Brown University International Economics Professor Mark Blyth will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Seafood Expo Global, taking place 23 to 25 April at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain.
The 30th edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, set to be the largest in its history, will include a three-day conference program, comprised of more than 25 educational sessions, and joined by over 90 international seafood experts covering topics such as labor rights, traceability, feed innovation, aquaculture, sustainability, equipment, and artificial intelligence (AI), according to event organizer Diversified Communications. [Editor’s note: Diversified Communications also owns and operates SeafoodSource.]
Blyth’s keynote will include a 2024 economic and political update focused on the global seafood marketplace in a presentation titled, “The Outlook for 2025 and Beyond: American Tariffs, European Stagnation, and Asian Resilience.” The presentation will address short-, medium-, and long-term economic issues relevant to the global seafood industry, including the November 2024 U.S. election, inflation, and decarbonization in different regions of the world.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), and others will speak on a panel titled, "The Catch in Your Catch: Practical Guidance On Keeping Labor Abuse Out of Your Seafood” on Tuesday, 23 April, from 15:00 to 16:00. The first-day session will address growing global awareness of worker abuse in fishing, and highlight governmental and stakeholder' actions on labor violations. Additionally, the panelists will offer strategies for seafood companies to mitigate risks through traceability and transparency.
“Climate Change Challenges in Small-Scale Fisheries and Which Modern Climate-Friendly Innovation(s) Can Industry Provide to Support These Fisheries” will bring together representatives from Marks and Spencer, the International Pole and Line Foundation, and NUSATUNA to explore proposed carbon emission reduction from fisheries on Wednesday, 24 April, from 15:00 to 16:00. Topics up for discussion also include ways in which the supply chain works with market partners to have a direct connection to small-scale fisheries.
Also on Wednesday, 24 April, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m, Barton Seaver, the chief education and sustainability officer of For Cod and Country LLC, will moderate the session “Chefs’ View on the Future of Responsible Seafood.” Seaver will be joined by representatives from OEX, Worldchefs Representant, and Postelsia to discuss how chefs and retailers influence each other and consumers, communicate around sustainability, and how they can help determine the future of the international seafood movement.
On Wednesday, 24 April, “Advancing the Industry with Artificial Intelligence” will take place from 16:15 to 17:15 and will feature representatives from S2G Ventures, Longline Environment, Tidal @ Alphabet’s X, The Moonshot Factory, ReelData, and Aquaconnect, exploring AI utilization across the industry and how it is revolutionizing seafood production, shipping, and decarbonization.
Sustainability is a prominent topic covered in the conference program and it is highlighted in the session “The Upside of Alternative Feed Ingredients: Taking the Conversation Beyond Sustainability,” taking place Thursday, 25 April from 10:45 to 11:45. Experts from Aqua-Spark, Matorka, Aller Aqua Group, and Protix B.V. will discuss the functional aspects of alternative feed ingredients and how novel feed ingredients are being used to improve the quality of farmed seafood products.
"Free and Open to All: The Future of Fish Consumption,” taking place Wednesday, 24 April from 15:00 to 16:00, will explore the science and debate concerning the benefits and risks of fish consumption. It will feature participation from the FAO, AIPCE CEP, Global Seafood Alliance, and Mayank Aquaculture Private Limited.
