2026 Conference Program

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL. Over the past five years, the E.U. fisheries and aquaculture market has faced an unprecedented sequence of shocks – the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and the Russian military aggression against Ukraine – each profoundly altering trade flows, consumer behavior, and supply chains.

·       COVID-19 disrupted global logistics, forced a rapid shift from foodservice to retail, and exposed vulnerabilities in international seafood value chains.

·       Brexit redefined trade relations and regulatory frameworks between the E.U. and the U.K., reshaping flows of key species and adding new administrative and cost burdens.

·       The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had direct and indirect impacts – from sanctions on seafood imports and energy price spikes to feed cost inflation and broader macro-economic uncertainty.

Despite these disruptions, the E.U. seafood market has demonstrated remarkable adaptability:

·       Supply chains diversified, and digitalization accelerated (online retail, logistics platforms).

·       New consumer preferences emerged, with higher awareness of sustainability, traceability, and food security.

·       Policymakers and businesses began to recognize the importance of market resilience – the ability to absorb shocks, adapt, and transform.

Today, as the E.U. moves from crisis response to long-term transformation, it is crucial to assess what has changed structurally and what opportunities arise for producers, traders, and consumers – and how EUMOFA’s market data can inform that transition.

New E.U. legislation – the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Forced Labor Regulation – will soon reshape how companies must address human rights and working conditions in global supply chains. This panel will provide an overview of these pieces of legislation and what they mean for seafood producers, farmers, and their buyers. Speakers will discuss: 

• What the new E.U. rules mean for seafood companies and their supply chains
• The role social compliance audits play in a company’s human rights due diligence 
• How certification schemes and industry initiatives are adapting to strengthen trust and credibility
• Why companies need to go beyond audits

Over the past two decades, per capita seafood consumption in Japan has nearly halved as more Japanese consumers opt for red meat and poultry, which is more affordable and easier to prepare. In this diminishing market, where are the opportunities for global seafood and aquaculture suppliers targeting Japan? What are the promising products, forms, and channels? What shapes the seafood taste and buying choices of Japanese consumers? Are consumers interested in global trends like sustainability? What are the cultural attitudes towards seafood versus aquaculture, and how do they impact the growth of the sectors in Japan?

Seafood companies face a growing challenge: how to expand globally, attract new consumer groups, and build value beyond commodities. CO/PLUS, a Copenhagen-based creative business consultancy, has partnered with leading Nordic seafood firms to rethink business models, categories, and brand platforms.

Our work shows how business development, sustainability, and branding can unlock new growth opportunities. Key cases include Collab, ORA, Icelandic Seafood, and Vega Salmon.

In collaboration with Icelandic Brewery Ölgerðin, we branded Collab, a functional beverage with collagen extracted from cod skins. What began as a byproduct became Iceland’s bestselling soft drink. Collab overtook Coca-Cola on the home market, won international awards, and stands as a global example of sustainability turned into business value. With ORA, we repositioned the seafood portfolio for export by creating a new category: “Icelandic Seafood Starters.” This made premium Icelandic seafood relevant for modern, social dining occasions and unlocked fresh retail opportunities. For Icelandic Seafood, we developed a new business platform and brand to strengthen export potential and positioned the company as a trusted international supplier. With Vega Salmon, we positioned them for a successful exit to Maj Invest, demonstrating how strategic branding enhances enterprise value.

These cases prove that seafood business growth now depends on moving beyond product and processing innovation to fundamentally rethinking the entire business landscape. Building platforms, defining categories, and uniting sustainability with profitability are the keys to long-term value for companies, consumers, and investors.

The recent Indonesian shrimp radiation occurrence is a good example of how the international seafood supply chain can affect the whole world.  Whether the product is fish, shellfish, caviar, or octopus, the legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements for the companies responsible for aquaculture farming, catching, cleaning, sanitizing, cold chain transportation, and declaration to customs authorities at the country of importation are critical and complex.   Knowing, understanding, and complying with the set of requirements for the international supply chain, especially for seafood, is a challenge for the marketplace. There are numerous, significant changes in laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that directly affect those companies involved in the international supply chain.  Personnel from companies that are aware of these new changes will have an economic advantage, and avoid business and legal mishaps.

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL. Sponsored by GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH. How do you scale seafood production while reducing waste and easing labor pressure? In this session, GEA shares a milestone project with Danforel, one of Europe’s leading trout processors. Discover how a high-precision weighing, loading and packaging line delivers measurable efficiency gains, reduces giveaway, and supports sustainability goals. Learn how close collaboration translated ambition into a future-ready production setup.

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL. Sponsored by Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Transformation starts at the source. Hear how the ASC Feed and Farm Standards have changed and what it takes to prove leadership as a producer from Lubimar – the world’s first farm certified to the ASC Farm Standard.

Claims are easy, proof is powerful. ISEAL demonstrates how transparency and verifiable truth are fast becoming the only currency of risk mitigation and trust in seafood supply chains.

The new EmpCo-compliant ASC label turns proven change into visible proof – covering every verified step, from feed ingredient to farm to final product – so trust becomes choice when it matters most; on the shelf.

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL. Sponsored by Best Aquaculture Practices. European seafood consumers are evolving – and their expectations are reshaping the marketplace. This session will explore recently released GlobeScan research on consumer attitudes toward seafood in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, followed by a discussion with a marketplace representative and a Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)-certified producer. In this discussion, we will examine what the data means for the European market and how third-party certification and responsible practices can help meet consumer expectations and build trust.

The seafood industry – from harvesters to distributors to retailers – is increasingly expected to have source data on their products, as well as evidence that the products were harvested responsibly, including consideration for the environment and human welfare. Yet, companies often feel powerless to address pervasive problems outside of their control in far-away places.

Even in well-resourced countries with strong governance systems, challenges exist in government-centric fisheries management. Data are typically collected and used in silos, either by governments or by seafood companies. In many countries, policies and regulations are set without industry support or involvement in decision making. Sufficient compliance enforcement is lacking in most fisheries globally.  

While good progress in improving fisheries management has been made over the last 20 years, it has largely been incremental, and has even backslid in some cases. A fundamental and systematic shift in the way we manage fisheries globally is needed. Leading this charge are select seafood industry representatives who are already making significant progress in addressing these challenges. 

Join leading industry representatives to learn about strategies they are implementing to collaboratively address systemic problems. Panelists representing various levels of the supply chain will share their experiences in taking on more of a role in fisheries management. This session is intended to demonstrate to others how they can change the way they do business and help transform the way we manage fisheries across the globe.

As the global demand for blue food grows, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into fisheries and aquaculture will be essential for sustainable and ethical seafood production. This panel will convene leading scientists, industry innovators, and civil society voices to explore how ESG-aligned practices can drive sustainable growth in the seafood sector. Discussions will focus on science-based solutions that promote ocean stewardship, inclusive solutions, and welfare-friendly practices to future-proof the seafood sector.

Indonesia is a global leader in tuna fisheries, the world's largest producer of tuna, accounting for at least 15 percent of global output. Most of this catch is produced by small-scale fishers, who make up about 97 percent of Indonesia's tuna fishing fleets across the country’s 17,000 islands. Indonesia’s tuna fisheries could serve as a model for sustainable and equitable management, supporting local coastal communities and food security, while also satisfying global demand for high-quality tuna products.

This session, hosted by the Indonesia Tuna Consortium – a coalition of five organizations dedicated to coordinated fisheries management – will examine how Indonesia is creating a sustainable and equitable fisheries model that empowers fishers and coastal communities, while also aligning with conservation goals and global standards for sustainability and product quality.  Representatives from Indonesia’s tuna industry, government, and non-profits will showcase their collaborative efforts to support fishing communities, conserve tuna stocks, and meet the growing demand for both sustainable and ethically sourced tuna.

Speakers will share how they are building fisher capacity, improving livelihoods, and increasing product quality, along with how digital innovations, such as AI tools, e-logbooks, and traceability systems, are enhancing data collection from catch to export and supporting the sustainable management of fisheries. Indonesia's collective and community-based fisheries management exemplifies a sustainable approach that promotes social equity and strengthens supply chain resilience, aligning with the growing demands of socially aware consumers.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector in the world, crucial for global food security. However, its growth has led to increased antibiotic use to combat bacterial diseases, raising concerns worldwide about antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The global effort to reduce antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture is motivated by a mix of factors, including regulatory pressures, consumer demand, market needs, and scientific progress. It is no longer a niche concern but a key part of building a sustainable and responsible seafood industry worldwide.

Consumers are becoming more conscious of the origins and production methods of their food. There is a growing demand for "antibiotic-free" or "sustainably farmed" seafood, particularly in key markets like North America and Europe. This shift in consumer preference has a direct impact on the entire supply chain.

 In response, major retailers and food service companies are setting their own standards and sourcing policies. Many are requiring their suppliers to provide third-party certifications (e.g., Global Aquaculture Alliance BAP, ASC) that verify responsible practices, including minimal use of antibiotics. This market-driven pressure incentivizes producers to adopt alternative disease management strategies to access and maintain market share. 

For example, private and public initiatives such as the Chilean Salmon antibiotic reduction program (CSARP), Pincoy Initiatives, and PROA have helped reduce antibiotic use in the Chilean salmon industry.

This session will focus on the global challenge of reducing antibiotic use in aquaculture and the role of Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquaculture by examining strategies, innovations, and collective efforts that drive the industry toward greater sustainability and resilience. It will explore the state of the art,  techniques, innovations, regulations, and collaborative efforts that are leading the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient sector.

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Retail compliance is no longer just about following regulatory checkboxes or bespoke information requests – it now extends to the digital data that underpins seafood traceability, sourcing claims, and regulatory reporting. Retailers are rolling out updated requirements that go beyond regulation to span case and pallet labeling, standards-aligned electronic data sharing, and interoperability between systems. For suppliers, keeping pace with these changes is becoming a condition of doing business.

This panel will bring together retail leaders and digital experts to unpack what’s changing and how suppliers can prepare. Panelists will share how they are approaching updated compliance expectations and working with suppliers to streamline adoption. Wholechain and GSA will contribute perspectives on enabling suppliers with interoperable digital traceability solutions and integrating certification and supply chain data.

In Morocco, approximately 800,000 tons of small pelagics are processed annually in canning factories. During filleting and peeling, cooked by-products – mainly skin, bones, and flesh – can account for up to 20 percent of the processed fish. Currently, these residues are often combined with raw by-products from other operations such as heading, evisceration, and gutting, and are primarily used for animal feed.

This study aims to valorize sardine (Sardina pilchardus) filleting by-products by converting them into fish flour suitable for human consumption. The resulting flour exhibits exceptional nutritional qualities, being rich in proteins (55–57 percent), essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), vitamins, and minerals. It has significant potential for the development of functional foods. For example, incorporating this flour into pizza dough produced a formulation that was well received by consumers.

The findings suggest that, with appropriate processing, these by-products can serve as an economical and sustainable alternative for various food applications. Their addition to products such as bread, soups, and sauces offers a viable approach to more responsible and efficient valorization of marine resources, thereby promoting sustainability within the fish processing industry.