EAT–Lancet Commission says sustainably produced fish and seafood vital for health and environment, urging up to 100g daily intake
The updated EAT–Lancet Commission has placed fish and seafood firmly at the centre of its call for a radical transformation of the world’s food systems, warning that without urgent changes, diets will continue to drive environmental breakdown, ill health, and social injustice.
The report, published in The Lancet, warns that current food production is responsible for five of nine planetary boundary breaches, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. It concludes that no solution to the climate or biodiversity crises is possible without a transformation of food systems.
A cornerstone of its recommendations is the Planetary Health Diet, which allows for moderate inclusion of sustainably sourced animal protein, including fish and seafood. The diet proposes a daily intake of 30–100 grams of fish and shellfish, which the Commission links to improved human health and reduced mortality rates, if production is sustainable.
Seafood Highlighted as Essential to Health and Sustainability
The Commission identifies seafood as one of the few animal proteins that can deliver vital nutrients while having a lower environmental footprint than livestock production. It cites evidence that sustainable fisheries and aquaculture could provide essential omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and micronutrients while remaining within environmental limits if properly managed.
In its recommendations, the Commission calls for governments to scale up efforts to end overfishing, reduce bycatch, restore fish stocks, and regulate aquaculture practices to prevent pollution and habitat damage. It also stresses that seafood must be made accessible and affordable, particularly in regions where diets lack diversity and undernutrition remains prevalent.
MSC: Seafood Central to Planetary Health Diet
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) echoed the report’s findings. Nicolas Guichoux, Chief Program Officer at MSC, said: “With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, producing enough healthy food to feed everyone, in a way that does not push the planet beyond environmental limits, is one of the greatest challenges of our time.
“The EAT–Lancet report has once again highlighted the vital role of fish and seafood in responding to this challenge, noting their unique nutritional value, health benefits, and relatively low environmental impact, if produced sustainably. The report recommends eating up to 100g of sustainably produced fish and seafood per day, or at least two portions a week, as part of its Planetary Health Diet. Following these recommendations would mean increasing the consumption of fish and seafood in some regions of the world.
“If we are to act on the report’s recommendations and make fish and seafood part of a diet that protects both human and planetary health, now and in the future, governments must take steps to ensure it is produced sustainably, end overfishing, and protect the wider ocean.”
Balancing Expansion With Ecological Limits
The Commission projects that meeting the Planetary Health Diet by 2050 will require expansion of seafood production in some regions, alongside improved management. This will involve boosting aquaculture yields sustainably, repurposing subsidies away from harmful practices, and doubling investment in marine science.
However, it warns that without stricter governance and global cooperation, increasing seafood consumption could intensify pressures on already vulnerable marine ecosystems. This is why the report links seafood expansion directly to sustainability commitments, including stronger enforcement of fisheries management, protection of marine biodiversity, and adoption of ecosystem-based approaches.
The Stakes for the Seafood Industry
The Commission’s message is stark: without transformation, food systems will continue to undermine planetary stability, driving further climate disruption and ecosystem collapse. But with urgent action, seafood can form a vital part of a healthier, more sustainable global diet.
The fishing industry now faces both an opportunity and a challenge — to position itself as a solution within the planetary health framework, or risk being seen as part of the problem.
