Conxemar closes its 13th International Congress, reaffirming the role of the sea as an essential source of innovation and food security

• International experts analyse the role of fishing, aquaculture and innovation in the food of the future in Vigo
• The conference reaffirms the importance of the ocean as a source of sustainability and global food security

On Monday, Vigo hosted the 13th edition of the Conxemar FAO MAPA International Congress, a world-renowned event that brought together experts, institutional representatives and leaders from the fishing and aquaculture sector to reflect on the challenges of sustainable aquatic food production.

Under the slogan Aquatic Food = Food Security, the meeting, held on the eve of the Conxemar fair which starts tomorrow, commemorated the 30th anniversary of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, highlighting its relevance and its role as an ethical and technical guide for the sustainable management of marine resources.

The conference opened with a keynote speech by Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General of the FAO and Director of its Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, who reviewed the evolution of the sector since the publication of the Code and highlighted how aquaculture has established itself as an engine of growth and a stable source of protein.

He was followed by Alberto Prieto, General Coordinator of the Fish Nation Foundation, with an analysis of the 30 years since the adoption of the Code and the new global challenges in terms of climate change, unequal access to resources and ocean governance.

This was followed by four thematic round tables with international representatives from all links in the value chain, from production to distribution. The first, moderated by Pedro Reis Santos, addressed consumer access to aquatic proteins, with the participation of executives from large distribution groups such as Chedraui (Mexico) and Sobeys (Canada), as well as Worldpanel by Numerator Spain.

The second round table, focusing on innovation and sustainability, brought together leaders from biotechnology companies such as BLUU Seafood and Umami Bioworks, along with algae specialists and representatives from European associations of processors and importers. The Secretary General of AIPCE-CEP, Katarina Sipic, led the debate on new production models, packaging, logistics and food biotechnology.

The third panel, on the social, economic and environmental impact of fisheries and aquaculture, featured leading figures such as Karmenu Vella, former European Commissioner for the Environment and Fisheries, and sociologist Jean-Pierre Poulain, moderated by journalist Lara Graña. The debate highlighted the sector’s role in job creation, territorial cohesion and the sustainability of coastal communities.

In the afternoon, the panel discussion on future approaches and growth strategies, moderated by Esperanza Abuín (La Voz de Galicia), analysed the need to balance the three sources of aquatic protein —fishing, aquaculture and cell culture— to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems and global competitiveness. Speakers included Fernando González Laxe, Luiza Reguse (Consumer Goods Forum) and Carmen González-Vallés (Sustainable Fisheries Partnership).

The session concluded with an inspirational presentation by Dr Dayna Baumeister, co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute, who showed how nature and marine ecosystems can serve as a model for solving the major industrial and environmental challenges of the future, from energy efficiency to sustainable automation.

The ocean, a source of answers

The conclusions of the Congress highlighted that the sea remains a territory of knowledge and opportunities yet to be explored. In this regard, the focus was placed on the potential of aquaculture, algae and cell culture as ways to ensure healthy and sustainable food in the future.

The speakers agreed that the solutions to global food challenges lie in the ocean. They believe it is necessary to balance the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability and adapt regulatory frameworks to innovation and science.

The Congress reaffirmed the importance of marine proteins—whether from fishing, aquaculture or protein farming—as a source of healthy nutrition, rich in micronutrients and capable of generating physical and emotional well-being, as well as economic and social development.

Commitment to responsible fishing

The Secretary General for Fisheries, Isabel Artime García, was responsible for closing the meeting, where she highlighted that this Congress has served as ‘a platform to reaffirm the commitment of all actors linked to fisheries and aquaculture to sustainability and food security’.

Artime recalled the validity of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the progress made since its adoption, emphasising the importance of strengthening international cooperation and the traceability of fishery products, while calling for the promotion of fish consumption among young people and ensuring a fair competitive framework in international markets.

The Conxemar-FAO-MAPA Congress thus closed its 2025 edition by reaffirming that innovation, science and international collaboration are essential for building a sustainable, competitive fisheries and aquaculture model that is committed to future generations.