He explains further - “The next opportunity is farming the sea. I’m not talking about farming any fish in cages. But I’m talking about what the Japanese and the Chinese, and the Koreans are doing... they have cleaned out the sea bed, planted sea grass, so there are grass pastures for the fish, the way we have grass pastures for sheep and cattle on the land.

“The wealth of opportunity is phenomenal for a new industrial revolution, a new agri-industrial revolution, by using our coastline and our - what was traditional - use of the marine food web.”

Both Oman and Japan have consulted Professor Michael Crawford on such ideas and have been successfully putting his input into practice - you can hear more in the episode.

Parallels with Ocean by Sir David Attenborough

In Sir David Attenborough’s latest film ‘Ocean’, he urges: "After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea."

In Attenborough’s new film, ‘Ocean’ shows how industrialised fishing has devastated marine life -"It's hard to imagine a more wasteful way to catch fish," he comments. The process also releases vast amounts of carbon dioxide which contributes to the warming of our planet.

The film does, however, also offer hope, with examples of impactful conservation efforts globally and their positive ripple effects.

The film’s stunning visuals, of reefs rebounding under marine protection, fisheries recovering, and kelp forests flourishing,- truly mirror Crawford’s scientific vision: we must prioritise marine restoration.

As David Attenborough reminds us in the documentary: “If we save the sea, we save our world.”

Professor Crawford completes the thought by adding that healthy marine ecosystems house the brain-vital nutrients needed for human minds.

Michael Crawford explains – briefly in the Food Programme, and with more detail in his FAB webinar 'Feeding Humanity' - how farming the oceans sustainably can not only feed healthier minds but also lock up enough carbon to help achieve climate targets.

Across forums, Michael consistently ties brain & mental health to sustainable fisheries, echoing other expert’s calls for diverse, local seafood consumption.

Two brilliant voices - one poignant message

Together, the combined message from Sir David Attenborough and Professor Michael Crawford could unlock a new chapter for the UK if put into practice. One that demonstrates:

• sustainable ocean farming
• marine conservation 
• nutritional leadership

Our Very Own FAB Webinar with Professor Michael Crawford - 'Feeding Humanity'

Professor Michael Crawford's messages around nutrition and the marine food web for the brain & mental health have never been more relevant.

Every purchase helps to continue the work of our charity.

Listen to more from Professor Michael Crawford

Professor Michael Crawford has appeared across BBC Four’s programming, and regularly contributes to The Food Programme, including the July 2023 episode “Feeding Your Brain: A User’s Guide”.

You can also hear more from Michael on our FAB Research Youtube Channel: