From the 9th to the 15th of October, our project partners from Nausicaa, Lolita Couchene (Advocacy Officer) and Iwona Gin (Head of European Projects), represented Mr.Goodfish3.0 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. Let’s dive into their key learnings from this insightful week.
Could you briefly introduce the IUCN Conference and explain why it was important for you to attend?
Lolita: The IUCN, or International Union for Conservation of Nature, is one of the world’s largest networks for nature and biodiversity conservation. It brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, representatives of indigenous peoples, and private sector actors. It is particularly well known for publishing the Red List of Threatened Species, but its role goes far beyond that: it helps to define global priorities and guide international action in favour of nature conservation.
Every four years, the IUCN organises its World Conservation Congress. It consists of two main parts: a forum open to the public, where different stakeholders share solutions and best practices, and a members’ assembly, where official motions are debated and adopted to guide the IUCN’s future work.
Participating in this congress was a unique opportunity to bring the issue of the ocean into these discussions and highlight its central role in maintaining the balance of our planet, as well as the specific contributions of aquarium like Nausicaa in this effort. For me, being there also meant showing how initiatives such as Mr.Goodfish3.0 can bridge the gap between research, business, and citizen engagement, three key dimensions that also align with the IUCN’s new 20-year strategic vision adopted at this Congress for a more sustainable and inclusive relationship with nature.
How does the work carried out in Mr.Goodfish3.0 connect with the themes discussed at the conference?
Lolita: Many of the discussions at the Congress focused on how to make conservation more inclusive and how to transform our relationship with nature, moving from exploitation to regeneration. Mr.Goodfish3.0 fits perfectly into that mindset. By promoting responsible seafood consumption and involving both professionals and citizens across Europe, the project directly contributes to building sustainable food systems and healthier oceans.
Several motions adopted at the Congress echoed these values, for example, motions promoting an ethical relationship between humans and the ocean or motions calling for a shift towards a regenerative economy, principles which echo the work done by Mr.Goodfish3.0.
Because of this strong relevance, the project was showcased throughout the Forum with a dedicated poster presentation, allowing participants to discover Mr.Goodfish3.0’s approach. I also had the opportunity to talk about the project in a “Voices of the Congress” video, which gathered different actors of conservation to share their expectations and commitments for the future. It was a great way to highlight how Mr.Goodfish3.0 contributes to this collective movement toward a more responsible relationship with the ocean.
From your perspective, what role can responsible seafood initiatives like Mr.Goodfish3.0 play in achieving IUCN’s broader objectives for ocean protection?
Iwona: Responsible seafood initiatives like Mr.Goodfish3.0 project help achieve IUCN’s ocean protection goals by promoting the sustainable use of marine resources and reducing pressure on vulnerable fish stocks. They guide consumers, chefs, and retailers toward seasonally and ecologically responsible seafood choices, and thus help maintain healthy ecosystems and support fisheries’ long-term viability. In addition, Mr.Goodfish 3.0 fosters multi-stakeholder engagement and ocean literacy, connecting fishers, scientists, policymakers, and the public. The programme translates scientific knowledge into actionable guidance, empowering communities, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening policy implementation. By aligning market behaviour with conservation priorities, initiatives such as Mr.Goodfish3.0 complement sustainable fisheries and blue economy strategies. In short, they turn IUCN’s high-level objectives into tangible actions that promote resilient, equitable, and sustainable use of the oceans.
Was there any takeaway or idea from the conference that you think could inspire future activities within the project?
Iwona: My key takeaway from the IUCN Congress is the urgent call to turn scientific and indigenous knowledge into action. Echoing President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau, who said, “Let data, not desire, guide our actions,” it is clear that science-based decision-making must underpin all conservation efforts, including sustainable seafood production and consumption. The Congress also reinforced the power of cross-sector and cross-generational collaboration, as highlighted by IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak: “Unite across disciplines, sectors and generations.” For Mr.Goodfish3.0, this underscores the importance of working with chefs, retailers, educators, policymakers, local communities and schools to amplify impact. The emphasis on action over words, captured by Minister of Environment of Panama Juan Carlos Navarro’s call for “no more speeches, more conservation action now,” resonates strongly with Mr.Goodfish3.0’s mission to translate knowledge into tangible consumer and market behaviours that support sustainable fisheries. The urgency for action is reinforced by Sylvia Earle, a renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, and one of the most influential ocean advocates of our time: “It’s time for us to secure protection, restore what we can, treat the natural world as if our life depends on it, because it does.” Together, these statements highlight the immediate need to translate knowledge into action.
Another important insight is that effective conservation can draw strength from cultural connections, using seafood traditions, local culinary heritage, storytelling and community narratives to inspire stewardship of the oceans. By weaving together ecological sustainability and cultural identity, Mr.Goodfish3.0 can make responsible seafood choices both meaningful and lasting, showing that conservation is as much about people as it is about the planet.
