World Oceans Day: Six reasons to celebrate our oceans and seafood
1. Oceans help regulate the climate and provide low carbon food
The oceans are of vital importance for life on our planet. They serve a support system that helps to regulate our climate, produce much of the oxygen we breathe and provide essential food and economic possibilities.
Seafood‘s carbon footprint is amongst the lowest of all proteins, especially small pelagic fish and cultivated mussels. This makes seafood a ‘climate smart’ food which can help mitigate climate change.
2. Oceans provide nutritious food
Seafood is a high-quality source of protein that can meet the nutritional needs of a growing population. Containing essential vitamins and minerals, and with omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish, seafood offers a range of benefits for our well-being.
NHS guidelines recommend that a healthy, balanced diet should include at least two portions of seafood a week, including one of oil-rich fish. With studies over several decades suggesting fish consumption is linked to reduced ill-health, seafood can help make us healthier and potentially ease pressure on healthcare systems.
3. Oceans are an important part of our communities, our heritage and future
As an island seafaring nation, we’re intimately tied to the oceans which contribute to our way of life across the UK.
Seafood provides opportunities for people in coastal villages, on remote islands, in regional food hubs like Grimsby or Aberdeen, and on the high street in local retailers and fish and chip shops.
4. Oceans support jobs and economic wellbeing
The UK fishing fleet catches almost 652,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish per year, creating around 6,800 jobs for coastal communities. Our imported seafood, over one million tonnes, provides important income for seafood producing nations around the world, including small island communities.
Further down the supply chain, fish markets, processing and outlets are also key to maintaining a vibrant seafood industry for today and for future generations.
5. Oceans provide a range of ecosystem services
Healthy marine ecosystems can help to provide many and varied benefits for people and the planet. UK marine ecosystem services and benefits are worth an estimated £211 billion and include water, clean air, and food. They also provide raw materials for medicines, construction, and other activities.
While we rely on the oceans for our seafood, it is essential our practices help to manage marine resources sustainably. Responsible fishing and aquaculture can play a positive role in supporting, maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services to ensure our oceans thrive.
6. Oceans represent one of the main global biodiversity stores
Oceans contain 250,000 known species, with many more still to be discovered. They can provide a vast array of seafood to people around the world.
Seafood draws on a huge diversity of species, is one of the most traded commodities, is a key component in healthy diets and is essential to food security. Well-managed and sustainable fisheries protect fish and the environment in which they live, whilst allowing responsible use of certain species that come from it.
Find out more
Further information is available on our website from the links below:
Our vision is a thriving UK seafood industry. Because when the seafood industry thrives, the whole nation thrives.
Healthy productive oceans are essential to the future of seafood and those whose livelihood depends on it.
That’s why our new five-year corporate plan is focused on labour, climate change, fisheries management, international trade and more. You can download a copy of our corporate plan from the link below: