This concept is nothing new, but it is high time we officially normalize it. Years ago in the early 2000s, during a brown bag session at Conservation International, I overheard a comment that caught my attention. These lunchtime sessions, where colleagues shared their work informally, were typically casual, and I was only half-listening. But between daydreams, heard someone refer to seafood as wildlife, and that single word choice jolted me. Like most people, I had until that point, always viewed seafood as a commodity- something extracted from the ocean, inherently abundant and endlessly available. But that comment nudged me to consider a different perspective. History, society and profit margins have unintentionally conditioned us to overlook the ocean’s inhabitants as wildlife, ignoring the complexity of their ecosystems and the impact of our actions on their survival? Cod, sardines, and tuna, in the eyes of the consumer, went the same way as iron, coal, and timber- resources to be extracted, rather than wildlife to be preserved.

To understand why this reframing matters, we need to start with definitions. Traditionally, wildlife refers to undomesticated animals that live in their natural habitats- wolves, bears, tigers, and so on. Ask your neighbor to name three examples of wildlife and I’ll bet you a dollar they answer one of those animals. These species symbolize the untamed world, and we have long rallied to protect them through legislation and public campaigns. Chickens and cows, however, penned in farms and served at the dinner table, are far from appearing in a NATURE documentary. Seafood, though caught in the wild, is defined as fish and shellfish intended for human consumption. This label places marine animals in a different category, often viewed through the lens of supply and demand rather than conservation.

This distinction may seem arbitrary, but it’s significant. We don’t refer to other wild animals primarily by their culinary potential; no one talks about tigers, wolves, or eagles as “landfood.” So why do we treat fish, shrimp, and octopus as consumables rather than as integral components of their ecosystems? This divide is likely rooted in our perception of abundance. Marine mammals, like seals or orcas, are typically seen as wildlife, worthy of conservation efforts. But tuna, salmon, grouper, and shrimp are abundant in our minds- a seemingly endless resource for the taking. Yet, these species are no less wild, no less integral to ocean ecosystems, than the iconic animals we associate with wilderness on land.

Rethinking seafood as wildlife isn’t about changing minds about what people should or shouldn’t eat. Rather, it’s about broadening the conversation and examining our assumptions. I Knowledge is power, and consumers, policymakers, and conservationists alike benefit from a fuller understanding of what’s at stake. If we began to see tuna as the ocean’s equivalent of wolves or grouper as akin to grizzly bears, would the general consumer approach marine conservation differently? Would we be more open to supporting robust marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices?

Many people are uneasy about consuming animals that society has deemed precious or emblematic of the wild. For example, eating a bald eagle would be unthinkable to most, and using bear bile for medicinal purposes is widely controversial. If people were to view fish in the same light, as fellow creatures of the wild, it might lead to a shift in choices, both in consumption and in conservation. Similarly, if people who shudder at the thought of eating a wild cat were to view grouper or octopus through the same lens, they might pause and reconsider.

This is nothing impossible- we’ve been here before. For centuries, whale blubber was treated purely as a commodity, fueling the lamps of homes across the globe and powering the engines of a growing industrial society. The oil derived from this blubber, extracted from the thick layers of fat beneath a whale’s skin, became so prized that entire species of whales were driven to the brink of extinction. Whaling fleets scoured the oceans in search of this valuable resource, killing thousands upon thousands of whales to meet the relentless demand for oil to light streets, lubricate machinery, and even make soap and cosmetics. However, as society progressed and came to understand whales not as resources but as intelligent, social, and majestic creatures- integral to marine ecosystems and deserving of respect- a profound shift took place. Whales were no longer seen as fuel or raw material but as wildlife, invaluable for their role in the natural world. With this change in perspective, whaling was banned in many parts of the world, and new laws protected these animals, fostering a global effort to restore whale populations. Today, not even the most nostalgic person would consider lighting a whale oil lamp for tradition’s sake, and this evolution in understanding reflects how our values can shift dramatically once we recognize that some things should be preserved, not consumed.

The science of conservation underscores that the ocean is in crisis. Overfishing, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction are devastating marine biodiversity. But because fish and shellfish are seen as commodities rather than part of our wildlife heritage, conservation policies often fall short of what’s needed. When land animals face population declines, we often act swiftly to protect them. Extending that same concern to marine life could have a transformative impact on conservation policy. Normalizing fish as wildlife would allow us to view marine protected areas not merely as regulatory zones but as havens for vital, wild creatures.

This rebrand could also lend new weight to the concept of marine protected areas. Terrestrial protected areas serve to conserve wildlife in part by creating spaces where they can live free from exploitation. When fish and other marine animals are seen as wildlife, it becomes easier to advocate for similar protections in the ocean. The debate then shifts from simply regulating a food source to preserving an essential part of the natural world.

Suggesting that we normalize seafood as wildlife doesn’t mean launching a campaign or advocating for dietary changes. Instead, it’s a quiet nudge, a subtle reframing that could reshape the conversation over time. Small shifts in language can have lasting impacts on how we think, act, and legislate. This isn’t about making moral judgments on what people eat; it’s about helping people see the ocean’s creatures with fresh eyes, as part of our shared wildlife heritage.

Just as our colleagues in conservation have redefined the “ocean” as one interconnected system, we can slowly see the impacts of our language ripple across the globe. Perhaps by collectively and consistently recognizing fish, shellfish, and marine life as wildlife, we can help foster a more unified approach to ocean conservation- one that sees marine life not as commodities to be taken but as wild species to be protected, respected, and preserved. After all, reframing how we talk about the ocean and its inhabitants may be one of the simplest, most powerful conservation tools we have.

Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, SEVENSEAS Media

Giacomo Abrusci, Founder and Executive Director, SEVENSEAS Media

As the world responds to the results of this recent U.S. election, we at SEVENSEAS Media spent the last hours reminding ourselves of the power of resilience and unity. A new Trump presidency will present serious challenges to environmental policies both in the United States and globally, but it’s crucial to remember that the strength to protect our planet and our communities lies within each of us. In times like these, our collective commitment becomes even more essential. Through action, education, and unwavering dedication, SEVENSEAS has long been committed to elevating ocean conservation and environmental awareness- and this will continue, no matter the political landscape.

A Trump administration will likely affect key environmental protections. In his previous term, over 100 environmental safeguards were rolled back, including those protecting air quality, water resources, and public lands (source: “Trump Administration’s Major Environmental Deregulations,” Harvard Law School’s Environmental & Energy Law Program, 2020). This pattern is expected to continue, impacting public health, biodiversity, and climate resilience in the U.S. and beyond. With the potential rollback of clean energy investments and reduced regulations, the United States, one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters (source: “Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2023), may once again step back from its critical role in mitigating global climate change.

While climate policy could face setbacks, this moment also serves as a call for resilience across all pressing issues. We remain hopeful for a future free from war, for an end to the toll on human suffering, and for progress on the many challenges our world faces. Environmental issues are interconnected with these broader struggles, and we continue to advocate for a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world.

SEVENSEAS Media has always believed that true environmental protection does not rely solely on government action. Much of the environmental movement’s power and progress come from individuals, donors, and dedicated volunteers. We have inspired hundreds of thousands to take meaningful action for our oceans and ecosystems, and we will continue to do so. The work we do, whether with environmental restoration, educational outreach, or global conservation partnerships, bridges the gaps where policy may fall short, demonstrating that collective passion and commitment can drive real change.

To those feeling overwhelmed by the challenges ahead, know that your focus on personal impact and areas of passion can help prevent burnout. Environmental work doesn’t mean addressing every issue alone; rather, it’s about building a resilient community of advocates dedicated to specific causes. Our strength as a global community has always come from our willingness to come together, support one another, and stand up for what matters. We encourage everyone to maintain their health, happiness, and purpose as they support the causes that resonate most deeply with them.

SEVENSEAS Media remains committed to inspiring, educating, and supporting the global environmental community. We have spent years bringing hope, knowledge, and action to protect our oceans and the world’s diverse ecosystems. As we look forward, we know that with your help, we will continue to make an impact. Together, we will stay resilient, purposeful, and hopeful in our journey to protect and nurture the world we share.

The landscape of environmental conservation has changed dramatically, and it is now much harder to predict where someone will be in their career five or ten years from now. It used to basically be straightforward. If you were a marine biologist, for example, you could reasonably anticipate what your job would look like over time: internship, field work, lab work, data, spreadsheets, applying for funding, then considering quitting and becoming yoga instructor (we’ve all been there). Common interview questions like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” made sense because, while demanding, the field was relatively stable. Now, with the rapid emergence of new technologies, innovation, and artificial intelligence, the ability to predict a career path in conservation is becoming less clear. In fact, this unpredictability might be one of the defining features of careers in conservation going forward.

Take the example of a marine biologist doing fish transects. Only a few years ago, it was routine for someone to spend hours in the water with a waterproof clipboard and pencil, counting fish species and documenting their findings manually. This data would then be analyzed after returning to the surface, often taking weeks to process. Fast forward to today, and much of this fieldwork can now be automated. Drones and underwater remote sensing technologies, coupled with AI, can now scan, document, and process this information more quickly and accurately than a human can, reducing the time spent in the water and allowing scientists to focus on analyzing and interpreting the results instead of simply collecting data. The rise of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and AI-powered image recognition software is just one example of how traditional conservation methods are being outpaced by technology (source: https://www.wwf.org.uk/wildlife-technology).

In this rapidly changing landscape, the most responsible thing a conservation professional can do is stay ahead of the technological curve. By embracing new technologies and constantly learning, you protect yourself from being left behind. It’s easy to dismiss platforms like TikTok as irrelevant to the field of conservation, but, as a communications tool, social media has become essential in raising awareness and garnering support for environmental causes. I myself didn’t buy into a handful of social media platforms, but it turns out that staying ahead of these trends is crucial. As technologies evolve, so too do the ways we communicate, research, and interact with the natural world. Not keeping up with these trends can leave you feeling like you’re left behind.

We’ve already seen some traditional practices become obsolete. For example, manual wildlife tracking, which once relied on extensive fieldwork and visual confirmation, has been supplanted by satellite tracking collars, drone surveillance, and AI-driven data analysis. Conservationists who fail to learn and adapt to these advancements risk being left behind as technology takes over core functions of the field. For instance, AI and machine learning are now being used to identify endangered species through sound analysis in remote ecosystems. Acoustic sensors in forests can detect species based on their calls, while AI sorts through the data much faster than a team of human analysts could (source: https://theconversation.com/could-ai-help-save-the-planet). This shift from hands-on fieldwork to tech-based monitoring represents a significant change in the career paths of those in the conservation space.

Looking to the future, technology and AI will continue to shape the conservation field in ways we are only beginning to imagine. AI can improve decision-making by predicting the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, helping conservationists allocate resources more effectively. For example, AI can help identify areas most vulnerable to deforestation, so governments and NGOs can prioritize their efforts. Blockchain technology may also help track the trade of species by creating transparent, unalterable records that follow the wildlife from capture to sale. In terms of AI’s future applications, we can expect AI-driven tools to help model ocean ecosystems under different climate scenarios, guiding policy decisions that could mitigate further damage.

With these advancements come new challenges. Technology doesn’t only benefit conservationists, it can also be exploited by those who harm wildlife. Poachers can use drones, GPS, and AI tools to track down endangered species more efficiently, posing a significant threat to the very ecosystems we are trying to protect. The same technology that helps us monitor animals for research can be used by those in illegal wildlife trade to locate and capture them. This dual-edged sword of technological innovation requires conservationists to remain vigilant and develop counter-technologies to safeguard wildlife.

So, how does the average person working in conservation stay on top of these rapidly changing trends? Especially for those who do not have the funds to attend conferences or enroll in specialized courses, staying ahead of the curve might seem daunting. However, there are accessible ways to continue learning.

First, online courses and webinars are excellent tools for staying current. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and even YouTube offer a wide range of free or affordable courses on AI, data science, and conservation technologies. The University of Helsinki, for example, offers a popular free course on the fundamentals of AI (source: https://www.elementsofai.com/). Keeping an eye on conservation-specific webinars, such as those offered by the Conservation Technology Hub (source: https://conservationx.com), can also help you stay updated on how new tools are being applied in the field. Subscribing to newsletters and reading tech publications like Wired or TechCrunch will give you insights into broader technology trends that could impact conservation.

Another practical step is engaging with online communities. LinkedIn groups dedicated to conservation and technology offer valuable networking opportunities. You can also join virtual meetups or participate in hackathons that focus on environmental issues. Staying active in these spaces helps you learn from others who are already embracing new technologies.

Lastly, never underestimate the power of experimenting. Even if you can’t afford expensive equipment or software, there are often free versions of technology that can allow you to test and learn. For example, Google Earth Engine offers free access to satellite imagery and geospatial analysis tools, enabling conservationists to monitor changes in land use or track deforestation rates from anywhere in the world (source: https://earthengine.google.com/). Playing around with these tools can help you understand their potential without the need for a large financial investment.

The future of conservation will undoubtedly be shaped by AI and technology. On the one hand, these innovations promise to revolutionize the field, allowing conservationists to work more effectively and efficiently. On the other, they also present new ethical dilemmas and threats to wildlife that we need to confront. To stay competitive in the conservation field, professionals must remain flexible and open to learning about these new tools, even if they seem outside the realm of traditional conservation work. While we may not be able to predict where our careers will take us in five, ten years… or when we throw in the towel to start teaching yoga, we can be certain that staying on top of technological trends will be key to remaining relevant in the ever-evolving world of conservation.

Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, SEVENSEAS Media