Title: Reimagining Ocean Futures Beyond Growth
Host: Ingrid Kelling (Heriot-Watt University)
Type: Open Call
Description: As the ocean economy faces mounting social, ecological, and political pressures, it is increasingly clear that the prevailing “blue growth” paradigm—focused on expanding ocean industries under the banner of sustainability—falls short of delivering justice for people or the planet. There is an urgent need to imagine alternative futures for our oceans: futures grounded in care, wellbeing, equity, and resilience. This special session will introduce bold, creative, and critical scholarship that pushes past the limitations of blue growth and opens new pathways for just and sustainable ocean governance. We are particularly interested in interdisciplinary contributions that span the social sciences, humanities, and environmental sciences, with a strong emphasis on Global South perspectives, Indigenous knowledge systems, and work that bridges research and practice. The session will bring together diverse voices working at the intersection of marine governance, justice, and socio-ecological transformation. By gathering a wide range of perspectives, this session aims to spark critical dialogue and foster innovative directions for research and practice.
If your work resonates with these themes—or inspires new connections—we warmly invite you to join the conversation.
Title: Indigenous Fisheries and Sustainable Economies
Hosts: Tony Charles (St. Mary’s University); Sherry Pictou (Dalhousie University)
Type: Open Call
Description: Indigenous peoples around the world have a close bond with the natural world – including fish and other aquatic life. Indigenous Peoples steward the land and water, and associated life, and over millennia, have lived well by harvesting plants and animals from Nature. This special session explores Indigenous Fisheries as Sustainable Economies. This relates to “sustainable use” (in Western jargon) and “getting on the land and water” for harvesting. The Indigenous view is explored, of a “fishery” as more than an industry, and of economics as intimately tied with stewardship of the world around us. The session will begin with a presentation from an Indigenous-led initiative, Ărramăt, on ‘Strengthening Health and Wellbeing through Indigenous-led Conservation and Sustainable Relationships with Biodiversity’ (https://arramatproject.org/). Arramat aims to improve Indigenous wellbeing and health through studying and supporting sustainable economic activities, linked to Indigenous rights and culture. The session then turns to contributed papers on Indigenous fisheries, examining human and economic wellbeing, and multi-dimensional sustainability.
Title: Seafood, Nutritional Security, and Sustainability
Host: Martin Smith (Duke University)
Type: Invited Speaker
Description: There is a growing interest in transforming the food system to simultaneously support ecosystem health and human health, and seafood is expected to play a critical role. This session focuses on the food and nutritional security dimensions of the seafood sector. It brings together experts in the global seafood trade, experts in bioeconomics of fisheries and aquaculture management, and experts on seafood nutrition. The session examines nutritional affordability and the distributional consequences of the global trading system and policies to manage fisheries and aquaculture production. Key questions to be explored include: 1) does trade liberalization make seafood-based nutrition more (or less affordable) for lower income consumers, and are there differences for wild-caught and farmed seafood? 2) are there unintended consequences of fishery rationalization for nutritional affordability (positive or negative)? 3) does aquaculture growth targeting high-end markets decrease affordability or availability of seafood-based nutrition for low-income consumers? 4) how do global seafood markets affect regional variation in consumption of seafood-based nutrition?
Title: Innovation in Aquaculture Governance
Hosts: Frank Asche (University of Florida); Simon Bush (Wageningen University); Tonje Osmundsen (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
Type: Open Call/Invited Speaker
Description: The development of the aquaculture industry is far from uniform across the world and faces growing economic, political, and environmental uncertainty. These include competition within and between Asian economies, weak social license for aquaculture in Western countries, and the continued lack of investment in Africa. At the same time, innovation continues, creating new ways to drive the sector toward sustainable and equitable forms of production that are more resilient to global instability. These innovations include new forms of organization and governance that enable predictable and stable growth, ensure environmentally robust and resilient production systems, and support social wellbeing.
This session opens up debate on these innovations through contributions focused on the deliberate design of regulatory frameworks across different institutional contexts, the governance of innovation, and the economics of enabling the ongoing sustainable contribution of the sector to food systems worldwide. We invite papers that shed light on the current state of aquaculture around the world and the political and economic challenges that need to be addressed for its further growth and sustainability.
Title: A Retrospective look at a half century of quota rights in fisheries
Host: Frank Alcock (New College of Florida)
Type: Open Call
Description: Iceland introduced its first individual fisheries quota (ITQ) program in 1975. In 1986, New Zealand became the first country to introduce a comprehensive national individual transferable quota (ITQ) system for its commercially important fisheries. There are now over 200 programs operating in the coastal waters of approximately 20 countries. Many of these programs have been introduced in the North Atlantic region, including the Faroe Islands. A handful of meta assessments have been conducted on the impacts of this form of rights-based fisheries management but few have been published during the last decade. This Special Section will focus on longer-term impacts of ITQ schemes. A core research question for the session asks "to what degree has learning over time led to ITQ policy convergence or not? Policy convergence could reflect an evolving consensus regarding sustainability and/or efficiency considerations; distributional and/or equity considerations might instead yield persistent variation in programmatic elements that reflect different community values, institutional structures and salient power dynamics. Panel papers are invited to explore these topics from a variety of perspectives and methods.
Title: Effectiveness of eco-labels for industry and marine resource sustainability: Evidence and trends
Hosts: Rebecca Lent; Dale Squires; Andreas Tsakiridis (Marine Stewardship Council)
Type: Invited Speaker
Description: A wide variety of seafood ecolabels have appeared over the past few decades, and new versions continue to emerge. Some require funding whilst others are designated by third parties at no cost to the identified fisheries. Economists generally assume that the entities adopting ecolabels at a cost expect the benefits of certification (price, market access, corporate reputation) to exceed the costs. There may also be altruistic motivations to engage in certification, suggesting an expectation that ecolabels contribute to achieving healthy, sustainable fisheries, the stated goal of these programs. This IIFET 2026 Special Session will gather a mix of industry and certification representatives, along with economists and policy experts to review the evidence. The session will begin with two presentations to address peer-reviewed research on the impacts of ecolabels on industry financial viability and sustainable fisheries management. A panel of industry and ecolabel representatives will then briefly describe their role and engagement in ecolabelling and provide their perspective and response to the first two speakers. The panelists’ and audience's different perspectives should raise provocative issues and set the stage for a spirited open discussion.
Title: Innovation to Reduce Climate Change Impacts to and from Fisheries
Host: Unn Laksá (Sjókovin)
Type: Invited Speaker
Description: Climate change is transforming marine ecosystems, altering the distribution and productivity of fish stocks and creating ecological, socio-economic, and governance challenges for fisheries. These changes affect profitability, management, and livelihoods of coastal communities, demanding innovative solutions that enhance resilience, cut emissions, and promote sustainable resource use.
This session will highlight economic and policy innovations for climate adaptation and mitigation in fisheries, drawing on two Horizon Europe projects—MarineGuardian and MeCCAM—advancing science-based, technological, and socio-economic solutions for climate-resilient and low-carbon fisheries.
Topics include: (i) technological innovations improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) tools and practices for managing shifting fish stocks; (iii) circular economy approaches for valorising rest-raw materials; and (iv) management strategies for emerging species.
By showcasing applied innovations and economic perspectives, this session fosters dialogue on how the seafood sector can adapt to and mitigate climate impacts, connecting researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to identify pathways toward a more sustainable and resilient fisheries sector.
Title: Economic and Policy Pathways for Scaling Low-Trophic Aquaculture as a Climate Mitigation and Blue Growth Strategy
Host: Juliana Arias (Sjókovin/Blue Resource)
Type: Open Call
Description: Low-trophic aquaculture—including seaweed, bivalves, and low-trophic fish—contributes toward more sustainable and climate-resilient seafood systems. These systems provide key ecosystem services, while requiring minimal feed inputs. Yet, economic, institutional, and policy barriers continue to limit their expansion.
This special session will examine how economic analysis, innovation, and governance can unlock the potential of low-trophic aquaculture to contribute to climate mitigation and blue growth. Drawing on three Horizon Europe projects—AquaVitae, SeaMark, and OCCAM—the session will explore value creation, ecosystem service monetisation, and financing mechanisms that accelerate sustainable adoption.
Topics include: (i) the economics and competitiveness of low-trophic systems; (ii) integrating ecosystem service values into business and policy frameworks; (iii) circular economy and value-chain innovations; and (iv) policy and financial tools, such as blue credits and blended finance, supporting scale-up.
By linking ecological benefits with economic and policy incentives, this session aims to advance understanding of how low-trophic aquaculture can deliver environmental, social, and economic value within a climate-smart blue economy.
Title: Improving transparency in the governance of Distant-Water Fishing (DWF) fleets
Hosts: Arne Kinds and Sebastian Villasante (University of Santiago de Compostela); Kathryn H. Dalton (Conservation International); Daniel J. Skerritt (Oceana)
Type: Open Call
Description: This special session will unravel the intricate layers of opacity that surround distant-water fishing (DWF) fleets, which can undermine sustainable and equitable fisheries management outcomes. This lack of transparency facilitates IUU fishing, illicit trade, human rights abuses, and financial crime. It also distorts the equitable distribution of marine resources, including access to fish and nutrients, with coastal states in the Global South typically bearing disproportionate ecological and economic burdens.
These challenges span both fleet operations and the governance structures that enable them. Vessel operators and owners can evade accountability through complex ownership structures, flags of convenience, and frequent reflagging. Opaque subsidies, non-transparent access arrangements, and weak or captured governance systems further entrench these practices by distorting incentives and obscuring the true economic costs of fishing.
We seek to compile and discuss recent research addressing these issues, thereby fostering a shared understanding of challenges and priorities for research and management. We particularly welcome submissions on: corporate and beneficial ownership; fisheries access agreements; the political economy of DWF and rent capture; supply chain traceability and illicit trade; subsidies, incentives, and market distortions; and Flag State and Port State responsibilities.
Title: Spatial Trade-Offs of Ecosystem-based Management: Models, Theory, and Performance
Hosts: Geret DePiper (Texas A&M University); Angela Muench (Cefas); Olivier Thébaud (Ifremer); Dana Wright (OECD)
Type: Open Call
Description: Ecological, social, and economic information is essential to achieving ecosystem-based management (EBM) goals within ICES and other management bodies. However, making trade-offs over these domains is challenging. Increasing non-fishing ocean uses such as renewable energy, shipping, mining, aquaculture, and conservation are major concerns as they may constrain fishing areas. This increases the value of spatially explicit trade-off analyses. Spatial models allow managers to assess and communicate resource trade-offs across space and time, creating win-win opportunities and maximizing the value of marine resources. The extent to which specific reductions in fishable area affects costs, catches, profits, and operations of dependent shoreside industries requires an understanding of the adaptive capacity of fishing fleets: the degree to which they may redistribute effort, change fishing practices, and otherwise alter behavior. We invite submissions on location choice modeling, agent-based models, travel cost models, spatial modeling best practices, and new approaches that highlight trade-offs across spatial uses. Given the increasing management complexity of marine resources, this session provides valuable input to EBM.
Title: Governance of Conservation Impacts in the Global Commons
Hosts: Stephen Stohs, Rosemary Kosaka, and Phoebe Vavoulis (Southwest Fisheries Science Center)
Type: Open Call
Description: Managing conservation impacts from economic production activities in the global commons, such as the high seas, is a significant and growing governance challenge. Marine resources in these areas are often exploited by multiple nations with disparate economic and conservation interests, generating environmental externalities that are difficult to observe, trace, and regulate. Key examples include impacts from fishing on transboundary populations, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and externalities from extracting nonliving marine resources. This topic is of critical importance to national agencies and intergovernmental bodies concerned with sustainable marine resource management. Effective solutions require robust support for scientific inquiry and the establishment of strong international agreements that foster shared stewardship and cooperative governance.
Title: The Nexus of Access and Stewardship in Small-Scale Fisheries
Hosts: Tony Charles (St. Mary’s University); Daniela Kalikoski and Mele Tauati (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO))
Type: Open Call
Description: The linkage of rights and responsibilities in fisheries requires simultaneously ensuring the rights of fishers and facilitating the stewardship and sustainability practices of those fishers. This duality of access and stewardship – the access-stewardship nexus – is a core aspect of two major international instruments: the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines and the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. This session will explore the access-stewardship nexus: (1) environmental stewardship by small-scale fisheries – how small-scale fishers and fishworkers, their communities and organizations, are effective contributors to safeguarding aquatic resources and environments (see Environmental Stewardship by Small-Scale Fisheries and https://ssf-stewardship.net) and (2) strengthening small-scale fishery producers’ equitable access to resources, i.e., practical and policy strategies supporting access to resources, space, markets, financing and credit, information and knowledge, technology, social protection, and legal services. This session will contribute to work of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and its new educational material on the access-and-stewardship linkage. The session will begin with an introductory presentation on environmental stewardship and equitable access, to be followed by a series of participant presentations, contributing experiences on access and stewardship from around the world, exploring commonalities and differences, and discussing successes and limitations. Finally, the session will look at how access to resources and fishing space, as well as other aspects, facilitates stewardship, and vice versa, i.e., how responsible stewardship supports the case for better access.
Title: Game Theory and Fisheries
Host: Marko Lindroos (University of Helsinki)
Type: Open Call
Description: The idea that a set of owners of rights to harvest a fishery resource could assume significant self-governance responsibilities started with Scott (1955). Although economic theory and practical experience have shown that regulation based upon individual transferable quotas (ITQs) can significantly improve economic efficiency in fisheries, fisheries self-governance remains important for two reasons. First, the application of ITQs is often limited by political constraints and/or by constraints on enforcement. Second, harvester coordination through self governance can sometimes address sources of inefficiency in fisheries exploitation that remain even after ITQs are introduced. This session will include both analytical work and case studies on how fisheries self-governance might improve economic efficiency of harvesting.
Title: Assessing the Impact of Community Fish Refuge (CFR) on Biodiversity, Livelihoods, Climate Change, and Food Security in Rice Field Fisheries Systems
Host: Phichong Ou (WorldFish)
Type: Open Call
Description: The rapid loss of biodiversity, the impact of climate change and increased demand for fish to meet the growth population are pressing global issues. Improving Community Fish Refuge (CFRs) have been proposed as a solution to address these challenges that responded by the past 12 years of project interventions in the Tonle Sap floodplain in Cambodia funded by many development partners and Royal Government of Cambodia. Now it is time to review the effectiveness of the CFR.
Title: Regulating and managing economic and environmental risks in aquaculture
Hosts: Maria Lavrutich (Norwegian University of Science and Technology); Rasmus Nielsen (University of Copenhagen)
Type: Open Call
Description: Achieving the dual objective of profitability and sustainability, and defining acceptable boundaries for future growth, introduces several challenges for the aquaculture industry. A key challenge is that production is vulnerable to multiple sources of uncertainty, including market and biological risks, which significantly influence profitability and growth prospects. At the same time, these uncertainties place the regulation of salmonid aquaculture ata critical juncture, shaped by growing environmental concerns, evolving market dynamics, and shifting governance frameworks. There is a growing need for knowledge on how to explicitly integrate risks, externalities, and regulatory constraints into decision-making processes, as firms seek to attract capital from sustainability-oriented investors and comply with more stringent regulations. This also motivates renewed attention to the economic dimensions of regulatory approaches in salmonid farming, with a focus on balancing ecological sustainability, industry competitiveness, and social license to operate.
This session will explore new insights, frameworks, and models for decision-making in aquaculture systems that address profitability risks and sustainability considerations. It will also examine comparative regulatory models across jurisdictions, highlighting how different institutional arrangements influence production efficiency, compliance costs, and investment behavior. The session will further delve into the role of economic instruments--such as tradeable permits, taxes, and subsidies--in shaping producer incentives and environmental outcomes. We invite contributions that assess, model, and manage relevant risks, analyze environmental impacts, and develop methods to incorporate these perspectives into decision-making frameworks fir firms and regulators. We encourage theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented contributions that advance understanding of how aquaculture systems can achieve profitable and sustainable growth under uncertainty, and how regulation can be designed to support responsible stewardship.
Title: Advancing Gender Equality and Women's Economic Prosperity in Aquatic Food Systems: Towards a Call to Action for the International Year of the Woman Farmer
Hosts: Jennifer Gee (FAO); Silva Larson (University of the Sunshine Coast Australia)
Type: Open Call
Description: In recognition of the 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), this Special Session will highlight the essential yet often undervalued contribution of women to fisheries and aquaculture. As part of a series of hosted discussions during the IYWF, this session will launch a collaborative process to advance gender justice in aquatic food systems. We invite analytical and policy contributions on gender-responsive value chains, access to finance and technology, labor and trade dynamics, and governance arrangements that better capture gendered contributions.
Specifically, we invite submissions that provide empirical qualitative or quantitative evidence of impact (or lack thereof) of aquaculture-related development interventions on income benefits for women. We define "income benefits for women" as projects that are increasing the income that women earn while also ensuring or increasing the control over how this income is managed or used by woman (Johnson et al. 2018). Recent systematic reviews of agricultural (Gartaula et al. 2025), aquaculture (Gonzalez Parrao et al. 2021) and value chain interventions (Malhotra et al. 2024) in developing countries found that such interventions were often not, or only modestly, improving women's economic outcomes; that results are often based on nonexperimental evidence, and are likely biased towards positive outcomes with a lack of rigorous analysis (Anderson et al. 2021; Gonzalez Parrao et al. 2021).
Insights from this session will inform participatory dialogues and webinars to identify key priorities for gender equality and produce a consolidated, evidence-based call to action. This call to action will be endorsed by diverse stakeholders and launched at an IYWF flagship event -- ensuring that the perspectives and leadership of women and men engaged in aquatic food systems shape a more inclusive and economically viable Blue Transformation.