Purina Europe launches its first Ocean Restoration Programme

The ocean is essential for all life on earth. However, as a result of climate change and human activities, ocean health is declining at an alarming rate, putting all marine life under threat. Nestlé Purina Pet Care Europe is launching its first Ocean Restoration Programme to help tackle marine biodiversity loss in Europe.

The pet food company is partnering with expert organisations to help restore 1 500 hectares – the equivalent of around 3 700 football pitches – of marine habitats by 2030. Marine habitats provide a home to many species, including fish. Fish are part of Purina's supply chain because the company uses fish by-products. These are parts of fish that are not consumed by humans but provide a valuable ingredient in pet food, so that nothing goes to waste.

Purina is investing in its partners' ocean restoration solutions across Europe, with the aim of making these effective and scalable. Each partner targets species that are critical to restoring local marine habitats but are being depleted. The first phase of the programme will last three years and prioritises the development of research, a measurement framework and the conditions needed to scale up the restoration solutions efficiently and effectively. The second phase is planned to start in 2026 and will focus on scaling the proven solutions.

Restoration efforts will take place in France (Arcachon Bay), the Netherlands (including Zeeland), Norway (Tromsø), and Portugal (Cascais & Peniche), while additional sites in Germany and the UK are being evaluated.

Kerstin Schmeiduch, director of corporate communications and sustainability at Purina Europe, said: "With marine biodiversity declining dramatically, collective restoration efforts are required. At Purina, we are committed to playing our part to help address the marine biodiversity loss in our extended supply chain. Therefore, together with our partners, we are taking an active role in helping restore marine habitats at-scale in Europe."