London summit highlights innovation, sustainability and collaboration as Norway and UK advance shared seafood priorities for resilience.
Redefining the future of seafood: powered by innovation, anchored on sustainability
Collaboration, innovation and sustainability were at the heart of discussions at the Norwegian Seafood Council’s annual arena for influential industry voices
A record number of industry leaders gathered on Tuesday at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall in London for the 2026 edition of the Norway–UK Seafood Summit, hosted by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).
This annual gathering has become a vital platform for collaboration and discussion between the two nations, uniting influential voices from the seafood industry, trade organisations, fishing, retail, foodservice, media and beyond.
Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Norwegian Minister of Fisheries & Ocean Policy, who attended the event, said: “Norway and the UK share a long and proud history in seafood trade, built on collaboration and trust. The annual Norway–UK Seafood Summit plays a vital role in strengthening this partnership, providing a unique platform for the seafood sector to come together, exchange ideas and shape the future of this industry.”
Building on the momentum of previous years, the 2026 Summit provided a dynamic and engaging forum for seafood stakeholders across various sectors. The expert-led programme explored key industry priorities, with speakers aligned on a clear message: innovation and sustainability will be central to driving long-term growth and resilience.
Joe Shaw Roberts of Worldpanel by Numerator provided a deep dive into UK seafood in a shifting consumer landscape, citing huge opportunities for suppliers and retailers following an increase in meals eaten at home and a move towards treating. McKinsey’s Alexander Andersen discussed ‘The Protein Battle’ and consumer trends around this food source. Explaining that consumers view protein as a standalone category, he impressed the importance of clearly labelling seafood as a rich source of protein, concluding with, “To win the protein battle, seafood must win on format.”
Category consultant David Marston from William Murray broke down findings from NSC’s new prawn category report, exploring what the opportunities are for this protein out-of-home, with particular focus on unlocking commercial gains by leading with quality and origin messaging and focusing on value growth.
Researcher Daniel Howell at the Institute of Marine Research provided an insightful update on sustainable Norwegian fisheries management and the Barents Sea stock status of cod, haddock and saithe, revealing he was “cautiously optimistic” about future quotas.
ack Bobo of the Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies at UCLA said the future of food was being shaped by trust and perception – and it’s time for a new narrative that recognises historical context. He considered shifting global populations and the food revolution, framing the seafood industry as a frontrunner in the bigger picture: “The blue economy is not just feeding the future. It’s showing the rest of the food system what that future looks like.”
While Catarina Martins of MOWI discussed putting bold innovations into practice, highlighting the importance of resource efficiency to suppliers and outlining how aquatech and AI are driving the future of the business. She said: “Using one data language we can convert data into insights, insights into action and action into better [seafood] farming.”
NSC UK Director Bjørn-Erik Stabell reflected on the event: “This year’s Summit discussions highlighted the importance of securing the future of the seafood industry, through innovation, sustainability and ultimately collaboration. Through data-driven analysis and scientific research, leading voices provided valuable insights to reinforce the credibility of Norwegian seafood as a trusted food source.
“The significance of the Norway-UK Seafood Summit as a forum for the industry cannot be understated. The annual gathering unites voices from all corners of the seafood industry to strengthen partnerships and create the building blocks to reinforce the long-term growth of seafood.”
Dan Aherne, chairman of the UK Seafood Federation and CEO of New England Seafood, who was also in attendance, recognised the importance of the relationship between the two nations – especially in pressured times: “It’s a hugely important relationship between the UK and Norway in terms of seafood trade – and as the world gets more challenging it becomes even more important to cement those partnerships.
“We’re all struggling with the same dynamics of rising costs, inflation, availability challenges, but if we’re creative as an industry, if we work together, if we really accentuate the positives of this amazing food source, then we can overcome those together and the trade will continue to prosper.”
Overall, the Norway–UK Seafood Summit 2026 proved once again to be a pivotal arena for important discussion, allowing industry leaders to share insights on shaping a resilient, forward-looking future for the seafood sector by championing deeper collaboration and driving innovation to ensure sustainable growth between the UK and Norwegian markets.
