About us

The Aquatic Blue Food Coalition has been enabling change since 2021

The Coalition was born from the recognition that sustainable and equitable food systems are vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Formed after the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 and officially launched at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, we aim to ensure that the diversity and the potential of blue foods are fully integrated into equitable solutions for global food and nutrition security, a resilient climate, and a thriving biodiversity. 
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Our key objectives

Raise the profile 
of blue foods

We engage with high-level decision-makers at national, regional, and international levels to advocate for the recognition and integration of blue foods’ potential in transformations towards food systems that deliver for both people and the planet.

Mobilize support

We connect and work with multiple stakeholders to mobilize investment, technical capacity and partnerships for countries, or groups of countries, looking to integrate aquatic foods into their food systems policy.

Drive knowledge exchange and 
place-based action

We foster knowledge exchange between our members and provide them with support to catalyze action in key regions and/or countries by helping them understand their blue food needs and possibilities, and matching them with funding and/or technical assistance.

Read our full declaration

Our mission

Our mission is to advocate for the recognition of blue foods in global food system discussions, mobilize support and adequate funding for their integration, and drive on-the-ground action to foster equitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient food systems.

The Aquatic Blue Food Coalition uses its wide network of members and expertise to work with decision-makers to deliver on the potential of blue food solutions to benefit people and the planet.

Our Secretariat

The Secretariat is jointly managed by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, with leadership and strategic guidance provided by the Government of Iceland.

The Strategic Advisory Committee

The Committee represents blue food experts and other practitioners from both the Global South and North. It supports and advises the Coalition by providing strategic direction to champion the 
cause of blue foods in global food system discussions.

Our members

The Coalition is multi-sectoral, drawing its strength from diverse representatives who include governments, intergovernmental organizations, academic institutions, civil society, and industry. Membership in the Coalition is free and requires no financial commitment.

The Coalition has brought together over 40 members who have expressed their commitment to blue foods as a priority:

Parties

Canada, European Union, Fiji, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Madagascar, New Zealand, Palau, Portugal, United States of America

Intergovernmental organizations

African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), One CGIAR, The Pacific Community (SPC), WorldFish

Civil society

African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET) – Malawi Chapter and Nigeria Chapter, CARE, Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub, Conservation International, Ethical Seafood Research, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD), Friends of Ocean Action (FOA), Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceana, Positively Groundfish, Rare, Regional Cluster “North-East” – Bulgaria, Village Farmers Initiative, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Women in Caribbean Aquaculture, World Resources Institute (WRI), WWF, Zero Hunger Coalition

Industry

Blue Food Partnership, FUTUREFISH, Global Salmon Initiative, Global Seaweed Coalition, Wholechain

Academic institutions

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions

Get involved

If you are driven to make blue foods a significant part of food systems transformation, contact us to attend one of our meetings, to learn more about our work, and explore the possibility of becoming a member.

Find out how to get involved