World’s Leading Fishing Industry and Researchers Gather in IJmuiden, the Netherlands

The countdown is on! With just 30 days to go, the Catch Welfare Platform (CWP) is preparing for its third annual conference, taking place 19–21 November 2025 at Fort Island in the port of IJmuiden, the Netherlands.

The free, in-person event will unite global experts from science, the fishing industry, retail and technology to advance welfare for wild-caught fish and crustaceans; an issue gaining growing attention across the seafood sector. Co-Founder and manager Michelle Boonstra said:

“We are looking forward to the conference and are very happy to see strong interest from across the global industry. With already more than 100 seats taken, we encourage anyone who wishes to attend to register soon to claim one of the remaining places.

“Our main objective is to ensure that expectations and advancements in this field remain science-based and compatible with the daily practice of the industry. These are essential considerations as we move through this transition.”

The in-person conference provides a key platform for the latest cutting-edge innovations from science and industry in the field of catch welfare.  The event is an opportunity to meet and hear from the pioneers who are driving change in the seafood industry.

Innovation and Industry Collaboration 

This year, CWP will host its first Catch Welfare Innovation Award and Advancing Catch Welfare Idea Challenge, designed to highlight and support practical innovation in fish welfare.

Oliver McBride, Editor of The Fishing Daily, says: “Being invited onto the judging panel for the Catch Welfare Platform Innovation and Challenge Awards has been fantastic. The number of researchers and fishermen working to improve catch welfare is great to see, and I hope to see some of the Challenges come to fruition in the future.”

Hoang Nguyen, Sustainability Coordinator at the Vietnam Tuna Association (Vinatuna), added:  “I am proud to be a part of the Catch Welfare Platform and attending its conference because it offers a rare and good space where science and industry truly listen to each other. From Vietnam, I hope not only to learn but to contribute — by sharing the real challenges of our wild tuna fisheries, exploring practical welfare solutions, and raising ideas for collaboration.”

Claus Reedtz Sparrevohn, Scientific Advisor at Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation (DPPO), says:

“The Catch Welfare Platform and this conference provide the industry with a unique opportunity to become an active and constructive partner when discussing and improving fish welfare in commercial fishery.”

Fisheries Policy Manager with the SFF, Nina Valentine says:

“The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is committed to supporting the transfer of knowledge between the fishing industry, academia and policy makers to ensure that any emerging guidance on catch welfare is well informed, realistic and feasible.”

Michelle Boonstra confirmed the programme for presentations is now full, and she is looking forward to hearing from each one. She is especially proud of the range of presentations addressing different but relevant issues from technological matters like “What can AI do for Catch Welfare?” to more market focused issues like the session on Welfare Indicators and Criteria being presented on Day 2 of the conference.

Registration and Live Streaming 

Registration is free and open now via the Catch Welfare Platform conference page.
With just 30 days to go, in-person places are filling-up fast.

For those wishing to attend in-person, there are excursions on Day 2 within the port of IJmuiden. There is the chance to go onboard an innovative demersal fishing vessel, where a pilot model of a flatfish stunner is presented and the opportunity to visit a major pelagic fishing company.

All this, with demonstrations of innovation and networking opportunities with like-minded people from all over the world makes the CWP Conference 2025 the best catch welfare event this year.

To view the full programme and secure your registration (in-person or online), please visit: https://catchwelfareplatform.com/third-conference/