As one of the world''s fastest growing food sectors, aquaculture already provides the planet with about half of all the fish we eat and still has a lot more to give.
The EU has put in place high standards to keep sustainable growth at the heart of aquaculture's approach and methods; the EU's aquaculture industry leads the world in research and technological development. Yet this progress in excellence has not been reflected in production, which has levelled off in the EU, while there has been strong growth in some other parts of the world. In its Communication that it recently presented, the Commission sets out to address this state of affairs and give fresh impetus to sustainable growth to the EU's aquaculture sector.
In its Communication the Commission examines the root causes of the stagnation in EU aquaculture production and looks at ways to improve the sector's competitiveness, sustainability and governance.
Firstly, the sector can become more competitive through ongoing strong support for research and technological development, improved planning of space in coastal areas and river basins to make it easier for the sector to compete for space and water, and inclusion of its specific needs in the EU's market policy for fisheries products.
Secondly, it will remain sustainable if it continues to build on environmentally friendly production methods, maintains high animal health and welfare standards and delivers a high level of consumer protection.
Thirdly, more can be done to enhance the sector's image and its governance-related aspects. Aquaculture's success will depend to a large extent on there being a business-friendly environment for the sector at national and/or local level.
