A Seafood Industry Leadership Group is to be set up to lead the delivery of a sustainable and thriving future for England’s seafood supply chain.
The group is tasked with bringing all sectors of the seafood industry together to lead and support the work set out in the Seafood 2040 strategy and to hold all partners to account for its application.
Launched at the end of last year, Seafood 2040 - A Strategic Framework for England (SF2040) identified actions for ways in which the industry could grow to the recommended consumption level of two servings of fish per person per week (from 1.5 servings currently), while ensuring continued sustainability of supply in both the wild-caught and aquaculture sectors.
SF2040 was the first document to encompass all seafood sectors in a road map. It set out the current state of the industry and the scope of ambition, together with a gap analysis and 25 recommendations for success. This framework was compiled by a panel of experts from the catching, aquaculture, processing, international trade, retail, foodservice, and scientific sectors.
Alison Austin, who was chair of Seafood 2040, has been appointed as chair of the new Seafood Industry Leadership Group.
“It was heartening to see Seafood 2040 mentioned in the recent Defra consultation document ‘Sustainable Fisheries for Future Generations’ as a positive outcome of partnership working across the seafood value chain. I look forward to forming the Seafood Industry Leadership Group and working to create a thriving industry as well as encouraging consumption of fantastic, sustainable seafood,” Austin said.
George Eustice, U.K. minister of state for agriculture, fisheries and food, welcomed Austin’s appointment and said that Seafood 2040 would play an “important part” in supporting the long-term sustainable growth and future economic success of the seafood chain in England.
