Study on latest EU policy developments and future challenges for the fisheries and aquaculture

The European Parliament’s research department has this month published a study that provides both an overview of EU policy on fisheries and aquaculture and recommendations on how to address the key challenges facing the sustainable development of these sectors.

And the challenges are significant! While policies seek to balance environmental, social and economic objectives to ensure sustainable fisheries within healthy marine ecosystems, they also need to support blue economy actors in their green transition and adaptation to climate change. Not to mention that increasing competition for marine space is an issue across the blue economy.

There are also concerns that the higher environmental and social standards required of European production could make European operators less competitive than others.

To explore the challenges in more detail, the authors used a PESTLE* analysis of the European aquaculture sector. Technological factors include “the lack of sufficient circular alternatives to fishmeal”. EFFOP is supporting the production of all sustainable feed ingredients needed to foster the growth of aquaculture but would like to point out that marine ingredients are circular solutions. Indeed, it is too often overlooked that 40% of the raw material used to produce fishmeal and fish oil in Europe comes from the recycling of fisheries and aquaculture trimmings. In this way, European producers maximize the use of natural resources and the production of circular aquaculture production systems.

Finally, some of the report’s recommendations echo those of EFFOP:

• Support the growth and diversification of European aquaculture to meet EU food security and sustainability objectives.
• Improve policy implementation mechanisms in consultation with stakeholders to better support environmental objectives and ensure a level playing field.
• Promote dialogue between blue economy actors, based on the best available scientific knowledge, to ensure the sustainable management of marine areas.

Read the study requested by the EU Parliament Committee on Fisheries here.

*PESTLE: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental