What lies ahead as 2024 has just started?

While biological challenges and political turbulences are not always easy to anticipate, let’s look at the known unknowns and the opportunities they may bring to our sector.2024 is bound to be a pivotal year, with parliamentary elections at EU level and presidential poll in the US.

Beyond political drivers, the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy and the US’ Seafood Import Monitoring Program, through NOAA Fisheries, as well as the FAO’s Blue Transformation strategy, are established foundation stones upon which work will continue to be built. These encourage innovation in terms of environmental impact reduction, fishery management and traceability.

What may come next will depend on the political balance of power.

We already have an idea of some key areas of focus, such as genetics as well as fish welfare, already high on the agenda.

The former relates to new genomic techniques and the legislative framework to be decided. The outcome will impact the feed sector greatly. The latter is already a requirement in fish farming. Marine ingredients contribute to fish health and welfare by providing well rounded nutrients to the aquafeed sector. The “Precision nutrition” approach allows for the needs of different fish species throughout their lives to be taken into account, in different environments.

As of 2020, epidemics and geopolitics placed traceability in the spotlight: it then became evident to the end consumers that knowing the origin of the materials used in their (food) products was a prerequisite. Progress and innovation can be accelerated and incentivised in troubled times.

Let’s hope that 2024 and its range of events continues to be a catalyst for positive change.