EUROPE

Green Goals, Grey Reality: Why EU aquaculture isn’t growing

Santander (Spain) 30th October 2024 | EU directives and strategies aimed at boosting aquaculture have failed to reverse the sector’s stagnation

Granja acuicultura marina

The European Union’s attempt to position aquaculture as a cornerstone of its sustainability and food security policies has proven to be a “failure” if we look at stagnant production levels over recent decades and the industry’s inability to compete globally against cheaper imports with fewer environmental regulations.

A recent study by an international team of researchers, published in the journal Aquaculture under the title "What is happening to the European Union's aquaculture production? Investigating its stagnation and sustainability", sheds light on this issue. It highlights strict environmental regulations, competition for aquatic space and the influx of cheap imported products as the main factors behind the stagnation.

Initiatives such as the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork strategy and the Communication on a Sustainable Blue Economy promote low-impact, sustainable aquaculture, with a particular focus on species such as shellfish and seaweed that help to reduce environmental impacts. However, these policies have so far failed to significantly boost the sector.

While global aquaculture production has surged by 54% over the past decade, EU production remains between 1 and 1.2 million tonnes, creating a significant competitive disadvantage for European producers. This situation is further compounded by EU consumers’ preferences for high-value commercial and higher-trophic-level species, which drives the market towards less sustainable practices.

These findings echo longstanding concerns from European aquaculture producers, who continue to call for strategic adjustments that would balance sustainability with competitiveness. If the EU fails to address this stagnation, it risks growing dependency on less sustainable imports and compromising its environmental sustainability and food security objectives.

Reference: J. Guillen, F. Asche, A. Borriello, et al., What is happening to the European Union aquaculture production? Investigating its stagnation and sustainability. Aquaculture (2024).

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