ILVO is currently developing a tool to score and visualize the economic, ecological and social sustainability of Belgian caught fish in the EFF axis 4 VALDUVIS project. The sustainability of the fish is determined using a comprehensive set of science-based indicators developed by ILVO. This tool can assess the sustainability of each individual fishing trip, based on real-time electronic logbook data and is therefore more accurate than the existing sustainable seafood information systems, which are treating fisheries in a more general way. Furthermore, a full traceability of the fish will be assured, as traceability data in the logbook will be directly linked to a tag on the fishing crate. The VALDUVIS methodology will be ready-to-use by the end of September 2014.

ILVO is now thinking of broadening the scope of the project to a North Sea level. First steps are already being taken in the interreg Vb North Sea Fish project (www.northseafish.eu). ILVO visited various fish auction to disseminate the VALDUVIS concept and to look for synergies between the already existing initiatives. In general, we saw a lot of enthusiasm for the idea and willingness to cooperate in the future.

The ultimate goal is to obtain one standardized system for the North Sea region to score, visualize and communicate the traceability and sustainability of landed fish in the fish auctions.

In the long term, an information system on sustainability could trigger a shift towards more sustainable fishing. The seafood market is characterized by an increasing demand for sustainable seafood, therefore fish with a good sustainability score would have an improved position in the market. We expect this to result in better sales, better prices and an economic incentive for fishermen to adopt sustainable fishing practices at a faster rate. This could eventually lead to increased sustainability of the whole sector

• Pilots of the VALDUVIS tool in the fisheries sector of the project partners 
• Assessment whether an up scaling of the tool to a North Sea Level is feasible
• Adaptation and fine tuning of the VALDUVIS tool in a North Sea context
• Benchmarking of the sustainability indicators on an North Sea level
• Study of the communication of traceability and sustainability of fish in the North Sea region

• Abertay University

We are looking for partners; research institutes, fish auctions, fish producer organizations, fisheries communities etc.;  to

• Run a pilot of the VALDUVIS tool in the fisheries sector of their own region
• Assess whether an up scaling of the tool to a North Sea Level is feasible
• Adapt and fine tune the VALDUVIS tool in a North Sea context
• Rethink communication about sustainable fishing in the North Sea region
• Benchmark the sustainability indicators on an North Sea level
• Study the communication of traceability and sustainability of fish in the North Sea region