Coalition Urged EU to Act on Blue Foods for Food Security

A coalition of Europe’s leading fisheries and aquaculture organizations urged the European Commission to adopt a dedicated Blue Foods Action Plan to tackle food security risks, declining local production, and sustainability challenges. The call, made during an event in Brussels on September 3, came against the backdrop of falling seafood consumption in Europe, rising dependence on imports, and increasing diet-related health concerns. Industry leaders pointed out that blue foods – such as wild-caught and farmed fish and seafood – not only delivered essential nutrients like omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals but also carried a lower carbon and resource footprint compared to many land-based proteins. Beyond their nutritional value, they highlighted the sector’s contribution to millions of jobs in rural and coastal communities, emphasizing that Europe’s declining production capacity posed risks to both livelihoods and long-term food security. Policymakers echoed these concerns, with representatives from the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee stressing that blue foods must form a central pillar of the EU’s Ocean Pact and sustainable food strategy. They underlined that without a strong and coordinated commitment to responsible fisheries and aquaculture, Europe risked undermining its ability to meet local demand, safeguard fair trade conditions, and build resilient, future-oriented food systems.