In May 2021, the European Commission published its new strategy for sustainable aquaculture in Europe. The Farm to Fork Strategy has recognised the role that sustainable aquaculture has to play in building sustainable food systems. The new strategy sets the path for EU aquaculture to grow into a competitive and resilient sector and become a global reference for sustainability by 2030. An insightful and practical brochure on aquaculture and the new strategy is now available in all EU languages.
Did you know that more than half of the world’s fish and other aquatic food for human consumption comes from aquaculture? In fact, the farming of fish and shellfish (aquaculture) has been the fastest growing food production activity in the world in recent decades. This growth is expected to continue. However, aquaculture in the EU is not experiencing such growth. In 2018, EU aquaculture production only covered 10% of all seafood consumed in the EU and accounted for less than 2% of the world production.
Nevertheless, sustainable aquaculture can help solve some of the most pressing issues we face today, such as ensuring food security, alleviating pressure on wild fish stocks and reducing the climate and environmental footprint of our food system. It can also provide consumers in the EU with even more diverse healthy and sustainable food products, including ‘superfoods’ like algae or invertebrates such as sea urchins.
Therefore, with the new strategy, the European Commission wants to develop this potential and put the sector on the path of sustainable growth, fully in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.
The Commission is currently working on the implementation of the different actions proposed in the new strategy, together with Member States and the Aquaculture Advisory Council.
More information
Brochure
Strategic guidelines: Aquaculture guidelines
Reference (open access):
European Commission, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, (2021). A new strategic vision for sustainable aquaculture production and consumption in the European Union : blue farming in the European Green Deal, Publications Office. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2771/233809
Source: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
