Jul 26, 2022

UN Ocean Conference 2022

The UN Global Compact’s exclusive dinner, Blueprint for the Future: Good Food for All, brought together global leaders to explore the impact of fully traceable seafood on sustainability, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 17.

when

UN Ocean Conference

Where

Lisbon

Jul 26, 2022

UN Ocean Conference 2022

The UN Global Compact’s exclusive dinner, Blueprint for the Future: Good Food for All, brought together global leaders to explore the impact of fully traceable seafood on sustainability, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 17.

when

UN Ocean Conference

Where

Lisbon

Jul 26, 2022

UN Ocean Conference 2022

The UN Global Compact’s exclusive dinner, Blueprint for the Future: Good Food for All, brought together global leaders to explore the impact of fully traceable seafood on sustainability, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 17.

when

UN Ocean Conference

Where

Lisbon

Table setting in the Ruinas do Carmo, Lisbon, Portugal. Event preparation by Lohad. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.
Table setting in the Ruinas do Carmo, Lisbon, Portugal. Event preparation by Lohad. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.

Showcasing Innovation in Sustainable Seafood at the UN Ocean Conference

Showcasing Innovation in Sustainable Seafood at the UN Ocean Conference

Showcasing Innovation in Sustainable Seafood at the UN Ocean Conference

At the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, the importance of fully traceable seafood took center stage at an exclusive high-level dinner, Blueprint for the Future: Good Food for All. Co-sponsored by Wholechain, the UN Global Compact, Envisible, Fed by Blue, and The Chefs’ Manifesto, the event gathered government representatives, business leaders, and technology innovators to explore how transparency in seafood supply chains can support ocean sustainability.

Held at the breathtaking Ruinas do Carmo, the evening featured a curated menu of responsibly sourced seafood, prepared by award-winning chefs João Rodrigues, Grace Ramirez, Cristina Bowerman, Conor Spacey, and Kamilla Seidler. Each dish not only delighted the palate but also told a powerful story of sustainable sourcing and responsible aquaculture.

At the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, the importance of fully traceable seafood took center stage at an exclusive high-level dinner, Blueprint for the Future: Good Food for All. Co-sponsored by Wholechain, the UN Global Compact, Envisible, Fed by Blue, and The Chefs’ Manifesto, the event gathered government representatives, business leaders, and technology innovators to explore how transparency in seafood supply chains can support ocean sustainability.

Held at the breathtaking Ruinas do Carmo, the evening featured a curated menu of responsibly sourced seafood, prepared by award-winning chefs João Rodrigues, Grace Ramirez, Cristina Bowerman, Conor Spacey, and Kamilla Seidler. Each dish not only delighted the palate but also told a powerful story of sustainable sourcing and responsible aquaculture.

Katherine Bryar, Food and Farming Advocate at Fed by Blue, introducing the theme of the evening, “Building Fully Traceable and Responsible Blue Foods Supply Chains”. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.
Katherine Bryar, Food and Farming Advocate at Fed by Blue, introducing the theme of the evening, “Building Fully Traceable and Responsible Blue Foods Supply Chains”. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.

Katherine Bryar of Fed by Blue Introducing “Building Fully Traceable and Responsible Blue Foods Supply Chains” Event Theme (Photo: Claudia Sandell-Gándara)

Wholechain co-founders discuss traceability with the chefs of the evening and co-host, Paul Newnham of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub and Chefs’ Manifesto. In order from left to right: Chef Cristina Bowerman, Mark Kaplan, Jayson Berryhill, Chef Conor Spacey, Paul Newnham, (not visible: Chef Grace Ramirez), Chef João Rodrigues and Chef Kamilla Seidler. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.
Wholechain co-founders discuss traceability with the chefs of the evening and co-host, Paul Newnham of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub and Chefs’ Manifesto. In order from left to right: Chef Cristina Bowerman, Mark Kaplan, Jayson Berryhill, Chef Conor Spacey, Paul Newnham, (not visible: Chef Grace Ramirez), Chef João Rodrigues and Chef Kamilla Seidler. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.

Wholechain Co-Founders and Chefs Discuss Traceability with Paul Newnham of SDG2 Advocacy Hub and Chefs’ Manifesto – Featuring Cristina Bowerman, Mark Kaplan, Jayson Berryhill, Conor Spacey, João Rodrigues, Kamilla Seidler, and Grace Ramirez (Photo: Claudia Sandell-Gándara)

Advancing Sustainable Development Goals with Fully Traceable Seafood

The dinner was designed to drive progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Through presentations and discussions, guests explored how cutting-edge traceability technologies are shaping the future of responsible seafood and aquaculture supply chains—key components of the UN Global Compact’s Five Tipping Points for Healthy and Productive Oceans.

Attendees enjoyed sustainably sourced dishes featuring octopus, shrimp, white fish, and seaweed. Among the highlights were Cape Fish’s South African yellowfin tuna and Kvarøy Arctic’s Norwegian salmon, each meticulously traced using Wholechain’s blockchain-based transparency technology.

Throughout the event, QR codes enabled guests to dive deeper into the traceability process, offering insights into:

• Global Seafood Alliance & Envisible’s certification model supporting small-scale fishers, starting with Cape Fish in South Africa.

• Kvarøy Arctic’s sustainable aquaculture practices, including algae- and soy-based feed.

• Environmental Defense Fund & FAO’s collaboration to promote sustainable octopus fisheries in Portugal’s Algarve region.

• IDH: The Sustainable Trade Initiative & Wholechain’s efforts to ensure deforestation-free, fully traceable soy for aquaculture.

The dinner was designed to drive progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Through presentations and discussions, guests explored how cutting-edge traceability technologies are shaping the future of responsible seafood and aquaculture supply chains—key components of the UN Global Compact’s Five Tipping Points for Healthy and Productive Oceans.

Attendees enjoyed sustainably sourced dishes featuring octopus, shrimp, white fish, and seaweed. Among the highlights were Cape Fish’s South African yellowfin tuna and Kvarøy Arctic’s Norwegian salmon, each meticulously traced using Wholechain’s blockchain-based transparency technology.

Throughout the event, QR codes enabled guests to dive deeper into the traceability process, offering insights into:

• Global Seafood Alliance & Envisible’s certification model supporting small-scale fishers, starting with Cape Fish in South Africa.

• Kvarøy Arctic’s sustainable aquaculture practices, including algae- and soy-based feed.

• Environmental Defense Fund & FAO’s collaboration to promote sustainable octopus fisheries in Portugal’s Algarve region.

• IDH: The Sustainable Trade Initiative & Wholechain’s efforts to ensure deforestation-free, fully traceable soy for aquaculture.

Guilhermo do Couto Justo, Soy Program Manager of IDH Brazil (left), and Mark Kaplan, Co-Founder of Wholechain (right), introduce IDH and Wholechain’s collaboration around fully traceable, deforestation-free soy for aquaculture supply chains. Photo by Luis Rodrigues, courtesy of The Chefs’ Manifesto.
Guilhermo do Couto Justo, Soy Program Manager of IDH Brazil (left), and Mark Kaplan, Co-Founder of Wholechain (right), introduce IDH and Wholechain’s collaboration around fully traceable, deforestation-free soy for aquaculture supply chains. Photo by Luis Rodrigues, courtesy of The Chefs’ Manifesto.

Guilhermo do Couto Justo (IDH Brazil Soy Program Manager) and Mark Kaplan (Wholechain Co-Founder) Introduce Collaboration on Fully Traceable, Deforestation-Free Soy in Aquaculture (Photo: Luis Rodrigues, Chefs’ Manifesto)

Innovative Technologies Driving Sustainability

Beyond seafood, the dinner also spotlighted groundbreaking innovations that enhance sustainability in the supply chain:

• Cruz Foam: A biodegradable alternative to Styrofoam made from shrimp shells, offering an eco-friendly packaging solution.

• ORIVO: A biotechnology-driven verification system that ensures transparency in fish oil and other seafood-based products.

Beyond seafood, the dinner also spotlighted groundbreaking innovations that enhance sustainability in the supply chain:

• Cruz Foam: A biodegradable alternative to Styrofoam made from shrimp shells, offering an eco-friendly packaging solution.

• ORIVO: A biotechnology-driven verification system that ensures transparency in fish oil and other seafood-based products.

Kyle Nold, Founder of Cape Fish South Africa (left), Chef Kamilla Seidler of Chefs’ Manifesto (middle), and Brian Perkins, CEO of the Global Seafood Alliance (right), convened before dinner to discuss the importance of including artisanal fishers in sustainability initiatives and certification programs. Cape Fish, Envisible and the Global Seafood Alliance have advanced this effort through a sponsorship certification program, which Brian and Kyle highlighted during the Yellowfin Tuna course later that evening. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.
Kyle Nold, Founder of Cape Fish South Africa (left), Chef Kamilla Seidler of Chefs’ Manifesto (middle), and Brian Perkins, CEO of the Global Seafood Alliance (right), convened before dinner to discuss the importance of including artisanal fishers in sustainability initiatives and certification programs. Cape Fish, Envisible and the Global Seafood Alliance have advanced this effort through a sponsorship certification program, which Brian and Kyle highlighted during the Yellowfin Tuna course later that evening. Photo by Claudia Sandell-Gándara.

Kyle Nold (Cape Fish South Africa), Chef Kamilla Seidler (Chefs’ Manifesto), and Brian Perkins (Global Seafood Alliance CEO) Discuss Sustainability and Artisanal Fisher Inclusion – Highlighting Cape Fish and GSA’s Sponsorship Certification Initiative (Photo: Claudia Sandell-Gándara)

An Immersive Experience: “Life Below Water” at Ruinas do Carmo

As the evening progressed, the historic Ruinas do Carmo was transformed into a stunning underwater-inspired spectacle. A special “Life Below Water” light show, inspired by Lisbon Under the Stars, illuminated the venue, symbolizing the vital connection between sustainability initiatives, traceable supply chains, and ocean conservation.

Wholechain and its partners extend deep gratitude to Sandra Ojiambo, Assistant to the Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, for her leadership in championing traceable seafood. Special thanks also go to Paul Newnham, Keren Allen, and the dedicated teams at the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, The Chefs’ Manifesto, and LOHAD for bringing this impactful event to life.

As the evening progressed, the historic Ruinas do Carmo was transformed into a stunning underwater-inspired spectacle. A special “Life Below Water” light show, inspired by Lisbon Under the Stars, illuminated the venue, symbolizing the vital connection between sustainability initiatives, traceable supply chains, and ocean conservation.

Wholechain and its partners extend deep gratitude to Sandra Ojiambo, Assistant to the Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, for her leadership in championing traceable seafood. Special thanks also go to Paul Newnham, Keren Allen, and the dedicated teams at the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, The Chefs’ Manifesto, and LOHAD for bringing this impactful event to life.

“Life Below Water” Light Show at Ruinas do Carmo – Official High-Level Dinner of UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal (Photo: Ryan Rawson)

A Shared Commitment to a Sustainable Future

This milestone dinner underscored a global commitment to sustainable seafood, responsible aquaculture, and transparency in food sourcing. As the industry moves forward, traceability technologies and collaborative partnerships will continue to play a vital role in protecting our oceans, empowering small-scale fishers, and ensuring a thriving seafood industry for future generations.

Thank you to our co-sponsors and partners: UN Global Compact, Fed by Blue, Envisible, Startup Portugal, Environmental Defense Fund, IDH: The Sustainable Trade Initiative, Global Seafood Alliance, ORIVO, Cruz Foam, Kvarøy Arctic, Akua, and Sea & Flour.

This milestone dinner underscored a global commitment to sustainable seafood, responsible aquaculture, and transparency in food sourcing. As the industry moves forward, traceability technologies and collaborative partnerships will continue to play a vital role in protecting our oceans, empowering small-scale fishers, and ensuring a thriving seafood industry for future generations.

Thank you to our co-sponsors and partners: UN Global Compact, Fed by Blue, Envisible, Startup Portugal, Environmental Defense Fund, IDH: The Sustainable Trade Initiative, Global Seafood Alliance, ORIVO, Cruz Foam, Kvarøy Arctic, Akua, and Sea & Flour.

Wholechain representatives: Co-Founders Jayson Berryhill (left) and Mark Kaplan (middle), and Claudia Sandell-Gándara (right)

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