Sustaining Ethical Aquaculture Trade (SEAT)

Trade in aquatic products is the largest global food sector, by value, with Asia representing the main external source of aquatic products into the EU. Current EU policy supporting international trade between Asia and Europe concentrates on issues of food safety as measures of quality, whilst market-forces drive development of standards and labels that identify social and environmental parameters.

This project proposed the establishment of an evidence-based framework to support current and future stakeholder dialogues organised by a third party certifier. This contributed to harmonising standards, helping consumers to make fully informed choices with regards to the sustainability and safety of their seafood.

The ‘Ethical Aquatic Food Index’ (EAFI), a qualitative holistic measure of overall sustainability to support consumers’ purchasing decisions, was based on detailed research centred around a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of current processes. This allied with a sustainable livelihoods approach and system thinking will ensure aquatic products reach consumers, aligned with analyses from the sustainable livelihoods approach and systems thinking. MSMEs based in the EU will participate in this project, particularly in the action research phase, thus enhancing their relative competitiveness.

By strengthening the knowledge base surrounding EU-Asia seafood trade the project provided the evidence required to support further expansion whilst ensuring a fair deal for producers who are meeting appropriate social and environmental goals and offering a safe and sustainable product for consumers.

The sectors covered represented the main aquaculture products reaching EU markets; tilapia, catfish, shrimps and prawns. Known case study stakeholders include MSMEs in Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Vietnam where sustainability is essential in the face of rapid growth. The research secondarily improved the understanding of opportunities for European exports to supply the expanding middleclass markets in Asia. Outputs were promoted through workshops, websites, and journal and press articles.