OUR WORK
As a global seafood consumer association, our main goals encompass a broad range of activities aimed at promoting and eating safe, sustainable, and affordable seafood ensuring consumer protection, and advocating for increased choices.
Here are some key goals.
- Consumer Education and Awareness - We will aim to inform consumers and provide information on the benefits of seafood, how to identify sustainable products, and the impact of their choices on their health and the environment.Nutrition and Health is a critical area so we will educate consumers on the nutritional benefits of seafood and provide guidance on benefits/risks of consumption levels, especially for youth, women and aged.
- Advocate for Consumer Rights - Transparency and Traceability is essential for trust in the seafood supply chain. We will push for regulations that ensure the traceability of seafood from harvest to consumer to prevent fraud and mislabelling. We will promote Labeling Standards and work towards the implementation of clear and honest labeling standards that provide information on species, origin, and production methods.
- Promote Sustainable Practices –We will advocate for sustainable harvesting either through fishing oraquaculture: We support and promote practices that ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems. We will support education, training and discussions that ultimately assist consumers make informed choices. We will advocate a global level playing field in these areas.
- Market Access and Affordability - By promotingaccessibility we aim to make sustainable seafood accessible and affordable for all consumers, regardless of their location or economic status. Our ‘Diverse Options’ activity will be advocating for a range of seafood options to be available in all markets to reduce pressure on pressured species and promote balanced consumption through underutilised options.
- Public Engagement and Campaigns - Awareness Campaigns will be launched to raise public awareness about critical issues. Events and outreach programs will be organized through events, workshops, and specific programs to engage the global community and foster a culture that understands the needs and benefits of seafood as a regular meal choice. By focusing on these goals, our association can play a significant role in promoting a sustainable, ethical, and transparent seafood industry, while ensuring that consumers are well-informed and protected and governments informed on the needs of seafood consumers in any decision making processes.
- Encourage Ethical and Socially Responsible Practices - Fair Labor Practices are an essential element within the seafood industry and we will advocate against practices like illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Community Supportfor local fishing communities and small-scale fisheries/aquafarmers by advocating for fair market access and fair trade practices.
- Global Networking and Collaboration –We will build partnerships and collaborate with other organizations, including industry groups, academic institutions,governments, and environmental NGOs, to amplify efforts and share best practices. We will create ‘Information Exchange’ platforms for the exchange of information and experiences among consumers, producers, and policymakers globally and promote best practices.
- Support Policy and Regulatory Frameworks –We will engage with policymakers to advocate for policies that promote utilisation of sustainable marine environments, support sustainable practices, and ensure the safety, quality, volume, and affordability of seafood. International Collaboration will be an important aim to harmonize regulations and standards for the global seafood industry.
- Research and Development –We will engage with global scientific research and support and promote research on all activities which will assist us in our work. We will promote innovative solutions to encourage the development of modern technology solutions for bycatch reduction, waste management, and improving the efficiency of seafood supply chains. Additionally, we will conduct our own research on seafood consumption and barriers to seafood consumption and trade.
- Combat Climate Change –We will assist on mitigation and adaptation initiatives that moderate the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and help fisheries and aquaculture adapt to changing conditions.