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The report criticizes the FAO for promoting a target of 75% growth in 'sustainable aquaculture' by 2040 without distinguishing between low-impact and feed-intensive production systems. Modelling suggests that if current trends continue, demand for wild fish could rise by 85–88%, potentially diverting nutritious fish from vulnerable populations in Africa and Asia. The document highlights a 'policy drift' in the GSA, where earlier safeguards regarding nutrition and competition between aquafeed and human food were removed, allegedly influenced by the aquaculture industry and Norway. It concludes that FAO should prioritize non-fed, low-trophic aquatic foods and eliminate edible wild fish from aquafeeds to align with its founding mandate.

The report finds that record-breaking sea surface temperatures in July 2026 across European coasts were driven by human-induced climate change, with some regions experiencing warming that substantially exceeds global averages. These extreme temperatures have triggered marine heatwaves, species range shifts, and increased risks to human health and coastal infrastructure. The analysis indicates that such events would have been virtually impossible in a pre-industrial climate and will continue to intensify as global warming progresses.

The report outlines a framework for companies in the offshore wind, coastal tourism, shipping, and seafood sectors to track their contributions to halting and reversing biodiversity loss. It emphasizes the use of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) to reduce business risks and ensure credible ecological outcomes. The guidance distinguishes between pressure indicators (direct company impacts) and state-of-nature indicators (overall ecosystem health), while advocating for a 'seascape approach' to collective monitoring. It also integrates social dimensions, such as human rights and Indigenous Peoples' rights, as essential components of transformative nature-positive actions.

The document argues that commercial insect farming in high-income northern hemisphere countries often fails to deliver its theoretical environmental benefits. It notes that greenhouse gas emissions from insect protein can approach those of chicken and pork, and that the industry often supports conventional animal agriculture by providing feed rather than replacing meat in human diets. Additionally, the report highlights risks to biodiversity, animal welfare concerns, and the opportunity cost of diverting investment from other alternative proteins like plant-based or cultivated options.

The Changing Markets Foundation argues that the EU's Vision 2040 for Fisheries and Aquaculture must address the structural unsustainability of carnivorous aquaculture. The organization highlights how the reliance on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) derived from wild fisheries increases pressure on marine ecosystems and undermines food security in regions such as West Africa, India, Vietnam, Peru, and Senegal. It advocates for a policy shift that prioritizes Low Trophic Aquaculture (LTA)—such as seaweed and bivalve farming—over carnivorous finfish production, while calling for the phasing out of marine ingredients in feed and improved transparency regarding total wild fish inputs in supply chains.

The report argues that commercial insect farming in high-income, temperate regions often fails to meet its theoretical sustainability promises. While insects have lower greenhouse gas emissions than beef, they often perform worse than the soymeal and fishmeal they are intended to replace. The authors identify seven key challenges: outdated life cycle assessments, under-utilization of organic waste as feed, limited substitution of meat in human diets, the reinforcement of industrial animal agriculture through use as feed, biodiversity risks from unintentional releases, emerging animal welfare concerns, and the opportunity cost of diverting investment from more promising plant-based or cultivated proteins.

ClientEarth argues that the Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture must move beyond 'paper commitments' by integrating environmental, climate, and fisheries laws. The organization emphasizes the need for tangible, measurable targets, the phase-out of harmful subsidies, and a shift in funding toward small-scale fishers and marine restoration to ensure Europe's strategic autonomy and food security.

The 2025 assessment by WWF reveals a mixed landscape in asset management's approach to seafood-related E&S risks. While 40% of assessed firms showed improvements—largely through enhanced biodiversity commitments and adoption of TNFD recommendations—43% stagnated and 17% declined, with declines notably concentrated among US-based firms. A critical gap remains: only one asset manager (NBIM) has disclosed seafood-specific E&S expectations for investee companies. Despite the growth of 'blue' financial products, they represent a small fraction of sustainable finance, and most asset managers' engagement with seafood companies remains ad hoc rather than systematic.

The WWF-SASSI Consumer Seafood Guide is a reference tool that categorizes seafood into three sustainability levels: Green (Best Choice), Orange (Think Twice), and Red (Don't Buy). It emphasizes that sustainability depends on the species, the method of capture or farming, and the geographic origin of the seafood. The guide provides specific examples of sustainable and unsustainable seafood, such as MSC-certified SA trawled hake (Green) and various 'No Sale' species that are illegal to sell in South Africa.

The report examines the intersection of Africa's blue economy and climate change, highlighting vulnerabilities in fisheries, maritime transport, and tourism. It argues for a transition toward renewable ocean energy, the expansion of blue carbon initiatives, and the implementation of integrated, regional governance to mitigate economic risks and environmental degradation.

Africa's freshwater ecosystems host at least 3,281 fish species, most of which are endemic, supporting millions of people through fisheries and providing critical ecosystem services. However, approximately 26% of these species are threatened with extinction due to damming, pollution, over-abstraction of water, invasive species, and climate change. The report highlights the critical role of the African Great Lakes and major river basins, the economic potential of the aquarium and recreational angling trades, and the urgent need for integrated management through initiatives like the Freshwater Challenge and the use of eDNA monitoring.

The document examines Quw’utsun Kw’atl’kwa Enterprises (QKE), a commercial fishing business owned by the Cowichan Tribes in British Columbia. It analyzes how the enterprise navigates the intersection of global warming, industrial pressures, and regulatory restrictions using the Nuu-chah-nulth principle of Tsawalk (interconnectedness). The study finds that while some salmon species are recovering, others like chum have reached lows not seen since the 1960s, threatening the economic and cultural viability of the community. QKE is adapting by diversifying its catch to include crab and ground fish and integrating Indigenous knowledge with Western science. The report recommends comprehensive environmental impact assessments, ecosystem mapping, and the establishment of climate-resilient partnership programs involving government and Indigenous stakeholders.

The document examines the intersection of commercial fishing, climate change, and Indigenous cultural practices through a case study of Quw’utsun Kw’atl’kwa Enterprises (QKE) in Cowichan, British Columbia. It argues that the depletion of fish stocks—particularly sockeye and rainbow trout—is driven by a combination of global warming, industrial pollution, and overfishing. Using the Nuu-chah-nulth principle of 'tsawalk' (interconnectedness), the study highlights how fishing is central to Cowichan identity and suggests that economic viability now requires diversifying into aquaculture, ecotourism, and renewable energy. The report concludes with recommendations for comprehensive environmental impact assessments, ecosystem mapping, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure the long-term resilience of Indigenous commercial fisheries.

The document addresses the significant underfunding of climate-smart agrifood systems, which contribute approximately 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It argues that while public and private capital have roles, concessional capital is essential for the 'missing middle'—investments with high social and environmental impact but sub-commercial returns. The playbook proposes five 'investment plays': deploying system-level approaches, supporting natural capital restoration, strengthening shared infrastructure, expanding technical assistance for innovation, and scaling local financial intermediaries. It includes a four-step framework for investor action: diagnosing the landscape, identifying financing gaps, designing instruments, and integrating partnerships.

The report argues that the global ocean economy must transition from business-as-usual to a nature-positive model to avoid an estimated US$8.4 trillion in economic value loss by 2036. It introduces the AR3T (Avoid, Reduce, Restore & Regenerate, Transform) action framework to help companies in four key sectors—offshore wind, coastal and marine tourism, shipping, and seafood—halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The document emphasizes that nature positive is a collective societal goal, requiring absolute gains in nature rather than relative net gains or offsets. It provides specific technical recommendations for each sector, such as using nature-inclusive design in offshore wind, implementing sustainable siting in tourism, reducing vessel noise in shipping, and eliminating destructive fishing practices in the seafood sector. The report also highlights the necessity of integrating social equity and Indigenous knowledge into conservation efforts, asserting that a nature-positive future must also be 'people positive'.

The document examines the development of sustainable ocean economies (SOE) in six African SIDS, identifying that while legal frameworks are important, they are not the primary determinant for investors. Instead, funding decisions are driven by political will, a track record of marine preservation, and the presence of trusted in-country partners. The briefing highlights the role of innovative financing, such as blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps, and emphasizes that regulatory reforms should focus on transparency, stakeholder engagement, and co-management to achieve sustainable development goals.

AquaMnara provides Kenyan aquaculture farmers with technical training, linkages to certified suppliers, and an e-voucher credit system to overcome financing gaps and environmental challenges. The initiative supports sustainable productivity, specifically targeting women through the provision of aquaculture cages and training, and has enabled individual farmers to expand operations and adopt solar-powered infrastructure.

The document examines the transition to a sustainable ocean economy (SOE) in six African SIDS, identifying that while legal frameworks are important, they are not the primary driver of investment. Instead, investors prioritize political will, a track record of marine preservation, and trusted in-country partners. The briefing highlights the role of innovative finance, such as blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps, and recommends that governments strengthen institutional coordination and regulatory transparency to unlock these flows.

The paper addresses the lack of clarity regarding who is responsible for managing climate risks that propagate across borders. It introduces a framework to identify stakeholders, assets, and objectives at risk, applying it to the supply chain of Brazilian non-GMO soy protein concentrate imported for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. The analysis demonstrates that while national-level risk ownership may be clear, transboundary responsibility—such as Norway's role in supporting adaptation in Brazil—remains ambiguous.

The report identifies a 'triple gap'—planning, finance, and data—in the transition of global agrifood systems. Top-down analysis estimates an annual need of USD 1.1 trillion to align with a 1.5°C pathway, while bottom-up estimates from NDCs total only USD 201.5 billion. Current annual climate finance flows of USD 28.5 billion are severely insufficient, requiring a 40-fold increase to meet top-down needs. The report highlights significant underestimations in national planning and a critical lack of granular data, particularly regarding adaptation and private finance.