In accordance with article 34 of the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013 of 11 December 2013, concerning the common fishery policy, the Republic of Croatia had to adopt the multi-annual National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture 2014-2020, which is being prepared and coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Aquaculture in Republic of Croatia is economically, socially and ecologically sustainable, with a developed infrastructure, strong human potentials and an organized market. The consumption of aquaculture products is equal or above EU average, while the technological development of the sector is among the best in the EU. Integration of aquaculture into the environment, and consequently, into society, represents a permanent opportunity and challenge both for marine farming as well as for the freshwater one. Precisely because of this, planning the further development of activities based on the principle of ecosystem approach is of strategic value, on the basis of which aquaculture in RC may become the leading sector in the development of the EU Blue Growth strategy. Aquaculture represents a growing, high-value industry whose further development is dependent on the availability and the sustainable use of natural resources in continental and coastal environment. General development and growth objectives of marine and freshwater aquaculture are listed as follows: Objective 1-Strengthen the social, business and administrative environment for aquaculture development; Objective 2-Increase in the total production to 24,050 tonnes while adhering to the principles of economic, social and ecological sustainability; Objective 3-Improvement of the perception and increase in the national consumption of aquaculture products. General priorities of marine and freshwater aquaculture in the 2014-2020 period may be categorized into the following topics: 1.Legal framework and administration-Priority 1.1 Simplification of administrative procedures; Priority 1.2 Improvement of the data collection system; 2.Spatial placement of the activity and spatial planning-Priority 2.1 Ensuring sustainable development and growth through coordinated spatial planning throughout the territory of the Republic of Croatia, ensuring of the necessary farming locations, locations for the accompanying infrastructure, ensuring the adequate quantity of water for fresh water aquaculture; 3.Environment and nature-Priority 3.1 Application of environmentally acceptable technologies; Priority 3.2 Protection and compensation of damages from predators; 4.Health of organisms in farming-Priority 4.1 Determining and implementing protocols in order to prevent and control diseases and the welfare of aquatic animals in farming; Priority 4.2. Epidemiological zoning of river basins and marine areas for the farming of fish and shellfish in order to ensure free movement of aquaculture products; 5.Market and competitiveness-Priority 5.1 Diversification of production and the introduction of new species into farming; Priority 5.2 Improving the cooperation of the industry with the scientific as well as research and development institutions; Priority 5.3 Enabling the farming of other aquatic organisms, except fish and shellfish; Priority 5.4 Insurance of farming production; Priority 5.5 Founding producer associations; 6.Perception and communication-Priority 6.1 Increasing the competitiveness, certification, branding; Priority 6.2 Development of the domestic market, marketing strategies and the promotion of aquaculture products including the improvement of the communication with consumers; 7.Education and employment-Priority 7.1 Continuous general education and informing the participants in aquaculture with special care for the health and welfare of aquatic animals, aquaculture waste management (in terms of waste reduction), with strengthening the role of Advisory Services; Priority 7.2 Working conditions improvement; Priority 7.3 Increasing employment.
Croatie · 2015-02-24