Blue Life Hub

The shrimp market in Southern Europe is booming, positioning itself as one of the continent’s most strategic and dynamic sectors. According to Shrimp Insights, southern EU countries imported 332,000 tonnes of shrimp from non-EU suppliers in 2023, with Spain and France leading the way in terms of import volume and value. With an annual shrimp consumption worth EUR 5.5 billion, Southern Europe – comprising Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Greece – is the largest shrimp market in Europe. Spain is at the top with a market share of EUR 1.9 billion, followed by France with EUR 1.7 billion. #bluetransforamtion #blueeconomy #shrimp #europe

Eating fish is not only a pleasure for the palate, but also a health choice. Recent studies conducted by researchers at UCLA Health’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centre have shown that a diet rich in omega-3, combined with a reduction in omega-6, can slow the progression of prostate cancer. A finding that not only confirms the benefits of regular fish consumption, but also opens up new perspectives in the prevention and management of one of the most common male diseases. Omega-3, found in abundance in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, are essential fatty acids known for their anti-inflammatory effects. In contrast, omega-6, often found in ultra-processed foods and vegetable oils, can stimulate inflammatory processes if taken in excess. The study suggests that a balanced ratio between these two types of fatty acids is crucial for reducing the risk of prostate cancer progression. #bluetransforamtion #blueeconomy #health

According to a recent study conducted by the University of Bristol, climate change is having a devastating impact on freshwater fish. Rising temperatures and increasing frequency of droughts threaten the survival of many species, undermining aquatic ecosystems and economies dependent on fisheries. Freshwater fish are an essential part of global biodiversity and a key resource for millions of people. The study shows that rising temperatures reduce the oxygen available in river and lake habitats, forcing many species to move or, worse, succumb. In addition, increasingly frequent periods of drought reduce the flow of watercourses, fragmenting habitats and making the reproductive cycle of many fish species difficult. #bluetransforamtion #blueeconomy #aquaculture #sustainability

Kisumu, a charming city along the shores of Lake Victoria, is a place where life has revolved around the water for generations. The lake, often described as the region’s lifeblood, has supported communities through fishing, transport, and culture. However, Lake Victoria now faces an ecological crisis, an invasion of water hyacinth, an aquatic plant disrupting its ecosystem and livelihoods. Despite its vibrant purple flowers, water hyacinth creates chaos. The fast-growing plant clogs waterways, entangles fishing nets, and depletes oxygen levels in the water, leading to fish deaths. It also creates stagnant pools that breed mosquitoes and snails, increasing waterborne diseases like malaria and bilharzia. For the communities dependent on the lake, the plant represents a severe threat to their survival. Amidst this challenge, Kisumu residents display resilience, finding innovative ways to reclaim their lake. One such example is the Kisumu Environmental Champions, a grassroots group led by Rahminna Paullette. Rahminna, inspired by her mother, Miriam Wanjiku, has transformed the water hyacinth problem into opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. #bluetransforamtion #blueeconomy #Sustainability

Imagine a fish producer, who works every day to bring quality products to the market, respecting the environment and contributing to the local economy. Now imagine that, in order to enter the most profitable commercial circuits or gain visibility with the most conscious consumers, this producer is forced to face disproportionate costs to obtain a certification such as Global GAP or ASC. Sustainability, instead of being a shared goal, risks becoming a luxury accessible only to the big players. This is where one of the crucial challenges for the fishing industry lies: ensuring fair access to voluntary certifications, transforming them from an obstacle into an opportunity. #bluetransforamtion #bluetransforamtion #Sustainability

In an important step towards sustainable management of marine resources, EU fisheries ministers have reached an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2025 in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The agreement aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable exploitation of demersal stocks in the Western Mediterranean, marking a turning point in EU fisheries policies. In the Western Mediterranean, trawlers will be subject to further reductions in fishing effort, with the aim of addressing fishing mortality and encouraging the recovery of fish stocks. To facilitate this transition, an expanded compensation mechanism has been introduced to reward fishermen and fisherwomen who adopt innovative conservation measures. The additional fishing opportunities will be linked to the implementation of twelve specific sustainability measures, which will provide significant increases in the fishing days granted. These measures, if taken cumulatively, will not exceed the fishing days for 2024, but represent a real opportunity for fleets that want to embark on the path to sustainability. #blueeconomy #bluetransforamtion #mediterranean

Representatives from over 30 countries gathered in Heraklion, Greece, for the largest regional conference on aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The event, Shaping the Future of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Region, was organised by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Greek government, with financial support from the European Union. This meeting marked a crucial moment for the future sustainable development of the aquaculture sector in the region. The conference provided an opportunity to assess the progress made since the inaugural meeting held ten years ago in Bari, Italy, and to discuss how to embrace innovation and sustainability to enhance resilience and unlock the full potential of aquaculture in the region, in line with the goals of the GFCM 2030 Strategy. Over the past ten years, marine and brackish water aquaculture production has increased by 91.3%, while revenues have grown by 74.5%. #bluetransformation #blueeconomy

Technological innovation is revolutionising the fishing industry, and a case in point is the artificial intelligence (AI) app jointly developed by SoftBank and Aizip. This app, capable of counting fish in real time with up to 95 per cent accuracy, recently received an award invitation to CES 2025. The combination of SoftBank’s graphical simulation technology with Aizip’s AI expertise led to the creation of an efficient and energy-efficient tool. The app allows aquaculture operators to use their smartphones to monitor fish populations, even in the absence of network connections, in the open sea. In addition to counting fish, the app integrates an AI-based question-and-answer programme that can interpret and answer questions posed in natural language with 96% accuracy. This functionality improves user interaction with the system, making the app more intuitive and versatile. #innovation #blueeconomy #bluetransformation #aquaculture #AI

The Regional Aquaculture Conference was announced for the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The event, which took place from December 4 to 5, 2024, brought together aquaculture experts, industry stakeholders, and country representatives to address the region’s emerging challenges and priorities. Representatives from over 30 countries convened in Heraklion, Greece, for the region’s largest aquaculture conference, titled “Shaping the Future of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Region.” The two-day event, organized by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Government of Greece, with financial support from the European Union, marked a pivotal moment for the sustainable growth of the sector. #bluetransforamtion #blueeconomy

Imagine you are walking through the aisles of a supermarket or absent-mindedly scrolling through your social media feed. You only stop when something catches your attention: a product that speaks directly to you, your values, your passions. That’s the secret of winning brands: they know how to be relevant. Not only for what they offer, but for how they communicate it. For a company that markets processed fish products, the concept of personal and cultural relevance is not just an exercise in style, but a concrete strategy that can transform the way the brand is perceived. A recent report by TikTok and Warc Advisory shows that audiences are no longer won over by generic messages: 78% of consumers are more likely to buy when advertising campaigns speak directly to them, while 56% respond positively to messages that are set in a meaningful cultural context. This means that the growth of a brand today depends on its ability to make itself feel close, relevant and authentic. #storytelling #bluetransforamtion #blueeconomy