Courtesy of NAA:
The Aquatic Life Institute, a member of an Aquatic Animal Alliance focused on animal rights, attended the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), that occurred November 6-20, 2022. Included in the broader context of the Convention, to trigger a united, world response and improving world resilience to climate change, food systems discussions and negotiations were a centerpiece.
In their recent COP27 summary, the Aquatic Life Institute reported they were “…very disappointed to see the UN itself promote increasing consumption of seafood as a ‘sustainable protein’ to farmed land animals.” The organization then announced, “It was our goal this year (and going forward) to get this message across: ‘blue foods’ (aka aquatic animals) is not the solution to our problems related to intensive animal agriculture, food security and agricultural emissions.”
The United Nations-Food and Agricultural Organization stated in the 2022 The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture: Towards Blue Transformations:
“…the world is off track to end hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. Degraded ecosystems, an intensifying climate crisis, and increased biodiversity loss are threatening jobs, economies, the environment and food security around the globe, all aggravated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, crises and other humanitarian emergencies. Today, 811 million people suffer from hunger and 3 billion cannot afford healthy diets.
This has elevated the calls to urgently transform our agrifood systems to ensure food security, improve nutrition and secure affordable healthy diets for a growing population, while safeguarding livelihoods and our natural resources.
Aquatic foods are increasingly recognized for their key role in food security and nutrition, not just as a source of protein, but also as a unique and extremely diverse provider of essential omega-3 fatty acids and bioavailable micronutrients. Prioritizing and better integrating fisheries and aquaculture products in global, regional and national food system strategies and policies should be a vital part of the necessary transformation of our agrifood systems.”
The NAA believes wholeheartedly Blue Foods are key to national and world food security and nutrition and the United States does not contribute enough farmed seafood, as it should, to feeding its citizens and the world. The Aquatic Life Institute is a member of an animal rights coalition organized under the Aquatic Animal Alliance with other members being the Coalition for Aquatic Conservation, Aquatic Animal Policy Group and Global Aquatic Veterinary Association.
The NAA has developed guidance documents to assist members in recognizing and preparing for animal rights activism. Please contact the NAA Office at naa@thenaa.net for additional information or copies of these documents.