Investing in Blue Foods 2026

Balance with cultural preferences Where wild-caught fish remain central to diets and tradition, aquaculture can complement rather than replace sustainable capture fisheries. Respecting these preferences builds consumer trust and supports cultural acceptance while reinforcing food security and stability in coastal livelihoods. Social safeguards Strengthen capture fisheries governance Wild fisheries remain central to Africa’s blue food supply. Sustainable scaling-up requires science- based management – including quotas, closed seasons and bans on destructive gear – along with proper disposal or recycling of old fishing gear. Tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by domestic and foreign fleets is equally vital, as IUU undermines sustainability and livelihoods. Effective governance safeguards biodiversity, secures incomes for small-scale fishers and ensures equitable access to fishing grounds and catch allocation. By prioritizing small producers who serve domestic markets, export growth can be balanced with goals for local nutrition. Design innovation for inclusion True transformation depends on innovation built with small-scale producers, not just for them. These fishers and farmers form the majority of Africa’s blue food workforce. Embedding their perspectives in programme design ensures that new technologies and policies reflect their realities, strengthen adoption and translate economic growth into tangible community benefits.Advance gender equity and include people with disabilities Women are key players in post-harvest and processing but remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making. People with disabilities also face barriers to access and participation. Equitable scaling-up means ensuring women and people with disabilities gain equal access to finance, training and leadership roles across the value chain, empowering them as active decision-makers rather than passive participants. Empower youth participation Africa’s young population presents a demographic advantage. Making blue food systems attractive to young people requires support for entrepreneurship, targeted training and digital integration. Engaging young people injects innovation, energy and continuity into the sector’s future workforce. Manage impacts on food production As aquaculture expands, rising demand for feed – especially maize, soy and wheat – can compete with human food consumption and drive up prices. Poorly governed input growth could strain food systems, while effective oversight can stimulate local crop production, reduce waste and strengthen food security. Strengthen cooperatives and community organizations Fishers’ and farmers’ cooperatives are essential to inclusive growth. Stronger organizations enhance collective bargaining, access to finance and co-management of resources. Empowered cooperatives also act as social safety nets and platforms for community voices, making them vital pillars of equitable blue food systems.Africa has an extraordinary opportunity to harness the rich diversity and nutrition of blue foods, but realizing this promise demands new knowledge, innovative solutions and concerted action from governments, investors and communities alike. Jim Leape, Co-Director, Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions; William and Eva Price Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment Investing in Blue Foods: Innovation and Partnerships for Impact 14