Leveraging Aquatic Food Systems to Restore Oceans – Good for People, Good for Planet

As the world grapples with rising food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and climate-driven ocean changes, sustainable aquatic food systems offer a powerful yet underutilised solution. Aquatic foods nourish approximately 3 billion people, with more than 50% of the catch coming from small-scale fisheries. Small-scale fisheries also provide livelihoods to some 600 million people, about half of whom are women. Climate change, pollution, and a lack of supportive policies and mechanisms, however, are threatening their livelihoods. The aquatic food systems, which intersect with food and nutrition security, climate change, and ocean sustainability, remain marginalised in all global agendas. Sustainable management of small-scale fisheries could not only restore coastal and marine ecosystems but also open doors to a thriving supply of aquatic foods – an estimated increase in production by 16.5 million tonnes, which could contribute to the global food and nutrition security, and better livelihoods of coastal communities.  

This high-level and interactive side event will convene political leaders, researchers, industry innovators, and coastal communities to showcase science-based solutions that integrate sustainable aquatic food production, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.  

With potential participation from the French government, this session will highlight commitments to governance reforms, financing mechanisms, and new research collaborations that strengthen ocean-based food systems. Through audience engagement, live polling, and rapid-fire commitments from key actors, the session will drive actionable outcomes, ensuring that aquatic foods, coastal livelihoods, and ocean restoration are central to the UN Ocean Conference agenda. 

Join us in shaping a future where oceans sustain both people and the planet.