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VeriFish, a project funded under Horizon Europe will provide a framework of verifiable sustainability indicators based on existing EU and global databases. VeriFish will work on the creation of a prototype web application, a series of media products and recommendations for communicating sustainability indicators to various stakeholders including guidelines for retail and the hospitality sectors. The goal is to provide an accessible and dynamic framework for the improvement of communication and understanding of sustainable seafood production and consumption.
Stimulate increased consumption of sustainable seafood by establishing a framework of verifiable indicators, using these as basis for targeted, accessible, and engaging media products and campaigns, and delivering European Good Practice recommendations on how to efficiently organise such campaigns.
The primary goal of VeriFish is to develop ways to integrate indicators from different sources and to make recommendations for how to present and visualise different types of indicators in a uniform manner for a specific seafood type and consumer group.
For that, VeriFish will elaborate a framework of verifiable indicators, considering environmental sustainability, social sustainability, origin, provenance, processes, health, and nutrition, leveraging on trustworthy data sources from FAO Global Record of Stocks and Fisheries, EUROFIR’s FoodEXplorer, FISHBASE, the global species database of fish species, and more.
Several media products, including guidelines and a prototype web application, will be developed to help make informed consumption choices.
The indicators framework must not only be communicated to seafood producers and retailers, but also to policymakers, citizens and children. Therefore, a storytelling series, recipe books for kids, puzzles, and posters are among the planned product outputs. Finally, the project will develop and publish European Good Practice recommendations, co-designed with seafood sector stakeholders, on how to efficiently use the indicator framework to communicate with citizens.
Establish a framework of indicators that can be used as basis for making verifiable claims about seafood.
Establish a Community of Practice (CoP) of organisations and stakeholders committed to promoting sustainable seafood.
Design a prototype of a App for Mobile & We providing factsheets with indicator lists, links, and recommendations on how to make transparent & verificable claims about specific types of seafood to specific consumer groups.
Create and distribute media products and run awareness campaigns to provide verifiable information on seafood.
Provide a EU Good Practice recommendation for how to efficiently organise sustainable seafood consumption campaigns, and to publish this recommendation as a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA).
Ensures the timely and high-quality results through efficient administrative, technical, organisational, and financial coordination.
Administrative and financial management, scientific & technological coordination, decision making and conflict resolution, quality assurance and risk management, ethics management, External Advisory Board (EAB).
Leading partner: TRUST-IT
WP2 will develop a European framework for verified seafood indicators, so that any communication campaign can access, and use verified and qualified information.
Develop a set of system-wide science-based indicators related to sustainability, provenance, nutrition, and health. For year 1 the WP will define 1) data requirements for appropriate end use, 2) the indicator framework, 3) prioritisation of the indicators, and 4) the data use policy. This will lead to a set of Guidelines for the use of verifiable seafood indicators.
Lead partner: EUROFIR AISBL
WP3 will raise awareness, inform and promote VeriFish´s main assets among 8 identified stakeholder categories and to increase consumers ´awareness about how to “choose fish” based on verifiable indicators.
Leading partner: Eurofish
WP4 will use the indicator framework developed in WP2 and the experiences from the outreach work in WP3 to develop a Good Practices recommendation that take all these issues into consideration.
Project coordinator and dissemination.
Contact: Sara Pittonet
Dissemination and develop the scoring system and guidelines for communication of the use of the indicator framework
Develop the verifiable indicator framework and the prototype of the VeriFish web app
Develop the European Good Practice recommendation on seafood communication and dissemination
Develop the verifiable indicator framework
Contribution to the development of the verifiable indicator framework
Develop the verifiable indicator framework and dissemination
ICES Expert Program Manager in International Oceans, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, Policy, and Management
The VeriFish Brand Guidelines are designed to ensure a consistent and professional representation of our project across all platforms and communications. These guidelines define the core elements of our brand identity, including logos, colors, typography, and messaging, which help convey our mission of promoting sustainable seafood practices through verifiable indicators. By adhering to these standards, we ensure that all stakeholders, partners, and collaborators present a unified and recognizable image of VeriFish.
Download the VeriFish Brand Guidelines to understand how to correctly use our visual and communication assets, ensuring clarity and impact in all project-related materials.
Get a quick overview of VeriFish and its mission to promote sustainable seafood practices. Our flyer highlights key aspects of the project, including verifiable indicators, tools for consumers, and our commitment to responsible seafood production.
Click below to download the flyer and learn more about how VeriFish is driving positive change in seafood sustainability.
Explore the essence of VeriFish at a glance. Our roll-up provides a snapshot of our mission, showcasing the core elements of our work in promoting sustainable seafood through verifiable indicators and consumer tools.
Click below to download the roll-up and discover how VeriFish is leading the way in seafood sustainability.
Stay connected with VeriFish wherever you go. Our business cards feature essential contact information and a professional design that aligns with our commitment to promoting sustainable seafood practices.
Click below to download the official VeriFish business cards.
Anton Ellenbroek joined FAO in 2000 where he has contributed to a wide range of IT systems. He currently is an information analyst with the FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture information team, led by Marc Taconet. The team focuses on information and knowledge management on all aspects related to Blue Transformation – FAO’s Vision to transform Aquatic food systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable in support to the 2030 Agenda. Before joining FAO, he worked as a Oracle system designer and as a biodiversity officer with IUCN Netherlands. He obtained a MSc in biology from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Employed by EATiP since 2017, David is responsible for the day-to-day management and direction of this European wide multi-actor ETP.
Working in the aquaculture industry since 2005, including a decade as the executive of a UK producer association, he has been active in numerous projects from the sixth Framework Programme. Among other roles, David has served as a director of the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum and served on the Technical Advisory Group of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC TAG) alongside being invited as a guest lecturer at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling (UK).
In addition to working on multiple Horizon Europe projects David is one of the Technical Experts assisting with the implementation of the EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism in addition to chairing the research focus group of the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) and sitting on the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research – Fish Committee (SCAR-Fish).
For further information on EATiP please see www.eatip.eu
Richard Stavis is an internationally acknowledged seafood thought leader and innovator with over thirty-five years in the seafood industry. His experience spans executive roles in purchasing, sales, and sustainability, including over 25 years as CEO of Stavis Seafoods, Inc. This diverse background has given him deep insight into harvesting, farming, processing, and product standards across the seafood sector.
Richard has been actively involved in key sustainability initiatives and organizations, serving on the boards of several notable groups, including FishWise and the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, and as a Trustee of Human Rights at Sea. His leadership was instrumental in the Squid Supplier Roundtable, where he contributed to founding the IUU sourcing prevention taskforce.
A frequent speaker at major industry events, Richard has shared his expertise at platforms like Seafood Expo North America, the Sea Ahead Global BlueTech Conference, the United Nations Oceans Conference, and Capitol Hill Oceans Week (CHOW). His contributions have helped shape conversations around seafood sustainability, traceability, and the future of the global seafood supply chain.
Irene Kranendonk is the Impact Manager at Fish Tales and a board member of the Fish Tales Foundation. Her work focuses on developing and guiding Fish Tales’ sourcing criteria including management of the environmental and social certification schemes. With the Fish Tales Foundation and local partner organizations, she drives social and environmental improvements in small scale fisheries. Irene holds a master’s degree from Wageningen University in Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management and is specialized in the field of fisheries ecology. In a previous role, Irene was sustainable seafood assessor for the Dutch seafood rating scheme the VISwijzer.
Andrea Fabris born 11.08.1968, Italian, has a Veterinary Medicine full graduation achieved at the University of Parma. He has also a Specialization in “Farming, Hygiene, Pathology of Aquatic Species and Control of Derivative Products ” achieved at Udine University and a Specialization in “Animal Feeding” obtained at Bologna University.
Actually (from May 2016) he is Director of Associazione Piscicoltori Italiani (API – Italian Fish Farmers Association). At National level behalf of API he is member of some working groups at the General Direction for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Italian Ministry of Health regarding aquaculture EU rules and their implementation at national and regional level, and member of Exotic Species Aquaculture Committee – Italian Ministry of Agriculture. Lecturer on in training /courses organized by Ministry of Health, Universities and Local Veterinary Authorities; member of Board of Directors of SIPI (Italian Society of Fish Pathology).
He is also involved at international level with the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) as Chairman of FEAP Fish Health and Welfare Commission. Andrea is part of the FVE (Federation of Veterinarians Europe) Aquaculture Working Group, and of FishMedPlus Coalition, and from the beginning member of Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) where is actually Chair of WG1 – Finfish.
He published as an author or co-author about 30 articles on international and national scientific journals concerning Fish pathology and Aquaculture and more than 60 issues on divulgative (fishermen and aquaculture producers associations) publications
Anne shapes global sustainable fisheries and aquaculture policies through her work at the science-policy interface. Driven by a commitment to improving human lives and aquatic ecosystems, she serves as the Professional Officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture Advice at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Anne leads ICES’ efforts in developing and applying methods to provide scientific advice on data-limited fish and shellfish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, covering over 60% of ICES stocks. She also heads the development of ICES’
advisory framework for sustainable aquaculture. Before joining ICES, Anne advised on national fisheries, aquaculture, climate, and marine science policy in the US Senate, House of Representatives, and NOAA. She holds a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology and Development Studies and Social Change Theory and an M.Sc. in Fisheries Science from the University of Minnesota.
Pedro Reis Santos is Secretary General of the Market Advisory Council (MAC), a stakeholder-led advisory body to the European Commission and to the Member States on matters relevant for the EU market of fishery and aquaculture products, as foreseen by the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation.
Before his appointment, in July 2019, as Secretary General, Mr Reis Santos worked as a consultant for a Brussels-based business intelligence service monitoring EU developments on fisheries, agriculture, food, animal welfare, alcohol and tobacco policy. Prior to that, he was a trainee at the Fisheries Unit of the Council of the European Union and a trainee at the Control Unit of the Portuguese Fisheries Authority.
Mr Reis Santos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s degree in International Law and International Relations from the University of Lisbon with a thesis titled “Marine Protected Areas beyond National Jurisdiction”. Besides his first language, Portuguese, he speaks English and Spanish
Alessandro Manghisi, born on 14 February 1983, works as the EU Policy Manager for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and is based in Brussels. Alessandro’s main role is to assist in identifying issues and EU regulations (both existing and upcoming) of key strategic importance to the ASC. He also engages with relevant stakeholders, including industry organisations, NGOs, other ISEAL members (such as the MSC), Members of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and others, covering a range of policies and initiatives under the EU Green Deal.
He worked for over five years at the European Parliament as an accredited parliamentary assistant, where he advised and supported two Members of the European Parliament in their legislative work. From October 2022 to June 2023, he worked at the MSC as EU Policy Manager. Among the many regulations and directives he oversees, he closely follows the Substantiating Green Claims directive, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting directive, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive, the Deforestation Regulation, and the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition directive.
Originally from Apulia, in southern Italy, he has been living in Brussels since 2012.
A fishery biologist presently employed at the National Research Council, Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (Ancona, Italy), he brings to the table more than thirty years of expertise in marine environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Over the course of his career, he has overseen and participated in numerous international projects focused on understanding and mitigating anthropic impacts on marine ecosystems. Since 2019, he holds a membership in the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) under the European Commission. Within this role, he has chaired two STECF Expert Working Groups (EWG 22-12 and EWG 23-18), where he led efforts to establish scientifically robust yet accessible criteria and indicators for assessing the sustainability of fisheries products.
Paul Bulcock is responsible for developing and maintaining aquaculture information in SFP’s systems (e.g., FishSource, AIP Directory, Metrics). He also supports development and implementation of aquaculture strategy through research and analysis.
Paul has extensive program support and aquaculture research experience (particularly in Southeast Asia), having worked for the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and DFID’s Aquaculture and Fish Genetics Research Programme (AFGRP) at the Institute of Aquaculture, in Stirling, UK. He has an MSc in aquaculture from the University of Stirling and a BSc in marine and fisheries zoology from the University of Aberdeen.
Paul is based in the UK, in Glasgow, Scotland.
