NSAC urges EU adoption of a blue foods action plan by 2026, linking nutrition, climate and food security while supporting coastal economies.
NSAC Presses Commission on Blue Foods Strategy
The North Sea Advisory Council has formally called on the European Commission to develop an EU Action Plan for Blue Foods by the end of 2026, arguing that fisheries and aquaculture must be placed at the centre of Europe’s food security and climate strategies.
In advice adopted by consensus on 26 February 2026 and sent to Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission, the NSAC states that blue foods, defined as fisheries and aquaculture products, are critical to resilience, sustainability and economic stability in coastal regions.
The advisory body stresses that aquatic foods must be “mainstreamed in relevant policies” linked to food system transformation, climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation if Europe is serious about meeting its 2030 and 2050 objectives.
Food Sovereignty and Import Dependence Under Scrutiny
The NSAC advice highlights what it describes as a structural weakness in Europe’s food system. While aquatic foods are recognised globally as essential to tackling poverty, malnutrition and climate change, EU production has been declining. Imports now account for more than 70 per cent of consumption.
This dependency, the Council warns, exposes the EU to external market volatility and undermines food sovereignty, particularly in the wake of disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The document references commitments made at the FAO Committee on Fisheries and the UN Ocean Conference, alongside EU initiatives such as the Farm to Fork Strategy. It also points to political signals from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who in her 2025 State of the Union address described farmers and fishermen as “the custodians of our lands and oceans, our biodiversity”, and announced plans to strengthen the “Buy European food” campaign.
The NSAC argues that blue foods should be fully integrated into that campaign to ensure sustainably produced EU seafood is promoted as part of Europe’s high-quality food basket.
Falling Consumption Despite Sustainable Stocks
The advice notes that, according to EUMOFA data, EU per capita consumption of wild-caught seafood has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. This decline has occurred despite the fact that most European stocks are managed sustainably.
At the same time, rates of obesity and diet-related diseases are rising across Europe. The NSAC questions why nutrient-dense aquatic foods, widely recognised for their omega-3 content and micronutrient value, are losing ground in European diets.
Globally, more than 3.3 billion people rely on aquatic foods for at least 20 per cent of their animal protein intake. The Council also references research indicating that seafood generally has a lower environmental footprint than many land-based animal proteins, requiring less land and freshwater.
Yet these advantages have not translated into stronger domestic production or higher consumption within the EU.
Call for Coherent Governance and Investment
Central to the NSAC’s recommendations is the creation of an EU Blue Foods Platform to ensure policy coherence and structured stakeholder engagement. The Council argues that regulatory simplification and better alignment between climate, biodiversity and fisheries policy are essential if aquatic foods are to contribute fully to EU objectives.
It also calls for the integration of blue foods into national climate plans under the Paris Agreement, recognition of their role in low-carbon food systems, and investment in fleet modernisation and port infrastructure.
The advice stresses that imports should be subject to equivalent sustainability and labour standards, a recurring concern within the fishing sector.
On the consumer side, the NSAC proposes an EU-wide information campaign highlighting the nutritional and environmental benefits of aquatic foods. It also suggests greater inclusion of seafood in public procurement schemes such as schools and hospitals, alongside consideration of fiscal measures including adjusted VAT rates.
Innovation and traceability feature prominently in the recommendations. The Council urges investment in research, digitalisation, decarbonisation technologies and ecosystem-based management approaches, while reinforcing action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Sector at a Crossroads
The NSAC concludes that Europe’s aquatic food sector is at a crossroads. Climate change, geopolitical instability and declining domestic production present clear risks. At the same time, fisheries and aquaculture offer what the Council sees as a credible pathway towards healthier diets, lower-carbon food systems and stronger coastal economies.
Whether the Commission moves beyond general endorsement of blue foods and commits to a binding Action Plan by 2026 will determine if this advice becomes policy or remains another consultation document filed in Brussels.
