Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

I am writing on behalf of Aquatic Life Institute, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of trillions of aquatic animals involved in aquaculture and marine capture fisheries globally. Our work involves collaborating with seafood certifiers to define high-welfare seafood products, engaging with stakeholders throughout the seafood supply chain, and influencing policy changes at the global level. We would like to express our gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this important consultation on building resilient food systems.

Aquatic systems, particularly those involving aquaculture and fisheries, represent a critical intersection of biodiversity and human livelihood. Resilience in these systems can be viewed through the lens of environmental sustainability, the capacity for ecosystems to recover from shocks such as overfishing or habitat destruction, and the ability of communities to sustain their livelihoods in harmony with marine environments. 

Aquatic ecosystems are highly sensitive to climatic shocks, including warming waters and increased acidification, both of which dramatically affect marine biodiversity. Social and political shocks, such as regulatory changes and trade restrictions, can also have significant implications, particularly for communities reliant on fishing. These shocks often exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, such as those caused by non-sustainable fishing practices and inadequate management of marine resources.

In building resilience within aquatic food systems, there is often a trade-off between maximizing short-term economic gains and ensuring long-term sustainability. For instance, intensive aquaculture practices may provide immediate economic benefits but can lead to negative outcomes such as water pollution and fish welfare issues. Balancing these trade-offs requires a shift towards more sustainable and welfare-oriented practices that can support resilience without compromising ecological and social integrity.

Our ongoing engagements have highlighted several innovative practices and policies that can enhance resilience. Our engagements at the Aquatic Life Institute emphasize enhancing aquatic animal welfare to build resilience in aquatic food systems. We advocate for enriched environments that meet species-specific needs, sustainable and optimized feed practices, appropriate stocking densities to reduce stress, rigorous water quality management, and humane slaughter methods. These interventions are crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic populations capable of withstanding environmental shocks, thus supporting sustainable and ethical food production practices across the aquatic food supply chain. Policies supporting these practices are crucial and need broader implementation and recognition in national and international frameworks.

To enhance the resilience of aquatic food systems, Aquatic Life Institute recommends the following:

  • Advocate for international policies that effectively manage shared marine resources and integrate high standards of aquatic animal welfare alongside environmental sustainability.
  • Encourage the adoption and enforcement of welfare standards that ensure humane practices in aquaculture, such as those addressing enriched environments, appropriate stocking densities, and humane slaughter practices. These standards should be designed to maintain ecosystem health and reduce the impact on marine biodiversity.
  • Promote research and implementation of ecosystem-based management practices in fisheries that consider the welfare of all aquatic animals involved, focusing on reducing bycatch and improving the conditions of capture to minimize stress and injury.
  • Develop clear guidelines and provide support systems for transitioning traditional and small-scale fishers towards more sustainable practices that incorporate welfare considerations, such as reducing the duration of trawls and using gear that minimizes environmental damage and animal suffering.
  • Increase public awareness and consumer demand for high welfare and environmentally sustainable seafood products by highlighting the ethical, environmental, and health benefits of such choices.

We believe these focused recommendations will significantly contribute to the HLPE-FSN's efforts to build more resilient and humane food systems globally. We look forward to the development of the report and are eager to support its recommendations through our network and expertise.

Thank you for considering our contribution.