In November 2024, EBCD, in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and with the support of the Xunta de Galicia, organised the event “The Contribution of Fisheries and Aquaculture to Food Security.” The discussion brought together policymakers, industry leaders, scientists, and civil society to highlight the vital role of Europe’s blue food sectors in building sustainable and nutritious food systems.
As global challenges intensify – ranging from conflict and geopolitical tensions to climate instability – ensuring Europe’s capacity to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable food has become a pressing policy priority. The European Union’s food sovereignty is increasingly tested by rising energy costs, disrupted supply chains, and the growing impacts of climate change.
Against this backdrop, fisheries and aquaculture products – “blue foods”– stand out as part of the solution. With a smaller environmental footprint than many land-based proteins, high nutritional value, and deep cultural significance across coastal regions, these sectors can make a decisive contribution to the EU’s objectives on food security, climate neutrality, and sustainable growth.
Building on the momentum of the 2024 event, this half-day stocktaking session reviewed progress over the past year and identify priorities for advancing a strategic vision for Blue Foods, grounded in sustainability, competitiveness, and innovation.
Agenda:
The conference was moderated by Ilias Grampas (Deputy Director at EBCD)
14.00 – 14.30 | Welcoming remarks:
- Despina Symons – EBCD Director
- Javier Garat – EESC
- Marta Villaverde Acuña – Regional Minister of the Sea, Xunta de Galicia
14.30 – 15.00 | Keynote addresses:
- Manuel Barange (Presentation) – FAO Assistant Director General and Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI)
- MEP Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral – Member of the Committee on Fisheries of the European Parliament
- Yiannos Kyriacou – Fisheries Counsellor – Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU
15.00 – 16.15 | International & EU context:
- Shakuntala Thilsted (Presentation) – UN Food System Summit Stocktake + 4, Senior Nutrition Expert, CGIAR & Chair, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
- Jon Erlingur Jonasson (Presentation) – Aquatic Blue Food Coalition Chair, Special Envoy for the Ocean at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
- Anita Utheim Iversen (Presentation) – Head of Global Action Network – Sustainable Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters for Food Security and Nutrition Specialist Director at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade Industry and Fisheries
- Ocean Pact and the Upcoming Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2040 what does it mean for blue foods?
Dovile Vaigauskaite – Head of Unit CFP and Structural Support at DG MARE, Policy Development and Coordination.
Q&A
16.15 – 16.40 | Coffee break
16.40.17.00 | Scientific perspectives:
- Nutritious, health and climate component of aquatic products
Jörn Schmidt (Presentation) – WorldFish Director for Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems.
Q&A
17.00- 17.50 | Stakeholders’ perspectives:
- Call for Action Plan on Blue Foods
Szilvia Mihalffy – Senior Policy and Project Manager at FEAP & EU Seafood Alliance representative.
- Decarbonisation of the fishing fleet
Jules Danto (Presentation) – Policy Officer at EAPO & coordinator of the ETP Large Scale Sector
- WWF perspective on aquatic food systems
Laure Guillevic (Presentation) – Ocean Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office.
- Youth representatives perspectives
Clémentine Etienne Brunon (Presentation)– Youth Policy Specialist, FAO Office of Youth and Women
Ilaria Bellomo (Presentation) – Vice-President & Cofounder of NOWA (Network Of Women in Aquaculture)
Q&A
17.50-18.00 | Concluding remarks:
Ilias Grampas – Deputy Director at EBCD
Reception
Click here to read the Full Report of the event.