Transforming Aquatic Food Systems for Inclusive Economic Growth

Jean Kyla GucilatarSeptember 2, 2025

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The WorldFish organization’s 2024 agenda prioritizes innovation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth by empowering small-scale fishers and promoting sustainable aquatic food systems.

Source: United Nations

Aquatic food systems are gaining more attention in 2024 as a crucial means to improve nutrition, alleviate poverty, and support economic development. WorldFish, an international research organization focused on fisheries and aquaculture, has shared new plans and partnerships that aim to make these goals possible. The organization explains that aquatic foods, including fish and seaweed, can help meet the rising demand for affordable and nutritious food while also creating job opportunities and income sources, especially in countries where many people rely on them for their livelihoods.

Recent developments have created a stronger foundation for action. In 2023, 159 countries signed the Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, which elevated food systems as a bigger key component of the global climate agenda. Support has also grown for the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which aims to limit harmful subsidies that damage fish stocks. These efforts reflect a shift in how the world views the connection between the environment, food security, and economic growth.

One of WorldFish’s major initiatives is the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway, funded by the UK Blue Planet Fund. This project is designed to reach more than 700,000 people in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania by 2030, with at least half of the beneficiaries being women and youth. The project combines digital tools, climate-smart practices, and training to help small-scale producers increase their income and resilience. Digital Coasts, an integrated data system within the project, gives fishers better access to information that can guide decisions about when and where to fish, improve efficiency, and connect them to markets. Other parts of the project focus on affordable storage and preservation methods, which help reduce food loss and improve food safety.

WorldFish also highlights the blue economy as an area with significant economic potential. As populations grow and diets change, demand for aquatic foods continues to rise. Research shows that by 2030, Africa alone could produce aquatic food worth $11.9 billion, creating numerous additional jobs if the right investments are made. To support these opportunities, WorldFish and the Malaysian Department of Fisheries will host the 21st International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade Conference in Penang, Malaysia. The event will bring together experts to discuss how fisheries and aquaculture can support economic recovery while addressing challenges such as climate change, inequality, and possible future pandemics.

Another priority for WorldFish is strengthening climate resilience. Many small-scale fishers and farmers face extreme weather and other climate-related threats that can quickly destroy their harvests and earnings. To help address this, WorldFish is expanding Climate Information Services and other tools that can improve planning and reduce losses. Early results suggest that these services are helping communities prepare for risks and maintain stable incomes.

The organization also emphasizes that transforming aquatic food systems must include efforts to close gaps in equity and access. Women and young people have often faced barriers to resources, training, and leadership roles in the sector. By designing programs that intentionally include marginalized groups, WorldFish aims to create fairer systems that provide more people with the chance to improve their well-being and contribute to local economies.

WorldFish’s plans for 2024 show that sustainable aquatic food systems can do more than protect the environment. When paired with innovation, investment, and a focus on inclusion, they can create strong foundations for economic growth, better nutrition, and shared prosperity. As new partnerships and projects continue to develop, aquatic foods are becoming an increasingly important part of building a future that is both resilient and fair.