New Partnership Enhances Seafood Traceability in the MENA Region

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) has announced a significant technology and analytics collaboration with Seafood Souq, a Dubai-based traceability platform. This partnership, unveiled at Seafood Expo Global 2026, aims to bolster seafood traceability efforts across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.

Details of the Memorandum of Understanding

As part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Seafood Souq’s SFS digital traceability suite will integrate seamlessly with SFP’s Seafood Metrics platform, which is supported by the comprehensive FishSource database.

The SFS system captures essential data to comply with crucial regulatory requirements, including the US Food Safety Modernization Act’s Rule 204 and the European Union’s catch documentation requirements. The partnership will also embed SFP’s risk-based sourcing assessments directly into the SFS workflow, providing enhanced analytics capabilities.

Importance of the Middle East in Global Seafood Trade

David Parreno Duque, partnerships engagement specialist at SFP, emphasized the growing importance of the Middle East as a pivotal player in the global seafood trade landscape. “The demand for transparency and responsible sourcing in this region is rapidly increasing,” he noted.

Scott Chambers, CEO of Seafood Souq, echoed these sentiments, stating that the integration of the two systems will empower buyers to “make more informed, responsible, and transparent sourcing decisions” amidst tightening compliance requirements.

SFP’s Growing Influence

Before focusing on the Gulf region, SFP established its retail and foodservice networks primarily in North America and Europe. The organization’s analytics portfolio includes a fishery improvement project evaluation system, which grades projects from A to E, as well as its “Target 75” sector reports. Notably, the latest squid sector update highlighted the role of Chinese and South Korean distant-water fleets in achieving sustainability goals.

Looking Ahead

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in enhancing sustainability and traceability in seafood sourcing within the MENA region. As regulatory frameworks evolve and the demand for responsible sourcing continues to grow, partnerships like this one will play a crucial role in shaping a more transparent seafood supply chain.

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