Smart4Sea
Improving environmental traceability in the Atlantic seafood sector: transparency from sea to plate and consumer engagement
Programme: Interreg Atlantic Area
Consortium: 10 partners from 4 different countries (1 cluster in France; 1 university and 2 RTOs in Spain; 2 universities in Ireland; 2 universities, 1 technical centre and 1 company in Portugal)
Dates: December 2025 to April 2028 (2.5 years)
Amount: €2.35 million
Theme: Traceability of seafood products
The overall objective of SMART4SEA is to conduct in-depth research, develop and implement an environmental traceability system that combats fraud, environmental impacts, marine litter and waste generation in the seafood sector. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the project will develop traceability and circular economy strategies, as well as innovative solutions that will significantly boost consumer confidence in sustainable products and help to strengthen the sector.
Specific objectives and ambitions
- Improve data collection and traceability throughout the seafood value chain using IoT, edge computing and blockchain to ensure reliable, real-time information flows.
- Develop an environmental traceability framework that integrates digital traceability with LCA-based indicators to assess and communicate the environmental performance of seafood products.
- Reduce waste, emissions and marine pollution, including microplastics, through circular strategies and better resource management, in line with the EU’s sustainability objectives.
- Strengthen cooperation between Atlantic regions (fishermen, processors, research centres, public authorities and industrial clusters) by promoting knowledge exchange and the coordination of actions.
- Empower consumers through accessible and reliable information, via smart environmental labels (QR/NFC) that encourage sustainable consumption choices.
- Support policy harmonisation and innovation by involving regulators, industry and civil society in the transition to a fair, resilient and low-impact blue economy.
Project beneficiaries
The project aims to improve traceability and transparency throughout the seafood value chain. As such, there are many and varied direct beneficiaries: the primary beneficiary is the end consumer, along with all upstream stakeholders – namely restaurants, distributors, fishmongers, as well as fishermen and processors.
Would you like to find out more? Let’s discuss it!
Tanguy Busnel
European Project Officer
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