Episode 136 - The Aquaculture Challenge:Food Security, Ocean Health, and Ethics | Wasseem Emam
Founder & Executive Director ESR - Ethical Seafood Research
2026-06-10 66 min
Description & Show Notes
Today, right after World Ocean Day, we're sharing a conversation that invites us to explore one of the most complex and challenging topics in animal welfare and ocean conservation.
In Episode 136 of the SANUSPLANET Podcast, our co-founder Magdalena Gschnitzer sits down with Wasseem Emam, Founder and Executive Director of Ethical Seafood Research (ESR), to discuss the future of aquaculture and what it means to improve the lives of aquatic animals within today's food systems.
For Maggy, this was not an easy conversation.
As a vegan, she envisions a world where no animal suffers for human consumption. At the same time, she recognizes the importance of engaging with people who are working tirelessly to reduce suffering and create better systems in the world as it exists today.
Wasseem has dedicated his work to advancing the welfare of aquatic animals and driving positive change across the aquaculture industry. His approach raises important questions:
How do we create meaningful progress when perfect solutions don't yet exist?
Can reducing suffering today be an important step toward a more compassionate future?
And how do we have respectful conversations about difficult topics, even when they challenge our own beliefs?
This episode is not about easy answers. It's about curiosity, compassion, and the willingness to engage with complexity rather than look away from it.
Progress may not always look perfect, but every step that reduces suffering matters.
We invite you to listen with an open mind, reflect on the questions raised, and join the conversation.
Thank you for being part of a community that is willing to explore difficult topics in the pursuit of a better world for animals, people, and our planet.
With gratitude,
The SANUSPLANET Team
Homepage SANUSPLANET Foundation
https://www.sanusplanet.org
To get more info on Wasseem's work at ESR, check out his page:
https://ethicalseafoodresearch.org/
In Episode 136 of the SANUSPLANET Podcast, our co-founder Magdalena Gschnitzer sits down with Wasseem Emam, Founder and Executive Director of Ethical Seafood Research (ESR), to discuss the future of aquaculture and what it means to improve the lives of aquatic animals within today's food systems.
For Maggy, this was not an easy conversation.
As a vegan, she envisions a world where no animal suffers for human consumption. At the same time, she recognizes the importance of engaging with people who are working tirelessly to reduce suffering and create better systems in the world as it exists today.
Wasseem has dedicated his work to advancing the welfare of aquatic animals and driving positive change across the aquaculture industry. His approach raises important questions:
How do we create meaningful progress when perfect solutions don't yet exist?
Can reducing suffering today be an important step toward a more compassionate future?
And how do we have respectful conversations about difficult topics, even when they challenge our own beliefs?
This episode is not about easy answers. It's about curiosity, compassion, and the willingness to engage with complexity rather than look away from it.
Progress may not always look perfect, but every step that reduces suffering matters.
We invite you to listen with an open mind, reflect on the questions raised, and join the conversation.
Thank you for being part of a community that is willing to explore difficult topics in the pursuit of a better world for animals, people, and our planet.
With gratitude,
The SANUSPLANET Team
Homepage SANUSPLANET Foundation
https://www.sanusplanet.org
To get more info on Wasseem's work at ESR, check out his page:
https://ethicalseafoodresearch.org/