Docapesca
The Portuguese state-owned company responsible for managing fish auctions, supporting the fishing industry, and ensuring sustainable practices.
Challenge
To assist Docapesca in defining its vision for the next five years by addressing the sector’s — fishing industry — systemic challenges and exploring opportunities for innovation and sustainability.
Outcome
An immersive, systemic research that allowed a comprehensive understanding of the fishing industry’s needs, challenges, and impacts on people, organizations, and the planet, enabling Docapesca to outline actionable goals and a future vision.
Docapesca sought to redefine its role in the fishing industry amid uncertainty, aiming to remain relevant and sustainable. Through in-depth research and stakeholder collaboration, we uncovered key challenges and opportunities for innovation.
Our role and goal
Reporting the Future of the Fishing Industry
We translated the complexities of the fishing industry into actionable opportunities for Docapesca, facilitating alignment among stakeholders and defining strategic priorities for the company.
Our goal was to deliver a detailed report that encompassed research findings, industry trends, results from co-creation sessions, and strategic recommendations to guide Docapesca’s vision and initiatives until 2028.
Approach
From Insights to Action: A Vision for 2028
We facilitated sessions with Docapesca leaders to develop future scenarios, balancing shared and divergent thinking. Our field research involved immersion in real-world contexts through interviews, observations, and surveys to gather both qualitative and quantitative insights.
We validated findings with different types of stakeholders and co-created prioritized solutions, ultimately combining research insights with these solutions to define Docapesca’s goals and initiatives for the future.
Data and Numbers
Docapesca recognized the urgent need to transform its image and practices in response to labor shortages, outdated perceptions, and growing sustainability concerns. Faced with the increasing demand for transparency and eco-conscious practices, they sought to redefine their role in an evolving industry. Our work provided Docapesca with a clear roadmap for the future, prioritizing goals and initiatives that focus on long-term viability.
Results
The fishing industry suffers from an outdated and precarious image, reducing its appeal to younger generations and contributing to labor shortages. Additionally, there are growing sustainability concerns regarding its impact on oceans and ecosystems, necessitating the adoption of innovative and transparent practices for long-term viability. Consumers are increasingly demanding traceable and eco-conscious practices, reflecting a shift towards sustainability and transparency. Furthermore, aquaculture and alternative production methods are emerging as viable solutions to traditional fishing challenges.
In terms of results and strategic takeaways, we identified fundamental needs for the fishing industry, aquaculture, oceans, and consumer behavior, providing a roadmap for future action. We defined the company’s concepts, values, and strategic axes, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration with stakeholders. We also delivered a prioritized set of goals and initiatives, offering practical steps to enhance transparency, sustainability, and the industry’s overall attractiveness.
