offs and promoting synergies between
small-scale fisheries and aquaculture to
improve social, economic, and ecological
outcomes'.

Moberg, E., Allison, E.H., Harl, H.K., Arbow, T., Almaraz, M., Dixon, J., Scarborough, C., Skinner, T., Rasmussen, L.V., Salter, A. and Lei, X.G. (2021) ‘Combined innovations in public policy, the private sector and culture can drive sustainability transitions in food systems’, *Nature Food*, 2(4), pp.282-290.
Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00261-5.

Naylor, R.L., Kishore, A., Sumaila, U.R. et al. (2021) Blue food demand across geographic and temporal scales. *Nat Commun*, 12, 5413.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25516-4.

OECD/FAO. (2023) OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032. OECD Publishing, Paris.
Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1787/08801ab7-en.

Short, R.E., Gelcich, S., Little, D.C. et al. (2021) ‘Harnessing the diversity of small-scale actors is key to the future of aquatic food systems’, *Nature Food*, 2, pp.733-741.
Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00363-0.

Thilsted, S.H., Thorne-Lyman, A., Webb, P., et al. (2016) ‘Sustaining healthy diets: The role of capture fisheries and aquaculture for improving nutrition in the post-2015 era, Food Policy, 61, pp.126-131. Available at:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.02.005.

Tigchelaar, M., Leape, J., Micheli, F., et al. (2022) ‘The vital roles of blue foods in the global food system’, *Global Food Security*, 33.
Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2022.100637.

Viana, D.F., Gelcich, S., Acenes-Bueno, E., Twohey, B., and Gaines, S.D. (2019) ‘Design trade-offs in rights-based management of small-scale fisheries’, *Conservation Biology*, 33(2), pp.361-368. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13208.

Viana, D.F., Zamborain-Mason, J., Gaines, S.D. et al. (2023) ‘Nutrient supply from marine small-scale fisheries’, Scientific Reports, 13, 11357. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37338-z.

UN Nutrition. (2021) The role of aquatic foods in sustainable healthy diets. Available at:
https://www.unnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-UN-Nutrition-Aquatic-foods-Paper_EN_.pdf.

Wang F., Cage A., Mosnier F., (2023) ‘Avoiding Aquafailure’, *Planet Tracker*. Available at:
https://planet-tracker.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Aquafailure-VF.pdf.

Willett, W., Rockström, J., Loken, B., et al. (2019) ‘Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems’, *The Lancet Commissions*, 393(10170), pp.447-492.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31788-4.
offs and promoting synergies between
small-scale fisheries and aquaculture to
improve social, economic, and ecological
outcomes'.

Moberg, E., Allison, E.H., Harl, H.K., Arbow, T., Almaraz, M., Dixon, J., Scarborough, C., Skinner, T., Rasmussen, L.V., Salter, A. and Lei, X.G. (2021) ‘Combined innovations in public policy, the private sector and culture can drive sustainability transitions in food systems’, *Nature Food*, 2(4), pp.282-290.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00261-5.

Naylor, R.L., Kishore, A., Sumaila, U.R. et al. (2021) Blue food demand across geographic and temporal scales. *Nat Commun*, 12, 5413.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25516-4.

OECD/FAO. (2023) OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032. OECD Publishing, Paris.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1787/08801ab7-en.

Short, R.E., Gelcich, S., Little, D.C. et al. (2021) ‘Harnessing the diversity of small-scale actors is key to the future of aquatic food systems’, *Nature Food*, 2, pp.733-741.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00363-0.

Thilsted, S.H., Thorne-Lyman, A., Webb, P., et al. (2016) ‘Sustaining healthy diets: The role of capture fisheries and aquaculture for improving nutrition in the post-2015 era, Food Policy, 61, pp.126-131. Available at:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.02.005.

Tigchelaar, M., Leape, J., Micheli, F., et al. (2022) ‘The vital roles of blue foods in the global food system’, *Global Food Security*, 33.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2022.100637.

Viana, D.F., Gelcich, S., Acenes-Bueno, E., Twohey, B., and Gaines, S.D. (2019) ‘Design trade-offs in rights-based management of small-scale fisheries’, *Conservation Biology*, 33(2), pp.361-368.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13208.

Viana, D.F., Zamborain-Mason, J., Gaines, S.D. et al. (2023) ‘Nutrient supply from marine small-scale fisheries’, Scientific Reports, 13, 11357.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37338-z.

UN Nutrition. (2021) The role of aquatic foods in sustainable healthy diets. Available at: https://www.unnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-UN-Nutrition-Aquatic-foods-Paper_EN_.pdf.

Wang F., Cage A., Mosnier F., (2023) ‘Avoiding Aquafailure’, *Planet Tracker*. Available at: https://planet-tracker.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Aquafailure-VF.pdf.

Willett, W., Rockström, J., Loken, B., et al. (2019) ‘Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems’, *The Lancet Commissions*, 393(10170), pp.447-492.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31788-4.
# Annex 1

## Methodology

An initial review of the literature was undertaken to provide a foundational understanding of the status of aquatic foods and barriers to their ability to support sustainably nourishing the global population. The literature was identified through specific recommendations by Working Group 3 members as well as by searching for key terms and phrases in various academic and policy databases to address gaps. Diverse sources were obtained and analysed, including academic articles and reports from regional and international organisations. This process was key to orienting discussions and provided a means of triangulation with knowledge and input provided by Working Group 3 experts.

Working Group 3 members were convened for a series of online meetings (monthly to bi-monthly) between August 2023 and March 2024. These virtual discussions supported a continuous iterative process for developing the strategic ambition, ensuring inclusion of and dialogue about nuanced perspectives and diverse viewpoints. In parallel, Working Group members contributed text to and undertook reviews of preparatory working documents and the White Paper. A three-day virtual Working Group 3 workshop took place in January 2024 to provide an in-depth review and discussion of Version 0 of the White Paper and begin integrating feedback from the first DCU-led White Paper review process (January to February 2024). Throughout the process, the Working Group Co-Chairs and consultant guided discussions and the writing process, adjusting and adapting objectives, content, and writing teams as needed.

Regular consultations with wider Ocean Decade structures, including other Working Groups, the Decade Advisory Board, and the DCU, coupled with open public review sessions of initial drafts of this paper, provided important external perspectives to further refine the strategic ambition and avoid duplication or conflicting approaches. The Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, April 2024) provided a final opportunity for experts and the broader public to provide constructive, valuable, and insightful feedback, leading to a more robust final version of the White Paper.
# Annex 1

## Methodology

An initial review of the literature was undertaken to provide a foundational understanding of the status of aquatic foods and barriers to their ability to support sustainably nourishing the global population. The literature was identified through specific recommendations by Working Group 3 members as well as by searching for key terms and phrases in various academic and policy databases to address gaps. Diverse sources were obtained and analysed, including academic articles and reports from regional and international organisations. This process was key to orienting discussions and provided a means of triangulation with knowledge and input provided by Working Group 3 experts.

Working Group 3 members were convened for a series of online meetings (monthly to bi-monthly) between August 2023 and March 2024. These virtual discussions supported a continuous iterative process for developing the strategic ambition, ensuring inclusion of and dialogue about nuanced perspectives and diverse viewpoints. In parallel, Working Group members contributed text to and undertook reviews of preparatory working documents and the White Paper. A three-day virtual Working Group 3 workshop took place in January 2024 to provide an in-depth review and discussion of Version 0 of the White Paper and begin integrating feedback from the first DCU-led White Paper review process (January to February 2024). Throughout the process, the Working Group Co-Chairs and consultant guided discussions and the writing process, adjusting and adapting objectives, content, and writing teams as needed.

Regular consultations with wider Ocean Decade structures, including other Working Groups, the Decade Advisory Board, and the DCU, coupled with open public review sessions of initial drafts of this paper, provided important external perspectives to further refine the strategic ambition and avoid duplication or conflicting approaches. The Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, April 2024) provided a final opportunity for experts and the broader public to provide constructive, valuable, and insightful feedback, leading to a more robust final version of the White Paper.

<figure><img src="image_30.png" /></figure>
# Annex 2

## Linkages between Challenge 3 and other Ocean Decade Challenges

<table><thead><tr><td>OCEAN DECADE CHALLENGES</td><td>LINKAGES TO CHALLENGE 3</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Challenge 1: Understand and beat marine pollution</td><td>Capture fisheries and aquaculture management and practices can potentially contribute to marine pollution (e.g. eutrophication, fishing gear, etc.). In addition, pollution impacts on the health of aquatic food systems and thereby their ability to produce nutritious food.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 2: Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity</td><td>Capture fisheries and aquaculture management and practices can potentially damage marine ecosystems (e.g. overfishing, trawling, etc.). Equally, unhealthy marine ecosystems impact on the ability of aquatic foods to thrive and provide nutritious foods.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 4: Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy</td><td>Aquatic food systems are a key component of the Blue Economy; governance and management of these systems must therefore be integrated in a wider framework, with consideration of other ocean industries.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 5: Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change</td><td>Climate change is a key barrier to sustainable and equitable aquatic food systems, and aquatic food systems can also provide critical climate solutions by supplying low-carbon, high-quality nutrition. An enhanced understanding of the ocean-climate nexus, climate-resilience and mitigating climate change impacts on fisheries and aquaculture is central to optimising the ocean's contribution to nourishing the global population. This synergy is currently the most developed under the Ocean Decade, with several Challenge 3 related Ocean Decade Actions focused on climate resilience.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 6: Increase community resilience to ocean hazards</td><td>Ocean hazards directly impact on production of and access to aquatic foods (e.g. through damage to ecosystems, infrastructure, etc.). Ocean hazard early warning systems thereby support improved aquatic foods management and contribute to safety at sea.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 7: Expand the Global Ocean Observing System</td><td>Addressing Challenge 3 relies on extensive ecological, but also social, economic, and behavioural, data. Although extensive data already exists, Challenge 7 can continue to support Challenge 3 through more targeted data collection on aquatic food and related systems, with a particular focus on data currently often left out of ocean systems.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 8: Create a digital representation of the ocean</td><td>Availability of detailed digital representations of knowledge and data is critical to effective governance and management of aquatic food systems; this is especially important to address the needs of SSFA. There are currently extensive representations of aquatic food systems, but these are usually limited to ecological dimensions of the system and location-specific (with important regional gaps).</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 9: Skills, knowledge, and technology for all</td><td>Capacity development is critical to the required knowledge, skills, and technology transfer to achieve sustainable production, equitable access, and effectively tackle new frontiers in aquatic food systems. Given the breadth of users of Challenge 3, capacity sharing and development is particularly important to ensure effective practices across levels, scales, and geographies.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 10: Change humanity's relationship with the ocean</td><td>Societal change is central to aquatic food systems, in particular behavioural changes related to consumption and production to be more sustainable and equitable in aquatic foods systems. In addition, a cultural change is needed to consider aquatic foods as a key source of food in a food system currently dominated by land-based agriculture.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_35.png" /></figure>
# Annex 2

## Linkages between Challenge 3 and other Ocean Decade Challenges

<table><thead><tr><td>OCEAN DECADE CHALLENGES</td><td>LINKAGES TO CHALLENGE 3</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Challenge 1: Understand and beat marine pollution</td><td>Capture fisheries and aquaculture management and practices can potentially contribute to marine pollution (e.g. eutrophication, fishing gear, etc.). In addition, pollution impacts on the health of aquatic food systems and thereby their ability to produce nutritious food.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 2: Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity</td><td>Capture fisheries and aquaculture management and practices can potentially damage marine ecosystems (e.g. overfishing, trawling, etc.). Equally, unhealthy marine ecosystems impact on the ability of aquatic foods to thrive and provide nutritious foods.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 4: Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy</td><td>Aquatic food systems are a key component of the Blue Economy; governance and management of these systems must therefore be integrated in a wider framework, with consideration of other ocean industries.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 5: Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change</td><td>Climate change is a key barrier to sustainable and equitable aquatic food systems, and aquatic food systems can also provide critical climate solutions by supplying low-carbon, high-quality nutrition. An enhanced understanding of the ocean-climate nexus, climate-resilience and mitigating climate change impacts on fisheries and aquaculture is central to optimising the ocean's contribution to nourishing the global population. This synergy is currently the most developed under the Ocean Decade, with several Challenge 3 related Ocean Decade Actions focused on climate resilience.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 6: Increase community resilience to ocean hazards</td><td>Ocean hazards directly impact on production of and access to aquatic foods (e.g. through damage to ecosystems, infrastructure, etc.). Ocean hazard early warning systems thereby support improved aquatic foods management and contribute to safety at sea.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 7: Expand the Global Ocean Observing System</td><td>Addressing Challenge 3 relies on extensive ecological, but also social, economic, and behavioural, data. Although extensive data already exists, Challenge 7 can continue to support Challenge 3 through more targeted data collection on aquatic food and related systems, with a particular focus on data currently often left out of ocean systems.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 8: Create a digital representation of the ocean</td><td>Availability of detailed digital representations of knowledge and data is critical to effective governance and management of aquatic food systems; this is especially important to address the needs of SSFA. There are currently extensive representations of aquatic food systems, but these are usually limited to ecological dimensions of the system and location-specific (with important regional gaps).</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 9: Skills, knowledge, and technology for all</td><td>Capacity development is critical to the required knowledge, skills, and technology transfer to achieve sustainable production, equitable access, and effectively tackle new frontiers in aquatic food systems. Given the breadth of users of Challenge 3, capacity sharing and development is particularly important to ensure effective practices across levels, scales, and geographies.</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge 10: Change humanity's relationship with the ocean</td><td>Societal change is central to aquatic food systems, in particular behavioural changes related to consumption and production to be more sustainable and equitable in aquatic foods systems. In addition, a cultural change is needed to consider aquatic foods as a key source of food in a food system currently dominated by land-based agriculture.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_31.png" /></figure>
United Nations Decade of
Ocean Science for Sustainable
Development (2021-2030)

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), provides a convening framework to develop the scientific knowledge and partnerships needed to catalyse transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean. The Ocean Decade is coordinated by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

Established during the Preparatory Phase and to continue throughout implementation until 2030, the IOC's Ocean Decade Series will provide key documentation about this global initiative and aims to serve as a primary resource for stakeholders seeking to consult, monitor and assess progress towards the vision and mission of the Ocean Decade.

oceandecade.org

<figure><img src="image_36.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_37.png" /></figure>

@UNOceanDecade

<figure><img src="image_38.png" /></figure>

@unoceandecade

<figure><img src="image_39.png" /></figure>

@UN Ocean Decade

<figure><img src="image_40.png" /></figure>

@UN Ocean Decade

<figure><img src="image_41.png" /></figure>

unesco

Intergovernmental
Oceanographic
Commission
## United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), provides a convening framework to develop the scientific knowledge and partnerships needed to catalyse transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean. The Ocean Decade is coordinated by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

Established during the Preparatory Phase and to continue throughout implementation until 2030, the IOC's Ocean Decade Series will provide key documentation about this global initiative and aims to serve as a primary resource for stakeholders seeking to consult, monitor and assess progress towards the vision and mission of the Ocean Decade.

ocean decade.org

<figure><img src="image_32.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_33.png" /></figure>

@UNOceanDecade

<figure><img src="image_34.png" /></figure>

@unoceandecade

<figure><img src="image_35.png" /></figure>

@UN Ocean Decade

<figure><img src="image_36.png" /></figure>

@UN Ocean Decade

<figure><img src="image_37.png" /></figure>

unesco

Intergovernmental
Oceanographic
Commission