The sea influences what we eat, our health, the economy, the climate, and even many of the innovations that will shape the future. Yet, despite its importance, it remains one of the least understood environments on the planet.
According to the latest estimates, more than 80% of the ocean floor has still not been mapped, and 91% of marine species have yet to be discovered. In 2025 alone, the scientific community identified 866 new species. These figures reveal a remarkable reality: we know more about the surface of some planets than we do about large parts of the Earth’s oceans.¹
¹ Fonte: Alici&co. – The Good Blue, n. 12, Delicius, 2026. Dati elaborati da fonti scientifiche internazionali e Ocean Census 2025.
The sea at the centre of the debate
From this awareness emerged the fifth edition of Be Blue – The Sea Conference, the initiative promoted by Delicius that each year brings together research, business, retail and society to explore the role of the sea in our present and our future.
The 2026 edition focused on a theme that is both simple and strategic: the sea as a resource, growth, responsibility and the future.
This concept moves beyond the traditional view of the sea as merely a source of food supply and restores its broader dimension: an ecosystem upon which health, economic development, food security and innovation all depend.
Businesses and responsibility: growth with the sea in mind
Opening the discussion was the round-table session “Businesses and Responsibility”, moderated by Andrea Cabrini, Editor-in-Chief of Class CNBC.
Irene Rizzoli, Chief Executive Officer of Delicius, Stefano Pogutz of One Ocean Foundation and Andrea Mottarelli, Country Head Italy at DWS – Deutsche Bank Italia, addressed an increasingly important issue for businesses: how to reconcile economic growth, the protection of marine resources and responsibility towards society.
The contribution of scientific research
One of the key moments of Be Blue 2026 was dedicated to scientific research, thanks to contributions from Martina Cirlini, Lecturer and Researcher in Food Chemistry at the University of Parma, and Alessandra Dei Cas, Associate Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases at the University of Parma and member of the INRC Board.
Martina Cirlini presented research aimed at developing an innovative analytical methodology capable of identifying and quantifying the vitamins and trace elements actually present in preserved oily fish products. The study expands understanding of the nutritional profile of these products, going beyond the well-established role of Omega-3 fatty acids and highlighting additional naturally occurring bioactive compounds.
Alessandra Dei Cas presented the scientific evidence underpinning the Longevity Nutrition Program, a project developed by Delicius with the support of the National Institute for Cardiovascular Research (INRC). The research focuses on the role of Omega-3 fatty acids in promoting the regeneration of endothelial progenitor cells, thereby contributing to cardiovascular health and encouraging a preventive, long-term approach to nutrition and wellbeing.
This work forms part of Delicius’ broader commitment to supporting research projects and collaborations with the academic community, with the aim of transforming scientific knowledge into practical tools that improve people’s wellbeing.
The sea through the lens of consumer behaviour
But what is the real value of the marine economy within the fast-moving consumer goods sector?
This question was addressed by Matteo Bonù, Food Industry Leader at NielsenIQ, through an analysis of FMCG data and the key trends reshaping the industry.
The analysis revealed that behind an apparently stable market lies a profoundly changed consumer: more purchasing occasions, lower loyalty to brands and retailers, and growing attention towards products perceived as healthy, contemporary and culturally relevant.
According to NielsenIQ, a significant share of growth in the FMCG sector is now driven by a genuine “amplifier effect”, fuelled by social media, nutrition professionals, word-of-mouth recommendations and new dietary habits. In recent years, this phenomenon has benefited categories such as Greek yoghurt, kefir, seeds and exotic fruits, and is now beginning to influence the seafood sector as well.
In this context, the seafood industry represents a sector of major economic importance: fish alone generates more than €9 billion in sales within modern retail channels, rising to over €10 billion when products containing marine ingredients or derivatives are also included.
Among the most interesting case studies is that of sardines, which in France are evolving from a cultural and social media phenomenon into a genuine consumer trend. This highlights opportunities that still exist in the Italian market, where the category’s growth potential has yet to be fully realised.
This perspective is closely linked to the path undertaken by Delicius through its Longevity Programme, created to promote oily fish through a narrative that combines wellbeing, flavour, scientific research and food culture.
Retail and new consumer habits
Changes in purchasing behaviour were at the heart of the round-table discussion “Habits and Revolution”, enriched by the academic perspective of Guido Cristini, Professor of Agri-food Marketing Strategies at the University of Parma.
Joining the discussion were Maniele Tasca for Gruppo Selex, Giorgio Santambrogio for Gruppo VéGé, Giangiacomo Ibba for CRAI, and Andrea Maggioni, Delicius’ Development General Manager.
The session provided an opportunity to examine the role of retail in translating emerging consumer needs and new trends into product assortments, communication strategies and new consumption occasions, thereby contributing to category growth and the spread of a more informed culture of the sea.
A sea still waiting to be discovered
The thread connecting the entire edition was Pelagia noctiluca, the bioluminescent jellyfish chosen as the symbol of Be Blue 2026 and of the twelfth issue of Alici&co. – The Good Blue.
The choice reflects the idea of a sea that still holds countless aspects waiting to be explored and understood.
The same message was echoed in the closing speech by marine biologist Roberto Danovaro, who encouraged the audience to view the sea as a complex system, still largely unexplored yet essential to the future of the planet.
Understanding in order to value
Perhaps the most important message to emerge from Be Blue 2026 is this: we cannot value what we do not understand.
Understanding the sea means understanding its role in our diet, our health, the economy and the quality of life of future generations. It means creating a dialogue between research, businesses, retailers and consumers in order to build an increasingly informed and responsible culture of the sea.
Because the sea is not merely a resource for the present.
It is one of the greatest opportunities we have for the future.
