Periodic Reporting for period 1 - VeriFish (The sustainability indicator framework to communicate responsible aquafood production and consumption patterns)
Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2025-04-30
The VeriFish project, funded under Horizon Europe, aims to create a framework of verifiable sustainability indicators to improve communication and understanding of sustainable seafood production and consumption. By leveraging existing EU and global databases, the project seeks to stimulate the consumption of sustainable seafood through accessible and engaging media products, such as a prototype web application, guidelines, and campaigns targeted at stakeholders including the retail and hospitality sectors.
The primary objective of VeriFish is to develop a unified framework of sustainability indicators, incorporating environmental, social, and nutritional factors, using reliable data from sources like the FAO Global Record of Stocks and Fisheries, EUROFIR’s FoodEXplorer, and FISHBASE. The project will focus on making these indicators accessible to different consumer groups, helping to promote informed seafood choices that align with sustainability goals.
VeriFish aims to communicate the importance of sustainable seafood not only to producers and retailers but also to consumers, policymakers, and even children. The project will produce media materials such as storytelling series, recipe books, puzzles, and posters to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, the project will provide European Good Practice recommendations on how to use the indicator framework for effective communication and awareness campaigns.
The expected impact of VeriFish lies in its ability to create a robust, verifiable system for understanding and promoting sustainable seafood. Through its community of practice, awareness campaigns, and recommendations, VeriFish strives to encourage responsible seafood consumption and contribute to environmental preservation.
The primary objective of VeriFish is to develop a unified framework of sustainability indicators, incorporating environmental, social, and nutritional factors, using reliable data from sources like the FAO Global Record of Stocks and Fisheries, EUROFIR’s FoodEXplorer, and FISHBASE. The project will focus on making these indicators accessible to different consumer groups, helping to promote informed seafood choices that align with sustainability goals.
VeriFish aims to communicate the importance of sustainable seafood not only to producers and retailers but also to consumers, policymakers, and even children. The project will produce media materials such as storytelling series, recipe books, puzzles, and posters to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, the project will provide European Good Practice recommendations on how to use the indicator framework for effective communication and awareness campaigns.
The expected impact of VeriFish lies in its ability to create a robust, verifiable system for understanding and promoting sustainable seafood. Through its community of practice, awareness campaigns, and recommendations, VeriFish strives to encourage responsible seafood consumption and contribute to environmental preservation.
The VeriFish project is currently focused on developing a framework for verifiable sustainability indicators and integrating them into a web-based application. The ongoing technical and scientific activities include:
Development of the Verifiable Indicator Framework:
The project is working on establishing a comprehensive set of sustainability indicators, addressing environmental, social, and nutritional aspects of seafood.
It is integrating data from trusted global and EU sources, such as the FAO Global Record of Stocks and Fisheries, EUROFIR’s FoodEXplorer, and FISHBASE, ensuring that the indicators are both credible and relevant for different types of seafood.
Data Integration and Visualisation:
The team is currently integrating sustainability data from multiple sources into a unified framework.
Methods are being developed to visualise these indicators in a clear and meaningful way for various consumer groups, including individuals, retailers, and policymakers.
Prototype Web Application Development:
A prototype mobile and web application is being developed, which will provide factsheets with detailed sustainability indicators for specific seafood types, along with links and recommendations on how to make transparent and verifiable claims about seafood.
The app is being designed as a practical tool for consumers and industry stakeholders to access and understand the sustainability credentials of seafood products.
Establishment of the Community of Practice (CoP):
The project is in the process of building a Community of Practice (CoP), which brings together stakeholders from across the seafood industry.
This collaboration is helping to refine the sustainability indicators and ensure they meet the needs of the industry while adhering to scientific standards.
Development of the Verifiable Indicator Framework:
The project is working on establishing a comprehensive set of sustainability indicators, addressing environmental, social, and nutritional aspects of seafood.
It is integrating data from trusted global and EU sources, such as the FAO Global Record of Stocks and Fisheries, EUROFIR’s FoodEXplorer, and FISHBASE, ensuring that the indicators are both credible and relevant for different types of seafood.
Data Integration and Visualisation:
The team is currently integrating sustainability data from multiple sources into a unified framework.
Methods are being developed to visualise these indicators in a clear and meaningful way for various consumer groups, including individuals, retailers, and policymakers.
Prototype Web Application Development:
A prototype mobile and web application is being developed, which will provide factsheets with detailed sustainability indicators for specific seafood types, along with links and recommendations on how to make transparent and verifiable claims about seafood.
The app is being designed as a practical tool for consumers and industry stakeholders to access and understand the sustainability credentials of seafood products.
Establishment of the Community of Practice (CoP):
The project is in the process of building a Community of Practice (CoP), which brings together stakeholders from across the seafood industry.
This collaboration is helping to refine the sustainability indicators and ensure they meet the needs of the industry while adhering to scientific standards.
VeriFish has developed a robust and verifiable indicator framework for assessing seafood sustainability, integrating internationally recognised datasets with validated industry data. The project’s digital outputs, including the VeriFish Mobile Application and Knowledge Base, enable traceable and accessible information for consumers and stakeholders, underpinned by FAIR data principles. A CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) is being prepared to support harmonised communication across the sector.
To enhance uptake and long-term success, the project identifies the need for further demonstration, broader stakeholder engagement, alignment with regulatory frameworks, and continued support for digital deployment. Key results include the sustainability indicator framework, the mobile app, the draft CWA, and a suite of media tools designed to promote informed seafood consumption and ocean literacy.
To enhance uptake and long-term success, the project identifies the need for further demonstration, broader stakeholder engagement, alignment with regulatory frameworks, and continued support for digital deployment. Key results include the sustainability indicator framework, the mobile app, the draft CWA, and a suite of media tools designed to promote informed seafood consumption and ocean literacy.