This side-event aims to explore how sustainable aquatic food systems can support biodiversity conservation while ensuring food security, for the benefit of all people and nature. By examining innovative practices, policies, and partnerships, the event will demonstrate how the health of aquatic ecosystems and the communities that rely on them can be mutually supported. 

This approach is in alignment with the GBF’s over-arching goal to sustainably use and manage biodiversity so that nature’s contributions to people are valued, maintained, and enhanced. For this to happen successfully in the context of aquatic foods, biodiversity needs to be integrated into food systems policy frameworks, as outlined in Target 14 of the GBF for example. This target aims to ensure that biodiversity values are mainstreamed across all sectors, including food systems, to enhance ecosystem services and in turn contribute to food security and human well-being.

Taking a holistic approach and touching on many Targets, this side-event will provide a platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, share knowledge, and highlight collaborative solutions to ensure that aquatic food systems support and enhance biodiversity while also providing critical nutritional benefits, aligning with the broader goals of the GBF.

The side-event's expected outcome is to increase awareness about the interconnections between aquatic food systems and biodiversity, highlighting how biodiversity is being and can be successfully incorporated into food systems policy frameworks. In this regard, hosts and panelists will present ongoing work on mainstreaming biodiversity into food system policy frameworks whilst spotlighting best practices for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture that conserve biodiversity whilst maintaining nature’s contribution to human well-being.