Blue Food Futures Program

The Blue Food Futures Program explores how blue foods — fish, shellfish, algae, and other aquatic species  — can help build healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systems.

Endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the program strengthens blue food science, policy, and community by building research collaborations, accelerating the integration of blue foods into food system policies and programs, and expanding opportunities for early-career researchers to engage with science and policy.

The program builds on research from the Blue Food Assessment (2021 - 2023), which addressed key gaps in understanding the role of blue foods in global food systems. Current work spans nutrition and health, climate and biodiversity, trade and supply chains, and equity, ranging from local community projects to global policy analysis. Guided by a science committee of scholars from around the world, the program sets shared research priorities and shapes thematic working groups to inform policy discussions. 

As part of its policy efforts, Blue Food Futures builds on knowledge-to-action initiatives led by the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition to raise the profile of blue foods in forums such as the UN Ocean Conference, the Committee on World Food Security, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The program’s policy committee connects scientists, decision-makers, NGOs, and other stakeholders to identify policy gaps and translate scientific findings into policy recommendations.

Beyond its science and policy work, Blue Food Futures also strengthens research capacity through a global network and fellowship program. The fellowship program hosts early-career researchers working to investigate questions at the intersection of food, climate, biodiversity, and equity. The network connects blue food researchers worldwide, encourages collaboration, and helps expand access to blue food data. The network has grown to 75 members across 22 countries.

Become a member of the network

Attend blue food webinars as part of a monthly series co-hosted with UN Ocean Decade programs.