The Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture is a policy at EU level covering the period 2021 to 2030. The overall purpose of these guidelines is to help building an EU aquaculture sector that: (i) is competitive and resilient; (ii) ensures the supply of nutritious and healthy food; (iii) reduces the EU’s dependency on seafood imports; (iv) creates economic opportunities and jobs; and (v) becomes a global reference for sustainability. This policy addresses different challenges and opportunities of the aquaculture sector in line with the European Green Deal in order to reach the following four inter-related objectives: building resilience and competitiveness; participating in the green transition; ensuring social acceptance and consumer information; and increasing knowledge and innovation. A more detailed guidance document will be developed on the planning for space and access to water for marine, freshwater and land-based aquaculture, and the implementation of this guidance will be enabled by providing technical and financial support to EU Member States. The implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive will be monitored. The regulatory and administrative system on aquaculture will be reviewed according to the principles laid down in this policy. A single national entity will be established in each Member State to strengthen the cooperation between the national and regional public authorities dealing with aquaculture. Institutional capacities will be enhanced on disease surveillance and notification, medicinal products, good husbandry practices, research and innovation on animal health, environmental risks, and public health. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into the aquaculture sector. To this end, climate-adaptation and climate-mitigation measures will be adopted by EU aquaculture producers, and the sector-specific national, regional, transnational or sea-basin climate adaptation plans will be developed. All environmental aspects will be integrated in aquaculture planning and licensing, including the protection of species and habitats; determination of impact of aquaculture production on ecosystems; the use of sustainable feed; energy efficiency; reduction of carbon footprint; reduction of escapes; use of chemicals and veterinary medicines, including vaccines; nutrient-balanced aquaculture sites; the circular approach and waste management; the management of predators; and the use of genetic aquatic resources and selective breeding. Environmental indicators and voluntary targets for environmental performance will be identified, and the monitoring and reporting of environmental indicators by the aquaculture industry will be promoted. In order to cope with the complexity of national licensing systems, a reference monitoring system will be established for the aquaculture sector to assess progress and facilitate informed decision-making and long-term planning. Measures will be taken to reduce further the environmental footprint of EU aquaculture and to prevent marine litter by aquaculture activities. Areas suitable for aquaculture will be designated in accordance with clear and transparent criteria and tools to identify new areas, including: (i) evaluating impacts on the ecosystem through a strategic impact assessment; (ii) setting water-quality requirements (in particular for farming of molluscs); (iii) evaluating potential synergies and conflicts with other activities; (iv) determining the area’s ‘carrying capacity’; and (v) defining the necessary distance of aquaculture sites from pollution sources. The designation will be accompanied by setting up an appropriate mechanism to: (i) monitor and collect data on the environmental impacts of aquaculture activities; and (ii) monitor water quality (notably for areas used to farm molluscs). A code of good practice on fish welfare based on scientific research and evidence, covering farming, transport and killing, will be developed by EU Member States, the EU aquaculture industry, EU scientific bodies and NGOs. The knowledge and skills of aquaculture producers on good practices for fish welfare will be developed, and research and innovation on animal welfare will be supported. The EU aquaculture sector will be diversified through the farming of promising new species and production methods. Moreover, the value of EU aquaculture products will be promoted by working more on processing and packaging aquaculture products into new value-added products and using quality schemes and labels. The coordinated EU-wide campaign on EU aquaculture will be supported and its broad dissemination will be ensured at national level, with the full involvement of regional authorities, aquaculture producers, retailers, and to the extent possible, NGOs and media. The information on EU aquaculture production will be provided to consumers and the public, including information on labelling and marketing standards, and the value of EU aquaculture as ‘local and fresh’ with short food circuits. A study will be conducted on the positive and negative impacts of EU aquaculture from the economic, environmental and social aspects. The establishment and recognition of producer and market organizations will be supported to maximize the benefits among aquaculture producers. Furthermore, the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence will be encouraged for increased traceability and transparency of aquaculture products across the value chain. Standards will be developed for aquaculture products under the marketing standards framework. The involvement of local communities will be encouraged by the aquaculture industry. Reporting obligations will be put in place in the aquaculture sector to ensure data collection on aquaculture. The industry and industry associations will be encouraged to take voluntary commitments to report to national authorities and make public environmental data, including on escapes and the use of veterinary medicines. Aquaculture producers and other stakeholders will be encouraged to work together with research and innovation institutes and public authorities to find solutions to the challenges of the sustainable development of EU aquaculture. Skills development in the aquaculture sector and the regular training of aquaculture professionals will be promoted, in particular on how to incorporate innovative practices.
2021-05-12