INAUGURAL SPEECH

Production, sustainability, and use of fishery and aquaculture products 30 years after the Code

Since the Code was published, global capture fisheries have remained stable, while aquaculture has grown annually, leading to an increase in aquatic food production. What do these figures mean for food security and nutrition? And for the sustainability of resources?

• Manuel Barange: Assistant Director General of the FAO and Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.

GAP ANALYSIS

30 years ago and ahead: the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

The CCPR is currently the main reference for policies, plans and legal reforms on a global scale. What will the next 30 years look like and how will it adapt to new contexts, climate challenges, new technologies, unequal access to resources and new dynamics of ocean governance?

• Alberto Prieto: Chief coordinator at Fundación Fish Nation.

ROUND TABLE

Consumer Access to Aquatic Proteins

Market experts from different continents will discuss the availability and accessibility of aquatic proteins for consumers.

• Karen Zuccolotto: Specialist in purchasing aquatic products for stores belonging to the Chedraui Group, a Mexican company with supermarket chains in Mexico and the United States.
• Jessica Panetta: Sustainability Manager at Sobeys Inc., a Canadian grocery retailer chain with over 1,600 stores operating under various banners across the country.
• Gabriela Fujita: New Business Director at Worldpanel by Numerator Spain. Consumer Insights expert in multinational companies.

Moderator: Pedro Reis Santos – Secretary General of the Market Advisory Council (MAC).

ROUND TABLE

Innovation and Sustainability in the Value Chain of Aquatic Products

We will discuss how the market for fisheries, aquaculture and cultivated fish cells is evolving in terms of innovation, packaging, logistics and distribution.

• Sebastian Rakers: Founder and CEO of BLUU Seafood, a leading European food biotechnology company in the production of cultivated fish cells.
• Helena Abreu: Board member (and former president) of the Council of the International Seaweed Association and Strategic Advisor to the Global Seaweed Coalition. Senior seaweed specialist at the Bantry Marine Research Station, Ireland.
• Mihir Pershad: Founder and CEO of Umami Bioworks, a pioneering platform in marine cell culture based in Singapore.
• Julio Salas: Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Chile. As the highest authority in the sector, the undersecretariat is responsible for regulating fishing and aquaculture activities in the country.
• Guus Pastoor: Chairman of the Board of Directors of AIPCE, the European Federation of Fish Processors and Importers, an association connecting fish processing companies, importers and wholesalers across the EU.

Moderator: Katarina Sipic – Secretary General of AIPCE-CEP.

ROUND TABLE

Impact of fisheries and aquaculture on society.

How do fisheries and aquaculture impact society from an environmental, sociological and economic perspective?

• Karmenu Vella: Former European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
• Jean-Pierre Poulain: Professor of Sociology at Jean Jaurès University in Toulouse. Holder of the chair ‘Food Studies: Food, Cultures and Health’, created by Taylor’s University and the University of Toulouse in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
• Atam Sandhu: Chief Executive of DMA Invest, one of the world’s leading organisations promoting trade and investment for economies outside the G20.

Moderator: Lara Graña – Editor-in-chief of the Faro de Vigo.

ROUND TABLE

Future Approaches and Growth Strategies

International experts seek strategies to achieve a balance between the three sources of aquatic proteins (fishing, aquaculture, and protein cultivation) for the next generations of consumers and to ensure that the entire supply chain respects sustainability standards that protect consumers, products and the planet.

• Fernando González Laxe: Professor of Applied Economics at the Universidade da Coruña, where he teaches and directs research. Expert in economics and fisheries resource management.
• Luiza Reguse: Senior Manager of the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) for the Consumer Goods Forum, an organization that brings together retailers and manufacturers of consumer goods worldwide.
• Carmen González-Valles: Director of Supply Chain Roundtables at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), where she focuses on promoting improvements in cephalopod fisheries and combating IUU fishing by fostering responsible sourcing practices throughout value chains.

Moderator: Esperanza Abuín – La Voz de Galicia newspaper editor.