BLUE TRANSFORMATION PROTOCOLS FOR RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Availability of fish and shellfish is stretching beyond sustainable limits due to environmental and other challenges. These include global warming, habitat destruction, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, pollution, destruction of corals and mangroves. Furthermore, over-fishing, voluminous by-catch as well as process discards along the supply chains adversely affect seafood security and bioeconomy. A cohesive and transformative approach is urgently required to address the challenges for resilient and sustainable fishery production. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations suggested blue transformation to build sustainable, resilient and inclusive fisheries and aquaculture. The three-point action plan to transform aquatic food systems by 2030 and beyond calls for: (i) effective management of fishery stocks through control of overfishing, bycatch landing, and climate actions to minimize global warming, (ii) sustainable aquaculture, and, (iii) upgradation of aquatic value chain for social, economic and environmental sustainability. This article, at the onset, briefly discusses challenges facing sustainable seafood production followed by conventional practices to address these challenges. It then discusses science-based blue transformation protocols that are able to remove weaknesses and encourage resilience of fishery production. Environmentally-friendly green technologies are able to decarbonize fishery production systems and transform fishery discards into diverse nutraceuticals, industrially important ingredients and also biofuel. Nature-positive aquaculture operations can enhance resources under environmentally friendly conditions. The blue transformation protocols, integrated with zero-waste, circularity and digitalization strategies, can minimize environmental hazards, encourage resilience and steer sustainable seafood production that can also meet the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.