WorldFish Deep Dive videocast earns UN Ocean Decade recognition

FRANCE – The Deep Dive, a videocast series produced by international research organisation WorldFish, has been officially endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade activity. 

The announcement comes as global attention turns to the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), now underway in Nice, France.

Launched to mark WorldFish’s 50th anniversary, The Deep Dive convenes global experts to explore solutions to critical challenges in aquatic food systems. 

“Each episode brings together voices from across research, policy, and industry,” the organisation stated, underscoring the power of dialogue to advance sustainable aquatic food solutions.

Ocean Conference opens with urgent calls for action

UNOC3, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica from June 9 to 13, focuses on accelerating global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources. 

The conference gathers heads of state, UN delegates, scientists, civil society, and the private sector to forge solutions for ocean governance.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the conference with a stark message: the ocean is “the ultimate shared resource, but we are failing it.” 

He called for deeper multilateral cooperation and increased investment, warning that SDG14 remains among the least-funded goals.

UNOC3 features ten plenary sessions and ten “Ocean Action Panels,” tackling key priorities such as completing multilateral ocean agreements, mobilising blue economy funding, and strengthening marine science for better policymaking.

WorldFish: Don’t forget food systems

Amid high-level discussions on conservation and climate, WorldFish warns that one vital issue is being overlooked—food.

“The ocean does not just need protection, it must be recognised as a vital source of nourishment, livelihoods, and resilience,” said Dr. Jörn Schmidt, WorldFish Director for Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems.

“If we are serious about a just and sustainable blue economy, we must put food systems, especially those that serve the most vulnerable, at the heart of ocean governance.”

WorldFish, a CGIAR research centre, is participating in more than a dozen events during the week, spotlighting small-scale fisheries, regenerative aquaculture, and blue food innovation. These engagements aim to amplify the voices of communities whose food security and incomes rely on healthy aquatic systems.

“Aquatic foods sustain billions, yet they remain on the margins of global ocean policy. We cannot talk about a sustainable blue economy without talking about food, nutrition, livelihoods, and equity. It’s time to correct that imbalance,” said Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish. 

The “Illuminating Hidden Harvests” report, co-led by WorldFish, the FAO, and Duke University, reveals that small-scale fisheries provide essential micronutrients to over three billion people and support more than 600 million livelihoods worldwide.

“These foods are low-carbon, rich in nutrients, culturally rooted, and resilient to climate shocks,” said Schmidt. “They deserve to be explicitly named and prioritised as part of our ocean solutions.”

Solutions grounded in local knowledge

WorldFish is also leading the Island Food Systems Program, which helps nations like the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste develop integrated, ecosystem-based food strategies. 

These programs highlight how traditional knowledge and community-led stewardship can turn fragile food systems into models of resilience and innovation.

Additionally, this week, WorldFish and CGIAR are set to unveil their joint Commitment to the UN Ocean Decade, linking biodiversity, climate, and nutrition goals through inclusive, science-driven action.

“The ocean is a carbon sink and a biodiversity sanctuary. It is also a source of sustenance, resilience, and cultural identity,” Schmidt added.  “At UNOC3, we are here to refocus attention on that reality and co-create solutions that serve both people and planet.”

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