Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe is launching an Ocean Restoration Program to help tackle the loss of marine biodiversity in Europe.
Purina Europe is working with specialist organizations to help restore 1,500 hectares of marine habitats by 2030. Fish is part of Purina’s supply chain because it uses fish byproducts, which are parts of fish that are not consumed by humans but provides an important ingredient in pet food, to avoid waste.
Purina invests in its partners’ ocean restoration solutions across Europe with the aim of making them effective and scalable. Each partner targets species that are critical to restoring local marine habitats but are being depleted. The first phase of the program will last three years and prioritizes developing research, a measurement framework, and the conditions needed to scale up restoration solutions efficiently and effectively. The second phase is planned to start in 2026 and will focus on scaling proven solutions.
The Seagrass Consortium, represented by one of its founding partners, the Sea Ranger Service, develops solutions to plant seagrass meadows, a key habitat-forming species, which aids biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Oyster Heaven uses natural materials to rebuild lost oyster reefs. Oysters generate biodiversity, provide a home for many different species and are natural water filters, removing pollutants including excess nitrogen that help improve water quality. Better water quality allows more sunlight to reach the seagrass meadows, allowing them to thrive.
Urchinomic removes excess sea urchins, which overpopulate the seaweed (in this area, kelp) beds because their natural predators are significantly reduced. Their removal will help the kelp bounce back. Seaweed acts as a natural water purifier, providing habitats, food, and energy for many marine organisms, while absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon.
SeaForesteris uses techniques such as mobile seaweed nurseries to restore rapidly disappearing seaweed forests.
All of these solutions have been piloted in various locations and have the potential to be scaled. They are supported by scientific research and renowned academic organizations and emphasize community and local stakeholder engagement, Purina reported. One aspect of the program is to address common challenges commonly faced by partner organizations in restoration. Collaboration between program partners will help advance the science and methods of marine habitat restoration. Purina also works with several advisory partners that support the program.
Restoration efforts will take place in France (Arcachon Bay), the Netherlands (including Zeeland), Norway (Tromsø), and Portugal (Cascais & Peniche). Additional sites in Germany and the UK are being evaluated.
“We are pleased to launch Purina Europe’s first Ocean Restoration Program,” said Kerstin Schmeiduch, director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at Purina Europe. “With marine biodiversity in dramatic decline, a collective restoration effort is required. At Purina, we are committed to our role to help address the loss of marine biodiversity across our extended supply chain. Therefore, with our partner, we are taking an active role in helping to restore marine habitats on a European scale.”
The Ocean Restoration Program is part of Purina Europe’s wider commitment in helping to promote regeneration of oceans as well as land ecosystems. Purina remains committed to working toward its goal of ensuring 100% of its seafood ingredients are responsibly sourced or organic.
