Sustainable aquaculture for a better food future

The World Food Forum and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) have collaborated to curate an art installation in the FAO headquarters cafeteria. The exhibition was developed to highlight the importance of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region and spark discussion about the connection between aquatic foods, aquaculture, food security and sustainability, through the universal language of art.

The striking illustrations from environmental artist Ali Elly depict three of the region’s most important farmed species: gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). These illustrations were originally created for the publication Farmed aquatic food for all tastes: The journey of twelve Mediterranean and Black Sea species from farms to your plates, winner of the Best Free Culinary Book in the World Award 2023 at the twenty-ninth Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

The publication presents a journey through the Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture sector, highlighting its benefits and debunking myths. In particular, it strives to showcase that aquaculture contributes to food security, has great economic and cultural value in the region, and is important as a means to increase aquatic food production without exceeding the natural productivity of wild fish stocks. The book focuses on twelve species chosen for their importance and potential, and emphasizes that farmed aquatic foods can be tasty, healthy and sustainable. Each chapter features the story of a successful producer from the region and a tempting recipe prepared by young chefs from Institut Lyfe, in Lyon, France.

Visitors to the installation can enjoy an immersive experience that engages multiple senses. The captivating illustrations are paired with the delicious flavours of the three species, which are served at the FAO headquarters cafeteria throughout the week of the World Food Forum, using recipes inspired by the publication.

Collaboration

The GFCM is a regional fisheries management organization established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. With 22 member countries and the European Union, its main objective is to ensure the conservation and the sustainable use of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea.