Crown Princess Victoria gave the opening address at SEABOS’s three-day working meeting to discuss research and innovations related to sustainable seafood production and marine health.
In her speech, the Swedish royal noted about the coronavirus pandemic that it has shown all of us “the power of cooperation and science.”
SEABOS, or Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship, will meet this week to discuss issues including “IUU Fishing (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated), human rights, climate change, plastic in the oceans, antibiotic use,” as well as planning for its autumn meeting in October.
Crown Princess Victoria began her speech by mentioning her attendance at the virtual Nobel Prize Summit ‘Our Planet – Our Future,’ and how she was struck by “the importance of science and the need to accelerate change” and how the consistent messaging had been “that we need more collaboration between disciplines and more cooperation between science and industry. Business needs to work with science and to lead the necessary change.”
She continued: “I have understood that you are making substantial progress, working hard to reach your bold goals from last December. Keeping up the pace, despite this stubborn pandemic. Meeting more than ever. And becoming braver in sharing data. I have also learnt that tangible results are starting to show after years of SeaBOS work. This makes me very happy. Great work!”
“And now, I will ask you to work even harder. Because there are still so many problems that need to be solved: illegal fishing, labour abuse, endangered species, antibiotics, plastics, carbon emissions and more. We need promises, but more than anything, we need concrete results. I know I am asking you for a lot. And I appreciate how much that is being required from you. But remember, you are not alone. You have the same scientists on your team that recently helped mobilize Nobel Laureates and political leaders. You are in good company. These scientists help you stay ahead, and with this head start, you will be able to deliver the results that the world needs. Ladies and gentlemen: I wish you the best of luck with this meeting and I look forward to following your work!”
SEABOS companies represent 10% of the world’s seafood production, and there are over 600 subsidiary companies involved.
