21 February 2022: 2022 NAMMCO Food Conference and Showcase

Marine Mammals – a Sustainable Food Resource

NAMMCO is organising the international conference and gastronomic showcase “Marine Mammals: A Sustainable Food Resource“, highlighting the use and importance of marine mammals as a food resource. The conference will be held on 5 and 6 October 2022 in the Nordic House in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.

Bringing together people from a range of backgrounds, including hunters and academics, chefs and policy makers, scientists and media the conference will focus on the importance of marine mammals as a food resource – today and in the future.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission in 1992. Sustainable harvesting of marine mammals for food defines NAMMCO and unites the member countries – the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Norway – who all share a strong commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 – to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Coastal communities around the world have used marine mammals sustainably for food for thousands of years and continue to do so. Many whale and seal populations are healthy and robust enough to support regulated and precautionary catches and represent a low-carbon, environmentally friendly and sustainable source of animal protein, with at least 85 different species of whales and seals consumed in over 100 countries around the world.

Adapting quality produce from marine mammals to new trends in modern gastronomy, such as New Nordic Cuisine, is bringing traditional marine-based food cultures into the 21st century, ensuring their continued relevance and interest especially for younger generations.

The conference will feature a special food event where international chefs will showcase how marine mammals are used in different food cultures, serving a variety of whale and seal dishes and showcasing the potential for more innovative use of marine mammals in modern gastronomy. 

NAMMCO’s international conference and modern gastronomic showcase aims to highlight the role of marine mammals – as a part of sustainable and resilient food systems and food cultures in the North Atlantic and around the world.

We hope to see you in the Faroes Islands – for more information contact nammco-sec@nammco.org