What will it take for blockchain to become a practical tool for seafood traceability? That was the central question explored during three Sea2See Focus Groups organised in March 2026 with seafood sector stakeholders in Greece, France, Portugal and Spain. Bringing together voices from fisheries, aquaculture, processing, retail, catering, public administration, technology providers and sector organisations, the sessions offered a lively snapshot of an industry ready to talk openly about the future of transparency.
The aim was clear: listen to the sector, understand the real-world challenges and identify the incentives that could turn digital traceability from a regulatory requirement into a shared opportunity. Participants mapped seafood value chains, discussed where information is lost, examined barriers to blockchain deployment, and proposed ideas to make adoption easier across different types of operators.
A strong message emerged across all three countries: traceability is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain. Stakeholders pointed to key moments where information can disappear or become diluted, especially at sea, at first sale, during auctions, in aggregation points, and wherever products from different origins are mixed. In aquaculture, participants highlighted the need to better structure and share information on production, feed, treatments, slaughter dates and farm-level records. Downstream, fishmongers, restaurants and consumer-facing outlets were also seen as crucial places where better communication could make traceability more visible and valuable.
The discussions also showed that the biggest obstacles are not simply technological. Connectivity at sea, access to devices, lack of training, low digital maturity and the daily pressure on small operators all influence whether a traceability system can work in practice. Participants were clear that tools must be simple, useful and adapted to real operations, rather than adding another layer of paperwork.
Cost was another recurring concern. Who pays for platforms, equipment, maintenance and training? And who benefits most? Stakeholders noted that larger retailers, importers and vertically integrated companies may be better placed to capture value from digital traceability, while smaller producers may need stronger support to participate. Public funding, fiscal incentives and clear business benefits were therefore seen as important levers for adoption.
At the same time, the mood was far from pessimistic. Across the Focus Groups, participants recognised the potential of blockchain as a trust-building layer for seafood traceability. Its value lies not only in recording information, but in helping make data more reliable, transparent and difficult to manipulate. For consumers, this could mean clearer stories about origin, sustainability and product quality. For companies, it could mean faster documentation, stronger supply chain control and better differentiation in competitive markets.
The Sea2See Focus Groups confirmed that the seafood sector is not asking whether traceability matters. It is asking how to make it work. The answer points toward practical tools, targeted training, interoperable systems, protection of confidential business data, and collaboration led by public authorities, sector organisations, retailers, importers and technology providers.
Blockchain will not solve every challenge on its own. But with the right incentives and a sector-led approach, it can become part of a smarter, more transparent and more trusted seafood future.
Contributor: Carlos Mazorra, Smartwater Planet