A Menu of Solutions

We are still in Nice, reflecting on an intensive week at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3). Have we made progress in marine protection and the sustainable use of aquatic resources?

Shakuntala Thilsted: If we consider the final event – the Ocean Action Panel “Promoting the role of sustainable food from the ocean for poverty eradication and food security” –which included participation from a wide range of countries – across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific – I would say it was a strong conclusion to the conference. The key messages were consistent: diverse aquatic foods are essential for food and nutrition security. However, these foods are not only important for nutrition, but they also support the livelihoods of many poor and vulnerable communities. In that sense, there was alignment across perspectives. That said, I would have appreciated a broader discussion focusing on the varied values of aquatic foods, especially in relation to low- and middle-income countries and vulnerable populations. Also, those currently engaged in aquatic food systems are often from older generations. To ensure these systems play a continued role in the broader transformation of food systems, we must invest in engaging youth. This requires not only training, but also the creation of opportunities that make careers in aquatic food systems attractive and viable for young people.

Andreas Schaumayer: The German government represented by the Ministries of Development Cooperation (BMZ), Agriculture (BMLEH), and Environment (BMUKN) presented a coherent position on our shared goals. We recognize that sustainable fish stocks and ocean preservation are vital. Overfished stocks pose a significant threat to food and nutrition security. At the same time, restoring these stocks offers an opportunity for closer cooperation between our ministries, focusing both on conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources. To give an example: rebuilding overfished stocks could increase global fisheries production by 16.5 million tons. This would cover almost half the supply needed to raise Africa’s fish consumption to the global average by 2050. Such a shift could improve nutrition for around 160 million people by addressing micronutrient deficiencies while simultaneously supporting ocean ecosystems.

Thilsted: When discussing increased production, we must ensure that species diversity is considered. If we want to address food and nutrition security and support the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, we cannot rely on a single species, e.g., tuna. We need to consider the full diversity of aquatic ecosystems.

Schaumayer: That's an important point. Compared to land-based food systems, the ocean offers a far greater variety of species suitable for consumption. On land, our diets tend to be limited to a few animal proteins like chicken, pork, and beef, along with various vegetables.

In contrast, ocean and freshwater ecosystems hold thousands of edible species. Currently more than 3,000 species or species-types are harvested from wild fisheries and grown in aquaculture systems.

In many countries, aquatic foods already contribute significantly to dietary diversity. In others, this potential is underutilized. Promoting aquatic foods more broadly could play a key role in combating global malnutrition.

Thilsted: Absolutely. And these foods are more than fish. They include aquatic plants and a wide range of other species from both coastal and inland waters.

Highlighting the unique properties and potential of aquatic foods, what do they bring to communities, local economies, and to those who harvest them?

Thilsted: I can start with an example from Bangladesh, where I first came to truly understand the value of aquatic foods, specifically small fish species. At the time, vitamin A deficiency was widespread, and it was known to be linked to night blindness. Women in rural communities would tell me, "When the rains come, we see better." It took me a while to understand what they meant: during the rainy season, small fish became more abundant. As a result, diets shifted to include more of these fish, which are rich in vitamin A. This improved eyesight and reduced symptoms of night blindness. That was a powerful realization.

Fish are far more than just a source of protein. They provide a wide range of essential micronutrients, including vitamin A. Traditional knowledge about the value of aquatic foods – whether fish, aquatic plants, or species like snails – is incredibly important. We can learn a great deal by listening to local communities, especially about seasonal food availability.

Schaumayer: This is highly relevant. Small Pelagic fish, especially when consumed whole, are extremely nutritious. Yet their relevance for domestic consumers is often overlooked by national departments of fisheries and aquaculture, who tend to focus on larger, commercially valuable species in their management approaches and domestic value chain development. From a development cooperation perspective, it's vital to shift focus toward these small, nutrient-dense species. They are especially important for coastal communities, where they often represent the most accessible and nutritious food source. For example, in Mauritania, our bilateral efforts support improved fish stock management with an emphasis on local and regional nutrition security, not just commercial yield.

Thilsted: This also ties into the issue of affordability. Aquatic foods are often seen as too expensive, but if we take seasonal availability into account, there are ways to make them more accessible. During times of abundance, fish can be dried and preserved. Dried fish stays for months at room temperature without refrigeration. That makes it available even during lean seasons, when fresh fish is scarce or unaffordable – an effective way to maintain food and nutrition security year-round, particularly in low-income households.

Schaumayer: Absolutely! At BMZ, we emphasize the integration of local knowledge. At the same time, we support efforts to connect coastal communities with scientific research and policymaking. For example, we fund initiatives such as MeerWissen, which aim to build scientific bridges between local communities and both national and international decision-makers. A key aspect of this work is ensuring a two-way exchange: not only do communities benefit from scientific insights, but they also see their own experiences and perspectives reflected in the research process.

Dialogue between scientists and coastal communities helps ensure that knowledge is created collaboratively and is relevant to those most affected.

Why are small-scale fisheries so essential, especially in the context of food and nutrition security, poverty reduction, and sustainable livelihoods?

Schaumayer: In our partner countries, at least 90 percent of aquatic food production from small-scale fisheries is consumed locally. On a global scale, they account for at least 40 percent of the total marine and inland catch. That is why we actively support preferential access for coastal communities and small-scale fishers to marine resources. With the right co-management structures and self-regulation in place, this approach can lead to highly sustainable fishing practices benefiting both people and ecosystems. Because, while not all practices in small-scale fisheries are fully sustainable, biodiversity protection tends to be far more effective when carried out in partnership with local communities.

Thilsted: Many coastal communities are deeply aware of the value of coastal fisheries and aquatic foods. These resources are not only important as a source of nutrition but are also integral to their traditions, culture, and even religious practices. Aquatic foods represent much more than just sustenance. When we combine this local knowledge with scientific insights from researchers and policymakers, coastal populations can better appreciate and use this knowledge to manage their resources sustainably.

Involving coastal communities closely by providing better knowledge, improved tools, and greater access to facilities for catching and storing fish benefits everyone.

There has been significant discussion about strengthening the connections between science and policy. Improving these linkages is essential to achieving SDG 14, but also other Sustainable Development Goals. What do you think science and policy can do better or differently to support these goals?

Schaumayer: Let me quote UNOC Ambassador Gina Guillén-Grillo who is Director General of Foreign Policy in Costa Rica and Special Envoy for the Oceans and recently spoke on the research vessel Meteor. She emphasized that without science, there is a high risk of moving in the wrong direction. In the case of deep-sea mining, for example, scientific knowledge is still limited. More research is urgently needed, and precautionary measures must be taken. From a socio-political perspective, it is crucial to complement science by establishing inclusive dialogue – not just collecting data from coastal communities but also sharing findings and engaging with these communities throughout the research process. We must acknowledge that not all scientific results are easily accepted by coastal populations, especially fisher communities depending on resources for their subsistence. Therefore, political decisions need to be based on inclusive dialogue to ensure sustainable outcomes in all dimensions.

Thilsted: We already possess substantial scientific knowledge that is not being fully utilized. For example, it is emphasized a lot that aquatic foods are rich in micronutrients, minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Yet, this knowledge has not been effectively integrated into programs for young children, pregnant and lactating women, or school meal initiatives. If this were done properly, these nutrient-dense aquatic foods, that I call “superfoods”, would be a fundamental part of such programs.

We currently have scientific knowledge, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices existing separately. With advances in data technologies and artificial intelligence, we now have new tools to combine all these forms of knowledge effectively. The challenge is to bring these elements together to maximize benefits both for people and for the planet. This is a complex task that requires collaboration. For example, in Bangladesh, Manika Saha, during her PhD studies, worked with women from fishing communities to create videos in which they shared their stories. These videos reached policy makers, helping them to better understand the importance of fisheries, and thereby, shape policy decisions. Despite the wealth of knowledge available, it remains fragmented across different fields and sectors. We need to integrate these pieces to create a comprehensive and effective approach.

You both emphasized the importance of collaboration in scaling inovations and approaches to sustainable aquatic food systems. Where do you see partnerships emerging, and how can these partnerships drive transformation?

Thilsted: An immediate opportunity I see is to include aquatic foods in school meal programs and social safety nets. These programs are typically administered by governments, and they provide a strong foundation to integrate aquatic foods. The benefits are significant – it is important to capture and demonstrate these benefits, including cost-benefit analyses, to show their impact on national development. Linking government-led programs with policies that promote national development can create powerful outcomes.

Schaumayer: I fully agree. This is not only essential for nutrition but also a powerful way to support the incomes of small-scale fishers and aquaculture producers through public procurement. School meal programs act as a social security mechanism for children and their families, as parents do not need to provide meals during school hours. This makes school meals an extremely effective tool. Another important point is that a large part of the funding for school meals is often provided by our partners themselves, showing strong political commitment. Political buy-in makes initiatives more sustainable and easier to implement than donor-driven projects.

Another key area relates to the multilateral agreements we are discussing here at the UN Ocean Conference. Not all agreements have a direct food security focus, but many, including the BBNJ agreement and the plastics treaty, impact food security indirectly. Another notable example is the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement which fosters sustainable fisheries. Germany supports its ratification and is providing technical cooperation through the WTO Fish Fund. Additionally, Germany plans to expand bilateral cooperation to support the implementation of the WTO fisheries subsidies agreement.

Thilsted: These are critically important measures that governments control, as they can advance these initiatives at the international level. It is therefore essential that governments speak with one voice and unite their efforts to move forward with international agreements that can benefit vulnerable populations, including the poor.

One recurring theme throughout the conference has been the principle of “leaving no one behind,” particularly regarding women and indigenous communities. How can we strengthen their participation in governance and the economy?

Thilsted: One major challenge is the way we engage with the communities who stand to benefit most or, conversely, to be most affected. Coming from a scientific background, I’ve observed that we often develop interventions based on scientific findings, implement them in communities, and then analyze the results independently. However, we rarely involve the communities themselves in this process. We seldom ask them how they have benefited, if the intervention could have been improved, or if there were any unintended negative effects. This kind of interaction with community members engaged at every stage of development and decision-making is something we must improve.

Schaumayer: For international cooperation to be successful, it is crucial that agreements and rules are applicable and beneficial to local communities and the most vulnerable groups. Sometimes this is overlooked. While the rules should ideally apply to all, not all communities and sectors are able to comply with them equally. This is where a preferential approach and deferential treatment can be effective, allowing certain communities preferential access or phased implementation of commitments.

Thilsted: Returning to the role of communities, we have not sufficiently leveraged their strengths. If you ask women, especially mothers with young children, what matters most to them, they will say ensuring their child grows up healthy and smart. We know aquatic foods offer significant health and nutritional benefits scientifically, so this is an ideal entry point that has been underutilized. We have not effectively worked with communities, parents, mothers, and fathers to highlight how crucial these foods are for their children’s cognitive development, health, and well-being. In this regard, aquatic foods present an accessible opportunity to gain community buy-in compared to many other areas.

As we look ahead to the UNFSS+4 Stocktaking in July, what key takeaways are you bringing from the UN Ocean Conference?

Schaumayer: Shakuntala Thilsted, the BMZ and many others acted as strong advocates for a food systems perspective at the UN Ocean Conference. We successfully brought attention to aquatic foods and highlighted their role as “superfoods” in the fight against global malnutrition. This focus now needs to be carried forward to the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), where we will have the opportunity to address practical aspects such as food safety and food quality as key components of food security and nutrition. This allows us to move beyond a focus on calories and toward ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food.

Thilsted: At the upcoming UNFSS+4 Stocktaking Moment, countries will be at the forefront. After the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, all participating countries committed to developing national pathways for transforming their food systems to better nourish their populations. If we use this as an entry point, and if countries align and act collectively, we can ensure that aquatic foods are integrated into food systems transformations.

By including aquatic foods in national pathways and by allocating resources and investments to do so, we can make substantial progress. This collective effort would also help countries to collaborate more effectively toward a common goal.

Schaumayer: For the UNFSS in Addis Ababa, German development cooperation will contribute the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) to the discussions. While we have many multilateral agreements and bilateral technical cooperation efforts, voluntary standards like FiTI can serve as valuable tools to build trust and transparency. They also offer a steppingstone toward reaching broader international agreements such as the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. We are active on three levels: multilateral negotiations, voluntary initiatives like FiTI, and hands-on projects on the ground aimed at improving food security for vulnerable communities. With dedicated people and strong implementation of these voluntary standards, we can move significantly closer to a multilateral consensus.