WAS, WorldFish earn global recognition for advancing sustainable aquatic food systems

ITALY – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has awarded its first-ever Global Technical Recognition to 46 organisations, including the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), WorldFish, and Akaroa King Salmon, for their leadership in transforming sustainable aquatic food systems. 

The honours were presented on October 15, 2025, during FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations and the World Food Forum at FAO Headquarters in Rome.

The awards recognise innovations and best practices reshaping global agrifood systems amid intensifying climate pressures and rising food insecurity. 

FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu delivered the recognitions before international dignitaries, including Pope Leo XIV and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Leadership in global aquaculture recognised

WAS received special recognition for its decades-long contribution to global aquaculture development, particularly its support to FAO programmes since the 1970s. 

The organisation was honoured for strengthening international communication, collaboration, education, and information exchange in the sector.

“Receiving this honorary accolade underscores the WAS’s pivotal role in the development of sustainable aquaculture globally,” WAS representatives said. 

Blessing Mapfumo, Executive Officer of the WAS African Chapter, accepted the award on behalf of Antonio Garza de Yta, the WAS–FAO Global Liaison.

WorldFish was also honoured for its scientific leadership as it marks 50 years of innovation in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. 

The research organisation was recognised for developing inclusive, climate-smart solutions that expand the role of aquatic foods in poverty reduction, nutrition, and ecosystem restoration.

“This recognition reflects fifty years of science, partnership, and persistence,” said Director General Essam Yassin Mohammed. “Across the Global South, WorldFish and our partners are proving that aquatic foods can feed people, nourish communities, restore ecosystems, and power an equitable and resilient blue economy.”

Small-scale innovators share the stage

Additionally, among other honorees, New Zealand’s Akaroa King Salmon earned recognition for pioneering circular feed strategies that reduce pressure on wild fisheries and cut emissions. 

Working with feed producer BioMar, Akaroa replaced wild-caught fish oil with fermented algal oil and incorporated New Zealand hoki trimmings, ingredients that would otherwise go to waste. 

The company’s practices contribute to some of the lowest carbon footprints recorded for an animal protein, according to a ThinkStep ANZ assessment.

FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol praised the breadth of innovation on display, noting: “We have seen what is possible when people work together across disciplines and sectors.”

Marketing Manager Nik Mavromatis said the acknowledgement proves that impact is not limited by size. “This FAO recognition shows that even the smallest farmers can have a global impact,” he said.

A milestone for FAO’s blue transformation

The Global Technical Recognition awards span six technical domains, including sustainable aquatic food systems, livestock, forestry, and land and water management. 

Together, the 46 awardees are driving the FAO’s Blue Transformation agenda, which aims to accelerate the transition to resilient and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

As FAO marks eight decades of action for “better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life,” this year’s honourees illustrate the central role of aquatic foods in feeding a growing world while protecting the planet.

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