EFFOP has submitted a response to FAO’s open consultation on the scope of the upcoming HLPE-FSN report “Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition”

On 30 January 2026, EFFOP submitted a response to the open consultation on the scope of the upcoming HLPE-FSN report on fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition:  The consultation is targeted a new report that builds on the 2014 HLPE report Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition expected to be published in 2027.

Main key points from EFFOP’s consultation response

We underline that marine ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil play an important role in sustainable seafood production and food security. and are used as strategic components in feeds providing essential nutrients, including amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA.

Marine ingredients are closely linked to animal health, welfare and production performance in aquaculture providing nutrients that support growth, immune function and efficient feed use. This is contributes to stable and resilient aquaculture production, which is increasingly important in the context of climate change and market uncertainty.

We also highlight the growing use of fish by-products in the production of fishmeal and fish oil. This improves resource efficiency and reduces waste, while supporting a more circular use of marine resources within food systems. A significant share of global fishmeal and fish oil production already comes from by-products, underlining the importance of further optimizing this practice.

Our response also stress the importance of assessing environmental performance using science-based and harmonized tools. In this context, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is described as a key method for measuring environmental impacts across the full production chain. Based on this, it is explained that such approaches make it possible to compare different products on a consistent basis and support more informed and evidence-based policy decisions.

The role of traceability and due diligence through certification and assurance systems across fisheries and aquaculture value chains is also emphasized and are described as practical tools for supporting transparency, accountability and responsible sourcing, especially as supply chains become more complex and expectations from regulators, markets and society increase.

Finally, our response notes that the trade-off between production growth, environmental integrity, and social equity in aquatic food systems is most effectively addressed not by constraining production, but by guiding growth through improved nutritional efficiency, harmonised environmental metrics and robust traceability systems.  This approach will support the delivery of increased volumes of nutritious aquatic food while maintaining environmental integrity and promoting social responsibility across value chains in strengthening traceability and due diligence across fisheries and aquaculture value chains.

For the full response: Public Consultation on HLPE-FSN Report (30.01.2026)

For more information on the consultation click here.