Seafood Consumers Association Partners with the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — In a move that continues to expand its global horizons, the Seafood Consumers Association (SCA) has officially joined the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition (ABFC) as an organizational partner.
The formal invitation, accepted by SCA CEO Hon Prof Roy Palmer, further strengthens Australia’s leading consumer-first seafood charity within an elite global network of nations, academic institutions, and civil society groups dedicated to transforming how the world perceives nutrition, climate resilience, and food systems.
Building on its existing international footprint, this new partnership embeds SCA deep into the ABFC network. Jointly managed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, with strategic leadership provided by the Government of Iceland, the coalition was established following the landmark 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) and officially launched at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference. By formalizing this relationship, SCA steps onto a shared stage alongside global powers including the European Union, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, as well as preeminent research bodies like the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future.
What are "Blue Foods" and Why Do They Matter?
The coalition defines "blue foods" (or aquatic foods) as any food derived from aquatic fish, shellfish, plants, or algae captured or cultivated in freshwater and marine environments.
Historically, global food security discussions have suffered from "terrestrial bias," focusing heavily on land-based agriculture, crops, and livestock while relegating wild and farmed aquatic foods to the margins. The ABFC was born to correct this imbalance, recognizing that sustainable and equitable aquatic food systems are absolutely vital to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Aquatic foods possess an immense, still-untapped potential to meet global protein demands while reducing critical micronutrient deficiencies worldwide. Increased consumption of high-quality blue foods is clinically linked to substantial improvements in heart, brain, and eye health. Furthermore, sustainable aquaculture and low-carbon wild fisheries represent a core pillar of the global climate solution, offering a significantly lower environmental and carbon footprint than traditional land-based animal proteins.
The Core Mission: Bridging Global Policy with the Local Dinner Plate
By signing the collective Coalition Declaration, SCA commits to a shared international vision centered on three key objectives:
- Raising the Profile of Blue Foods: Engaging with high-level decision-makers—including health, finance, and development ministers—to ensure aquatic foods are integrated into international forums and national policymaking.
- Mobilizing Support: Connecting multiple stakeholders to unlock investment, technical capacity, and strategic partnerships for countries looking to update their food systems policies.
- Driving Knowledge Exchange: Fostering direct, place-based action by matching regional blue food needs with global funding and technical assistance.
The coalition has already achieved significant milestones on the world stage, successfully securing the integration of blue foods into the COP28 Emirates Declaration on Food and Agriculture and collaborating with the School Meals Coalition to embed planet-friendly aquatic foods into international school lunch guidelines.
A Powerful Mechanism for Consumer Advocacy
For the Seafood Consumers Association, anchoring into the ABFC network expands its ability to advocate for transparent, fair, and safe food systems back home in Australia.
"SCA continues to expand its global horizons because we recognize that modern supply chain challenges don't stop at our borders," said CEO Roy Palmer. "Our mission has always been to ensure that everyday consumers have access to accurate labeling, clear information, and sound nutrition guidance. This partnership allows us to ground our local campaigns—such as championing weight integrity and pushing for truth-in-labeling—within a recognized international framework. It proves that consumer health and ocean health are completely inseparable."
The alliance provides a massive boost to SCA’s expanding educational and professional profile. Through the coalition’s bimonthly networking and briefing sessions, SCA will be able to share its domestic projects—such as the upcoming university-backed I-CADMUS seafood fraud training initiative and vocational training partnerships—directly with international experts. Already, SCA has utilized the network to share insights ahead of upcoming conferences.
An Invitation to Shape the Future
True to the spirit of the coalition its power is drawn entirely from voluntary collaboration, shared science, and cross-sectoral unity. From small-scale artisanal fishing communities in the Global South to consumer advocates in the Global North, the coalition leverages diverse expertise to protect both people and the planet.
As the dual pressures of climate change and cost-of-living strains place unprecedented pressure on public food bowls, the integration of sustainable, trusted blue foods into our daily menus is no longer optional—it is an absolute necessity.
SCA’s expanding presence ensures that as the future of the world's food systems is written, the safety, nutrition, and rights of the everyday seafood consumer will be protected on the global stage.
Want to help us champion sustainable, transparent, and nutritious blue foods? Join the movement, stay informed about our international initiatives, and engage with the Seafood Consumers Association today to build a fairer marketplace for everyone.
“26 Million Voices. One Seafood Future.”
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