Aquaculture is showing signs of recovery in the European Union (EU), after more than a decade of stagnation.
The sector had 4 percent growth in volume and 8 percent in value between
2014 and 2015, and its profits exceeded EUR 400 million euro.
Currently, it is generating more value than ever before, assures the
European executive.
According to the European Commission, strong cooperation with the
national authorities to remove barriers to growth have led the industry
to succeed. As a result, many governments have been taking steps to reduce bureaucracy.
European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella emphasized at the Farmed in the EU Regions conference, the need for even greateracceptance of the regions of the European bloc. "Aquaculture can deliver local food and local jobs in an
environment-friendly way. The planning, authorisation, and ultimately
the success of aquaculture in the EU lie in the hands of our regions and
Member States. We count on you to support investment in this promising
industry", Commissioner Vella said.
Commissioner Vella believes aquaculture is a key pillar of global and European food security.
"We need to plan ahead now to provide more fish, shellfish and algae
in a sustainable, responsible way", Commissioner Vella said. "Of course
we must continue our work on sustainable wild fisheries, but if we are
to get more seafood, it has to come from farming. Having many small,
well-planned farming actions at regional scale, and helping consumers to
make informed, responsible choices is the key to success."
At the Conference, the EC revealed a series of new guidelines on the
accommodation of aquaculture within the EU environmental rules, as well
as information on planning and business authorisation.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (FEMP) provides EUR 1.2 billion
exclusively for aquaculture, aiming at helping farms invest, grow,
become more innovative and efficient, and also to help attract more
private investment.
European authorities think that if investments work out and the
conditions continue to be supportive of the sector, a 25 percent growth
will be achieved by 2020, goal set by Member States when they developed
their aquaculture plans in 2014.
The EU expressed its commitment to collaborate with national and
regional authorities to implement the "FARMED in the EU" communication
campaign, helping aquaculture professionals to explain their job to
schools across Europe.
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