December 24, 2024
European Commission releases key documents on sustainable aquaculture
The European Commission has introduced three new staff working documents to advance sustainable aquaculture practices within the European Union.
These publications address critical areas, including access to space and water for freshwater and land-based aquaculture, climate-change adaptation, and energy transition in the sector.
The first document focuses on the challenges faced by inland aquaculture, particularly regarding access to space and water. This complements a previous publication from April 2024, which dealt with planning access for marine aquaculture.
The second document offers guidance on preparing Climate Adaptation Plans for aquaculture, aiming to assist Member States and the sector in adapting to climate change. It explains how climate change impacts EU aquaculture and includes examples of good practices for implementing climate adaptation measures.
The third document centres on the energy transition within the aquaculture sector, examining primary energy uses and exploring decarbonisation strategies. It lists good practices and highlights EU-funded projects aimed at achieving energy transition, building on efforts under the EU Energy Transition Initiative for fisheries and aquaculture.
These publications expand on the strategic guidelines for sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture, developed collaboratively with Member States, aquaculture producers, advisory councils, and scientific experts. They consolidate good practices and provide practical examples to aid Member States in fostering sustainable aquaculture.
Looking ahead, the Commission and the EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism are preparing additional documents on environmental performance and fish welfare. Training will be offered to Member State authorities through the EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism, and e-learning modules for the newly released documents will be made available online.
Aquaculture remains a dynamic sector shaped by ongoing innovation and technological advancements. To address current and emerging challenges, the Commission plans to continue updating the staff working documents to support sustainable development in the industry.
- European Comission
