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.