The problem

Traditional extensive and semi-intensive coastal aquaculture systems in southern Europe face increasing competition for space from other users. These pressures are exacerbated by increased competition from low-price intensive aquaculture production elsewhere. Greater application of scientific knowledge to these traditional methods, however, would benefit the local communities and economies that still depend on traditional aquaculture methods. This expertise would also maximise the environmental and ecological benefits that these traditional methods have to offer.

Overview:

SEACASE will undertake case studies of extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture production systems in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece to develop good-practice guides and quality certification standards.The overarching objective will be:

• To optimise the competitiveness, productivity, profitability and sustainability of production in southern Europe
• To identify, analyse and promote good practice so as to minimise adverse environmental effects, improve the quality and public image of the industry’s products and maximise the socio-economic benefits to coastal communities

Contribution to policy development:

• SEACASE will identify aquaculture management policies that support the EU’s international treaty obligations for environmental sustainability and responsible fisheries.
• The project will identify opportunities for long-term socio-economic benefits to what are frequently isolated or fishery-dependent communities.
• The economic and environmental implications of improved and alternative methods of production will be examined and their potential application evaluated.
• Opportunities for enhancing competitiveness in an increasingly global market will be identified.
• Proposals will be developed to improve product quality and traceability.

Project deliverables

• Report on polymorphism and heterozygosity values by microsatellite loci genotyping – Oct 2007
• Report on diet formulations for sustainable fish farming – Nov 2007
• Report on slaughtering methods in extensive and semi-intensive production – Feb 2008
• Report on genotype profiles of hatchery gilthead sea bream juveniles – Aug 2008
• Report on semi-extensive nurseries in lagoons/ponds – Oct 2008
• Report on gene expression profile in gilthead sea bream under cold conditions – Dec 2008
• Report ons valliculture and polyculture and report on integrated management of marine ponds and lagoons for a sustainable eel fishery; and on extensive fish polyculture in earth ponds –
  Dec 2009
• Conclusions and policy implementation plan – Dec 2009

Dissemination

• Website – from March 2007
• Newsletter – March 2007, October 2007, April 2008, November 2008, June 2009, December 2009
• Six workshops focusing on individual case studies (national interest) and a final overview (international) workshop – throughout project
• Publication of key findings and conclusions in technical reports for the industry as well as in peer-reviewed scientific journals – as opportunities arise

Technical information

Project acronym: SEACASE
Project’s official full title: Sustainable extensive and semi-intensive coastal aquaculture in southern Europe
Research priority: Modernisation and sustainability of fisheries, including aquaculture-based production systems
Specific webpage: www.seacase.org
Proposal/contract no: 044483
Start date: January 2007
Kick off meeting: January 2007
Completion date: December 2009
European Commission scientific officer: Jacques Fuchs, Jacques.FUCHS@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator: Maria Teresa Dinis
Name: Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve
Abbreviated name: CCMAR
Address: CCMAR, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas,
8005-139 Faro
Country: Portugal
Tel: +351 289 800900
Fax: +351 289 800069
Website: www.ccmar.ualg.pt

Partners

Name: Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e das Pescas
Abbreviated name: INIAP-IPIMAR
Country: Portugal           

Name: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
Abbreviated name: CSIC
Country: Spain   

Name: Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer
Abbreviated name: IFREMER
Country: France 

Name: Centre Régional d'Expérimentation et d'Application Aquacole
Abbreviated name: CREAA
Country: France 

Name: Syndicat mixte "Forum des Marais Atlantiques"
Abbreviated name: FMA
Country: France 

Name: Université de Bretagne Occidentale
Abbreviated name: UBO
Country: France 

Name: Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica applicata al Mare
Abbreviated name: ICRAM
Country: Italy 

Name: Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
Abbreviated name: UTV
Country: Italy 

Name: Department of Public Health, Comparative Pathology, and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Padova
Abbreviated name: UNIPD
Country: Italy 

Name: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Abbreviated name: HCMR
Country: Greece 

Name: University of Crete
Abbreviated name: UoC
Country: Greece 

Name: Associação Nacional de Aquacultores
Abbreviated name: ANAQUA
Country: Portugal           

Name: Asociación de Empresas de Acuicultura Marina de Andalucía
Abbreviated name: ASEMA
Country: Spain   

Name: Syndicat Français de l’Aquaculture Marine et Nouvelle
Abbreviated name: SFAM
Country: France 

Name: Associazione Piscicoltori Italiani
Abbreviated name: API
Country: Italy 

Name: Federation of Greek Mariculture
Abbreviated name: FGM
Country: Greece