Ed Sheeran sang about a perfect symphony, and that is what seafood is. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) works with partners from science and industry to explore the potential of nature on a daily basis. By finding answers together, there is enormous potential for the seafood industry to meet challenges.

The world population is growing rapidly, and according to the recently published OECD–FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034, the total consumption of agricultural and fish commodities will grow by 13 percent from current levels by 2034 in constant prices (FAO, July 2025). However, direct agricultural GHG emissions should be lowered by 7 percent from current levels. Achieving these outcomes simultaneously would hinge on a 10 percent increase in food production and a 15 percent improvement in agricultural productivity. WUR has conducted research in the Netherlands on CO2 emissions calculated for seafood products by Life Cycle analyses in comparison to other animal proteins, with the comparison also looking at nutritional values.

This presentation not only looks at the potential of low CO2 equivalents and favorable nutritional values of seafood products, but also at innovations in seafood chains that maximize 100 percent valorization by utilizing and upgrading fish waste streams. In addition, current developments are highlighted from innovations through digitization and robotization in fisheries, aquaculture, and fish processing, accelerated in part by the growing challenge of staff shortages. In short, this presentation brings together science and innovation for the seafood industry in Europe as a perfect symphony.