Sustaining Ethical Aquaculture Trade (SEAT):

Evaluating the Sustainability of Aquaculture Products Entering the EU Market

About SEAT

The Sustainable Ethical Aquaculture Trade (SEAT) project is a large-scale collaborative research project under the EU 7th Framework Programme (FP7) that explores the sustainability of trade in aquaculture products originating from Asia.

In recent years, an increasing dependence on aquaculture derived seafood has resulted in the European Union (EU) now importing 40 percent of its seafood. SEAT is evaluating the sustainability of the aquaculture projects being traded from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Bangladesh and will consider whole value chains for tilapia, catfish, shrimp and prawns.

By strengthening the knowledge base surrounding the EU-Asia seafood trade, this project will provide the evidence required to support further expansion of the industry and to ensure that producers are meeting appropriate social and environmental goals and ultimately offering a product that is safe and sustainable.

Key SEAT Objectives

This highly innovative project encompasses 12 Work Packages that examine many areas of the aquaculture industry and trade from Asia to the EU and includes a consortium of 13 internationally recognized institutions and organizations.

Key outcomes of this interdisciplinary study include:

• An increased awareness of the emergent Asian aquatic food production and market chains.
• The forging of stronger scientific, business and policy links between Asia and Europe.
• An in-depth evaluation of economic efficiency, social justice, food quality and safety and animal welfare resulting in an increase in the ethical 'values' of the four major aquatic food commodities.
• The creation of an Ethical Aquaculture Food Index (EAFI) through the development of improved and transparent measures of sustainability for target aquatic food systems.