MSC Responds to EAT-Lancet Commission Report on Sustainable Food Systems

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) reacts to the recent findings of the EAT-Lancet Commission, which emphasizes the necessity for healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems worldwide.

The Challenge of Feeding a Growing Population

Nicolas Guichoux, Chief Programme Officer at the Marine Stewardship Council, addressed the urgent challenge posed by escalating global population numbers. “With the global population anticipated to hit 10 billion by 2050, producing sufficient healthy food for everyone—without exceeding the planet’s environmental limits—stands as one of our era’s most significant hurdles,” he stated.

The Role of Fish and Seafood

The EAT-Lancet report emphasizes the crucial position that fish and seafood hold in combatting this issue. Guichoux noted, “The report underscored the unique nutritional benefits, health advantages, and relatively minimal environmental impact of fish and seafood when sourced sustainably.” It advocates for a dietary inclusion of up to 100 grams of sustainably harvested fish and seafood per day, or at least two servings per week, aligning with its proposed Planetary Health Diet.

Call to Action for Governments

Guichoux further advocated for actionable steps by governments, stating, “To implement the report’s recommendations effectively and to incorporate fish and seafood into diets that support both human and environmental health now and in the future, it is imperative that governments ensure sustainable production, put an end to overfishing, and safeguard our oceans.”

Photo by Kelsey Curtis on Unsplash