Three days of chefs, scientists and fishing professionals…
And they all seemed to land on the same conclusion.
The Main Message?
Protecting the sea isn’t optional anymore.
As the congress wrapped up in Tenerife, director Benjamín Lana summed it up simply:
“The sea is worth much more alive than dead.”
Hard to argue with that.
More Than Just Gastronomy
The event brought together:
- Marine scientists
- Chefs
- Fishermen
- Tourism experts
All focused on the relationship between:
- Food
- Sustainability
- The future of the oceans
Tenerife’s Position
The Cabildo used the event to reinforce a message it’s pushing more often now:
Healthy oceans = sustainable tourism.
And realistically… for an island, that’s not exactly a small issue.
One Problem Highlighted
Spain is eating less fish.
Quite a lot less, actually.
According to Fedepesca:
- Consumption dropped from 24.6kg per person in 2014
- To just 17.99kg in 2025
And apparently the biggest decline is in households with children.
The Push for Fresh Fish
Several speakers defended:
- Seasonal fish
- Local fishing
- Cooking at home again
There was also criticism of:
- Ultra-processed food
- The idea that fish is “too expensive”
- The loss of cooking habits in general
Scientists Warned About Bigger Risks Too
Topics included:
- Overfishing
- Marine ecosystem collapse
- Climate change
- Ciguatera toxin risks in warmer waters
So yes… not exactly light lunchtime conversation.
Worth Knowing
What made this congress different was the mix.
Not just scientists talking to scientists…
But chefs, fishermen and researchers all trying to connect the dots.
And the overall message stayed pretty consistent throughout:
If the sea suffers…
Eventually everything else does too.