SeaHive created as network map for sustainable seafood movement

The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions has created a free, interactive tool connecting seafood experts and initiatives around the globe, called SeaHive.

The alliance co-designed SeaHive with support from Seafood 2030 and a diverse working group of 15 members of the Alliance Global Hub, representing different seafood stakeholder groups. Facilitating connections with individuals in the seafood industry to increase collaboration opportunities and overall collective impact was a goal of this project and is primary objectives of the group. 

Ipswich Shellfish Sustainability Coordinator Andrea O’Donnell said the complexity of issues in seafood sustainability and the broad set of organizations, companies, geographies, and initiatives involved in the sustainable seafood movement can make it a difficult issue for seafood companies to navigate.

“Players and projects in the seafood industry change so quickly, it can be hard to keep track of them all,” O’Donnell said. “Being positioned in the middle of the supply chain, having access to SeaHive helps us stay more connected with colleagues in other sectors of the industry and in the loop with current projects.”

SeaHive is designed to support networking between individuals, according to Aquaculture Stewardship Council U.S. Market Development Manager Kathleen McDavitt.

“SeaHive will be a useful resource to check in with before beginning a new project to make sure there isn’t overlap of efforts or funding,” McDavitt said. “It is also a helpful way for us to find new consultants and partners to strengthen our work, since I can search by topic and expertise.”

SeaHive was launched internally to the alliance’s Global Hub members in August 2022 and now inviting anyone interested in exploring and connecting with other stakeholders in sustainable seafood to join the platform. This public launch coincides with the alliance’s 2022 annual conference from 14 to 17 November, which will include a virtual plenary session that will explore three new seafood mapping systems recently or soon to be released. Representatives from Seafood 2030, the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, and the alliance will discuss how their respective networking tools have taken very different, yet complimentary, development approaches and how they can be used in conjunction with one another to address the sector's complexity.

“The seafood system is a unique space in which there are both great opportunities and challenges to advance sustainability,” Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions Senior Director of Operations and Development Meaghan Hudgins said. “We’re hopeful these mapping tools will help provide clarity and connection across stakeholders.”

The Alliance team plans to continue evolving SeaHive over time to keep pace with the needs and interests of its users. There is no fee to join and a quick start guide to getting started can be found on the alliance’s website.

Photo courtesy of The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions