Four organizations representing various segments of Europe’s seafood industry have teamed up to form the European Strategic Seafood Alliance.
The E.U. Fish Processors and Traders Association-European Federation of National Organizations of Importers and Exporters of Fish (AIPCE-CEP), European Association of Fish Producer Organizations (EAPO), Europêche, and the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) said the alliance is “aimed at advancing shared goals and promoting critical industry priorities on a broader stage.”
“We need society to be aware that fishery and aquaculture products represent a low-carbon source of animal protein that offers significant advantages for human health, climate impact, and sustainability. Seafood consumption is good for the people’s and planet’s health,” they said in a joint statement issued at the 2024 Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain, which ran from 23 to 25 April.
The European Strategic Seafood Alliance aims to amplify messaging on positions of agreement between the four member organizations. Primary among those will be advocating for policies that encourage more seafood consumption across the European Union. The group pushed the slogan of “Eat Fish” at its launch party at Seafood Expo Global.
The alliance said it also aims to raise consumer awareness regarding how seafood is produced, its nutritional benefits, and the stories of the people who catch and raise seafood in Europe.
“By uniting efforts, the alliance intends to bring these topics to the forefront of E.U. and global policy discussions,” it said. “This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in advancing E.U. fisheries and aquaculture aspirations and underscores the commitment of AIPCE CEP, EAPO, Europêche, and FEAP to drive positive change through coordinated action.”
At the alliance’s initial meeting at the expo, its members agreed to have it focus on pushing for the seafood industry to be prioritized at the same level as agriculture is by European governments, including the European Parliament.
“The repositioning of the fisheries and aquaculture mandate high in the European Commission's agenda is crucial and should be implemented during the upcoming political mandate period (2024-2029),” it said in a statement. “This adjustment aligns with the structural framework outlined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which considers agriculture and fisheries as separate but equally significant E.U. policies.”
AIPCE-CEP has recently concentrated on producing and publicizing a seafood sustainability manifesto identifying the association's goals for getting more information about seafood to European consumers, as well as on ensuring European access to raw materials from third countries.
EAPO has worked to ensure the E.U. Nature Protection Law (NRL) contained clarity in its approach to limiting marine environmental impacts.
Europêche has pushed for a reform of the E.U.’s Common Fisheries Policy and for a leveling of the playing field when it comes to global sustainability reporting and standards.
FEAP has advocated for a coherent E.U. food production policy to increase domestic seafood supply and ensure regional food security in Europe.
