Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council

How demand for transparency is accelerating digital transformation in the seafood industry

NORWAY
Friday, June 28, 2024, 06:50 (GMT + 9)

The following is an excerpt from an article published by Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC):

NSC research has revealed that 71% of seafood consumers say origin labelling influences their purchase of seafood. Meanwhile, governments worldwide are legislating for greater transparency and traceability in seafood value chains.

This pressure is causing the industry to search for innovative ways to ensure seafood’s provenance and sustainability. Fortunately, as technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) mature, they’re offering transformative applications. This is resulting in the seafood industry’s digital transformation - from sea to plate.

In this article we explore the trends and pressures driving digital transformation in the seafood sector. We also spotlight some of the latest innovations, which are improving efficiency, traceability and transparency across the value chain.

• Rising concerns about seafood provenance and sustainability
• Digital technologies transforming the value chain.
• How amphibious drones & AI are preserving natural environments and reducing waste in seafood harvesting.
• How IoT is improving animal welfare and efficiency in aquaculture.
• Trading platforms improving traceability and reducing seafood waste.
• How retail is embracing digital – to improve customer experience as well as efficiency.

Rising concerns about seafood provenance and sustainability

Sustainability has come into sharp focus in recent years as feeding the world’s growing population ascends the public agenda. This, and concerns for the environment, animal welfare and unethical labour practices, are causing consumers to take more interest in where and how their seafood is sourced. Meanwhile, global, regional and national legislation is catalysing a shift towards responsible and sustainable practices across the value chain.

Sustainable seafood is vital for food security

Global research organisation, WorldFish, has highlighted the benefits of sustainable ocean food systems in providing livelihoods and nutrition, arguing global food systems can achieve negative emissions by 2050.

At COP28 in Dubai, campaigners highlighted the potential for aquatic food systems to feed the growing global population. This illustrates growing recognition for seafood as a valuable protein, plus the importance of effective fish stocks management to safeguard its availability for future generations.

Provenance & sustainability influence purchases

Thanks to campaigners and media interest, consumers are aware of the impact of their choices. So they’re asking more questions and making conscious decisions to support sustainable and ethically sourced seafood.

The NSC spoke to 18,000 seafood consumers worldwide, and 71% agreed origin labelling affected their seafood purchases. Many are willing to pay a premium for sustainability too, with more than 4 in 10 saying they'll pay more for sustainable fish or seafood.

This highlights opportunities for retailers, distributors and producers to improve and communicate traceability, raising sustainable seafood’s value as a result.

Legislation is pushing for transparency

Uni-lateral agreements and legislation are accelerating the move towards responsible and sustainable practices. Through initiatives such as the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Catch Documentation Schemes (CDS), and national regulations like the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and U.S. Seafood Traceability Rule, governments are setting standards and requirements for documenting and tracking seafood. In turn, seafood producers, processors, and retailers are complying through implementing robust systems that record catch data and verify origin.

Digital technologies transforming the value chain

Fortunately, groundbreaking technologies are maturing and being adopted across the seafood value chain. From harvesting to production and distribution, to understanding and predicting consumer preferences.

• Amphibious drones & AI preserving ecosystems and eliminating the guesswork in seafood harvesting.
• Robots, drones, IoT & machine learning improving efficiency and decision-making in aquaculture.
• Trading platforms mimimising waste and transaction costs through simplified buying and selling.
• Retailers creating immersive "phygital" experiences with QR codes, robot shoppers & mobile payments.

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Read the full article by clicking the link here

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