International Day of Cooperatives July 5
Every year on the first Saturday of July, we celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives. It’s a day to highlight how cooperatives make a real difference in people’s lives and the world around us. In the seafood sector, co-ops play a powerful role. They help small-scale fishers and seafood farmers build better futures, strengthen local communities, and protect the oceans that we all depend on.
Seafood cooperatives(co-ops) bring together people who work in fishing, aquaculture (fish farming), and processing. They give members more control over their work and their earnings. Instead of struggling on their own or selling to big middlemen, members work as a team. They make decisions together and share profits. This means fairer prices, more secure jobs, and stronger voices for the people who actually do the hard work of catching and farming seafood.
Cooperatives also support local economies. When a seafood co-op does well, the benefits often stay close to home. Profits might be reinvested into the community – building better facilities, creating new jobs, or funding education and training. In many coastal areas, especially in developing countries, co-ops provide vital income and help communities stay resilient in the face of economic and environmental challenges.
Another big reason seafood cooperatives matter is their commitment to sustainability. Because co-op members rely directly on healthy oceans and water systems, they have a strong reason to fish and farm responsibly. Many co-ops use sustainable fishing gear, avoid overfishing, protect breeding areas, and reduce waste. In aquaculture, they may use eco-friendly feed and avoid harmful chemicals. These practices help protect marine ecosystems and ensure there’s seafood for future generations.
Seafood co-ops don’t just catch fish – they are involved in every step of the seafood journey, from sea to plate. They play a key role in the global seafood supply chain, often handling processing, packaging, and even selling directly to consumers.
Because of this, co-ops can offer better traceability – meaning it’s easier to know exactly where your seafood came from, who caught or farmed it, and how it was handled. This builds consumer trust and confidence and improves food safety and quality.
In addition to making seafood more ethical and sustainable, co-ops also contribute to food security and better nutrition. By offering fair prices and working directly with communities, they help make sure fresh, nutritious seafood is available to more people. This is especially important in areas where seafood is a main source of protein and essential nutrients.
At SCA, we share many of the same values as seafood cooperatives. Co-ops are built on democratic participation – giving every member a say in decisions. They promote equity and solidarity, helping ensure no one is left behind. And like us, they believe in the power of education and community engagement. By informing and empowering people, we can all make better choices for our health and the planet.
So what can we do? First, let’s recognise and support the work of seafood cooperatives.
Governments, businesses, and consumers should all work to make sure these co-ops have fair access to markets and supportive policies. Second, when buying seafood, look for products that come from cooperatives – it’s a simple but powerful way to support ethical and sustainable practices. And third, let’s collaborate. Whether it’s improving labelling, raising awareness, or creating better supply chains, working together can drive real change.
Seafood cooperatives are more than businesses – they are communities in action. On this Cooperatives Day, let’s celebrate their impact and commit to building a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable seafood system.