On June 12, 2025, the EU-funded projects Mr.Goodfish3.0 and VeriFish will co-host a special online side event during the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). Titled “Can We Still Eat Seafood? Adopting Responsible Consumption and Production of Seafood and Aquaculture Products to Protect Marine Biodiversity,” this virtual discussion will focus on one of the most pressing questions of our time: how can we continue to enjoy seafood while ensuring the health of our oceans and the resilience of coastal communities?
What is UNOC3?
The United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) is a high-level global event dedicated to advancing the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): “Life Below Water”, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The 2025 edition of the Conference will be co-hosted by France and Costa Rica and held in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025. With the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” the Conference aims to catalyze urgent and coordinated efforts to protect marine ecosystems. It will serve as a critical platform for governments, international organizations, NGOs, scientists, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society to assess progress, share solutions, and forge partnerships. Building on the momentum of previous conferences in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022), the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will focus on identifying effective ways to advance the sustainable use of ocean resources, strengthen existing frameworks, and ensure the successful implementation of ongoing global marine initiatives.
About the Event
With more than 37 percent of global wild seafood stocks currently overexploited (FAO, 2024), it’s no longer enough to ask whether seafood should remain part of our diets. Instead, we must consider how it can be produced, consumed, and managed in a way that supports both ecological sustainability and human well-being. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from international experts representing the seafood industry, the catering sector, and non-profit organizations, all working to reshape the seafood landscape.
The panel will explore how responsible practices can align with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), particularly efforts to ensure sustainable fishing (target 14.4) and to support small-scale fishers (target 14.b). Discussions will center on innovations in seafood supply chain transparency, strategies to engage and educate consumers of all ages, and ways to build inclusive seafood systems that prioritize social, economic, and environmental balance.
Behind the event are two Horizon Europe projects. Mr.Goodfish3.0 is building on a successful awareness initiative, expanding its reach with a redesigned app and a series of collaborative awareness raising campaigns across Europe’s key marine and freshwater regions. The goal is to empower consumers to make informed decisions, while connecting stakeholders through a shared platform of knowledge and action.
VeriFish, on the other hand, is developing a dynamic and verifiable framework for sustainability indicators, grounded in EU and global data. By creating a prototype web app, communication tools, and sector-specific guidelines, VeriFish is working to improve understanding and trust around what makes seafood truly sustainable from the producer to the plate.
Both projects are key contributors to the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean & Waters,” and together, they aim to drive meaningful change through collaboration, transparency, and innovation.
Whether you’re a seafood lover, a sustainability advocate, or simply curious about the future of our oceans, this event is not to be missed. Join us to discover how informed choices today can lead to healthier oceans tomorrow.
The event will be held online on 12th June 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00 (CEST) and is open to everyone.
What are you waiting for? Register now here and be part of the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!
