FEBRUARY 28TH, PORTUGAL: Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe, SeaForester and other expert organisations have kicked off an ocean restoration programme to help tackle marine biodiversity loss in Europe. Ocean health and marine life are under threat as a result of climate change and human activities.

Purina Europe is partnering with SeaForester and other expert ocean restoration organisations to help restore more than 1,500 hectares of marine habitats by 2030. Fish is part of Purina’s supply chain because it uses fish by-products, which are parts of fish that are not consumed by humans but provide a valuable ingredient in pet food, so that nothing goes to waste.     

SeaForester, an environmental impact company based in Portugal, has emerged as a key player in the global movement to restore seaweed ecosystems. SeaForester is developing innovative seaforestation techniques and mobile seaweed nurseries to bring back seaweed forests and boost the value of coastal regions around the world.  

Purina is investing in its partners’ ocean restoration solutions across Europe to make these effective and scalable. Each partner targets species that contribute to restoring the locally critical marine habitats that are being lost. The first phase of the programme will last three years and prioritises the development of research, a measurement framework and the conditions to scale up the restoration solutions efficiently. The second phase is planned to start in 2026 and will focus on scaling the proven solutions.  

All these solutions have been piloted in various locations and have the potential to be scaled. They are supported by scientific research and renowned academic organisations and place a strong emphasis on community and local stakeholder engagement. An important feature of the programme is to address the common challenges that the restoration partner organisations typically face. Collaboration between the partners in this programme will help advance science and methodologies in marine habitat restoration. Effective marine habitat restoration requires a collective effort. Therefore, Purina is also working with a number of advisory partners* supporting the programme.

Restoration efforts will take place in France (Arcachon Bay), the Netherlands (including Zeeland), Norway (Tromsø), and Portugal (Cascais & Peniche), while additional sites in Germany and the UK are being developed.

Kerstin Schmeiduch, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at Purina Europe, said: “I am delighted that we are embarking on our first ocean restoration programme, which takes a system-based approach to restoring marine habitats. Ocean health is essential to the health of our planet and to ensuring the resilience of our supply chain, since fish by-products are key ingredients for Purina. At Purina Europe we know that we cannot solve this challenge alone, and so we look forward to helping promote marine biodiversity in collaboration with our group of expert partners across Europe.”

Pål Bakken, Founder and CEO of SeaForester, said: “We are excited to be joining Purina Europe’s Ocean Restoration Programme to tackle one of the world’s most pressing challenges – the restoration of our natural habitats. Our ambitions align perfectly with Purina Europe´s broader commitment to help advance the regeneration of ocean ecosystems. This project demonstrates how a partnership between a large industry player and organisations dedicated to the restoration of natural ecosystems can work together to provide a business case for the sustainable use of our ocean. We hope this initiative also will encourage other companies to act  – to start planting trees in the ocean and not only on land.” 

About Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe:

Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe believes that when people and pets bond, life becomes richer. This is why, for more than 125 years, it has been committed to creating richer lives for pets and the people who love them through high-quality nutrition and care.

With the ambition of becoming Europe’s most trusted pet care company, Purina Europe aims to have a positive impact on pets, people, and the planet. In 2022, the company launched six new Purina Commitments (2023-2030) to help reach this goal, to support adoption and responsible pet ownership, help the wellbeing of people in vulnerable situations and support the regeneration of soil and ocean ecosystems.The Purina portfolio includes many of the best-known and best-loved pet foods including Felix®, PurinaONE®, Gourmet® and Pro Plan®.

For more information about the company, visit the Purina website: https://www.purina.eu/

More information on Purina Europe’s Ocean Restoration Programme and Purina’s Commitments can be found here