I Europa tegner akvakultur sig for omkring 20 % af fiskeproduktionen og beskæftiger omkring 85 000 mennesker. Sektoren består primært af SMV'er og mikrovirksomheder i kyst- og landområder. EU's akvakultur er kendt for sine høje standarder for kvalitet, bæredygtighed og forbrugerbeskyttelse.

EU's samlede produktion har været mere eller mindre konstant siden 2000, mens den globale produktion i samme periode er vokset med næsten 7 % om året.

Kommissionen vil sætte skub i akvakultursektoren med reformen af den fælles fiskeripolitik og offentliggjorde i 2013 strategiske retningslinjer med fælles prioriteter og generelle mål på EU-plan. Der blev i samråd med alle relevante parter udpeget fire prioriterede områder:

• reduktion af administrative byrder
• forbedring af adgangen til arealer og vand
• forbedring af konkurrenceevnen
• udnyttelse af de konkurrencemæssige fordele ved høje standarder for kvalitet, sundhed og miljø.

På grundlag af retningslinjerne samarbejder Kommissionen og EU-landene om at øge produktionen og konkurrenceevnen i sektoren. EU-landene opfordres til at udarbejde flerårige planer for at fremme akvakulturen. Kommissionen hjælper med at udpege flaskehalse, men arbejder også på at lette samarbejde, koordinering og udveksling af bedste praksis mellem EU-landene.

Initiatives

The European Commission has launched a number of campaigns to promote sustainable aquaculture in the EU. Most recently these include the Tapping Into Blue Growth conference, the Farmed in the EU campaign and the aquaculture schools project. These campaigns aim to highlight the role of aquaculture for EU citizens and to pass the message about what aquaculture is all about.

Events

• High Level event 24 May 2016 - Brussels
• High Level event November 2012 – La Coruña
• High Level event Salzburg 2012

Reports

• SAPEA Evidence report: How can more food and biomass be obtained from the oceans in a way that does not deprive future generations of their benefits?
• Recommendations of the Scientific Advice Mechanism: How can more food and biomass be obtained from the oceans in a way that does not deprive future generations of their benefits?
• EU Sustainable Aquaculture: Guidelines on application of the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in relation to aquaculture (2016)
• Overview Report: Implementation of the rules on finfish aquaculture (2016) 
• STECF Economic report on the EU aquaculture sector (2016)
• Eurobarometer report on Consumer Habits Regarding Fishery and Aquaculture Products (2017) and the complementary EUMOFA analysis

Officielle dokumenter

Strategic Guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture - COM/2013/229 - Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions (29/04/2013)

Alien species

Regulation (EU) No 304/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 708/2007 concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture

Council Regulation (EC) No 708/2007 concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture

Organic aquaculture

Commission Regulation (EC) No 710/2009 of 5 August 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, as regards laying down detailed rules on organic aquaculture animal and seaweed production

Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control

Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, Building a sustainable future for aquaculture, A new impetus for the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture - COM/2009/0162 final

Læs mere

• Rapport om de økonomiske resultater i EU's akvakultursektor (STECF-14-18). 2014
• Resumé af rapporten om de økonomiske resultater i EU's akvakultursektor 2013 (STECF-13-30). 2013
• Fakta og tal om den fælles fiskeripolitik
• Informationsblad om akvakulturteknikker 2012