Fisheries

Seminar summaries

Seminar summaries

Seminar summaries

Aquaculture

In the framework of the Open Method of Coordination the European Commission aims at facilitating exchange of good practices among Member States and developing common policy solutions to shared problems. To that end, the European Commission works informally with Member States through technical seminars based on a mutual learning process.

 

November 2015

A first technical seminar on good practices in aquaculture took place in Brussels in November 2015. Member States were invited to join the working session and identify the obstacles hampering the sustainable development of aquaculture.

Good practices examples

  • UK: example of Scotland's aquaculture portal, which provides detailed and up-to-date information about all farms in Scotland – including site facilities, veterinary treatments, escapes, movement restrictions, etc. Website
  • Austria: example of support for applicants, in particular through the publication of guidelines detailing the licencing procedure and the different administrative levels involved. Website
  • France: challenges of coordinating the handling of aquaculture issues by different administrations in a context of extremely fragmented and regionalised competences. The leading role of an inter-branch organisation in coordinating between industry and the relevant local administrative bodies across FR.
  • Croatia: example of an integrated framework for aquaculture spatial planning adopted in 2011 and being implemented.
  • Greece: example of current establishment of "Areas for Organised Aquaculture Development" facilitates and shortens in time the licencing procedures, including the most complicated environmental licencing.

Presentations

 

May 2016

The second technical seminar on good practices in aquaculture took place in Brussels in May 2016, back to back with the conference "Tapping into blue growth: the way forward for European aquaculture". Building on the discussions from the first technical seminar and high level event, Member States addressed issues such as the criteria and thresholds for requiring an environmental impact assessment in aquaculture, national approaches to charging for water abstraction, the integration of aquaculture in maritime spatial planning and ways to improve transparency and awareness about the sustainability of EU aquaculture.

Good practices examples

  • The Netherlands: online application form for licensing of new aquaculture farms
  • Slovakia: freshwater licensing procedure (production certificate) and recent efforts to simplify the procedure

Presentations

 

October 2016

The third technical seminar on good practices in aquaculture took place in Brussels in October 2016. Member States addressed specific aspects of sustainability in aquaculture. Improving acceptability and transparency with a view to enhancing the image of the sector was also discussed.

The animal health and alien species registers, as required under EU law, and their possibilities to better inform citizens about aquaculture activities across the EU were discussed. National rules on water discharges and escape prevention and their regulation and monitoring these in the context of the sustainability of the sector were also discussed. DG MARE highlighted the pan-European Farmed in the EU communication campaign and Member States exchanged information on experiences with national and regional campaigns.

Good practices example

  • Estonia: Fisheries Information Centre.

Presentations

April 2017

The fourth technical seminar on good practices in aquaculture took place in Brussels in April 2017. Member States discussed the steps they have taken to implement their multiannual national aquaculture plan, in preparation for producing a mid-term review, which DG MARE encouraged all Member States to do. A guidance document suggesting the content of the review was provided by DG MARE as a background document. Most Member States reported positive steps in implementing their plans, particularly in reviewing and sharpening national legislation on aquaculture licensing and maritime spatial planning. It was clear that although the mid-point of the EMFF is approaching, it is only in the last few months that calls for proposals for EMFF funding have been launched by the Member States. It will take some time before projects are selected for funding, and even more time before they are implemented and any economic impact can be assessed.

DG MARE asked that Member States submit their midterm reviews by the end of October for inclusion in the Commission's overall review of the Open Method of Coordination.
Speakers were also invited from CEN; the European Committee for standardisation, the Aquaculture Advisory Council, and the contractors conducting a study on the welfare of farmed fish.

Good practices example

Presentations

December 2017

Member States met for the fifth time in Brussels to exchange good practices and information towards the sustainable development of European Aquaculture in December 2017. The "Food from the Oceans" report and its accompanying evidence review were presented as well as the set of 5 recommendations and the most relevant ones related to aquaculture. Discussions were held around prospects for more recent and innovative aquaculture techniques as well as on the supports already put in place at national level for IMTA and RAS systems, aquaponics and algae farming. Member States also shared regional initiatives taking place in their country whereas FARNET presented the objectives of the various FLAGs (Fisheries Local Action Groups) related to aquaculture.

Good practices example

Presentations

Relevant documents

FARNET Guide #14: Integrating aquaculture within local communities

May 2018

The sixth technical seminar on good practices in European aquaculture took place in Brussels in May 2018. Member States addressed specific topics in this session: from the importance of Maritime Spatial Planning for aquaculture, to Animal Health Regulation and animal welfare issues. They also had lengthy exchanges on quality labels for aquaculture products. On the second day, Member States exchanged with the Aquaculture Advisory Council on the functioning of this stakeholder-led organisation but also on the mid-term Evaluation of the Open Method of Coordination and on shellfish water. An update on the TAPAS project in Ireland was also presented.   

Presentations

Relevant documents

FAO document on biosecurity guidance for aquaculture. More information about the context for this document can be found here.