The recent white paper Ocean in the Boardroom, developed by Ocean Decade Australia in collaboration with the University of Sydney, makes an important and timely point: nature and natural capital — across terrestrial, freshwater, atmospheric and ocean systems — are rapidly emerging as material governance, risk and strategic considerations.
Regulatory reform, investor scrutiny, evolving disclosure frameworks, and accelerating physical and transition risks are reshaping expectations of board oversight and decision-making. Based on a national survey of Australian chairs and non-executive directors, the report finds that ocean issues rarely reach board agendas. Only 20% of directors engage directly on ocean topics, and when they do, discussion is often bundled with broader environmental themes such as waste or freshwater.
This is a valuable contribution to the national conversation.
But it also reveals something equally important.
Consumers are absent.
The report is framed — understandably — through the lens of boards, investors, risk and disclosure. It focuses on governance maturity, scientific capability, and the development of stronger metrics and oversight mechanisms. It highlights that the most engaged boards are those investing in expertise, education, and forward-looking strategy.
All of those matter.
However, the ocean system does not end in the boardroom. It ends in the household.
For seafood in particular, the ultimate signal in the system is not investor sentiment. It is consumer demand.
Consumers influence what is harvested, how it is farmed, how it is processed, what is stocked on shelves, and what succeeds in the marketplace. Consumer trust affects brand value. Consumer expectations influence regulatory reform. Consumer affordability pressures shape access to nutritious protein.
In governance language, that makes consumers a material stakeholder.
If ocean systems are emerging as material risks to boards, then consumer confidence, transparency, and affordability are emerging as material risks to ocean-dependent industries.
The white paper rightly notes that ocean governance is often driven by scientific capability. Directors who engage deeply tend to have STEM backgrounds, seek expert input, and invest in learning. That is encouraging. Science is essential to understanding stock health, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
But sustainable seafood systems require more than scientific data. They require integration of consumer insight — behaviour patterns, nutritional needs, cultural preferences, price sensitivity, and levels of understanding about sustainability and traceability.
Science tells us what is biologically sustainable.
Consumers determine what is economically viable.
Both must be integrated if governance frameworks are to be effective.
The report also highlights that more mature boards demonstrate clearer strategy, expert engagement, and stronger metrics and disclosure. This is a powerful concept that can extend beyond the boardroom. If disclosure and metrics are essential for managing investor risk, they are equally essential for empowering consumers.
Transparent labelling, standardised seafood names, country-of-origin clarity, traceability systems, and accessible sustainability indicators are not simply marketing tools. They are governance mechanisms that allow consumers to participate meaningfully in sustainable ocean outcomes.
A thriving and sustainable ocean future will not be achieved solely through regulatory reform or investor scrutiny. It will be strengthened by informed and engaged seafood consumers who understand where their food comes from and how their choices influence ocean health.
The Seafood Consumers Association believes the next phase of ocean governance must complete the loop. Boards and regulators are critical. Scientific expertise is critical. But so too are structured consumer representation and insight within policy and industry frameworks.
Ocean stewardship is not only a board-level responsibility. It is a system-level responsibility.
And in that system, consumers are not peripheral.
They are central.
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