Charting a science course for the sustainable transformation of aquatic food systems

Aquatic foods hold a unique potential to contribute to a much-needed transformation of food systems thanks to their high nutritional value, cultural significance, and relatively low environmental impact. However, realizing this potential requires a transformative approach to help overcome two grand challenges: sustainably increasing the production of nutritious aquatic foods and ensuring equitable access to these resources. This paper highlights the key recommendations from the White Paper on Challenge 3 (‘Sustainably nourish the global population’) of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (hereafter, the Ocean Decade), developed by a group of experts under the Vision 2030 process, on the science needed to support a ‘Blue Transformation’. A holistic, interdisciplinary science agenda is proposed, emphasizing strengthened institutional and public–private partnerships, prioritizing the inclusion of small-scale actors, women, and youth, and focusing on delivering science targeted to solve specific challenges. The Ocean Decade provides a platform to catalyse these efforts, fostering a paradigm shift towards inclusive, co-created science. Achieving these goals will enable aquatic food systems to contribute significantly to global food security and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Keyword(s)

aquatic food systems, sustainable production, equitable access, aquatic food systems transformation, knowledge co-creation, Blue Transformation

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Agostini Vera N, Olsen Erik, Tiffay Céline, Allison Edward H, Cojocaru Andreea-Laura, Costello Christopher, Darias Maria J, Fabinyi Michael, Fulton Elizabeth A, Gelcich Stefan, Mills Katherine E, Msuya Flower E, Thilsted Shakuntala H, Tigchelaar Michelle (2025). Charting a science course for the sustainable transformation of aquatic food systems. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 82 (1). fsae184 (5p.). https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsae184, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00931/104243/

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