Denmark’s DPPO joins global SBTN Ocean Pilot, setting science-based targets to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable fishing
The Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation (DPPO), representing the country’s herring and mackerel fishermen, has been selected to take part in the Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) Ocean Pilot, making it one of the first fishing-sector organisations in the world to set and validate measurable, science-based goals for protecting the marine environment.
The SBTN Ocean Pilot aims to develop practical tools for companies in the seafood sector to assess and reduce their environmental impact across entire supply chains. By defining “science-based targets for nature”, the initiative seeks to integrate the latest marine research into commercial decision-making, helping producers and fishing organisations to align their operations with ecological boundaries.
International Collaboration Announced During New York Climate Week
The partnership between SBTN and DPPO was formally announced on 24 September during New York Climate Week.
Globally, only five organisations have been chosen to participate in the seafood-focused pilot phase. Two of these are Danish — the DPPO and the trout producer Musholm. Both are being advised by the consultancy firm WSP, which is assisting them in mapping, prioritising, and setting nature-based targets with a focus on ocean sustainability.
Commitment to Protecting Marine Ecosystems
“By joining the SBTN Ocean Pilot, we are reaffirming our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems and leading the development of a fishing industry where ambition, responsibility, and science go hand in hand,” said Esben Sverdrup-Jensen, CEO of the DPPO.
He added that the project builds directly on the organisation’s “2040 Nature Ambition”, launched in 2024, which includes a goal of achieving carbon-free fishing within the next 15 years. “Our collaboration with SBTN is a natural extension of our existing work to reduce climate and environmental impact. With WSP as a knowledge partner, we are now even better equipped to meet these goals,” Sverdrup-Jensen said.
Building on Experience and Science
Marine biologists at WSP say the partnership builds on years of experience in marine research and ecosystem management. Maren Lyngsgaard, a marine biologist at WSP, said the project will help create the necessary tools and guidelines for improving nature-based practices in the fishing sector.
“We can build on what we’ve already achieved with Musholm and play a key role in developing frameworks that promote better environmental stewardship,” Lyngsgaard said. “If we want to continue benefiting from the ocean’s resources, we must take responsibility and find effective ways to reinvest in the nature on which we all depend.”
Lyngsgaard emphasised the urgency of ensuring marine balance and biodiversity: “We are completely dependent on healthy ecosystems to continue delivering vital services such as food, carbon capture, and oxygen production. Science Based Targets for Nature will become a crucial tool to help industries act responsibly and secure the future of the ocean, which is the foundation of life.”
Global Framework Led by WWF and Conservation International
The Science Based Targets for Nature initiative is led by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Conservation International, supported by a steering committee that includes the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), FishWise, The Nature Conservancy, and UNEP Finance Initiative.
The pilot will inform global guidance on how seafood producers and fishing organisations can measure and report progress in reducing their impact on marine ecosystems — setting a precedent for integrating ocean health into corporate sustainability strategies.
