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A Strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture

Communication From the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament

Document format: pdf

Publisher: Commission of the European Communities

Creation date: September 19, 2002

Aquaculture is highly diverse and consists of a broad spectrum of species, systems and practices1. Its economic dimension creates new economic niches, i.e. employment, a more effective use of local resources, and opportunities for productive investment. The contribution of aquaculture to trade, both local and international, is also increasing.

The Commission recognised the importance of aquaculture in the frame of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and the necessity to develop a strategy for the sustainable development of this sector2. This strategy will be coherent with the other Community’s strategies and in particular with the European Strategy for Sustainable Development3 and the conclusions of the Göteborg European Council of 15/16 June 2001.

The principal aquaculture products of the Union are fish (trout, salmon, sea bass, sea bream), and molluscs (mussels, oysters and clams). Production rose from 642,000 tonnes in 1980 to 944,000 tonnes in 1990, and reached 1,315,000 tonnes in 2000. This is just 3% of world aquaculture production, but EU is the world leader for some species like trout, seabass, seabream, turbot, and mussels. The value is currently € 2,500 million per year. Aquaculture constitutes 17% of the volume and 27% of the value of the total fishery production of the Union.

Europe has skilled aquaculture scientists and good research facilities, which have contributed significantly to the growth of the sector. The farming technology of some species was invented in Europe. However, in the last decade the annual growth rate of EU aquaculture of 3,4 per cent has been slower than the world average (11 per cent). The progress of fish farming has been good but is now tending to slow down, while shellfish culture advancement was rather modest with an average 2,1 percent per year.

Key Words: EU • European Union • European Commission • Common Fisheries Policy • Policy and Regulation • International Trade • Sustainable Development