Nutritious, safe and sustainable seafood for consumers of tomorrow (SEAFOODTOMORROW)

SEAFOODTOMORROW was a three and a half years project funded by EU Horizon 2020, aimed at generating new knowledge to develop innovative sustainable solutions for improving the safety and dietary value of seafood in Europe. The project produced a wide range of eco-innovative solutions categorised under four main themes: (i) seafood sustainability; (ii) seafood safety; (iii) seafood quality and transparency; and (iv) healthy products and informative tools. One of these innovations include the FishChoice, a free web-based tool available in 25 languages, that provides consumers with nutritional information on their fish and seafood consumption. The tool also helps them make sustainable seafood choices based on the origin of produce and fishing methods used. Additionally, SEAFOODTOMORROW developed a free e-learning course on the project’s topics and solutions to support those working or being trained to work in the seafood industry and improve professional skills and competencies. It includes 20 interactive modules, containing slides, videos, quizzes, follow-up resources, and a feedback questionnaire. A variety of scientific publications and reports have also been produced by the project.

Short description of the project: SEAFOODTOMORROW was a three-and-a-half-year project funded by EU Horizon 2020, aimed at generating new knowledge to develop innovative sustainable solutions for improving the safety and dietary value of seafood in Europe.

Tangible results: The project developed a wide range of eco-innovative solutions. One of these include the FishChoice, a free web-based tool available in 25 languages, that provides consumers with nutritional information on their fish and seafood consumption. Another example of these solutions includes tested and validated methods to remove or reduce contaminants in seafood produce and ready-to-eat products. SEAFOODTOMORROW also created a DNA database for identification of sea species in regular and highly processed products. Lastly, the project developed a free e-learning course on the project’s topics and solutions, including 20 interactive modules containing slides, videos, quizzes, follow-up resources, and a feedback questionnaire.

Application/relevance: The project’s eco-innovative solutions provide seafood producers with knowledge and methodologies to improve their seafood production ensuring a more sustainable and safer production system and processing of aquaculture and increasing the profitability of the marine industry. They also help consumers make informed and sustainable seafood choices based on the origin of produce and fishing methods used. Lastly, the e-learning course supports those working or being trained to work in the seafood industry and improves professional skills and competencies.