bristol: Prof Daniela Schmidt contributes to major ‘Food from the Oceans’ report (1 December 2017)
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn: SAPEA provides evidence for the European Commission on Food from the Oceans (1 December 2017)
University of Hohenheim: Business as usual would not be sustainable (4 December 2017)
ALLEA website: SAPEA provides evidence for the European Commission on Food from the Oceans (4 December 2017)
Aquaculture magazine: Huge untapped source of food and biomass in oceans, say EU science advisors (5 December 2017)
acatech: SAPEA legt für die Europäische Kommission wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zum Thema Nahrung aus den Ozeanen vor (5 December 2017)
easac: New report from European science academies calls for urgent action on food and nutrition security: Europe will need to change its diet to address climate change and health (5 December 2017)
Euromarine Network: SAM Scientifi Opinion on Food from the Oceans published (5 December 2017)
myscience.org:Food from oceans can help satisfy global demand (7 December 2017)
Cardiff Universit: Food from oceans can help satisfy global demand (7 December 2017)
University of Bergen: Ny rapport gir svar om bærekraftig mat fra havet (8 December 2017)
Royal Irish Academy: SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) examining the question of how the ocean can help satisfy the global demand for food. (8 December 2017)
Horizon magazine: Algae and krill may be a tough sell for European consumers (8 December 2017)
Undercurrent News: European report advocates eating more bivalves, algae (8 December 2017)
Ara ciència : Les restriccions, aquestes desconegudes (11 December 2017)
European Scientist: Can the ocean can help satisfy the global food demand? (12 December 2017)
The Conversation: Putting algae and seaweed on the menu could help save our seafood (14 December 2017)
Phys.org: Putting algae and seaweed on the menu could save our seafood (14 December 2017)
The Sun: Barmy EU chiefs want people to swap traditional fish and chips for ‘more sustainable’ clams and seaweed (16 December 2017)
The Daily Catch: Why We Need Seaweed and Algae on the Menu to Help Save Seafood (18 December 2017)
Trinity College Dublin: New report on how the ocean can help satisfy global demand for food (19 December 2017)
Agora Magazine:Commission’s top scientific advisers publish opinion on Food from the Oceans (20 December 2017)
Open Learn: Can eating seaweed and algae keep the world fed? (22 December 2017)
Bio a la una : Nori, spiruline, chlorelle : les algues, ces nouvelles alliées santé (24 December 2017)
apuntelego: Bioeconomía azul para alimentar el futuro (28 December 2017)
The Independent: Putting algae and seaweed on the menu could help save our seafood (3 January 2018)
World@Web: One solution to global hunger could be at the bottom of the ocean (4 January 2018)
Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography: Food from the Oceans Evidence Review Report for the European Commission (26 January 2018)
Academy of Technical Sciences: First record for the EU Commission from SAPEA (29 January 2018)
Science Business: Blue innovation: Oceans to feed the planet (1 February 2018)
Cardiff University Biomedical & Life Sciences libraries: Systematic Review: Food From our Oceans (1 February 2018)
INCOBRA: BLUE INNOVATION: OCEANS TO FEED THE PLANET - ROUND TABLE (6 February 2018)
Latvian Academy of Sciences: Par Eiropas Akadēmiju Zinātnisko konsultāciju projekta (SAPEA) publikāciju (8 February 2018)
Science Business: Blue Innovation: How to fill fishing nets without emptying the seas (8 March 2018)
Pesceinrete: Food from the Oceans. Il cibo del futuro? Alghe, pesce coniglio e cetrioli di mare (19 March 2018)
Financial Times Magazine: Superfood to superhero: how eating seaweed could help the planet (23 March 2018)
Open Access Government: EU aquaculture: Supporting the farmers in the water (26 March 2018)
ipac.acuiculturat: La Comisión Europea organiza en Seafood Bruselas 2018 "Food from the Oceans, a look into our future" (23 April 2018)
NUI Galway: Whitaker Scientific Director presents briefing on SAPEA report Food from the Oceans at Royal Irish Academy (8 May 2018)
The news market: Master's Speech: Poul Holm: Global Food Demand Increases by 60% in 2050 and Perpetual Seafood as a Key Role (13 May 2018)
European Marine Board: Commissioner Vella meets European ocean research leaders for third time (10 July 2018)
IMBRSEA: Fisheries and Aquaculture (7 January 2020)
TV europa: Maria da Graça Carvalho é a nova vice-presidente da Comissão das Pescas no Parlamento Europeu (13 April 2021)

Food from the Oceans in Bergen

The City of Bergen in Norway celebrated UNESCO Sustainable Gastronomy day on 18 June, with tastings of different types of food from the ocean, followed by talks on this topic and a panel discussion which explored the question 'How can more food and biomass be obtained from the oceans in a way that does not deprive future generations of their benefits?'.
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Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival

Visitors to the Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival explored Food from the Oceans from 14 -16 July with talks, exhibitions and food tastings.
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Food From the Oceans event in Hamburg

SAPEA and the Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg organised this interdisciplinary panel debate held in the context of the German Year of Science 2016*17 – Seas and Oceans.
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Norsk kontinentalsokkel fram mot 2050

Bioeconomy Policy Day

The event is an appropriate moment not only to announce the outcomes of the review on the Bioeconomy strategy presented in a Staff Working Document, but also and discuss how to move the Bioeconomy forward.
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Social Innovation Conference

Jointly organised by the European Commission, the Portuguese Government and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the conference will take stock of social innovation today, review new trends in this vast domain, set the scene for lively and stimulating discussions, and promote networking among innovators, entrepreneurs, and other value creators driven by a social ideal.
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DG MARE Workshop on Aquaculture

The report was presented to stakeholders and the public.

SCAR-Fish Meeting

The report was presented to stakeholders and the public.

European Parliament Hearing on Aquaculture

Pearl Dykstra, Vice-Chair of the High Level Group of Advisors of the Scientific Advice Mechanism, presented the last scientific opinion produced by the Group at the European Parliment hearing on aquaculture.
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Council of EU Working Party on Internal & External Fisheries Policy

The report was presented to stakeholders and the public.
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EU Aquaculture Farmed in the EU Regions

The Conference was held on 2nd February 2018 in Brussels, at the European Committee of the Regions and was open to Member States representatives, Regional Authorities and other stakeholders.
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Blue innovation: Oceans to feed the planet

Following a scientific opinion by the EU's Scientific Advice Mechanism and SAPEA report on "Food from the Oceans," Science|Business brought together its members and experts to debate the steps needed across the policy world and showcase regional initiatives.
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Noch mehr Nahrung aus dem Meer?

Europe, the Ocean and Feeding the World

European Parliament SEARICA Intergroup event.
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Breakfast Briefing on SAPEA report Food from the Oceans

The Breakfast Briefing highlighted some of the important discussion points from the SAPEA report that are of particular interest to Ireland.
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Seafood Expo Global

Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global is the world’s largest seafood trade fair.
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2018 APSafe conference

The theme of the conference is “Climate Change and Food: Challenges for the Future.” It will explore the multi-challenge of “food ethics”. SAPEA report waspresented in the keynote lecture and during the opening ceremony.

Science in Times of Challenged Trust and Expertise

The report was discussed during the Food from the Oceans session at the General Assembly of ALLEA.
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Food from the Oceans event in Portugal

The report was presented to the Portuguese public at an event organised by Academia das Ciências de Lisboa.

5th International Marine Conservation Congress

The congress brings together conservation professionals and students to develop new and powerful tools to further marine conservation science and policy. With over 700 marine conservation professionals and students in attendance, IMCC is the most important international event for anyone involved in marine conservation.
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AQUA 2018

The event highlighted the latest aquaculture research and innovation to underpin continued growth of the sector. AQUA 2018 comprised of a scientific conference, trade exhibition, industry forums, workshops, student events and receptions.
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Society and the Sea conference

The event engaged multiple stakeholders in an exploration of the value of the ocean and how that can be recognised, communicated and harnessed to contribute to the health, wealth and wellbeing of society.
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ICES Annual Science Conference

The conference gathered over 650 participants from 34 countries.
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North Atlantic Seafood Forum Conference

The report was presented to the participants of this world’s largestseafood business conference.
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INGSA2018: Science Advice for a Changing World

INGSA is a global forum for policy-makers, practitioners, academies, and academics to share experience, build capacity, and develop theoretical and practical approaches to the use of scientific evidence in informing policy at all levels of government.
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Cardiff Science Festival

The Cardiff Science Festival, which took place from 28th February – 3rd March 2019, aims to inspire and educate on how science, technology, engineering and maths affect our everyday lives. During the event, the key messages of the report were presented to the general public.
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European Maritime Day

The European Maritime Day is the annual EU meeting point on maritime affairs and blue growth. It targets maritime professionals, entrepreneurs and ocean leaders from businesses, governments, public institutions, NGOs and academia. Our Food from the Oceans report was exhibited as part of this conference.
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EurOCEAN 2019

EurOCEAN is a high-level science-policy conference co-organised by European Marine Board, the European Commission and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
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Working group members

How do we find our experts?

Dag Lorents Aksnes
Chair

Professor
University of Bergen
Personal profile

Poul Holm
Chair

Professor
Trinity College Dublin
Personal profile

Maarten Bavinck

Professor
University of Amsterdam
Personal profile

Frank Biermann

Professor
Utrecht University
Personal profile

Roberto Danovaro

Professor
Polytechnic University of Marche and Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Personal profile

Patricia Harvey

Professor
University of Greenwich
Personal profile

Stephen Hynes

National University of Ireland Galway
Senior Lecturer
Personal profile

John Ingram

University of Oxford
Personal profile

Matthias Kaiser

Professor
University of Bergen
Personal profile

Sachi Kaushik

Ecoaqua Institute, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Personal profile

Gesche Krause

Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
Personal profile

Sylvie Lapègue

French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea
Personal profile

Alison MacDiarmid

Senior Regional Manager
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
Personal profile

Yngvar Olsen

Professor
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Personal profile

Martin Quaas

Professor
Kiel University
Personal profile

Daniela Schmidt

Professor
University of Bristol
Personal profile

Patrick Sorgeloos

Professor
Ghent University
Personal profile

Michael St John

Professor
Technical University of Denmark
Personal profile