Despite Progress in Sustainability, the Seafood Industry Has Yet to Prioritize Animal Welfare for Comprehensive Improvement
At Seafood Expo North America in Boston in early March, Aquatic Life Institute team members engaged in discussions and made connections with stakeholders aligned with our vision for a more humane and sustainable seafood industry.
Sustainability and corporate responsibility took center stage at Seafood Expo North America, held March 10-12 in Boston. After two consecutive cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic, the conference welcomed back thousands of industry professionals eager to delve into a multi-faceted agenda that included economic trends, government oversight and technological innovations.
For the first time, Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) Managing Director Sophika Kostyniuk and Corporate Engagement Coordinator Cecilia Valenza attended in person, initiating fruitful discussions and making valuable connections with key stakeholders who share our vision for a more ethical and sustainable seafood industry. Over the three days of the conference, we met with industry leaders, retailers, certifiers and industry groups to advocate for the integration of aquatic animal welfare into sustainability and corporate responsibility agendas.
In a session co-hosted with AceAquatec on innovation in humane practices in capture fisheries, ALI presented the latest edition of the "Marine Capture Fisheries: Best Practices for Aquatic Animal Welfare" report, highlighting the importance of technological advances such as electric stunning to improve animal welfare.
Discussions highlighted the need to move beyond traditional definitions of sustainability and expand to include the various issues that fall under this umbrella. "We were pleased to see a lively discussion on ethical sourcing and sustainability. However, we believe there is an untapped opportunity for the sector to engage deeply in the animal welfare conversation, as it is closely linked to several topics on the ESG agenda, including reducing carbon emissions, mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and addressing biosecurity, human health and labor rights concerns," says Cecilia.
Our goal of making meaningful connections was achieved, with industry representatives engaging in one-on-one discussions and expressing interest in continuing the dialogue after the event. Side events such as the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions (CASS) and the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), which will be introducing the topic of aquatic animal welfare along with ALI at the Barcelona Seafood Expo in April, provided additional opportunities for networking and alignment.
As we continue our mission to promote ethical and sustainable practices in the seafood industry, we remain committed to fostering collaboration and driving positive change. Our participation in SENA served as a testament to our commitment to advancing aquatic animal welfare in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. We are grateful for the valuable connections made and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful conversations that will shape the future of the seafood industry.