Seafood can contribute to healthy and sustainable diets and help to tackle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and malnutrition in the UK if environmental sustainability challenges and barriers to consumption are adequately addressed. Diversifying production, especially towards species of higher environmental sustainability, such as seaweed, mussels and sea urchins, and in particular through Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), can contribute to bioremediation, while also allowing for product diversification and improving the public perception of the industry.
This project aims to evaluate the potential of aquaculture diversification (IMTA) to improve nutrition and ecosystem sustainability in the UK. This will be achieved by addressing barriers to diversification of aquaculture systems in the UK and through targeted interventions at the levels of business models, policy, and consumer acceptance.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are responsible for addressing economic challenges to industry uptake through the investigation of existing business models in the seafood sector. Initial classifications will be complemented by stakeholder workshops to design innovative business models using the Business Model Canvas. The workshops will explore new value propositions to the customers and opportunities for companies’ market differentiation.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, Diverseafood collectively assesses and documents the environmental, nutritional and economic benefits of IMTA and aquaculture diversification, providing the industry and policy-makers with insights to facilitate the transition to healthier and more sustainable aquaculture.
